§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his estimate of the total amount of central Government funds allocated to civil aerospace development projects over the past 25 years, 20 years, and 10 years, respectively; how much of this has been returned from profits made on viable products; and in what planning regions of the United Kingdom the capital has been invested.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldGovernment contributions to the aerospace industry in respect of the launching of civil aircraft and aerospace projects over the 25, 20 and 10 years up to and including 1976–77 are estimated to have been £1,185 million, £1,115 million and £1,020 million respectively. Government receipts over the same periods are estimated at £170 million,8W £165 million and £140 million. It is not possible to estimate from Government records where expenditure was incurred.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the civil aircraft projects which, over the past 15 years, have received central Government research and development assistance; and which projects became commercial propositions in that the price per aircraft allowed a repayment of investment capital and operating profits.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldGovernment contributions were made towards launching of the following civil aircraft projects over the 15 years up to and including 1976–77:
- Rotodyne
- Trident
- VC10 and Super VC10
- Concorde
- BAC111
- Herald (proving)
- Argosy (proving)
- Jetstream
- Islander
- HS146 (holding programme) Ancillary projects
Levies on sales of aircraft were paid in respect of all the above projects apart from Rotodyne and Argosy. The question does not arise in the case of the HS146.