asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated cost of the adaptations needed to make the Concorde acceptable to the requirements of Japan Airlines in respect of noise, range, payload and economics of operation.

Japan Airlines are in contact with the manufacturers about the possible use of Concorde on their routes. As I informed the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon) on 19th November 1973—[Vol. 864, c. 935–936]—studies of possible future improvements recently submitted by the manufacturers and their cost implications are being evaluated by the British and French Governments.