HC Deb 15 March 1949 vol 462 cc1891-3
36. Sir Peter Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in spite of the urgent campaign which is being carried out for the recruitment of officers and men for the Territorial Army, some units are finding that after joining up there is no equipment available for them and great delay is experienced in obtaining it; and whether steps will be taken to remedy this state of affairs.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Shinwell)

A maximum scale is allowed for each type of Territorial Army unit. Within this scale units may hold as much equipment as they require for use on training according to their strength. Provision is made in this way for the building up of equipment as the strength of the unit increases. The scales allowed are sufficient to cover all training needs except annual camps, for which additional equipment is provided. There is ample equipment in stock to meet the training scales. There is a shortage only of some new types of electronic equipment but enough older equipment is available for training.

Sir P. Macdonald

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my constituency units have been waiting months for equipment; that the War Office promised me months ago that the equipment would be delivered but it has not yet arrived; and will he look into it?

Mr. Shinwell

I shall be glad to look into it. Of course, generally speaking, training equipment is laid on, as far as I am aware.

Sir P. Macdonald

No, it is not.

Mr. Shinwell

There may be some isolated units where, because the rôle of the unit is changed, we have not had sufficient time to supply all the necessary equipment for training purposes; but I will look into it.

Mr. Gallacher

Are not these questions of equipment and kindred matters under the control of the American Gauleiter who has come to London; and has he had any consultation with the Minister?

37. Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when a Territorial Unit indents for gun stores and tools on Army Form G.982.E. this must be done in quadruplicate, and that, as some 60 items are involved, some 240 sheets of paper must be used to indent for the stores and tools for the guns for one battery; and whether steps will be taken to reduce this formality and the waste of time and paper.

Mr. Shinwell

The initial supplying of Territorial Army units with their equipment and ancillary stores is carried out without formal demand by units. Units have to indent only for subsequent replacements. The introduction of the present method of indenting for ordnance stores has effected considerable economies in time and labour in Ordnance Depots. It was recommended by a committee which has, since the war, reviewed methods and processes in ordnance establishments, with a view to manpower saving; it was also recommended by an experienced accountant who has examined Army methods of store-keeping, assisted by another civilian expert specially appointed for the purpose.

Sir P. Macdonald

Is that not putting the work of Ordnance on to the units themselves? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of these units have not the clerical staff to carry out this work; why should not Ordnance do it themselves; and would not that simplify the work?

Mr. Shinwell

This matter has been very carefully examined by outside experts who have advised that this course should be adopted. So far as I know, it is working quite well.

Mr. C. Poole

Is not the Minister aware that the Ordnance Corps is the most prolific user of paper in the whole Army, most of which is extremely wasteful and extravagant?

Mr. Shinwell

No, I should not agree with that at all.