§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 24 February, Official Report, columns 210–11, how many accidents involving military vehicles in the United Kingdom in 1986 required the hire of civilian equipment to recover the vehicles involved; what was the total cost; how many of those accidents involved dangerous cargoes; if civilian employees involved in military recovery operations are informed of all the possible hazards in undertaking such work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his reply, 10 March 1987, c. 174]: In the year 1985–86 civilian equipment was hired on 1,534 occasions to recover military vehicles involved in accidents or breakdowns. Available records do not distinguish between accidents or breakdowns or detail the nature of the cargo. The total cost was £137,318. Civilian crews of hired recovery vehicles are advised of any hazards involved.