§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Prime Minister if his statement of 13th December 1977 that the issue of the launch of new civil airliner projects must be approached on a commercial basis, Official Report, column 282, was intended to mean that no new civil airliner will be launched unless it has clear prospect of sufficient sales to show an adequate return on all costs incurred.
§ Mr. VarleyIn the abesnce of my right hon. Friend who is away on his official visit to South Asia, I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend's statement on 13th December indicated that the Government would approach any new civil aircraft project as a commercial, not a political, matter.