§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Saxon vehicles have been deployed by his Department in Bosnia over the last three years. [26460]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: A total of 65 Saxon vehicles were deployed to Bosnia in March 1994 with 1st Battalion the Duke of Wellington's regiment. These vehicles have remained in theatre with successive units though numbers have fluctuated in accordance with operational tasks. There are currently 75 Saxon vehicles in Bosnia with 1st Battalion the Queen's Lancashire regiment.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what off-road duties Saxon vehicles are used for; and if he will make a statement. [26459]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: Saxon is a reliable troop-carrying vehicle which provides protected mobility between dismounted actions. It has a limited cross-country capability, and its use in operations, exercises and training reflects this.
Its capacity and protection make it an ideal vehicle for use by infantry in Bosnia, where the mine threat means that vehicles are forced to remain on tracks and roads. Units deploying with Saxon have generally been pleased with how well it has fared.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions on the use of certain mountain tracks in Bosnia were placed on Saxon vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [26457]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: The use of different types of vehicle over particular terrain is a matter for the chain of command and military commanders on the ground. Guidance takes account of a number of factors including road, weather and operational conditions. All training throughout the deployment of British forces in Bosnia has stressed the importance of defensive driving and winter driving skills and these factors are constantly inculcated in all personnel.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operational duties Saxon vehicles carried out in Bosnia. [26461]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: The Saxon vehicle has carried out a wide range of operational duties with British forces in Bosnia. It continues to be employed on a variety of tasks including patrolling, escort duties, checkpoint protection and the movement of personnel and supplies.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents involving Saxon vehicles have resulted in(a) deaths and (b) serious injury in the last three years; what were the dates of these accidents; what were the causes of these accidents; and on what dates the boards of inquiry sat to investigate each accident. [26455]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: In the three calendar years until 31 December 1995, there were two fatal accidents involving Saxon vehicles, both from 1st Battalion the Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire regiment—1RGBW. The first accident, in which one soldier, Private Benjamin Hinton, was unfortunately killed and three others were seriously 398W injured, occurred on 9 September 1994. The second accident, on 12 September 1994, resulted in the tragic death of three soldiers: Privates Phillip Armstrong, Martin Dowdell and Christopher Turner. Again, three others were seriously injured.
A board on inquiry to investigate both accidents was convened in Cyprus on 24 July 1995. The timing of the board of inquiry reflected the need for all police and other investigations to be completed first, and the completion of 1RGBW's tour in Bosnia in March 1995. In March 1995, 1RGBW moved temporarily to Catterick before transferring to Cyprus in May 1995. The board concluded that both accidents were caused by driver error.
Information relating to non-fatal accidents which resulted in serious injuries could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department purchased Saxon vehicles; how many vehicles were purchased; and what was the total cost. [26458]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: Two types of Saxon vehicles have been purchased: Saxon General War Role—GWR—in the early 1980s at a total cost of some £45 million for 527 vehicles; and Saxon Patrol between 1992 and 1994 at a total cost of some £25 million for 145 vehicles.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the boards of inquiry concerning fatalities resulting from Saxon crashes in Bosnia were provided with all the witnesses and documents relevant to the investigations. [26456]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 23 April 1996]: The board of inquiry considered all the available documentation. It commented that certain types of documentation were not available to them. These documents were thought to have been lost during the roulement of units in Bosnia. It has now come to light that some of those missing documents had been sent to the coroner before the board of inquiry met. My Department is to ask that the documents be made available for examination as a matter of urgency to determine whether they may have any bearing on the accidents.
The board of inquiry took evidence from all witnesses whom they considered had a contribution to make to the inquiry.