§ 73. Mr. Mayhewasked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking, following Exercise Spearpoint, to increase the capacity of the British Army of the Rhine to meet a conventional attack without resort to tactical nuclear weapons.
§ Mr. ProfumoI have nothing to add to the remarks made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence in the debate on the Address on 1st November.
74. Mr .Mayhewasked the Secretary of State for War what further redeployment of forces he is proposing in order to strengthen the British Army of the Rhine.
63W
§ Mr. ProfumoI gave this information in answer to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Arundel and Shore-ham (Captain Kerby) on 24th October, 1961.
§ 75. Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for War in what trades there is a shortage of manpower in the units of the British Army of the Rhine; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe major shortages are of doctors, medical orderlies, signallers, drivers and cooks. Steps have already been taken to improve the position.
§ 78. Mr. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement about the shortage of medical personnel in units of the British Army of the Rhine.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe numbers of medical personnel in the British Army of the Rhine are sufficient to provide essential peace-time medical services to the troops together with their families and dependants. It would not, however, be possible without reinforcement to man the necessary field medical units together with the hospitals and medical centres in the rear areas. Plans already exist for these reinforcements to be provided.