§ Mr. Bestasked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards support for companies in which Her Majesty's Government have shareholdings such as British Aerospace and Short Bros., in their attempts to sell foreign training aircraft to the Royal Air Force.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government's prime consideration is to obtain a cost-effective aircraft which meets the performance requirements of the Royal Air Force. A full, impartial evaluation of the four tenders is now being carried out. No distinction is being made between any of the companies on grounds of Government shareholdings.