§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he is taking into account about the respective levels of productivity in the aerospace industry in the United Kingdom and the United States of America in considering the provision of launch aid for the A320 Airbus.
§ Mr. ButcherIn considering the question of launch aid for participation by British Aerospace in the A320 Airbus, the Government's principal concern is to establish that the project has sound prospects of commercial viability. Productivity is one among several factors we are examining which could significantly influence the project's viability. With regard to the United Kingdom aerospace industry productivity levels, information supplied by British Aerospace has been used. Information about productivity levels in the United States aerospace industry has been obtained from published sources.