§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have arisen in the contract awarded to Airworks plc to fit defensive systems to Hercules aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenVarying degrees of minor repairable damage was caused to 11 Hercules aircraft; rectification will be complete shortly, at the contractor's expense, and no long-term operational or airworthiness concerns are likely to arise from this problem.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number and nature of current contracts his Department has with Airworks plc; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenMy Department currently has some 41 contracts with Airworks plc. Details of the subject matter of all those contracts are not held centrally. However, the company is recognised as a supplier of a wide range of services, such as repair, maintenance, modification and ancillary tasks, in support of aircraft, rotorcraft, simulators and training aids, radio, radar, electronics, avionics and test equipment.