§ Mr. WarrenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list grants made under the relevant legislation to United Kingdom equipment suppliers seeking launch aid; what applications are outstanding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo launch aid has been provided to equipment suppliers under section 1 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. An approach from the Dowty Group has been made, seeking launch aid to assist its bid for work on the A330'340 Airbus programme. It has been the Department's policy to provide launch aid only to airframe and aeroengine manufacturers, and while Dowty is free to submit a formal application, the Department has not been persuaded, by the arguments that have been made, to depart from this policy.