§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give the cumulative order and optional orders for each of the following Airbus aircraft: A300, A310, A320, A330 and A340 for the following years: (a) 1980, (b) 1981, (c) 1982, (d) 1983, (e) 1984, (f) 1985, and (g) 1986 and the situation as at 1 February; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieThe information requested is as follows: 561W The sales record of the Airbus programmes, and in particular that achieved for the A320 before its first flight has been made, is one of which the European aerospace industry, including the many United Kingdom companies participating in these programmes, can justly be proud.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now in a position to give an estimate of the profit his Department is likely to make from its investment in the A320 Airbus; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieBased on information supplied by British Aerospace, my Department expects to obtain its agreed rate of return on launch-aid provided to British Aerospace for the Airbus A320. However, the details remain commercially confidential.