§ Mr. EasthamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies have tendered for the new air-launched, anti-armour weapon, currently out to tender; if he will list the companies involved and the countries they are based in; and what is the estimated number of jobs that will be created to fulfil this contract. [22580]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotFive companies have tendered for the new advanced air-launched anti-armour weapon as follows:
Company Country BAe Dynamics UK GEC Marconi UK Hunting Engineering UK Texas Instruments US Thompson Thorn Missile Electronics UK/FR It is too early to give any meaningful estimate of the number of jobs which will be created to fulfil the contract.