§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any additional orders have been placed with Vickers plc for the supply of spare parts for Challenger tanks as a result of the deployment of forces to the Gulf.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkYes.
§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any additional orders have been placed with GKN plc for the supply of spare parts for Warrior armoured vehicles as a result of the deployment of forces to the Gulf.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkOrders already in the pipeline with GKN for the support of Warrior armoured vehicles have been brought forward as a result of the deployment of forces to the Gulf.
§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the operational availability of armoured vehicles deployed with the 7 Armoured Brigade has been increased or reduced since their deployment to the Gulf.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe armoured vehicles deployed with the 7 Armoured Brigade underwent a programme of446W modification to improve their performance in harsh desert conditions. We are satisfied with the resultant operational availability.
§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to improve the operational availability of armoured vehicles deployed with the 4 Armoured Brigade once they have been moved to the Gulf.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe armoured vehicles that will deploy with 4 Brigade will be modified on arrival in the Gulf to ensure that operational availability is maintained in the harsh desert environment.