asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has of the number of persons in the Army including reservists, capable of driving a heavy goods vehicle;(2) what estimate he has of the number of persons in the Royal Navy including reservists, capable of driving a heavy goods vehicle;(3) what estimate he has of the number of persons in the Royal Air Force, including reservists, capable of driving a heavy goods vehicle.

There are at present approximately 12,000 HGV-licence holders in the Armed Services at home and abroad who are engaged in driving duties or who could be diverted to this task. No information is readily available as to reservists who currently hold HGV licences.