Written question asked by Bob Spink (UK Independence Party) on Monday, 10 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Davies of Stamford (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Snatch Land Rovers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) financial and (b) EU regulatory factors were considered when deciding to use Snatch Land Rovers; and whether alternative US-produced vehicles were assessed against the same criteria.

Answer: The decision to deploy Snatch Land Rovers on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan took into account a range of factors, including the nature of the mission and the theatre specific threats at the time. Given that these vehicles were already available in our inventory, no EU regulatory or ““financial factors”” applied. As my right hon. Friend, the Defence Secretary's written statement on 29 October 2008, Official Report, column 28-30WS made clear, senior operational commanders were clear that they need a vehicle of the size, weight and profile of Snatch Land Rover, capable of transporting men, to fulfil their tasks in theatre.We have set in train a programme to carry out a series of modifications to enhance Snatch's mobility and protection. This effectively generates a new variant, Snatch Vixen, which will offer the highest levels of protection for its size and weight class.

Secondary information