Keetch Views New Army Vehicle

12.00.00am GMT Fri 30th Mar 2001

When Hereford's MP Paul Keetch called on the Government to equip the Army with a British, not Swiss, vehicle to carry new communication equipment, he did not expect that the Swiss would send him one of their trucks to look at.

Mr Keetch, who is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister of Defence, will this afternoon take the wheel of a Bucher Guyer Duro all terrain vehicle at his office in Hereford.

"The Duro is imported by a company based in the West Midlands and by chance one of the Directors lives in Herefordshire", said Mr Keetch. "Although I have called in the Government to take a look at British "

"alternatives to this vehicle, I am happy to take a look at the Swiss model as well. It will be an interesting experience".