HC Deb 07 December 1960 vol 631 cc1255-6
29. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of raincoats, slip on, demobilised Servicemen, held in stock; and to whom, and for what purpose, this garment is now to be issued.

Mr. Profumo

Forty-three thousand slip on raincoats are held in stock for Regular Service men on leaving the Forces. We expect that about half of these will be needed for issue in the next few years. We shall either use the rest for purposes such as range work or dispose of them.

Mr. Wigg

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these raincoats are already being issued to serving personnel? Will he be good enough to tell the House what those issues have to do with the statement made by the then Secretary of State for War two and a half years ago, that certain soldiers were to be issued with a smart raincoat, a photograph of which I have with me, supplied by his Department? Will he say when that issue is to be made, or is it that serving men are to be fobbed off with a soggy mass that would cost only a few shillings in a civilian shop?

Mr. Profumo

I am very glad the hon. Member has raised this matter, because there is a misunderstanding. There are so many different forms of raincoats. The slip on raincoat is not the raincoat to which my right hon. Friend referred and of which the hon. Member has a picture. The raincoat which will be part of a soldier's uniform is of a different design and of very much heavier material. A different form of slip on raincoat is being issued, and some have already been issued, for soggy days such as the hon. Member mentioned.

Mr. Wigg

In that case, will the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to inquire whether some mistake has occurred, perhaps through shortage of personnel? I think that the wrong raincoats are being issued, because in a unit not far from Aldershot the civilian type of raincoat is being issued to serving personnel.

Mr. Profumo

A slip on raincoat is being issued to serving personnel for use on ranges, but it is not the smart, belted, double-breasted raincoat for walking out which we have been thinking about.