HC Deb 14 February 1983 vol 37 cc37-9W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether all soldiers in the Falkland Islands have at least one can of ale available each day.

Mr. Wiggin

Sufficient stocks of beer are normally available in the Falkland Islands to allow every service man to obtain at least one can of beer a day.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops work seven days a week in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Wiggin

All service men in the Falkland Islands are allowed at least half a day off each week for relaxation and personal administration.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of baths and showers to British troops in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Wiggin

Service men in the Falklands have access to baths and showers on a regular basis.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why calf-feeding milk has been given to Her Majesty's forces in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Wiggin

There is no demand for sheep's milk.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are available in the Falkland Islands for the cleaning of sleeping bags; and how many times a soldier's sleeping bag is likely to be cleaned during a five month tour of duty.

Mr. Wiggin

Sleeping bags are intended to be dry-cleaned only. Each sleeping bag is equipped with a liner, which is detachable, washable, and can be renewed separately. Facilities are available to launder the liners; but it is not possible to specify the number of times a sleeping bag liner will be washed during a five-month period. Sufficient clean stocks of the outer sleeping bag are held in the Falkland Islands to allow dirty sleeping bags to be returned to the United Kingdom for dry cleaning.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what laundry facilities exist for Her Majesty's forces in the Falkland Islands; and what arrangements are made with civilians for laundry services.

Mr. Wiggin

A modern mobile laundry unit has been set up in the Falkland Islands for Service use. Some of the laundry from outlying garrison locations is washed by local Ministry of Defence contract.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of food poisoning have been reported in Her Majesty's forces in the Falkland Islands that have been attributed to poor food and lack of refrigeration.

Mr. Wiggin

Since July 1982, 11 cases of gastroenteritis have required hospital admission. There is no evidence that these cases were caused by contamination of food or water.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force personnel sleep in the floating hotel in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Wiggin

Fluctuation in the number of visiting air crew causes the Royal Air Force element of the coastel population to vary from day to day.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the availability of fresh eggs to British troops in the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Wiggin

Fresh eggs are not available in quantity in the Falkland Islands and they are therefore supplied from the United Kingdom in large but infrequent consignments. Proper storage ensures that they remain perfectly edible.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what shows for service men have been put on in December and January for Her Majesty's forces in the Falkland Islands; and how many were given by the female illusionist, referred to in the answer of 16 December, Official Report, c. 264.

Mr. Wiggin

A live entertainment party staged 16 performances in the Falkland Islands over the Christmas period. The female illusionist participated in them all.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many bans have been imposed on troops from conversing with the Falkland Islanders.

Mr. Wiggin

None.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions rations intended for the troops in the Falkland Islands have been used by officers and senior non-commissioned officers for barbecues and parties.

Mr. Wiggin

Rations are a per captita issue regardless of rank, and are distributed on that basis. How the pro rata share of rations issued to a given mess is used is a matter for the members of that mess.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions he has imposed on troops in the Falklands talking to press reporters.

Mr. Wiggin

None.