HL Deb 12 January 1998 vol 584 cc153-4WA
The Earl of Denbigh

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the contract for the deep servicing of RAF TriStar Aircraft provides for financial penalties in the event of late delivery.

Lord Gilbert

The RAF TriStar maintenance contract includes a liquidated damages clause which allows the department to make a claim against the contractor should an aircraft not be delivered within the contracted turnround times.

Lord HolmPatrick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with the arrangements for the deep servicing of RAF TriStar Aircraft.

Lord Gilbert

The five-year contract for the maintenance of RAF TriStar Aircraft is proceeding satisfactorily.

The Earl of Denbigh

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost, including crew costs but excluding contractor costs, of each rotation to Abu Dhabi by RAF TriStar Aircraft for the purpose of maintenance.

Lord Gilbert

The average cost of each rotation to Abu Dhabi, including fuel, and travel and subsistence costs for the crew, is some £24,500. These costs were taken into account during the commercial assessment of the tenders received for this work.

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the servicing of RAF TriStar Aircraft at long distances from the United Kingdom creates any logistical problems for operational staff.

Lord Gilbert

There are no significant logistic problems for operational staff arising from the current arrangements for maintenance of the RAF TriStar fleet.

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions during the last 12 months RAF TriStar Aircraft have been returned from deep servicing late or with significant defects outstanding.

Lord Gilbert

During the past year, work on five out of the six aircraft passed to the contractor for maintenance has been completed on time. One TriStar tanker aircraft has had to be returned to the contractor for rectification of an outstanding problem following major servicing.

The Viscount of Oxfuird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the arrangements for the rectification of significant defects arising with RAF TriStar Aircraft within the United Kingdom.

Lord Gilbert

Rectification of any significant defects on the aircraft are undertaken by the maintenance contractor at RAF Brize Norton or. alternatively, at a repair facility within 1½ hours' flying time of RAF Brize Norton.

The Viscount of Oxfuird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the deep servicing for RAF TriStar Aircraft at long distances from the United Kingdom has any effect on the operational effectiveness of the fleet.

Lord Gilbert

Current arrangements for the maintenance of the RAF's TriStar Aircraft are not expected to have any adverse effect on the operational effectiveness of the fleet.