§ 37. Brigadier Headasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that at the manœuvres, recently held in Western Germany, the equipment of the British troops was found to be serviceable and sufficiently up to date.
§ Mr. M. StewartSome of the present equipment of the Army undoubtedly needs replacement. This is one of the objects of the recently announced increase in defence expenditure. New types of equipment, which have taken time to develop, are now becoming available. On the other hand, it would be wrong to assume that some of the types of equipment used in the last war are now either obsolete or unserviceable.
§ Brigadier HeadCan the hon. Gentleman assure the House that, in view of the urgency of this matter, orders are being placed so that the deficiency and obsolescence of the equipment in these units will be made good in the very near future?
§ Mr. StewartYes, Sir, so far as is permitted by the expenditure on defence with which this House is familiar.