HC Deb 07 April 1976 vol 909 cc212-3W
Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date it is proposed to begin flight-testing the first prototype multi-role combat aircraft; and over what period of time the tests are planned to extend.

Mr. William Rodgers

Flight testing began with the first prototype in August 1974 and it is expected to continue until at least 1981.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing how much lower the tender price for the stores management system for the MRCA bid by GEC-Marconi Elliott on the second occasion was when compared with its original bid for a more sophisticated and expensive programme.

Mr. William Rodgers

As my right hon. Friend said to my hon. Friend on 5th March 1976, it is not the practice to reveal details of tender prices for Government contracts.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the revised safety requirements for the stores management system in the MRCA include a fully duplicated weapon control system; and if he is satisfied that the GEC-Marconi Elliott-Selania consortium can meet the requirements in the specified time.

Mr. William Rodgers

I have nothing to add to the answers given to my hon. Friend on 5th and 11th March 1976.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the time-scale in weeks called for in the specification for the stores management system for the MRCA; and on what date the programme was commenced.

Mr. William Rodgers

First delivery was required within 125 weeks of the issue of the request for proposals. The development programme has just begun.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he expects the development of the stores management system for the multi-rôle combat aircraft to be completed; on what date it is planned to fit the system to the prototype aircraft; and on what date it is planned to flight-test the prototype with its stores management system installed.

Mr. William Rodgers

Between two and three years from now.

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