§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assurance the new financial controller of the Airbus project has received on the extent to which he will be advised of the nature and extent of the financial aid given by the three other nations participating in the project; and if it is his intention that this information will be published in any form.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 19 July 1988]: The financial controller of Airbus Industrie has yet to be appointed. I do not envisage that the financial controller would be involved in the aid offered by Governments to the industrial partners in Airbus Industrie.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will invite Commissioner Sutherland to 613W inquire into the aid given by member states to the production of the Airbus project; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 19 July 1988]: No. Aid offered to the Airbus partners by the Governments of France, West Germany and Spain is a matter for those Governments.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the credit terms, and payments arrangements for the Airbus project with general agreement on tariffs and trade obligations.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 19 July 1988]: Assistance provided by the Government to British Aerospace plc in connection with its participation in Airbus programmes is fully consistent with the Government's obligations arising under the general agreement on tariffs and trade.