§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans he has for using service drivers to deliver oil to other than essential service providers. [135943]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 31 October 2000]Contingency planning is in hand to provide military drivers if required to deliver fuel to essential service providers. Definitions of essential services, and decisions on who should receive fuel, are not a matter for the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers he has to direct service drivers to drive oil tankers owned by private contractors or oil companies. [135942]
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§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 31 October 2000]The Emergency Powers Act 1964 empowers the Defence Council to authorise the employment of the armed forces on urgent work of national importance. The provision of tankers is a matter for the oil companies and other Government Departments.
§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service drivers are being trained to drive oil tankers. [135941]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 31 October 2000]Around 900 drivers are expected to have been trained by mid-November. These are in addition to the drivers, numbering nearly 200, who are already qualified and able to provide assistance if required.