§ Mr. Topeasked the Minister of State for Defence whether a new form of personal armour, produced by Bristol Composite Materials, has been tested for use by the Army in Northern Ireland; and if the Ministry is prepared to introduce the use of this armour.
§ Mr. BlakerMy Department has tested the body armour produced by Bristol Composite Materials. We have however decided that the fragmentation vest at present in use by the Army affords the best available combination of personal protection and mobility, and this combination is essential for the Army's rôle in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless we are of course constantly examining new types of body armour.