§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the average expected wear time is for a pair of standard issue(a) combat boots and(b) desert boots; and what the actual wear time was for(i) combat boots and (ii) desert boots in each year since 1997; [82537]
(2) what the average wear time was for a pair of infantry combat trousers in each year since 1996. [82541]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 25 November 2002]We expect combat boots to last for about 24 months and desert boots to last for about six months. Combat trousers are expected to last for about 18 to 24 months for light use and about four to six months for heavy use. Central records are not held on actual wear times, but the life expectancy depends on the conditions in which they are worn and how the item is maintained.
§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints he has received in the last 12 months from infantry soldiers regarding the quality of(a) combat boots,(b) combat trousers,(c) sleeping bags and(d) tents. [82538]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 25 November 2002]In the last 12 months the Ministry of Defence has received, from armed forces personnel, a total of 30 complaints regarding combat boots, 15 complaints regarding combat trousers, no complaints regarding sleeping bags and three complaints regarding tents. These comments provide valuable feedback as we continuously seek to improve the products we provide.
§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many infantry soldiers own their own(a) boots,(b) sleeping bags and(c) tents. [82539]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 25 November 2002]Service personnel are issued with the clothing and equipment required to carry out their jobs, whatever the environment. We do not maintain records on the number of infantry soldiers who have their own boots, sleeping bags and tents.
§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times his Department has changed supplier for(a) combat boots and(b) combat trousers since 1997; and what the reasons were for the change. [82540]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 25 November 2002]Since 1997 the Ministry of Defence has made the following number of supplier changes
Combat Assault Boots— Varied between two suppliers and one. Currently split between the two.Cold Wet Weather Boots—No changes.Desert Combat Boots—one change.Combat Trousers—Consolidated from five supplies to one.Desert Combat Trousers—One change.The changes were made as part of the standard competitive tendering process.
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§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pairs of combat trousers were available to an infantry company every three months in each year since 1996; how many are available now. [82543]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 25 November 2002]Each service man receives a standard issue of three pairs of combat trousers, and these are replaced as required. Units are issued with replacement stocks in line with the number of soldiers they have. Additional stocks can be ordered if this proves necessary.
§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to equip service men with suitable personal kit for deployment to the middle east in(a) winter months,(b) spring months and(c) summer months. [82614]
§ Dr. MoonieThe safety and well-being of all service personnel is paramount at all times and they are issued with the clothing and equipment required to carry out their jobs, whatever the environment.