§ 9. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Minister of State for Defence in regard to security at the Vehicles Depôt at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, what steps he is taking to end pilferage of public property, such as vehicle batteries and spares, and the abuse of men clocking each other's cards and similar malpractices; and whether he will make a statement on such losses and defalcations.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Ian Gilmour)A number of measures are in force to prevent pilferage and other malpractices, and these are kept under review. Such measures cannot be completely foolproof but the depôt's record as shown by stocktaking has been a good one.
§ Sir G. NabarroDoes my hon. Friend's statement about stocktaking apply to batteries, which thieves find most delectable morsels? Does he recognise that there are widespread fears in the southern part of my constituency that the practices referred to in my Question are getting worse, and that security ought to be tightened in this depôt generally?
§ Mr. GilmourWe look at security all the time, although there is no reason to believe that the record in this depot is particularly bad. The last complete stocktaking of batteries was in April, 1969, and another one will be carried out very shortly.
§ Sir G. NabarroI am very grateful.