§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to make public the financial structure and financial situation of Airbus Industrie; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 1 February 1988]: Airbus Industrie is Groupement d'interet economique (grouping of mutual economic interest) established under French law. The Members of the partnership are Aerospatiale of France, with 37.9 per cent. participation, Deutsche Airbus of Germany, also with 37.9 per cent., British Aerospace of the United Kingdom, with 20 per cent. and CASA of Spain with 4.2 per cent. As a groupement d'interet economique, Airbus Industrie is not required to publish accounts. The results of the Airbus business of the partner companies are, of course, included in the annual accounts which these companies publish under their national laws.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role which he has given to his special adviser Sir Jeffrey Stirling in relation to the Airbus project.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 1 February 1988]: The Governments of the four Airbus partner countries have recently appointed a small group of wise men to consider the organisation of the Airbus programme. This step reinforces the continuous efforts of the partner companies, including British Aerospace, to improve the efficiency of the organisation. I have asked Sir Jeffrey Sterling to act as the United Kingdom member of this group.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received610W concerning the provision of further subsidies for Airbus projects following the decline in the value of the dollar; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 1 February 1988] The United Kingdom Government have provided launch aid to British Aerospace for the Airbus A320 programme, and have agreed to provide it for the Airbus A330/A340 programmes. Launch aid is not a subsidy and is repayable with a real rate of return to the Government. Senior representatives of British Aerospace have discussed with my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the effects on their Airbus business of the decline in the value of the dollar. They have not submitted an application for further launch aid.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy that .Airbus Industrie should become a public limited company; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 1 February 1988]: No. The partners in Airbus Industrie are British Aerospace and its partner companies in France, Germany and Spain. It is their responsibility to take any decisions about the future organisation of the Airbus programme. Airbus partner Governments have an interest in organisational questions as they have provided financial support to the programme. This is why they have asked the group of wise men to consider the matter and to advise them.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions his Department or its representatives have had with the partner companies of Airbus Industrie or their sponsoring Governments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 1 February 1988]: My Department has regular meetings at ministerial and official level with other Airbus partner Governments, and also with British Aerospace arid Airbus Industrie. A wide range of topics of mutual interest is discussed at these meetings.