Tucano (Hansard, 11 January 1988)

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes are currently being made to the Shorts Tucano aircraft.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
Several modifications are being carried out to ensure that the aircraft meets the required specification. This is not unusual in the early stages of delivery.

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect delays on the Shorts Tucano aircraft have had on the cost of the project.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
None.

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department intends to review its decision to order the Shorts Tucano aircraft.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
No.

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why no Shorts Tucano aircraft have been delivered to the RAF.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
Deliveries cannot be made until the service release trials have progressed far enough to permit release to the RAF.

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British contracts have been awarded in Brazil to offset the purchase of Tucano.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
Some 90 per cent. of the value of the Tucano airframe order is in work to be carried out in the United Kingdom, mainly by Shorts. The balance does not warrant an offset undertaking.

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours have been recorded for the Tucano aircraft accepted by his Department.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
Three quarters of an hour.

§ Mr. Rogers
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 1987,Official Report, column 454, he can now give a date for the start of release for service trials on the Shorts Tucano.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
The first Tucano aircraft started its release to service programme on 8 December 1987, and the second aircraft on 14 December 1987.