asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an early statement on the financial cost to Her Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom's rejoining of the European A-300 airbus programme; and over what period the cost will be spread.

I have been asked to reply.Hawker Siddeley Aviation, which is shortly to be brought into public ownership, already participates in the A300 programme. We know that Airbus Industrie is discussing possible derivatives of the A300B with its partners, but no proposals have yet been made to the United Kingdom Government regarding further participation in the programme.