We're ready for war, says British Army chief

British troops deployed to the Gulf are ready for war in Iraq, the chief of staff of the British armed forces said today.

General Sir Mike Jackson, visiting members of the First Battalion Royal Irish Regiment in Kuwait, said troops would be fully operational within the next week.

He said: "Four to five days would be ideal. But even if it was today, it's good to go."

Ships carrying non-essential supplies would be arriving in the next few days, Gen. Jackson said.

He dismissed reports that British troops were under-supplied, lacking vital equipment and suffering from low morale.

He said: "If anything, I'm a little concerned it may be too comfortable. If they are required to do a dangerous job in difficult circumstances, they must get used to those circumstances."

But parents of British troops stationed in the Gulf claimed their sons were under-fed and not fully equipped.

Dozens of relatives said they had received letters and e-mails from soldiers complaining of "absolutely appalling" conditions and claiming they are given just one meal a day.

One parent, who gave his name only as Derek and whose son is currently in Kuwait, told GMTV: "He is telling us that morale is so low because of this lack of food. They are getting one meal a day."

Defence Minister Lewis Moonie denied there were food shortages, claiming the reports were just "isolated incidents".

Meanwhile Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon was forced to defend the pay and conditions for thousands of part-time and ex-soldiers being mobilised for the looming war against Iraq.

Mr Hoon, visiting part-time and ex-soldiers registering for service at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre in Nottingham, said he was confident that troops were getting adequate pay after an NHS worker challenged him over the wages he faced as a recruit to the Gulf.

The Defence Secretary also said he had visited the forces in the Middle East and believed they were "entirely happy" with the food and equipment they were getting.