HC Deb 17 April 1985 vol 77 c204W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Air Force trainer Tucano will first fly with the Garrett TPE 331 engine.

Mr. Butler

A prototype Shorts Tucano with the Garrett engine is expected to undergo some flight testing by Shorts towards the end of 1985. Flight testing by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, will take place in about a year, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement stated in his reply on 29 March, at column 389.

Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what deadline was given to the various companies for the final bid for the new Royal Air Force trainer. Mr. Lee: The deadline for offers from four companies was set at 31 January 1985. For subsequent negotiations related to the most attractive bids, from Shorts and British Aerospace, a deadline was set at midday, Thursday 14 March 1985.