§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total sum contributed from public funds in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain respectively to the Airbus project; what assessment he has made of the viability and potential profitability of the project; and if he will be attending the forthcoming meeting with the United States trade representative, Mr. Yeutter, to discuss the project.
§ Mr. ButcherFigures are not available for the total public contribution to all Airbus projects. The United Kingdom Government will provide up to £40 million in launch aid to enable British Aerospace to participate in the A330/A340 project. A full and critical project appraisal was carried out to determine that the project had sound prospects of achieving commercial viability. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will attend the meeting on 27 October between Dr. Yeutter, Commissioner de Clercq and Airbus Ministers.