HC Deb 10 June 1993 vol 226 cc338-40W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of F3 Tornados to be modified under the Airwork Services contract prior to the termination of the Airwork Ltd. F3 Tornado modification contract.

Mr. Aitken

Up to 134 Tornado F3 aircraft were due to be modified under the contract with Airwork Ltd.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to decide on legal action against Airwork Ltd. with respect to damage caused to F3 Tornados in the course of the modification contract carried out at RAF St. Athan in 1992–93;

(2) what estimates he has made of the cost of rectification of the damage done in the course of the F3 Tornado modification contract carried out by the Airwork Ltd. at RAF St. Athan.

Mr. Aitken

The Department intends to claim against Airwork Ltd. for the cost of rectifying damage to Tornado F3 aircraft and other financial penalties arising from Airwork's failure properly to execute the aircraft modification contract. It will take some time to establish the full extent of these costs.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the commission given to Royal Aeronautical Establishment, Farnborough, with respect to the damage caused to F3 Tornados in the course of the Airwork Ltd. modification contract carried out at RAF St. Athan in 1992–93.

Mr. Aitken

The Defence Research Agency has been tasked by my Department to provide independent advice on the structural assessment which has been requested from the aircraft design authority—Deutsche Aerospace —for the relevant sections of the airframe.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on United Kindom defence capabilities of the grounding of non-airworthy F3 Tornados damaged in the course of the modification contract carried out by Airwork Ltd. at RAF St. Athan.

Mr. Aitken

It has no significant impact on United Kingdom defence capabilities. The fleet strength includes an allowance for aircraft which are lost or grounded as a result of accidents or in-service modification programmes.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were made by Airwork Ltd. regarding the termination of the contract for F3 Tornado modification work. carried out at RAF St. Athan in relation to the company's maintenance contracts in the middle east.

Mr. Aitken

I am not aware of any such representations.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were made by Airwork Ltd. for an extension of the turn-round time for F3 Tornado modification work carried out at RAF St. Athan; what response was made by the RAF; and what was the final decision in relation to possible extension.

Mr. Aitken

Officials in my Department did receive representations from Airwork Ltd. requesting a relaxation in the turn-round time requirement of this contract. These were being considered at the time the contract was terminated.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations were undertaken into the ultimate ownership and credit worthiness of Airwork Ltd. of Hurn airport, Bournemouth, before the award of the contract for modification of the F3 Tornados for 1992–93.

Mr. Aitken

Airwork Ltd. is on the defence contractor's list, and as such has been the subject of our normal inquiries as to ownership and credit worthiness. We are satisfied that the company's financial position was adequate for a contract of this nature.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the termination of the Airwork Ltd. contract for F3 Tornado modification.

Mr. Aitken

The contract with Airwork Ltd. for Tornado F3 fatigue modification work was terminated when it was established that the company's performance was sufficiently unsatisfactory to justify such action on the grounds of breach of contract.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for assessment of the relative value of quality assurance certificate ISO9001 as against active quality assurance trials in subcontracted RAF aircraft modification work.

Mr. Aitken

My Department's investigation into the contract with Airwork Ltd. for modification of RAF F3 Tornados will include a review of the adequacy of the quality assurance arrangements.