HC Deb 28 October 1993 vol 230 cc727-8W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 October,Official Report, column 328,if he will list the wheeled and tracked transport currently available to 5 Airborne Brigade, showing specifically the number of (a) six-wheeled buggies, (b) Land-Rovers, (c) light-wheeled tractors and (d) eager-beavers; if he has any plans to increase the on-ground mobility of the brigade; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

5 Airborne Brigade's current peacetime establishments for the vehicles listed are:

  1. (a) All Terrain Mobile Platforms ("six wheeled buggies"): although 5 Airborne Brigade has no formal establishment for these vehicles, 39 are currently available for the Brigade's use.
  2. (b) Trucks Utility Light/Medium ("Land Rovers")—663.
  3. (c) Light Wheeled Tractors—13
    4. 728
  4. (d) Rough Terrain Forklifts (formerly known as "Eager Beavers")—22.

In addition, 5 Airborne Brigade uses the following types of wheeled and tracked vehicles:

  • Motorcycles
  • Ambulances
  • Cars and Vans
  • Minibuses
  • Recovery Vehicles
  • Trucks 1 Tonne, 4 Tonne, 8 Tonne
  • Trucks Utility Heavy
  • Demountable Rack Offloading and Pick-Up System
  • (DROPS) Medium Mobility Load Carriers
  • Trailers
  • Earth Moving Plant
  • Barrack Mechanical Handling Equipment

The wheeled and tracked transport currently provided for the brigade is sufficient to meet its training and operational needs.