37. Major HAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War, in view of the facts that on the reforming of the Territorial Army men were allowed to enlist for periods of less than four years, that, clothing issued to the Territorial Army can only be replaced in four-year cycles, and that recruits who enlist in the place of men time-expired under four years from enlistment have had to take over part-worn clothing from their predecessors, and of the effect on recruiting of requiring a keen young recruit to use some other mans part-worn pantaloons or trousers and boots, if he will authorise additional issues of the above-named articles, in a new condition, in order that they may be issued to recruits?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSClothing is provided free initially by the War Office at the rate of two suits for each man added to the strength, up to the limit of the establishment in each county; and its upkeep and replacement is provided for in the shape of cash grants for each man. calculated on a four years' life of the garments, out of which grant the Association purchases from Army Store as and when required. There is no replacement at fixed intervals. Apart from the special enlistments mentioned in the question, numbers of men have always left the Force with more or less than four years' service, and the practice of reissuing clothing which after being worn has been properly cleaned and reconditioned has been general. It is not proposed to interfere with the discretion of associations in this matter, or to authorise additional issues.