Battle Tanks

HC Deb 20 April 1989 vol 151 c279W

Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many main battle tanks are in operational service with the British Army.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I refer the hon. Member to page 6 of the NATO publication "Conventional Forces in Europe: The Facts", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any main battle tanks that are currently in operational service are used as a source of spare parts for other main battle tanks.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

In order to maximise operational availability, it is established practice to use tanks awaiting repair as a source of spare parts for other main battle tanks when the parts needed are not readily available through the normal supply chain.