PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Lords Hansard 02 July 2008
Armed Forces: Nimrod
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: What measures they have taken to ensure that shortcomings in RAF Nimrod aircraft in operation have been remedied; and whether there are other measures they can take in this regard. [HL3887]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): With respect to the airworthiness of the aircraft today, we have suspended air-to-air refuelling and ceased the use of the very hot air systems in flight. These measures, together with the enhanced aircraft maintenance and inspection procedures introduced since the Nimrod XV230 crash, ensure the aircraft, as it is today, is safe to fly. In addition, to ensure we can continue to operate the aircraft safely until its planned retirement from service, we have in place a programme of work which includes replacing, where necessary, fuel seals and hot air ducts on the aircraft. This work is being progressed as quickly as practicable.
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: Whether the replacement Nimrod aircraft under development will include design features to remedy shortcomings identified in those in operation. [HL3888]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The Nimrod MRA4 is a new aircraft which has been mostly designed from first principles with modern design features and safety standards for all the main systems and components. The MRA4 includes some 94 per cent new design and new parts compared to the Nimrod MR2 but, where MR2 design has been retained, the components have been completely refurbished and re-lifed to meet the expected life of the MRA4.
Commons Hansard 01 July 2008
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what (a) ventilation and (b) cooling systems other than air conditioning are incorporated into the Panther Command and Liaison vehicle; [213986]
(2) whether the Panther Command and Liaison vehicle has (a) flaps and (b) windows which open to allow ventilation. [213987]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The panther vehicle is fitted with a standard air conditioning unit, hence there are no additional ventilation and cooling systems, flaps or windows.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether supplies of the 4-wheeled Cougar vehicle, when converted to a Ridgback, will be sent to theatre in batches immediately they are available. [213988]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: We are seeking to ensure that Ridgback is deployed as a complete operational capability, with doctrine defined, personnel trained, and the infrastructure in theatre complete. Current plans see the first batches arriving in theatre in spring 2009 although we continue to explore the possibility and requirement to bring this date forward.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to replace the Snatch Land Rover with another vehicle of similar size and capacity. [213989]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The introduction of vehicles such as Mastiff has already allowed us to replace Snatch in a number of roles. The introduction of Ridgback in 2009 will limit the use of Snatch further. While we continually review our requirements for protected vehicles and the roles in which they are used in theatre, there will continue to be a requirement for some vehicles of the size and capacity of Snatch. Any alternative vehicle would inevitably have similar capability in terms of protection and mobility.