§ GENERAL LAURIEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many changes have been made in the uniform of the officers of the Army since 1st October, 1899, and give particulars of these changes; whether these changes were made to enable the officers to discharge their duties more efficiently, or whether the object has been to reduce the cost to the officers of providing and maintaining these uniforms; and whether he can state that the object has been attained.
LORD STANLEYThe only material changes in officers' dress since October, 1899, were those promulgated by Army Orders 39 and 40 of 1902, by which a service dress, frock coat, and great coat were introduced; gold lace was removed from trousers, also mess jackets, and a great reduction in lace ornamentation of tunics was made. These changes have not existed sufficiently long for officers now serving to feel the benefit, but, eventually the changes referred to must of necessity lessen officers' expenses in the matter of uniform. I entirely concur with my hon. and gallant friend in thinking that all such changes should be reduced to a minimum.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)Is it not the fact that within the last six weeks a new great coat was ordered for officers and withdrawn less than three weeks afterwards?
LORD STANLEYI cannot say. That is not a matter which would be brought before me. But I know that for every change proposed by the War Office there are fifty asked for by the officers themselves.