§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the cost of the C-17 aircraft; what tendering rules have been drawn up for the C-17; and what assessment he has made of the benefits to British industry of the project. [39565]
§ Mr. SpellarI refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 255 and 19 January 1998, Official Report, column 415. We are still considering with partners how a competition involving other aircraft might be organised. I can assure my hon. Friend that any decision on future airlift will be subject to normal procurement rules and will take account of industrial issues as well as other relevant factors.