§ 25. Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next proposes to visit a propeller factory. [30909]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Dowty Aerospace recently. The company is involved in supplying propellers for the RAF's C-130J programme, and is also a member of the Lockheed Martin team offering the Orion 2000 in response to the invitation to tender for RMPA. All three tenders for RMPA are currently being assessed and we are working towards letting a contract with the selected prime contractor later this year. I cannot comment on the bid at this stage, but I can assure my hon. Friend that all the bids are receiving full and equal consideration.