§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider the use of Permair laminated to leather for the production of waterproof and breathable combat footwear for issue to the Armed Forces.
§ Mr. PattieThe new combat high boot, which is now being introduced into service after an extensive620W programme of research and troop trials, is expected to give many years of satisfactory service. There are therefore no plans at this stage to initiate a new development programme to replace it. However, if a suitable material emerges with the right characteristics then we would consider whether it might be worthwhile to modify the design of the combat high boot in due course.
The Ministry of Defence has invited Porvair Limited to produce, in collaboration with a footwear manufacturer, boots incorporating its Permair material so that its properties can be evaluated for military use.