§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why Officers were ordered to provide themselves with new swords some months since, and have now to obtain a serge jacket of novel pattern, and by such changes of dress and accoutrements have been put to considerable expense?
§ *MR. BRODRICKOfficers were not required to provide new swords, but new sword-hilts, the change being made with the object of increasing efficiency. Officers are given time to wear out their present jackets before being required to possess themselves of the new and less expensive pattern.