asked the Minister for Defence the total number of mechanically propelled vehicles, describing them in detail, being used by the Army throughout the country: the locations for their use; the total number of motor cars being used by the Army; the total number of Army drivers driving motor cars throughout the country; the cost of all mechanically propelled vehicles to the State in 1983, 1982, 1981 and 1980; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Army Vehicles.
The numbers and categories of mechanically propelled vehicles, other than armoured vehicles, in Army use throughout the country are as follows:
Army Vehicles (excluding armoured vehicles) |
|
Transport Vehicles |
|
Saloons |
81 |
Trucks 4X4 |
199 |
Trucks 4X2 |
200 |
Trucks ¾ ton 4X4 |
709 |
Ambulances |
34 |
Minibuses |
201 |
Runabouts (small cars) |
24 |
Coaches |
8 |
Motor Cycles |
158 |
1,614 |
|
Specialised Vehicles |
|
(e.g. Recovery vehicles, tipper trucks, fire engines, mobile radios, hoists, fork lifts etc.) |
139 |
Engineer Vehicles |
|
(e.g. dumpers, diggers, bulldozers etc). |
62 |
1,815 |
Expenditure on the purchase of such vehicles during the period 1980 to 1983 was approximately as follows: 1980, £1.250 million; 1981, £1,300 million; 1982, £0.725 million; 1983, £1.600 million.
The current number of Army drivers is 1,358 all of whom are qualified to drive saloon cars.
In the interests of security it is not the practice to disclose details in respect of armoured vehicles or locations of vehicles.