To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will investigate whether the French and German Governments are giving financial assistance to equipment subcontractors bidding for work on the A330 and A340 Airbus projects; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that financial support may be made available to French and German equipment companies by the Governments in those countries. It is too early to be more specific since the equipments for the A330 and A340 have not yet been selected.