HC Deb 04 December 1945 vol 416 cc2276-7W
Mr. Garry Allighan

asked the Secretary of State for War what actual work there has been for M.E. 13, No. 2 W.T.C., C.O.X.E. and D.T.D. since VJ-Day; when the reason for each ceased; and the numbers, respectively, of brigadiers, colonels, lieut.-colonels, majors and captains who are at present employed in each.

Mr. Lawson

M.E. 13 and No. 2 W.T.C. are responsible for the technique, materials and general procedure for the waterproofing of vehicles and equipments, now a general requirement in certain circumstances. The work on existing types was not completed at the end of the war and as new designs and types arise they must be dealt with. There is one lieut.-colonel and one major in each establishment.

C.O.X.E. is concerned with special craft and equipment required for combined operations and has been carrying out experiments and trials with amphibians in order to provide, and improve, British types. There are one lieut.-colonel, three majors and ten captains in the establishment.

D.T.D., the correct title of which is now F.V.D.D., is the department of the Ministry of Supply and Aircraft Production responsible for research, design and development of all military vehicles, armoured and unarmoured, tracked and wheeled. Though the volume of work handled by the department has decreased the reason for its existence has by no means ceased. There are at present one colonel-, 6 lieut.-colonels, 28 majors and 26 captains employed in this department.