HC Deb 05 February 1957 vol 564 cc235-7
43. Mr. Gibson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the personal gear of the men of the 26th M.L.B.C. of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps was lost when they were sent to Cyprus in November last and has not yet been returned to them; that no officer of the company was prepared to accept any responsibility for this matter, and that no steps were taken to inquire into it; and if he will take steps to inquire into the matter and to compensate the men for the loss of their personal goods.

Mr. Hare

After being fully equipped, members of this unit were advised to send their personal effects home and the necessary facilities to do so were made available. Many of the men did not take advantage of this arrangement and, when their unit was ordered overseas, they were allowed to load personal baggage in excess of the capacity of their kit bags, in the unit's vehicles. These travelled in a separate ship from the men, and because of a change of plan, were unloaded at Malta while the men went to Cyprus. The officer commanding made immediate efforts to locate the baggage, and, as soon as it was traced, arrangements were made for it to be sent home from Malta to await the men's return. So far as I have been able to ascertain, it is still in transit and not lost.

Mr. Gibson

Is the Secretary of State for War aware that no such advice was given to these men? According to the words of a man who was involved, they were suddenly packed off to Cyprus and told to leave their gear behind, and they have not yet seen it again. Will the Minister agree to compensate the men for the loss of their personal gear if it never turns up—and it has not turned up yet?

Mr. Hare

I think the hon. Member and I have different information. I am told that the men were warned. I will look into any further information which he cares to give me. As I have pointed out, these effects are not yet lost; they are in transit. I hope to be able to find them before too long. Should they be lost, we should certainly consider the possibility of compensation.

Mr. Callaghan

Is it not the first principle of war never to be separated from your baggage? When does the Secretary of State hope to reunite the baggage and the men?

Mr. Hare

I think the hon. Gentleman is right. Those men were advised to send this baggage home.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Brockway.

Mr. Callaghan

When will the men get this baggage?

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Callaghan

On a point of order. There are men serving in the Army today who are separated from their personal effects. It is a reasonable question to put to the Secretary of State for War— which he did not answer; when are they going to get those effects?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order. The Question has had a fair run.

Mr. Callaghan

On a point of order. I asked a question of the Secretary of State for War to which, I am quite sure, the right hon. Gentleman has the answer, and I should be very much obliged if he would give it. When are the effects going to be returned?

Mr. Speaker

The question which I called the hon. Member to ask has been answered.

Mr. Callaghan

Very unsatisfactorily.