HC Deb 04 December 2003 vol 415 cc129-30W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many civilian milk tankers have been converted to military refuelling tankers; and how many of them have been deployed to Iraq; [141923]

(2) what the (a) cost and (b) life expectancy of a (i) converted milk tanker and (ii) custom built oil tanker is; and if he will make a statement. [141924]

Mr. Ingram

No civilian milk tankers have been converted to military refuelling tankers.

The Wheeled Tanker programme, which will provide 357 tankers to carry fuel (300) and water (57) at a cost of £171 million, is planned to come into service in February 2005 and will have a 15 year life.