§ 7. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the cost and average duration of a soldier's khaki uniform prior to the War and since the War began, respectively; whether complaints have reached the War Office of uniforms made of shoddy material becoming worn and tattered prematurely; whether fresh supplies have in consequence had to be provided sooner than would have been necessary if the first had been of genuine quality; by what firms the material was supplied which lasted shortest; whether they have been paid on the same scale as those who supplied good material; and whether they have been struck off the War Office list of contractors?
Mr. BAKERThe average price before the War of the soldier's khaki uniform, consisting of service dress-jacket, putties, 2144 trousers, cap, and great-coat, amounted to £2 3s. 11d., and the average duration of wear was one year, with the exception of the great-coat, which lasted from four to five years. The average price of the uniform since the War has varied at the different tenderings, but on the most recent tendering the increase has been about 10s. 6d. The average duration of wear since the War cannot be stated owing to the varying conditions of service involved. No complaints of the nature referred to by the hon. Member have been received.