§ 46. Mr. HOGGEasked why the knitting of socks, etc., by private enterprise was stopped and an appeal subsequently made for hundreds of thousands?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe War Office maintains a sufficient supply of socks for the troops at the front and the knitting of them was not therefore the most useful form the activities of the public could take. It was found, however, that there was so strong a wish on the part of private persons desirous of helping the troops to make and send socks that it became necessary to co-ordinate the efforts, so as to ensure uniformity of supply and proper distribution. The socks sent are extra to and not in diminution of the supply considered necessary by the War Office.
§ Mr. HOGGEMay we rest assured that no soldier at the front will be charged anything for any deficiency in his kit?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir, so far as that kit is part of the vocabulary of the War Office.