§ COLONEL DENNY (Kilmarnock Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided that the kilt is no longer to form part of the fighting kit of Highland regiments, and that it is to be replaced by trews.
§ The following Questions also appeared on the Paper—
§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether Highland regiments in South Africa are to be prohibited wearing the kilt, and if so, will he state who is responsible for this Regulation; is he aware that medical authorities state that the Highlanders have enjoyed greater immunity from stomach troubles than other troops owing to the thickness of cloth protecting the abdomen; and whether, in view of the dissatisfaction which will be caused among Highland regiments, and 13 the consequent loss of recruits, will the order be rescinded, or not enforced until the opinion of Highlanders, who have personal experience of the many advantages of the kilt, has been obtained.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether orders have been issued by Lord Kitchener or the War Office that the Highland regiments in South Africa are no longer to wear the kilt: if so, what is the reason for its abolition: and what, in future, will be the distinguishing dress characteristic of these regiments.
MR. HARMSWOR THE (Caithnessshire)To ask the Secretary of State for War if it is intended to abolish the wearing of the kilt by the Highland regiments; and if so, if he has considered the probable effect of this Regulation upon the recruiting for these regiments.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Highland regiments will retain the kilt for full dress, and instructions will be issued for providing a kilt of khaki, or some invisible colour, on active service, as is now done in South Africa.
§ MR. WEIRWho is responsible for the Regulations, and will the order be rescinded, or not enforced until the opinion of Highlanders, who have personal experience of the many advantages of the kilt, including the greater immunity from stomachic troubles which the kilt gives, has been obtained? Does the gentleman who made the Regulation know anything about the Highlanders?
§ MR. BRODRICKI am not sufficiently acquainted with the subject to be able to say anything about abdominal troubles. The Regulations are made for the whole Army, but there are exceptions in the case of Highlanders.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANIs it the intention of the War Office that the distinctive tartans of the kilt are to be abolished in the Highland regiments, and is this action being taken by the War Office in revenge for Bannockburn?
§ MR. BRODRICKOf course the distinctive tartan of the Highland regiments will be preserved.