§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of launch aid has been provided by his Department for the Airbus A3XX; to how many sets of components the launch aid applies; and how many jobs he estimates will be created as a result of the launch aid. [127158]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 13 March 2000,Official Report, column 9W, that the Government would provide £530 million of launch investment to BAE Systems to help them develop the wings for the A3XX. We estimate this project will create 22,000 new jobs (8,000 in BAE Systems and supply companies, and 14,000 new induced employment) and safeguard a further 62,000 jobs (20,000 on current Airbus programmes and 42,000 in induced employment).