§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the design of the new German cap for the British Army; whether it was adopted with a view to increasing the popularity of the service; and whether he is aware that there has been a marked falling off in the number of applicants for enlistment since the new cap has come into wear.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Before the right hon. Gentleman 941 answers may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will consider the desirability of referring the whole question of the new military outfit to a Committee of Milliners?
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe new cap was designed to give better protection to the head, with the addition of a cap cover, than the late field cap which was not found to give sufficient protection in the manœuvres of 1898. It was designed by the Army Clothing Committee in 1901, and the year following its introduction the largest number of recruits joined the Army who have enlisted since the short service system was instituted.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)Was it at the instance of the War Office that this cap was sent over to the Irish police?
§ [No answer was returned.]