§ Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, considering that the report on clothing, submitted by officers commanding units, refers solely to the cut, material, workmanship, and wear of such clothing, he will call for a separate report on the pattern of the present field service clothing with special reference to the shortness and tightness of the jacket, and the difficulty the men have in firing when lying down and in all positions where full freedom of the arms is necessary, with a view to the consideration of the question as to whether a field service jacket of a looser and easier pattern, with expanding seams at the back and long enough to cover the seat and the fork, would be preferable to the one now in use?
§ Mr. ACLANDIn addition to the annual report on clothing, general officers commanding submit annually a special report under Paragraph 63 of the King's Regulations. In no case has fault been found with the pattern or specification of the service dress jacket. The regulations as regards fitting were explained to the hon. 1576 and gallant Member in reply to a question put by him on 7th March last, but the Army Council is considering whether the necessity for securing unrestricted freedom of movement under the circumstances mentioned can be in any way emphasised in these regulations.