Territorial Army (Messing Equipment)

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 June 1947.

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Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely 12:00, 17 June 1947

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he is making for the equipment of T.A. messes with the necessary supplies of cutlery, crockery and other stores of a permanent nature.

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

Associations may buy cutlery, crockery and mess equipment from Ordnance, but owing to shortage of stock their demands cannot always be met, and they are, therefore, encouraged to buy from the civilian market. An initial grant towards these purchases will be made from public funds to new units which are being raised in the Territorial Army. Provision is also made for the maintenance and improvement of messing equipment in the annual Establishment Grant issued to all units.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that commanding officers in some newly formed Territorial units are having to solicit charitable contributions in order that these messes may be equipped, and does not he think it scandalous that the Territorial Army should have to rely on charity in order to equip these messes?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

I know there are difficulties but the Territorial Army is not the only one experiencing them. I do not think the question is so much one of finance as one of supplies of these things.

Photo of Sir William Darling Sir William Darling , Edinburgh South

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when Territorial associations have to secure crockery, they go to the source of civilian supply, and is not that restricting the possibility of supply for the civilian population, which is already experiencing short supplies in these things?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

I think the hon. Gentleman would be advised to put that question to my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Photo of Sir Godfrey Nicholson Sir Godfrey Nicholson , Farnham

Are any more supplies coming from N.A.A.F.I. and has the right hon. Gentleman given serious study to the degree to which the recruiting campaign is being hampered by these things?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

I am giving close study to that, but this is only one of my worries in regard to the recruiting for the Territorial Army. I might add that N.A.A.F.I. have to inform the Territorial organisation of any surplus.

Photo of Sir Toby Low Sir Toby Low , Blackpool North

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what happened to most of the equipment belonging to units of, the Territorial Army no longer existing? Could he not arrange that the mess equipment of those unit3 be made available to the new units, and am I not right in saying that there are fewer new units than there were old units which no longer exist?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

That is an entirely different question, and perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper.

Photo of Mr William Gallacher Mr William Gallacher , Fife Western

In view of the very great shortage of cutlery and crockery for Territorial Army and domestic users, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider requisitioning the great masses of these things which at the present time are in the large country houses?

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

Will there be any additional official assistance in this matter above the 5s. per head grant?

Photo of Mr Frederick Bellenger Mr Frederick Bellenger , Bassetlaw

The establishment grant for this financial year for male units is r8s 6d. a head.