U.S. firm set for carrier top job

A Controversial United States firm is fit to take the lead role inbuilding two aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy, the Ministry ofDefence's head of procurement has insisted.

Sir Peter Spencer's comments come after Bristol employer BAESystems reportedly threatened to pull out if KBR, a subsidiary ofHalliburton, is chosen to manage the GBP2.9 billion project.

BAE, whose project management team on the bid, operates fromFilton, was originally named preferred bidder to build the ships,with design work being carried out by rival Thales.

Now the Defence Select Committee has …