HC Deb 17 June 1947 vol 438 cc1783-4
38. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he is making for the equipment of T.A. messes with the necessary supplies of cutlery, crockery and other stores of a permanent nature.

Mr. Bellenger

Associations may buy cutlery, crockery and mess equipment from Ordnance, but owing to shortage of stock their demands cannot always be met, and they are, therefore, encouraged to buy from the civilian market. An initial grant towards these purchases will be made from public funds to new units which are being raised in the Territorial Army. Provision is also made for the maintenance and improvement of messing equipment in the annual Establishment Grant issued to all units.

Major Legge-Bourke

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that commanding officers in some newly formed Territorial units are having to solicit charitable contributions in order that these messes may be equipped, and does not he think it scandalous that the Territorial Army should have to rely on charity in order to equip these messes?

Mr. Bellenger

I know there are difficulties but the Territorial Army is not the only one experiencing them. I do not think the question is so much one of finance as one of supplies of these things.

Sir William Darling

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when Territorial associations have to secure crockery, they go to the source of civilian supply, and is not that restricting the possibility of supply for the civilian population, which is already experiencing short supplies in these things?

Mr. Bellenger

I think the hon. Gentleman would be advised to put that question to my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Are any more supplies coming from N.A.A.F.I. and has the right hon. Gentleman given serious study to the degree to which the recruiting campaign is being hampered by these things?

Mr. Bellenger

I am giving close study to that, but this is only one of my worries in regard to the recruiting for the Territorial Army. I might add that N.A.A.F.I. have to inform the Territorial organisation of any surplus.

Brigadier Low

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what happened to most of the equipment belonging to units of, the Territorial Army no longer existing? Could he not arrange that the mess equipment of those unit3 be made available to the new units, and am I not right in saying that there are fewer new units than there were old units which no longer exist?

Mr. Bellenger

That is an entirely different question, and perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the very great shortage of cutlery and crockery for Territorial Army and domestic users, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider requisitioning the great masses of these things which at the present time are in the large country houses?

Major Legge-Bourke

Will there be any additional official assistance in this matter above the 5s. per head grant?

Mr. Bellenger

The establishment grant for this financial year for male units is r8s 6d. a head.