Written question asked by Martyn Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 27 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 June 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 June 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the use of explosion mitigation technology in the fuel tanks of armoured fighting vehicles used by British forces.

Answer: Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the use of explosion mitigation technology in the fuel tanks of armoured fighting vehicles used by British forces. [177214] Mr. Ingram: In the main, the armoured vehicles used by the British forces rely on the protection afforded to the fuel tanks by the vehicle's armour and the positioning of tanks themselves within the vehicle. Some of the newer armoured vehicles currently in service, however, have additional measures incorporated in their design, with the intention of reducing the risk of fire and explosion in the fuel tanks. In addition, since the acceptance and implementation of the current NATO Single Fuels Policy by the United Kingdom in 1991, all operational vehicles procured will run on diesel or kerosene type fuels which are inherently safer than gasoline. This in itself mitigates against the threat of fire, because of the reduction in the flammability of the fuel. For older vehicles, conversion programmes have been undertaken where this represents a cost-effective option for the remaining life of the fleet.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 177214; 422 c809-10W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Armoured fighting vehicles Fuels Fires Safety measures Diesel Explosions Kerosene
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk