§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) geographical and (b) other constraints are placed on the three US Air Force C-17s which might be used by the RAF for the MOD's short-term lift requirement. [103107]
§ Mr. Kilfoyle[holding answer 20 December 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Howe, Deputy Chief Executive, on behalf of the Chief Executive, to Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, dated 21 December 1999:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what geographical, and other, constraints would be placed on the US Air Force C-17 aircraft if they were to be used by the RAF for the Short Term Strategic Airlift (STSA) requirement. This matter falls to me for answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.We are considering a number of potential solutions to meet our requirement for strategic airlift, including the Boeing C-17. Any geographical or other constraints on aircraft operation form part of the Department's assessment. I am not able to disclose the details because it would prejudice the assessment of options that is currently under way and I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 7 (Effective management and operations of the public sector) of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information.Ministers aim to announce a decision on this programme in the early part of next year.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability to provide logistic support for the three C-17s through the US supply system. [103109]
§ Mr. Kilfoyle[holding answer 20 December 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Howe, Deputy Chief Executive, on behalf of the Chief Executive, to Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, dated 21 December 1999:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what assessment has been made of the ability to provide logistic support to the C-17 aircraft through the USA supply system. This matter falls to me for answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.We are considering a number of potential solutions to meet our requirement for strategic airlift in the short-term, including the Boeing C-17. Logistic support forms part of the Department's assessment. In the case of C-17, the assessment does include consideration of utilising the existing US supply chain. I am withholding the content of the assessment under Exemption 13 (third472Wparty's commercial confidences) of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information because it constitutes commercially sensitive information.Ministers aim to announce a decision on this programme in the early part of next year.