§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 April,Official Report, column 394, if he will state the number and nature of the problems identified during a recent modification programme on Tornado aircraft; and if he will provide details of the financial consequences of these problems.
§ Mr. AitkenEvidence of structural damage to a number of Tornado aircraft modified by Airwork Ltd. has led the Ministry of Defence to terminate the relevant contract on grounds of substantial failure of performance by the contractor. My Department intends to claim against Airwork for the rectification and consequential costs arising from the company's failure to execute the modification contract properly. Assembling a 11 the relevant evidence, which includes the details requested, and determining the amount of the claim will take some time.