§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence when British Aerospace plc was informed that its final submission for the PC9 on 19 March was too late or otherwise unacceptable.
§ Mr. ButlerThe British Aerospace submission of 19 March was received well after the closure date for final bids. There was no subsequent communication with British Aerospace until my right hon. Friend announced in the House on Thursday 21 March that we proposed to place the order for the new basic trainer with Shorts.