§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his his answer of 6 December,Official Report, column 54, what consideration he has given to discussing with the receivers of Ferranti International the possibility of bidding for future MoD orders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenOfficials of my Department discussed this with the receivers of Ferranti International at their first meeting on 1 December. There is no objection to their tendering for future defence orders, although naturally our standard criteria for the financial soundness of our contractors would have to be satisfied before a contract could be placed.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 6 December,Official Report, column 54, what information he has provided to the receivers of Ferranti International regarding his policy on the long-term future for the defence industrial base; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenMy Department has provided no such information to the receivers, who have made no request for it.