§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate was made by his Department of the value of the precious and semi-precious metals in the Vulcan bomber engines recently disposed of; and if the engines were first offered for sale to Rolls-Royce for use in refurbishing other engines or as spares.
§ Mr. PattieVulcan bomber engines contain no precious metals. The modules and components which together comprise an Olympus engine contain a variety of special steels and other alloys. The engine heat shield, though strictly not part of the engine, is fabricated from an alloy of titanium.
Surplus engines were disposed of by competitive tender. A number of firms—including the original manufacturers of the engine and firms which specialise in the recovery of spares and scrap materials from aircraft and aircraft engines—were invited to bid. Heat shields, because of the specialist nature of titanium bearing scrap, were sold separately under open tender arrangements directed to appropriate firms.
The Department has made no estimate of the intrinsic value of metals contained in an Olympus engine. Open tender procedures ensure competitive offers for any component, material or element which can be commercially recovered from aero-engine scrap.