Written question asked by Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 18 April 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 April 2007. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 30 April 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Footwear

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests were conducted as part of the procurement procedure of the footwear issued to members of the armed forces; what (a) temperature, (b) weather and (c) terrain conditions were used as part of these tests; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 24 April 2007]: When new footwear requirements, designs and materials are introduced, they are subjected to laboratory testing and trials in the locations and conditions for which the item has been designed. The new version of the desert combat boot, introduced in March 2006, is a modification of the existing design, which has been in use since around 2000. Testing in this case was therefore limited to that done in the laboratory.

Secondary information