CVR(T) Tank (Hansard, 6 April 2000)

§ Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the CVR(T) tank is due to be withdrawn from service. [117130]

§ Dr. Moonie
The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) is planned to be withdrawn between 2006 and 2014 as it is replaced by the next generation of vehicles.

§ Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons exemptions from procurement rules have been granted to the David Brown Group for the supply of transmissions for the CVR(T) tank. [117135]

§ Dr. Moonie
The David Brown Group has been granted no exemptions from procurement rules for the supply of transmission mechanisms for the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)).

§ Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the conversion kits needed to convert the CVR(T) tank from petrol to diesel(a) will be issued free to the contractor and (b) will be purchased from his Department. [117132]

§ Dr. Moonie
The conversion kits are being procured by the Department and will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment to the contractor.

§ Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place copies of the invitations to tender regarding the conversion of the CVR(T) tank from petrol to diesel in the Library. [117129]

§ Dr. Moonie
The Invitation To Tender document contains classified information. I am withholding its release in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

§ Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for additional improvements to the CVR(T) tank. [117131]

§ Dr. Moonie
The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) fleet has been subject to many improvements, a number of which are ongoing, including a major programme to convert the vehicles from petrol to diesel. This will reduce whole life costs. Additionally, studies are in place to assess the viability of introducing Battle Group Thermal Imagers and the BOWMAN communications system to the vehicle.

§ Mr. St. Aubyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many kits to convert the CVR(T) tank from petrol to diesel have been(a) ordered and (b) delivered to date. [117137]

§ Dr. Moonie
A contract was placed with Alvis Vehicles Ltd. for the production and delivery of 1,107 Modification Kits. As at the end of February 2000, 532 Modification Kits had been delivered.