Letter to the Minister for Defence Procurement
from the Chairman
Thank you for your letter of 20 September 2005
concerning the Defence Committee's inquiry into the Future Carrier
and Joint Combat Aircraft programmes—two key programmes
which the previous Defence Committee kept a close interest in.
There will always be some difficulties with
the timing of inquiries into procurement programmes. However,
the Committee is keen to establish the progress that is being
made on these two programmes, for example, in finalising the Alliance
arrangements and proceeding to Main Gate on the Future Carrier
programme (the original target date for which was December 2003).
We are grateful to you and Sir Peter Spencer
for agreeing to appear before the Committee on Tuesday 25 October.
As you probably know, we have arranged an oral evidence session
with industry representatives on Tuesday 18 October.
I look forward to meeting you on 25 October.
Rt Hon James Arbuthnot
28 September 2005
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