HC Deb 26 February 1985 vol 74 c158
6. Mr. Beggs

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made any changes in the specifications for the Royal Air Force basic trainer.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. John Lee)

No, Sir.

Mr. Beggs

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that in December his colleague the Minister of State for Defence Procurement selected the Short's Tucano and the PC-9 for best and final offers because both met the specifications?

Mr. Lee

I certainly can confirm that.

Mr. Wilkinson

Will my hon. Friend, in making the selection with his right hon. Friends, place a high priority on the degree to which each of the contenders approaches the specifications set by the RAF? Which one came best in the evaluation at the aeroplance and armament experimental establishment at Boscombe Down?

Mr. Lee

I can give my hon. Friend an assurance on the first part of his question, but I am not prepared to be drawn on the second.