§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what are the results of his study of the management of the Nimrod project in relation to future co-ordination between his Department and the engineering industry.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe special feature of the management of the Nimrod project is that the main part of the development and production programme is covered by a single fixed price contract let to the aircraft manufacturer. The latter subcontracts for the engine and other equipment. Another special feature of the project is that one electronic firm specialising in systems management has the sub-contract for the integration of the complex navigation/attack system. So far both these arrangements are going well. The opportunity to repeat them both in one project is unlikely to occur often but the employment of a specialist group for the co-ordination of complex systems has been, and is being considered, for other projects.