§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps stationed at Woolwich have recently received special orders from the Director-General of Army Medical Services prohibiting these officers from wearing slacks when performing dismounted duties, and adding that they shall, when in uniform, always wear riding-breeches, top-boots or gaiters, and spurs; and whether, seeing that of all the units stationed at Woolwich the Royal 1260 Army Medical Corps is the only one which has been singled out for this order, and that other arms performing dismounted duties generally wear the slacks objected to by the Director-General of Army Medical Services, he will state the reasons for this order?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSNo orders on this subject have been issued by the Director-General of Army Medical Services. The general rule however in all branches of the Service is that breeches with leggings or puttees are worn on parade and in public, whilst slacks may be worn in barracks at the discretion of the commanding officer. I am informed that a few officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps at Woolwich sonic time ago adopted the practice of wearing slacks in public, and that the only action taken by the Director-General in the matter consisted in unofficially drawing attention to the laxity of dress which had been noticed.
§ Mr. HARDIECannot the difficulty be overcome by asking them to wear kilts?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESWill these sartorial elegancies increase the medical or surgical efficiency of the officers concerned?