HC Deb 10 November 2003 vol 413 cc22-3W
Mr. Gale

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what role she has in determining the final destinations for each of the Concorde aircraft; and if she will make a statement; [135331]

(2) what estimate she has made of the final public cost of the project to (a) develop, (b) produce and (c) maintain, while in public ownership, the Concorde aircraft since 1973; and if she will make a statement. [135333]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answers 5 November 2003]Total UK Government expenditure in support of Concorde was £1,358 million gross, £1,062 million net of receipts in prices of the day. These data were compiled from information taken from the appropriation accounts over the period 1956–57 to 1986–87.

Public ownership ceased in 1984 when British Airways became the owner and operator of the UK Concorde fleet. The Government is therefore not in a position to make a decision on the final destinations for each of the Concorde aircraft. That remains a decision for British Airways, the legal owner of the UK Concorde fleet.