Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what analysis he has undertaken into the relative Government support received by Rolls-Royce, Pratt and Witney and General Electric concerning aero-engine development.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe United States aero-engine industry receives no direct financial support from the United States520W Government. However, indirect support, primarily from NASA and the Department of Defence for research and development, is estimated by the United Kingdom industry to be approximately $760 million per annum. Due in part to the high level of indirect support provided by the United States Government to its aircraft industry, the United Kingdom has been seeking a new GATT agreement on trade in civil aircraft to provide strict and fair limits on all classes of Government support for the aerospace industry.
Currently Rolls-Royce receives around £5 million under a number of DTI schemes. The Ministry of Defence, including the Defence Research Agency, currently spends around £51 million with Rolls-Royce on aero-engine research technology demonstration and development contracts.