63. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a public advertisement issued on behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association appealing for the, gift of warm clothing and overcoats urgently needed for discharged soldiers; and whether steps will at once be taken to see that soldiers discharged from the Army are supplied at the time of their dis 386 charge with overcoats and warm clothing at the public expense and without any recourse to private charity?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have not seen the advertisement referred to. Each soldier on discharge is allowed to retain the underclothing and cardigan waistcoat in his possession, and is given a suit of plain clothes or a money allowance in lieu, if he is already in possession of plain clothes. Soldiers discharged for medical reasons are entitled to receive a greatcoat.
Mr. HARVEYIs there any grant of an overcoat, and is it not necessary in winter that the men should be supplied with an overcoat?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAt the present moment I agree that there is no grant of an overcoat, but I will have that matter looked into.