§ 5. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Guards who were on duty on the route during the Coronation procession were called upon to defray the cost of their new tunics at an amount of £3 14s. each; whether they received any allowance in respect of this expenditure; and, if not, whether he will consider so revising the regulations that they shall not be called upon to meet this heavy expense over which they have no control?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe clothing allowance issued to Guardsmen assumes a one-year life for a full-dress tunic, and there has been no departure from the requirement that Guardsmen must be in possession of tunics fit for ceremonial parades, the cost of renewals being met from the clothing allowance.
§ Sir F. SandersonDoes not my right hon. Friend consider that it is this sort of thing which is making it very difficult to find the right men in recruiting, and does he not consider that if a man has himself to find the necessary tunic for these purposes, it is against recruitment?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI think that if my hon. Friend will read the answer, he will find that it completely disposes of what he has suggested. There is no shortage of recruits for the Guards.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxSurely as a special concession in Coronation year my right hon. Friend might ask the Treasury for once to be generous?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI will readily ask the Treasury for anything which my hon. and gallant Friend desires but the clothing allowance does happen on average to cover the cost.
§ Mr. George GriffithsWill the Minister see that this does not occur at the next Coronation?