HC Deb 02 March 1937 vol 321 c174
56. Brigadier-General Spears

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that troops ordered to Palestine were charged with the cost of sun-helmets; whether any part of the sum so charged has since been refunded; and why any charge should be made?

Mr. Cooper

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Kincardine and Western Division of Aberdeen and Kincardineshire (Sir M. Barclay-Harvey) on 10th November last.

Brigadier-General Spears

Can any justification be advanced for making a charge to soldiers for equipment with which they must be provided when going on active service?

Mr. Cooper

I dealt with that point in a reply to a supplementary question on the occasion referred to.

Miss Ward

Am I to understand that unemployed men on the Army Reserve who were called up were also charged?

Mr. Cooper

Those called up were all treated in the same way.

Mr. G. Griffiths

It was stopped out of their pay, was it not? And they expect to get more men!