§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies will be on the tender list for the Strategic Short-Term Airlift Programme; and when the list will be announced. [88311]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Ministry of Defence received expressions of interest from nine companies in response to the MOD Contracts Bulletin published in July 1998. The Invitation to Tender was issued to seven companies on 30 September 1998. Five tenders were received by the closing date of 29 January 1999 from Air Foyle, Airbus Transport International, Boeing in conjunction with British Aerospace, IBP Airlift Ltd. and Rolls Royce. The tenders are currently being assessed.