Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 September 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2008. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Military Police: Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Royal Military Police first (a) reported to his Department concerns that Land Rovers were deficient vehicles for operational duty and (b) requested replacement armoured vehicles;

Answer: [holding answer 10 September 2008]: Records indicate that the possibility of Royal Military Police units being equipped with better protected vehicles, when required to deploy in advanced positions in operational theatres, was raised in both 1999 and 2003. We have no record of any earlier suggestions of this kind.A large number of improvements have been introduced to the vehicle fleet in recent years, with the result that commanders now have a greater choice of better protected, more capable vehicles than at any time previously. Royal Military Police personnel have benefited from these improvements as have personnel from all arms and services. There are no current issues relating to better protected vehicles specifically for the Royal Military Police and we do not have any record of the Royal Military Police submitting an urgent operational requirement for armoured replacements for Land Rovers.

Secondary information