HC Deb 30 June 1908 vol 191 cc562-3
MR. GEORGE D. FABER (York)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the present system of supplying uniforms to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve has completely broken down, and that, though repeated applications have been made, no kits have been issued to the Clyde division since March last, and that 190 men of that division are at present without kits, and consequently unable to appear on parade, or in church, or to embark in the Fleet for instructions; will he state whether uniforms are issued from the Deptford store; and whether the Deptford store at the present time has its usual amount of general stores in reserve; and, if not, what is the reason of the diminution.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

The kits for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are supplied through H.M.S. "President," West India Docks. The made-up garments (jumpers, trousers, etc.) are made to measure by a contractor, and the other articles (caps, knives, etc.) are drawn from the Deptford Victualling Yard. The contractor who received the orders for the supply of uniform jumpers, trousers, etc., for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve this year was re-arranging his premises at the time when the orders were received, and has, consequently, found some difficulty in coping with the large demands that were made upon him at the same time. The supply of the uniforms has since then been hastened, and it is expected that the balance to complete all orders will be despatched early next week. In regard to the articles supplied from Deptford, there is a shortage of sennet hats, the stock of which have advisedly been kept low, owing to the present pattern having proved unsatisfactory and a new pattern being under trial. Supplies to the new pattern are, however, now becoming available.

AN HON. MEMBER

Is there a shortage in any other articles in the stores at Deptford?

MR. MCKENNA

I am informed this is the only shortage, and it has been adequately explained.