HC Deb 01 December 1942 vol 385 cc984-6
20. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Army Council Instruction, laying down the rates to be paid in cash to discharged soldiers in lieu of civilian clothing, has been cancelled?

Sir J. Grigg

It is not the usual practice to publish by Army Council Instruction the rates to be paid to discharged soldiers in lieu of provision of civil clothing. The rates are normally published in the Vocabulary of Clothing and Necessaries. The Army Council Instruction to which my hon. Friend refers was specially published because the Vocabulary became out of date. The Vocabulary has recently been brought up to date; as a consequence the necessity for the Army Council Instruction no longer exists.

Mr. Bellenger

Has there been any change in the amount to be paid to the discharged soldier for civilian clothing, namely, £2 16s. 5d.?

Sir J. Grigg

I think it is now 1s. or so less. There is another Question on that; I will give the figures in connection with it.

17. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount granted to a discharged soldier if he does not have a War Office suit and overcoat, respectively?

3. Mr. Martin

asked the Secretary of State for War on what basis the grant for civilian clothing made to soldiers on discharge is calculated; whether it is the same for all soldiers; and whether any revision is made from time to time to meet changes in price levels?

Sir J. Grigg

The allowance payable to soldiers who, on discharge elect to make their own arrangements for provision of civilian clothing rather than receive an issue in kind from War Department sources is based on the cost to the Government of purchasing standard garments of civilian pattern. The same rates apply to all soldiers, but soldiers discharged on medical grounds between 1st October and 31st April are entitled to receive in addition a civilian overcoat or a cash allowance, which is calculated in the same way as the other allowance. They are revised periodically in the light of variations in the prices paid by the Ministry of Supply who buy for the Army. The current allowance is £2 15s. 10d. for a suit of clothing and £1 17s. 0d. for an overcoat.

Mr. Smith

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider this allowance adequate, and can he give the date when the amount was fixed?

Sir J. Grigg

I should require notice about the second question. As regards the first, it is always open to take the clothing in kind.

Mr. Bellenger

Why has this allowance been reduced from £2 16s. 5d. to £2 15s. 10d.? The Army Council Instruction about which I questioned the right hon. Gentleman, and which has now been cancelled, laid it down that the soldier was to have £2 16s. 5d. Why has it been reduced?

Sir J. Grigg

Because it is revised periodically, in the fight of variations, by the Ministry of Supply.

Mr. Smith

In view of the concessions announced last week to men serving as commissioned officers, does not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has arrived when reconsideration should be given to it?

Sir J. Grigg

This is a case where a man can get clothes in kind, and a different case from the one to which the hon. Member refers, where the officer or embryo officer has to buy clothes himself from private sources.

Mr. Bellenger

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early date.