§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response has been received to his recent invitation to companies to supply modern wheeled armoured vehicles for a demonstration of such vehicles for senior officers; how much notice was given of this proposed demonstration to potential exhibitors; for what reason the demonstration is to include driving experience for selected officers; on the basis of what previous experience of driving armoured vehicles these officers will be selected; and if he will make a statement. [41239]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotCompanies have been invited to provide, at their own cost, examples of wheeled armoured vehicles, to give a general demonstration of the capabilities of such vehicles in the context of the Army's potential future equipment requirements. The demonstration will not in any sense be a formal assessment of the vehicles. As part of the demonstration, senior officers with responsibilities relating to the use of armoured vehicles will be given an opportunity to receive first-hand experience of driving the vehicles, in order to gain a better understanding of modern wheeled vehicle technology. Five companies have responded. They were originally given one month's notice, but the demonstration has now been postponed until spring 1996.