§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many unscheduled stops there have been involving truck cargo heavy duty mark II vehicles since 639W January 1994; and if he will provide a breakdown of the circumstances which resulted in these incidents.
§ Mr. SoamesBetween January 1994 and 13 March 1995, there were four occasions on which truck cargo
TCHD Mk 2 operational convoy unscheduled stops (29 January 1994 to 13 March 1995) Cause Serial number Date Location Fault Quality Design Rectification Delay time 1 6 June 1994 M1, Tibshelf near Mansfield Knocking sound from tractor — — Precatutionary stop, no fault found. 33 minutes 2 7 June 1994 A696, south of Otterburn Air pressure warning buzzer sounded — — Air pressure found satisfactory. 34 minutes 3 2 August 1994 A68, south east of Edinburgh "Clonking" sound when turning — — Precautionary stop, no fault found. 26 minutes 4 21 September A696, near Ponteland Discharge from sump oil connecting pipe — — Tractor unit changed. 1 1 hour 10 minutes Note:
1The fault developed shortly after departure. After replacement of the spare tractor unit the convoy returned to await arrival of a substitute spare unit. Movement therefore suspended for 24 hours.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of maintaining and operating convoys of truck cargo heavy duty mark II vehicles and their escort in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95.
§ Mr. SoamesThe truck cargo heavy duty mark II entered operational service in September 1992. In 1992–93 the cost of operating the convoys—including their MOD escorts—and maintaining the vehicles was about £800,000; in 1993–94, £1,200,000; and to date in 1994–95, £950,000.