§ 53 and 54. Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether a new walking-out uniform for the Army has yet been designed by the War Office; whether the War Office is in agreement with the feeling through the Regular and Territorial Armies that such a uniform should be issued without delay; and what is holding up the War Office from issuing this un form;
(2) how much it would cost the Treasury to grant that a new walking-out uniform be issued to the Regular and Territorial Armies; and whether the Treasury will consider making the necessary grant without delay?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaA new walking-out uniform for the Army has been designed. The cost of its provision for the existing establishment of the Regular Army at home and overseas, excluding India, and for the new establishment of the Territorial Army, would be of the order of £1,500,000, with an additional annual cost of £280,000. In present circumstances, expenditure of this magnitude on a new walking-out uniform was felt to be inopportune.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MacnamaraWould I be right in suggesting that the War Office are most anxious, and feel it is most necessary, to introduce this new uniform, but that the Treasury are not making the necessary grant, and will my right hon. Friend fight the Treasury in order to give the Regular and Territorial Armies proper uniforms?
§ M. Hore-BelishaNo, Sir. I accept full responsibility for this.
§ Miss HorsbrughMay I ask whether my right hon. Friend will take advice regarding the walking-out uniform from people of both sexes?