HC Deb 17 December 1958 vol 597 cc1098-9
6. Mr. Strachey

asked the Secretary of State for War on what occasions British units in Germany have borrowed equipment from the armies of other countries so that they could take an adequate part in combined exercises.

Mr. Soames

Apart from an incident last March when a Dutch helicopter was used, I have not been able to trace any occasion on which British units in Germany have borrowed equipment. There are, on the contrary, a number of cases where British equipment has been lent to the Dutch, Belgian and German forces.

Mr. Strachey

This is not an allegation by me or by this side of the House but appears in the Grigg Report. It seems to be an unfortunate situation. Will the right hon. Gentleman take notice of the general allegation in the Grigg Report, in paragraph 138, in which the overall figures are produced—and they are the important thing—showing that the Army's allocation of production has declined by 65 per cent.? Is not this a most serious situation? These are serious matters which are contained in the Grigg Report which has been put before the House.

Mr. Soames

Certainly I have taken note of what was said in the Grigg Report. It should not astonish the right hon. Gentleman if I say that we took note of it some time before the Report was published. We discussed these matters in some detail in debate, and I have no doubt that they will be discussed in detail again at the time of Estimates. The right hon. Gentleman has now referred to the proportion of money spent on re-equipment of the Army compared with the other Services, but that is very wide of the Question.