HC Deb 29 March 1985 vol 76 cc385-6W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will release the information on which the Royal Air Force basic trainer decision was reached.

Mr. Lee

As my right hon. Friend explained on 21 March 1985, column 997, cost was the decisive factor in our choice of the Tucano aircraft. However, as my right hon. Friend also explained, we took full account of suitability for the RAF training role as well as the employment opportunities consequent on the RAF order and exports.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that no elements of financial subsidy by the Brazilian Government or by the British Government were contained in the Short Brothers bid to supply the Tucano to the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Lee

As my right hon. Friend explained on 21 March 1985, at column 997, cost was the decisive factor in the choice of the Short Brothers Tucano, and the essential first consideration was value for money for the defence budget. Any element of financial assistance in the Shorts bid is a question that should be addressed to the company or to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how long he estimates it will take before the re-engined Shorts Tucano will be available for flight testing; whether that aeroplane will be taken to royal aircraft establishment, Boscombe Down, for technical evaluation before signature of any purchase contract; and whether any other design changes are anticipated.

Mr. Lee

The re-engined Shorts Tucano will be available for flight testing in about a year.

Subject to completion of negotiations, the contract will be signed very shortly, well before the aeroplane is flown to the aeroplane and armament experimental establishment, Boscombe Down. As my right hon. Friend explained on 21 March 1985, at column 1003, such lack of final testing is a common phenomenon in competitions for defence equipment, and there is no likely reason why the Garrett engine will not prove perfectly satisfactory. No other design changes to the aircraft are currently anticipated.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date, during the week commenced 18 March, British Aerospace submitted a final bid to supply the Pc-9 to the Royal Air Force; and what price was quoted in that submission.

Mr. Lee

On 19 March. It is not the practice to release details of tender bids which are commercially confidential.