32. Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulty in many Volunteer Battalions of obtaining reasonably large daylight drills on Saturdays and Sundays, when a very considerable amount of important work is carried out; whether he is aware that this is attributable in a good many instances to the fact that men, although provided with arms and equipment, are not supplied with uniform; and whether, taking into consideration the stock of uniforms, both new and renovated, in hand in the Clothing Department -of the Army at the present time, he will, in the national interest, take steps to provide, where necessary, uniforms free of charge for Volunteer Battalions?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware of the difficulty referred to in the earlier part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. As regards the latter part, I. am afraid that I can add nothing at 2080 present to the answer given on the 30th January to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Cambridge University.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan the hon. Gentleman say whether when a man joins the Volunteers he has to provide out of his own pocket uniform and boots?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, he has not.