HC Deb 27 January 1986 vol 90 c379W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secetary of State for Trade and Industry what sums have been provided to date from public funds for the development and production of the Airbus; and if any further allocations are under consideration.

Mr. Pattie

To date, £105.1 million has been paid as launch aid to British Aerospace in respect of its share of the design and development costs relating to participation in the Airbus A320 programme. No public funds have been, or will be, provided towards Airbus production costs. No further applications for launch aid in respect of Airbus programmes have been received.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secetary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement setting out the procedures for the repayment of public funds provided towards the development and production of the Airbus.

Mr. Pattie

The launch aid provided towards British Aerospace's share of the Airbus A320 development costs is repayable on terms designed to yield a return in real terms on the Government's investment. £50 million is repayable on a fixed schedule over the period 1990–92; the remaining £200 million will be repayable by a levy on A320 sales designed to yield a positive rate of return to the Government in real terms. No public funding is provided towards Airbus production costs.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to which of his hon. and learned Friends he was referring in his written answer of 22 January to the hon. Member for Christchurch relating to the European Airbus.

Mr. Pattie

The first line of the second paragraph of the answer of my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Brittan) of 22 January at columns184–85, should read, "I have already informed".