§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the maintenance depots which carry out(a) first and (b) second-line repair services; indicating (i) which of them use contractors and (ii) the number of inspectors at each depot to check contractors' work; and how many vehicles were sent back to contractors because of unsatisfactory work in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. AitkenFirst and second-line maintenance is normally undertaken by service or civilian personnel at the units where the vehicles or equipment are actually in use. For example, RAF first and second-line work is usually undertaken by service and civilian personnel at operational/training flying stations.
In the Army, work is also carried out by the Army Base Repair Organisation which provides facilities for second-line repair at:
- 26 District Workshop Stirling
- 27 District Workshop Warminster
- 31 District Workshop Catterick
- 36 District Workshop Colchester
- 43 District Workshop Aldershot
- 44 District Workshop Ashford
- Eng Res Workshop Long Marston
Contractors are not employed for this work.
274WThe Royal Navy does, however, use contractors for scheduled maintenance, which includes first and second-line repair, of Royal Navy helicopters and aircraft at:
- RNAS Portland
- RNAS Yeovilton
- RNAS Culdrose
- RNAS Roborough
Figures are not available for the number of vehicles, if any, sent back to contractors following first or second-line repair, or the number of staff whose duties include inspection of contractors work, and compilation of such data would involve disproportionate cost.