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Nick Harvey MPStanding up for North Devon since 1992 |
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Lives could have been saved if Government acted earlier on Snatch Land Rover
December 16, 2008 11:32 AM
Commenting on today's Government statement on the use of the Snatch Land Rover, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said: "The Government has acted shamefully late on Snatch Land Rovers. Lives may well have been saved if this decision had been taken earlier.
"When troops nickname a vehicle a 'mobile coffin', it should have rung alarm bells, but the Government dithered and delayed for far too long.
"While there may be a need for these modified Land Rovers, the fact that the old vehicles are being withdrawn from service is effectively an admission of guilt.
"The Government's first duty should be to get our troops the equipment they need on the frontline as quickly as possible.
"On this occasion, the lions in Afghanistan have been failed by the donkeys in Whitehall."
ENDS
Notes to editors
Nick Harvey has previously questioned the Defence Secretary on the withdrawal from use of less protected vehicles such as the Snatch Land Rover:
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1529W
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 29 October 2008, Official Report, columns 28-30WS, on protected mobility, which types of lesser protected vehicles he plans to withdraw from operations. [238751]
Mr. Hutton: The tactical support vehicles (TSVs) Coyote, Husky and Wolfhound will replace light utility 'B' vehicles operating 'outside the wire' such as the Pinzgauer 4x4, Pinzgauer 6x6, General Service Land Rover and Land Rover Truck Utility Medium/Truck Utility Light. The TSVs will also undertake some of the roles currently carried out using Snatch Land Rover. TSVs together with the Snatch Vixen modification programme will replace the use of Snatch 2A 'outside the wire'. The Warthog will replace Viking.
Donald Campbell
Press Officer - Scotland, Defence & International Affairs
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Press Office
020 7227 1399
07791 755 415
Out of hours: 020 7340 4949
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