§ 25. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, considering that it has been decided not to abolish the stand-up collar buttoned tightly to the throat in the re-issue of full-dress tunics to the Army, he will give instructions that the collar is to be cut just as loose and as easy round the throat as would be the case had a roll collar been substituted?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe collar of the full-dress tunic is not a high one, and, when fitting the tunic, the necessary ease and comfort of fit is always considered. As I stated in reply to a previous question by the hon. and gallant Member on the 8th June, the stand-up military collar should be no more irksome than that worn in civilian dress.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has ever seen a battalion on the railway, where every man has to unbutton his coat to enable him to breathe?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis is a question of choice between a stand-up collar and a roll collar, and from the point of view of military uniform, there is no doubt whatever that the stand-up collar is much better adapted. It can be put on very much more quickly, and all the difficulty of shirt, collar and tie, and undergarments generally, is completely avoided by having a collar which, with two small hooks, is completely fastened. Anyone who knows will agree that far greater speed in dressing and arriving on parade can be achieved with a stand-up collar than with a roll collar and tie.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman see that these hooks are so fastened that men can wear them without irksomeness?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will give my personal attention to that.
§ Sir D. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman say how far preparations have proceeded for the re-issue of these full-dress tunics in the Army?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that is a matter of which I should receive notice.
§ Sir D. MACLEANI will ask a question with reference to it to-morrow.
34. Major JOHN EDWARDSasked the Secretary of State for War whether it will be possible to restrict coloured uniforms to the Household Cavalry and Foot Guards, and to clothe the remainder of the Army in khaki?
42. Captain TUDOR-REESasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Financial Secretary to the War Office has recently stated that recruiting for the Regular Army is proceeding satisfactorily, and that the chief reason given for ordering 1984 scarlet uniforms was the stimulation of recruiting, he will consider the advisability of cancelling the order?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir; it will certainly be possible to do this, if it were thought advisable in future years.
§ Captain W. BENNWill it not create an invidious distinction between one regiment and another, when all have served with equal honour in the War?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI understood that one part of the argument against the introduction of full dress was that it was so unpopular with the soldiers, leading to all this undue work with pipeclay and so on; and in that case it would not be an invidious distinction, but the reverse.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy hon. Friend will, no doubt, have an opportunity of dealing fully and eloquently with that subject to-morrow.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHas the right hon. Gentleman received any expressions of opinion from the rank and file as to this proposed change?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNot in the sense that they have been asked to have a plebiscite on the subject, but, in the course that I have recommended to the House, I have been following the advice which has been given to me by all those who are responsible for the good government of the Army.
§ Captain LOSEBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rank and file are very far from being united in favour of khaki?
§ 37. Mr. HINDSasked the Secretary of State for War what is the quantity of khaki cloth not yet delivered for which tenders have been accepted?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are no outstanding contracts for khaki cloth, and all deliveries were completed some considerable time ago.
§ 38. Mr. HINDSasked the Secretary of State for War what are the names of the firms who will make the proposed Army uniforms; and What is the value of the contract held by each?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo orders either for cloth or for making it up into uniforms have so far been placed with the trade.
Captain TUDOR-REESDid not the right hon. Gentleman state to the House that the orders had actually been given?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI said that sanction had been given to proceed with the execution of the policy. Between that and the actual physical steps by which that policy is executed there is very often a considerable and indefinite interval of delay.
Mr. PALMERDid not the right hon. Gentleman say the money was already being spent, although this House of Commons had not formally sanctioned it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; I did not say anything of the sort. I said that the total sum of money involved in the proposal we put forward with regard to this year amounted to approximately £130,000. I also said that the order had been given and the decision had been taken to proceed with the policy involving that expenditure. Of course, expenditure is proceeding on every branch of the Army Estimates, in virtue of which the House has already passed a large Vote on Account. The special sanction of the House of Commons is not given in detail to each particular item in the Estimates, nor is expenditure on that particular item in the Estimates detailed and withheld until such sanction has been given. If such a rule prevailed it would be impossible to conduct affairs for a single day, as no one ought to know better than the right hon. Gentleman opposite.
Major BARNESIs it a fact that if the Government reversed its policy there would be no loss on account of orders having been placed?
Captain TUDOR-REESAre we to understand that there is no contract between the War Office and any private manufacturers with regard to these uniforms?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI understand what has actually begun is the making up of stocks we had in our possession. Contracts have not actually been placed with the trade. It is the intention of the Government to place such regular contracts in the regular course, assuming that we are fortunate enough to retain the good will and support of the House of Commons.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIt was a picturesque figure of speech when the right hon. Gentleman said the looms had been started?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWell, perhaps it was.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNaturally I was not aware of the exact state of the execution of the contracts, but the note given me, on which I based my answer, was that this decision would lead to the looms being set in motion.
§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel PARRYasked the Secretary of State for War whether officers with pre-War commissions whose coloured uniforms are no longer of suitable size or have so deteriorated as to be useless will be provided with any allowance when the proposed new clothing is made compulsory?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir.