§ 26. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War what action he has been able to take following on the information recently put before this House as to the condition of equipment and transport vehicles in possession of the British troops in Tripoli; and whether he can give an assurance that these are now in all respects in a serviceable state.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am not aware of the information to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. In common with the rest of the Army, units in the Middle East have been maintained on wartime stocks of vehicles so as to reduce demands on the civil production programme. These units will be supplied with a large proportion of the vehicles which are expected to be delivered from the large scale programme for the rebuilding of vehicles now in progress.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only are our equipment and vehicles in bad order at this station, due to fair wear and tear, but that also there are deficiencies in equipment and even of paint necessary to put them into some sort of decent order? Will he accelerate the provision of spare parts and paint?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. and gallant Member seems to be in possession of 1040 information not available to me. In those exceptional circumstances, perhaps he will be good enough to let me have the information.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIn view of the disturbed state of affairs there has been in Tripolitania recently, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make sure that all available equipment is of the best?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe always try to provide what is the best, and as far as I know, that is precisely what is done.