§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there were any specific trials objectives set for the Multilift chainlift system when it was bought for trials; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 9 February 1987 at column102.
§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of the 1975 Multilift chainlift system, which piece of hard level terrain it was envisaged the system might pick up its bulk loads from; which piece of hard level terrain it might deliver these loads to; what concepts there were for the construction of these bulk loads at the first location and their dismantling at the second location; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI have nothing to add to the answers which I gave my right hon. Friend on 9 February 1987 at column103.
§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Defence what bulk loads the 1975 Multilift chainlift system was thought to be suitable for transporting; what potential role was envisaged for it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Multilift equipment in question was purchased in 1975 to enable the Army Department to try out the chainlift system as part of its consideration of the possible use of demountable body systems for the movement of containerised bulk loads.
§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Defence what benefits were expected in 1975 to accrue from the movement of bulk loads exclusively between locations or hard level standing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIn 1975 the Army Department was seeking to establish whether increased productivity could be obtained by the use of bulk load handling systems.
§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the DROPS combination selected in 1983 for use as LM LC on roads was legal for use on roads in peacetime; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonYes.
§ Sir Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria governed the choice of (a) an offroad truck that was legal for use on roads and (b) a road-going truck-trailer combination that was not legal for use on roads in peacetime; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonBoth truck choices are legal.