§ Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of the major servicing of Nimrods;
(2) what consideration has been given to the offer made by British Aerospace, Woodford, to examine the possibility of some special pricing arrangement if follow-on-aircraft can be provided for continuity of work in 1986; what response has been made; and if he will make a statement;
(3) when he expects to announce whether future work can be allocated to British Aerospace, Woodford; and if he will make a statement;
(4) whether the first major service account in respect of Nimrod aircraft has been completed by British Aerospace, Woodford, on time; and if he will make a statement;
98W(5) whether the second major service account in respect of Nimrod aircraft placed with British Aerospace, Woodford, is currently proceeding on time; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe first Nimrod MR Mk 2 aircraft has already completed its major servicing at British Aerospace, Woodford, and has been returned to service on schedule. The second is currently undergoing its major servicing which, I understand, is also proceeding to programme. We have no plans at present to allocate any further major servicing work to BAe Woodford beyond that already scheduled. We intend, however, to review the situation again in the middle of next year and will at that time take the BAe offer into account.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the present efficiency of the GEC Avionics radar in the airborne early warning Nimrod.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe radar for the Nimrod AEW Mk3 is still under development. It has not yet reached its full performance potential.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on GEC's performance on the Nimrod airborne early warning contract.
§ Mr. Norman LamontAs I told my hon. Friend on 26 November, at column736, the Nimrod AEW programme causes the Government considerable anxiety. It remains a procurement exercise of which neither the Ministry nor industry can be particularly proud.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod airborne early warning aircraft: he has ordered; and what is the latest estimated cost of each aircraft when completed.
§ Mr. Norman LamontEleven aircraft. Final costs will depend on the outcome of our evaluation of GEC Avionics' proposals for the further development of the Nimrod AEW mission system avionics to an acceptable standard of operation.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is considering accepting the Nimrod airborne early warning aircraft at a lower level of performance specification than originally required;
(2) what would be the cost to public funds of the cancellation of the Nimrod airborne early warning project.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI have nothing to add to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 29 October, at column474, and to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Atkins) on 9 December at column 545.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the effect on United Kingdom air defence if the Nimrod airborne early warning system is not in service by 1986.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Nimrod AEW system is planned to provide an important component of the United Kingdom's overall air defence capability and the United Kingdom's contribution to the NATO mixed AEW force. The delay in the introduction of the system is therefore a matter of concern. In the meantime, however, the RAF's Shackletons still provide a useful contribution to AEW capability and the air defence of the United Kingdom.