§ 41. Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the officers of the Royal Air Force are about to be ordered to provide themselves forthwith with light blue uniforms instead of continuing to wear the recently introduced khaki Royal Air Force uniform until the end of the War, as had been hitherto understood; and, if so, considering the expense that will be inflicted on all young officers who have provided themselves with the khaki uniform, the Air Board will consider the advisability of postponing the issue of the proposed orders?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the AIR MINISTRY (Major Baird)This matter is under consideration. If the change be decided upon, officers will not be ordered to provide themselves with the new uniform until their present uniform is worn out.
§ Colonel YATEIs it not the case that this new khaki uniform was only brought out in March last, and officers were then told that it would last for the time of the War; and will it not be unfair to bring in another new uniform before the end of the War?
§ Major BAIRDWhatever new uniform is brought in—if one be brought in—it will not change the fact that their present uniform, whatever it is, will be worn out before they get a new one.
§ Mr. HARCOURTHas the hon. Gentleman considered the point that naval officers in large numbers have already got uniform of military khaki, Royal Air Force uniform, and naval dark blue uniform; and has he considered whether the introduction of another uniform is justified on public grounds?
§ Major BAIRDThe whole of this question has been gone into. It is very important from the point of view of the moral and esprit de corps of the force, and if it turns out to be necessary and desirable that a new uniform should be decided upon for the corps as a whole, these officers will not be called upon to incur expense in buying the new uniform until they have worn out the old uniform.
§ Mr. HARCOURTWill the hon. Gentleman consider the point of public expenditure before any further change is brought into force?
§ Major BAIRDThat point is being considered. Expenditure does not arise. It does not cost more to clothe a man in blue than it does to clothe him in khaki. As regards the officers, they will not be called upon to get new uniform until their old uniform is worn out.
§ General Sir IVOR PHILIPPSIf the suggestion of the new uniform is brought into force, will not the charge fall upon the officers? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that officers like, naturally, to be smart, and, in order to uphold the reputation of the force, they will have to buy the new uniform—therefore, they will be put to the extra charge?
§ Major BAIRDI am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer I have given. The whole question arises out of the need in creating a new force of establishing an esprit de corps suitable to that force. That cannot be done unless they have suitable uniform.
§ Sir I. PHILIPPSWill the hon. Gentleman see that this is done at the expense of the State and not at the expense of the officer?
§ Colonel ASHLEYHas the hon. Gentleman considered whether a light blue uniform will fade at once? Why is it necessary to have expensive gold braid instead of cord?
§ Major BAIRDThough gold braid may sound expensive, it does not turn out so in practice.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the Department given evidence before the Luxury Committee?
§ Major BAIRDI do not think that is a fair question to put. It is not a question of luxury, but a question of the fighting efficiency of the force.