To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of his Department's hand-held mine detectors were (a) in service and (b) fit for purpose in each of the last nine years; (321365)

The metal detectors currently in service are Vallon, Hoodlum and Horn. There are sufficient metal detectors to meet our current operational requirements. As at 5 March 2010, there were 3,071 Vallon hand-held metal detectors in service. The number of equipments available for use will vary daily and will depend principally on how many are in the repair loop at the time. As at 5 March 2010, an estimated 2,440 Vallon were available for use. The EBEX-420PB metal detector has been withdrawn from service.

The number of hand-held metal detectors in service and available for use in previous years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.