HC Deb 30 January 1963 vol 670 c912
4. Mr. Kershaw

asked the Minister of Defence what new steps he proposes to take to equip the British forces in the future; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Thorneycroft

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the White Paper on Defence which will be published next month.

Mr. Kershaw

In the meantime will my right hon. Friend ensure that the weapons available to the men are the best available and that there are enough men to operate them? Will he in particular ensure that no ceiling is placed on recruitment so that we have not the people to operate these excellent weapons?

Mr. Thorneycroft

These are the kind of questions which I think could properly be debated when we come to the defence debates in March.