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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) camp beds and (b) NBC suits and respirators were used during Telic 1; and what shortfalls there were; [127109] (2) how much body armour was issued during Telic 1; and what shortfall there was. [127108] Mr. Ingram: I assume that Telic 1 relates to the period between initial deployment of troops to the Gulf region and the end of major hostilities. The quantities of camp beds, NBC suits, respirators and body armour deployed to theatre are detailed in the table. It is not possible to identify the quantities actually used during that time for which the information is not held centrally. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Equipment type Number issued Camp beds 25,280 NBC suits 218,000 S10 respirators 31,500 Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) sets 38,200 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The S10 respirator, referred to in the table, is an item of personal issue to all Service personnel, to be retained at all times; the number shown deployed to theatre was to provide replacement stocks. Although sufficient quantities of the equipments were supplied to theatre, I am aware that local supply difficulties may have resulted in shortfalls in some areas. In particular, some redistribution of ECBA ceramic plates was required, with priority given to front-line combat units. Supply difficulties will be addressed as part of the on-going departmental review of the operation.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

410 c308W;410 c348W; 127109;127108

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Armed forces Armed conflict Iraq Protection Protective clothing Safety measures Uniforms Body armour Iraq conflict

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk