HC Deb 02 December 1981 vol 14 c123W
Mr. Colvin

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he has taken to reduce the incidence of the costs of Concorde to public funds, as recommended in the report of the Select Committee on Industry and Trade; when the results of the review of the relative costs to public funds of continuation and of cancellation of Government financial support for Concorde, referred to in the Government's reply, will be made available to Parliament; and what options are being considered in the joint studies on the future of Concorde commissioned by the British and French Governments on the occasion of the September Anglo-French summit.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

In conjunction with the manufacturers, the procurement executive of the Ministry of Defence, which acts as the Department's agents in the day-to-day technical and financial control related to the project, has undertaken a comprehensive examination of the support required for Concorde in present circumstances and of project expenditures and receipts. The results of that examination, and of the review of the relative costs of continuation and of mutually agreed early cancellation, are set out in a memorandum by the Department of Industry which, in accordance with the Government's undertaking of last July, has today been placed in the Library of the House. Copies have also been sent to the Select Committee. In a report to the ministerial meeting between my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Industry and the French Minister of Transport on 29 October, British and French officials proposed that they should study three options on the future of Concorde, namely, early cancellation—that is, from 1 April 1982—mutually agreed, a phased rundown, and indefinite continuation.

The Ministers agreed that the first option need not be the subject of further joint study. The officials will therefore now consider the two remaining options, with a view to presenting a report on them to the two Governments early in 1982. As recorded in the communiqué, of which a copy has been placed in the Library of the House, the Ministers have agreed to meet again in the first quarter of 1982 to reach conclusions on them. I have accepted an invitation by the Select Committee to appear before it on 9 December to assist in its consideration of these matters. I shall be accompanied by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry.

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