§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from Westland plc concerning the announcement of the award of a contract for the new 360 deg. radar to be fitted to the Lynx helicopter.
§ Mr. SainsburyNo contract has been placed. However, we are considering representations from a number of propective suppliers including Westland plc.
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§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the modernisation programme for the Royal Navy's Lynx helicopter fleet to be completed.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe modernisation programme for the Royal Navy's Lynx helicopter will be carried out by a phased conversion programme which it is planned to complete by the mid-1990s.
§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total value of contracts so far awarded as part of the modernisation of the Royal Navy's Lynx helicopter fleet.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe value of total commitment to date is £83 million.
§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what reasons have led to the delay in the announcement of the award of the contract for the new 360 deg radar to be fitted to the Lynx helicopter;
(2) what issues he is considering in deciding on the award of the contract for the new 360 deg radar to be fitted to the Lynx helicopter;
(3) when he expects to announce the award of the contract for the new 360 deg radar to be fitted to the Lynx helicopter;
(4) what assessment he has made of the defence implications of any delays in announcing the award of the contract for the new 360 deg radar to be fitted to the Lynx helicopter.
§ Mr. SainsburyI have nothing yet to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed) on 16 November 1987 at column455.