Vol. 486 No. 1
358 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline details of the surplus stores that have been sold in each of the years 1996 and 1997; the amount realised from the sale of obsolete weapons; the type of weapons sold and the countries to whom these sales were made; if similar information could be provided in relation to vehicles; and if he will provide the same information for 1998. [1287/98]
The sale of surplus stores, consisting mainly of obsolete weapons and vehicles, scrap metal items and tyres, realised approximately £416,000 in 1996 and £391,000 in 1997. No sales have been effected in 1998 to date.
Lee Enfield rifles, which were surplus to Defence Forces' requirements and had been superseded by more modern weapons, were sold to a customer in the United States of America in 1996 and 1997 for hunting, sporting and collection and decoration purposes. The amounts realised in each of these years from such sales were £326,200 and £298,200 respectively.
The sale of scrap vehicles realised £800 and £40,400 in 1996 and 1997 respectively. All vehicles were sold in the Republic of Ireland.
