HC Deb 31 March 1936 vol 310 cc1799-800
12. Captain MACNAMARA

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the fact that Territorial officers in actual practice have to provide them- selves with the same outfit as regular officers, he will increase the initial outfit allowance of Territorial officers so that it is in future the same as for regular officers?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Duff Cooper)

Territorial Army officers are not required to provide themselves with the same scale of outfit as officers of the Regular Army, and it is because of this that the respective allowances differ. I see no reason, therefore, to increase the outfit allowance of Territorial Army officers.

Captain MACNAMARA

Is my right hon. Friend aware, that to say that Territorial officers need not have a certain kind of uniform, is an order which it is almost impossible to obey in the Territorial Army in view of the fact that they frequently get orders to wear the uniforms which they are not supposed to have?

Mr. COOPER

I should be glad to consider any special case which the hon. and gallant Member may send to me. Obviously, Territorial officers do not require as much uniform as officers who are wearing their uniform all the year round.