§ 15. Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to why Thomson CSF of France was chosen in preference to Plessey UK as suppliers of the major United States/North Atlantic Treaty Organisation communications system.
§ Mr. HeseltineGTE and Rockwell offered systems which incorporated elements provided by Thomson CSF and Plessey respectively. The American Government have told us that both systems met their requirements and that their choice was made purely on cost grounds.