§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether British Airways have made proposals to take over the present Government reponsibilities for financing Concorde in-service support; and when he expects a decision on the future arrangements to be announced.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe chairman of British Airways has recently written to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade, indicating that the airline has considered the question of continuing Concorde operations on a commercial basis and concluded that British Airways could take over the future costs of supporting Concorde in-service subject to agreement being reached on a number of points.
The Government welcome the airline's conclusion. British Airways proposals on these points will now be studied by the interested parties along with a number of other related issues. The French Government will be consulted on the Anglo-French aspects of any new arrangements. Until this process is completed, it would be premature for me to say when a further statement might be made to the House.