§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the procedures for dealing with equipment and uniforms surplus to his Department's requirements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieI am satisfied that the procedures followed by the Ministry of Defence in dealing with equipment and uniforms surplus to the requirements of the Department are reasonable and effective.
Surplus weapons and other warlike stores may be sold to friendly foreign Governments; otherwise they are demilitarised or reduced to scrap or are completely destroyed. Most non-warlike items of surplus equipment and surplus stores are offered for sale to the public, subject to certain restrictions in respect of risks to health and safety. Depending on their nature, surpluses are sold by public auction or by competitive tender.
All surplus combat clothing is destroyed. Other items of surplus uniform may be sold after the removal of insignia. The wearing of Service uniform by unauthorised people can in certain circumstances be an offence under
556W the Uniforms Act of 1894, but the Ministry's sales of surplus service clothing have not, as far as is known, led to complaints.
Cases of theft from ordnance depots in United Kingdom Number of Cases Value £ Equipment Date 1979–80 Bicester 5 132 Various Various Donnington 11 191 Various Various 1 244 Calculator October 1979 1 121 Tool kit July 1979 Chilwell 1 29 — — Ashchurch 3 110 Various Various Hilton 11 280 Theft in transmit Various 33 1,107 1980–81 Bicester 2 52 Various Various 1 158 Gloves January 1981 Donnington 6 311 Various Various 1 334 Two shot guns November 1980 1 122 Spray paint gun December 1980 Chilwell 1 138 Locks Not known Hilton 5 167 Theft in transit Various 17 1,282 1981–82 Bicester 1 30 — — 1 150 Brooches (theft in transit) July 1981 1 900 Sweaters September 1981 Donnington 1 29 Battery October 1981 1 112 Wrench August 1981 1 55,715 Scrap precious metal August 1981 Hilton 1 26 — Not known QAD(S&C) Didcot 1 2,407 Textile samples January 1982 RD Catterick 1 125 Ten jerricans Avgas September 1981 1 36 Two parkas January 1982 10 62,105