§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to announce the award of the contract for the Royal Air Force basic trainer.
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Gentleman will be aware of the statement made earlier today by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what criteria he will use to decide on the award of the contract of the Royal Air Force basic trainer;
(2) what are the employment implications in each case in relation to the competing tenders for the Royal Air Force basic trainer.
§ Mr. ButlerI have nothing to add to the statement made earlier today by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received from Pratt and Whitney regarding location of an aero-engine unit at Prestwick should the Royal Air Force basic trainer contract be awarded to British Aerospace.
§ Mr. ButlerI was told by Pratt and Whitney of Canada that it would set up an engine maintenance and overhaul facility at Prestwick, should a Pratt and Whitney engine be selected for the new RAF basic trainer. The firm also made it clear that, if its engine was not selected, there would nevertheless remain the possibility of the facility being located in the United Kingdom.