§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have issued an order to the effect that the green field service cap worn by the officers of the 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers (formerly the 88th Regiment), the only distinguishing mark of the regiment's nationality, is to be replaced by a blue pattern cap; why, if the reason is that the officers would on service be conspicuous, the order is to be extended to the men; whether he is aware that the issue of the order has created great discontent, and whether the War Office will take the subject into consideration with a view to withdrawing the order; and whether any similar orders have been or are intended to be issued to Scotch regiments?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ST. JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordPrior to 1893 the officers of the Connaught Rangers were blue undress caps like the men. When the field cap was issued in 1893 the officer then commanding the 1st battalion, without any authority, ordered his officers to wear green field caps. This irregular practice has now been forbidden. There is no intention of making any change in regard to the Scotch regiments, who wear glengarries, of the same pattern for officers and men, and do not wear field caps.