HC Deb 29 June 1916 vol 83 cc1033-4
71. Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what becomes of the web equipment discarded by troops on active service; whether it is sent in the usual way for repair to Woolwich or is it sent elsewhere to be destroyed; and, if so, where?

Mr. FORSTER

Web equipment returned from the front is overhauled by the Army Ordnance Department at the bases, and such as is capable of local repair is repaired in the workshops and reissued. Equipment requiring more extensive repair is sent to Woolwich, where it is repaired and reissued as necessary. Equipment beyond repair is cut up and disposed of as rags, or burnt, according to its condition.

Mr. O'GRADY

Will the hon. Gentleman give me the proportion of the equipment that cannot be repaired?

Mr. FORSTER

I am afraid I cannot do that without notice.

Mr. O'GRADY

Is it 50 per cent?

Sir WALTER ESSEX

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is sterilised before reissue, in view of the medical officers' opinion as to the use of web?

Mr. FORSTER

I should think so, but I cannot answer without notice.

72. Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether reports have been received from the various commands as to the shrinkage of the Infantry web equipment and consequent loss of ammunition prior to and during this War; and whether, having regard to the fact that loss of ammunition may involve loss of life to troops on active service, what steps, if any, have been taken to rectify defects in such equipment?

Mr. FORSTER

Complaints have been made in the past as to the shrinkage of the web equipment, and an extra process of shrinking the material during manufacture was introduced to remedy this. During the present War a device has been added to the flap of the left cartridge carrier to prevent loss of ammunition; this was done at the request of the authorities Overseas, and no further complaints have since been received.

Mr. O'GRADY

Is it not impossible for this web equipment to contain the fifteen cartridges supposed to be in each pocket; and is it not a fact that quite recently, when men have been attacked, the cartridges have fallen out and they have been absolutely without ammunition?

Mr. FORSTER

If there had been many cases of that kind we should have had complaints from Headquarters, but we have had no complaints since the alteration was made, therefore I expect the cases of complaints made are exceptional.

Mr. O'GRADY

Will the hon. Gentleman accept from me evidence of cases where this has happened?

Mr. FORSTER

I will not only do that, but I will also make inquiries.

Mr. WARDLE

On what date was the alteration made?

Mr. FORSTER

I cannot answer that without notice.

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