§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what progress British Airways and British Aerospace have so far made toward concluding a Concorde interchange and leasing arrangements for international services with Braniff;
(2) what advantages he sees in British Airways and British Aerospace reaching an interchange and leasing arrangement with Braniff;
(3) what steps he is taking to encourage a British Airways and British Aerospace interchange and leasing arrangements with Braniff;
(4) what assessment he has made of the potential value to British Airways and British Aerospace, respectively, of Braniff's proposed interchange and leasing arrangements.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAn agreement was signed between British Airways and Braniff on 10th February 1977. British Aerospace is not a party to the agreement. I am, of course, in favour of arrangements that will enable British Airways to improve utilisation of their Concorde fleet. The Government are actively giving them every assistance in 373W seeking solutions to the problems which must be resolved before the agreement can be implemented. An assessment of this and future such leasing arrangements is a matter for the commercial judgment of the British Airways Board.