§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he can give an indication as to when the VC10 tanker contract is to be awarded; if he is now prepared to award the preflight work to British Aerospace; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerThe requirement for future VC10 tanker conversions is still under consideration. British Aerospace plc, if awarded the prime contract, would be required to seek competitive tenders for as much subcontract work as possible, including the preflight work to prepare the aircraft to fly to the conversion site. British Aerospace plc itself would be free to tender for this subcontract work.