HC Deb 24 July 1998 vol 316 cc738-9W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the tender specifications for the competition for the near term requirement for an outsized cargo heavy lift capability will allow as many potential bidders as possible to tender for the contract. [52068]

Mr. Spellar

The competition for the short-term strategic airlift requirement will be conducted under normal procurement rules which require that all competitions are as open as possible. The competition will give industry the opportunity to put forward their proposals. A notice was included in the MOD Contract Bulletin on 15 July, and I expect a range of potential bidders to express their interest as requested, before the end of August.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on United Kingdom heavy lift capacity. [49636]

Dr. Reid

[holding answer 9 July 1998]: We have decided to enhance our strategic lift capacity by both air and sea. As was explained in the Supporting Essay Six on Future Military Capabilities, which was published on 8 July in conjunction with the Strategic Defence Review White Paper (Cmnd 3999), we have concluded that we cannot at present deploy Joint Rapid Reaction Forces quickly enough to meet operational requirements in the changed strategic environment. Nor is commercial shipping or airlift likely to be available in sufficient quantities to meet rapid deployment deadlines, although it will have an important place in transporting follow-on forces.

We have therefore decided that the most effective alternative in military and resource terms is: to acquire four additional roll-on roll-off container ships to join the two now entering service (it may be possible to do so using Public Private Partnership); in the short term, to meet our strategic airlift needs with four C-17 aircraft or their equivalent; and in the longer term, we need to consider a suitable replacement for our remaining elderly transport aircraft, for which the proposed European Future Large Aircraft is a contender.

Bids will be invited to meet the short-term and long-term air transport requirements in parallel competitions. Requests for proposals will be issued later this year, and we would hope to make decisions on procurement by early 2000.