HC Deb 27 October 1965 vol 718 c57W
Mr. Clive Bossom

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will re-equip infantry battalions serving in the Far East with a new type of webbing equipment especially for jungle use; and when this will take place.

Mr. Mulley

All troops engaged in jungle operations in the Far East are provided with the 1944 pattern of webbing. This allows equipment to be held higher on the body than the 1958 pattern in use in other theatres and accordingly

£ millions
Germany Mediterranean Middle East Far East (excluding Hong Kong) Hong Kong
Personnel 87 31 23 85 7
Equipment 60 18 16 128 3
Building 12 7 9 11 2
Welfare* 12 5 3 9 2
Other Costs 9 6 9 22 1
180 67 60 255 15
These figures are based on the spring's functional costings and are currently under revision.
* Includes net expenditure on family housing.