§ 12. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War what would be the cost of providing the Army with a full dress similar to that provided for the Guards?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaTo provide all ranks of the Regular Army with full dress uniforms similar to those worn by the Guards would cost about £3,500,000 initially and some £900,000 annually. To provide for the Territorial Army as well would more than double these figures.
§ Sir A. KnoxIn view of the great impetus which this would give to recruiting, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be worth while doing it for the Regular Army?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIf I had another £3,500,000 to spend I think that in the first instance I should use it to improve conditions in the Service.
§ Mr. BateyIs the Minister aware that in the Debate last week the Parliamentary Secretary stated that the new Army dress was not, perhaps, so attractive? Could he put a specimen of it in the Library so that we could see it?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI shall be only too glad to show one to the hon. Member if he will come to the War Office.
§ Sir A. KnoxAlthough the new Army dress is very good from the practical point of view, surely it is not attractive as a walking-out dress?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI was not disputing the question of attractiveness, but saying that, in the first instance, I thought it advisable to spend these large sums of money upon the soldiers. If one had unlimited sums of money one could use them for other purposes.
§ 20. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for War what is the annual cost of providing ceremonial uniform worn by the Household Cavalry and the Brigade of Guards?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaAt the present time, when two battalions of Foot Guards are serving abroad, the extra annual cost of providing full dress uniform for the Household Cavalry and the Brigade of Guards is approximately £43,000.