asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the possible closure by the British Aircraft Corporation of the premises and works at RAF Fairford, in connection with the Concorde flight-testing programme.

The amount of flight testing required by the Concorde programme is expected to fall during 1976 to a level at which it will no longer be economical in management and public expenditure terms to maintain the flight test centre at Fairford. The British Aircraft Corporation has, therefore, decided to close the centre in 1976. The date of closure will be settled between the company and my Department who are responsible for the funding of the centre. The company is keeping employee representatives informed of developments.