§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they have 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 1119WA 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.
§ Viscount TrenchardIn conjunction with the manufacturers, the Procurement Executive of the Ministry of Defence, who act as the Department of Industry's agents in the day-to-day technical and financial control related to the project, have 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 honourable friend the Minister of State for Industry (Mr. Lamont), and the French Minister of Transport on 29th October British and French officials proposed that they should study three options on the future of Concorde, namely, early cancellation (that is, from 1st 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.
1120WAMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Industry has accepted an invitation by the Select Committee to appear before them on 9th December to assist in their consideration of these matters. He will be accompanied by my honourable friend the Minister for Industry.