§ Mr. Michael McNair Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department is involved in the research programme instigated by the American Federal Aviation Authority to produce anti-misting kerosene; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherResearch aimed at developing an anti-misting additive for aviation kerosene was started in the United Kingdom in 1967. For some years this research, at the Royal Aircraft Establishment and in a number of firms and universities, was jointly supported by my Department and the Ministry of Defence. In 1978, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was established between the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the MOD(PE) covering a joint research programme based on the ICI additive "Avgard" and leading to the controlled impact demonstration (CID) in the United States of America on 1 December last year. Although the result of the CID has cast doubt on the benefits of anti-misting fuels, the MOU remains in being. The current research by ICI is funded by the company, but my officials continue to support ICI in its dealings with the FAA, who are still analysing the results of the CID and considering future developments.