§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) if any structural cracking, other than the wing cracks reported in March, has been detected in Concorde aircraft;
(2) how many hours of flying had been logged by each Concorde with wing cracks before these were discovered.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldI shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made in the investigation announced in March into the causes of cracking in the wings of Concorde aircraft.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe cracks, which are similar to those found on many types of aircraft, are very small and pose no threat to aircraft safety. A number of possible causes have been investigated and eliminated, and tests continue. Meanwhile, action has been taken to strengthen the wing structures on all British Airways and Air France aircraft.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the delay in securing permission for Concorde to be flown by American operators is due to wing cracks found in the aircraft.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThere has been no delay. United States certification of Concorde has been linked by the Administration to the proposed noise rule for supersonic transport aircraft. This has only recently been promulgated, and the type certificate is expected to follow shortly. The cracks do not affect the airworthiness of Concorde.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the wing cracks found in Concorde are a French or a British responsibility.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe Concorde wing is a French design and manufacturing responsibility.