Troops’ ordeal

He comments that, in that country, there is a virtual absence of anything we would regard as a road, plus his further comments that, “The good news is that our soldiers are better protected now.”

He had the opportunity to look over-and even drive-some of the latest military hardware. “Much of it is formidable,” he wrote.

The previous day, the National Audit Office reported that the Army vehicles in Afghanistanhave had many problems.

A new vehicle in 2007, the Vector, had been withdrawn because of “ mechanical and technical issues” (Defence Secretary John Hutton).

Edward Leigh, MP, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, said it was a “woeful state of affairs” when commanders lost confidence in a new vehicle like the Vector.

Another armoured vehicle, the Mastiff, acquired for on-road use in Iraq,suffered when it was switched to off-road missions in Afghanistan.

The 87 strong Mastiff fleet went through 176 wheel axles in 14 months. It has limited under-belly armour to protect it from roadside bombs.

Our soldiers have to use the Snatch Land Rover, used in Northern Ireland, now fitted with additional armour, a vehicle known as the Snatch Vixen.

This is an old vehicle but one we have good stocks of, apparently.

It may be that our MP considered the latest military hardware formidable but these vehicles have had serious troubles, as this information proves.

With casualties to our troops using inadequately protected vehicles, not effectively armoured, the fact is that our troops are not better protected now, and, Dr Murrison, it is not good news to state they are.

Michael Bowen, Woolley Street, Bradford on Avon.