§ 41. Major H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for War whether he 25 will make a statement on the equipment of the British troops in Korea; and the conditions under which they are serving.
§ 43. Mr. Robson Brownasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the latest position with regard to supplies of winter clothing and equipment for our troops in Korea
§ 44. Mr. Frederick Peartasked the Secretary of State for War if all British troops in Korea have now been issued with adequate protective clothing for winter conditions.
97. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that although winter started in Korea on 1st November members of British units in the Commonwealth Brigade were still without proper winter kit on 14th January; and if he will explain the reason for this delay in leaving men of our Forces without adequate protection against the winter.
§ 99. Mr. George Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for War whether all British troops serving in Korea are adequately equipped with winter clothing.
§ 101. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the British troops on the Korean war front are short of warm winter clothing and that very cold weather is being experienced there at this time; and whether he will make a statement as to the responsibility for this state of affairs; and what steps are being taken to remedy the position.
§ 103. Mr. Derek Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for War why proper and timely arrangements were not made for the provision for winter clothing for troops in Korea.
§ 104. Brigadier O. L. Prior-Palmerasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the equipment of the British troops in Korea with special reference to winter clothing.
§ Mr. HeadI apologise to the House for the length of this answer, but I think it would wish me to give a full reply.
Shortly after taking office I inquired into the position about winter clothing; and on 13th November, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton), I stated 26 that there was, at that time, sufficient winter clothing in Korea of the type provided in the winter 1950–51 for the equipment of the whole Force in 1951–52. This clothing was, by all reports, found to be generally satisfactory and, as stated, sufficient was available for every man.
I also said:
A new range of winter clothing has been produced in the light of last winter's experience. Of this, sufficient quantities are now in Korea to clothe all fighting troops, and it is hoped that by January there will be enough for every man."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th November, 1951; Vol. 493, c. 793.]This new type winter clothing has been under development since 1946. After trials and various improvements the War Office decided in March, 1951, to issue it for large scale user trials in Korea. It was known that sufficient new type clothing could only be made available in the early part of this winter in Korea for fighting troops, and I understand that the decision to issue only part of the force with the new type, instead of waiting till the whole force could be equipped simultaneously, was only taken after careful consideration of the implications.It was hoped to complete the whole force by January. In fact, the quantities then forecast have been exceeded, and the Ministry of Supply, the manufacturers, and those responsible for despatch, deserve much credit for the speed with which deliveries were made.
At the beginning of this winter (November, 1951), every man was completely equipped with the old type clothing. Subsequently, as they began to issue the new type clothing, part of the Commonwealth Division were clothed in old type, part in new type. The latter proved itself much superior, and I have no doubt that complaints and dissatisfaction arose among those men who were not issued with the new type. As a result, every available new type suit in the theatre was issued, a course which was bound to produce difficulties over sizes because, as I have already said, the necessary reserves, which confer some latitude in sizing, could not be in the theatre before January. It may be that this difficulty was aggravated because, although this kit was originally designed to be worn complete and alone, additional garments, such as battledress, were worn underneath the parka, the outer coat lined with fleece.
27 The position at the present moment is as follows:
In all items of boots and clothing there is now a considerable surplus to the numbers of men in Korea. The number of parkas exceeds our original forecast, and there are sufficient in the theatre for issue to all men. My latest information is that there are more than sufficient boots for the whole force excepting an outstanding requirement for some 13 pairs of boots of the very largest size.
I would remind the House that this new type winter clothing is still experimental and under user trials. First reports indicate an unexpected rate of wear in trousers. The normal wastage rate may, therefore, be considerably exceeded, and urgent steps are being taken to ensure that additional replacements can be made available.
I expect and desire criticism in this most important matter, and the Press have quite properly taken a most active interest. At the same time I hope that the report which I have given to the House will be made known. I express this hope, not to vindicate myself or my Department, but because, after careful inquiry in the War Office, the receipt of a direct report from the Division Commander, and after seeing several individuals recently returned from Korea, I am of the opinion that some Press reports may have caused undue anxiety among relatives of men now fighting in Korea. That is something which I am sure neither this House, the Press nor the men in Korea would wish.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for the fullness of his reply, which I am sure will have done much to allay anxiety in the country, might I ask him whether in the future he will do all he can to ensure that, when some new piece of equipment or clothing is discovered, issues are made on as broad a basis as possible, in co-ordination with the other troops with whom our own men will be fighting?