§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will replace, as a matter of urgency, the 1940s vintage flak jackets which have been issued to the United Kingdom forces in the Lebanon with up-to-date body armour.
§ Mr. PattieThe British contingent in the international peacekeeping force in the Lebanon has hitherto been equipped with later versions of the nylon fragmentation vest which has been progressively improved since its introduction in the 1950s. This has the advantage, in the Lebanese summer months, of being less close fitting than the new body armour. None the less, issues of the latest body armour are now being sent to our soldiers in the Lebanon. This protective clothing is, of course, not essential while on patrol in the unit's armoured cars.