§ 18. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War whether in the Honourable Artillery Company the clothing and equipment of volunteers and of Militia is now in all respects the same?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe scale of clothing is the same for all personnel, but some men may not yet have received a service greatcoat or a second pair of boots and the majority will not have been issued with a second suit of uniform. The issue of service greatcoats is now being completed. The second pair of boots and second suit of uniform are being issued as quickly as supplies permit.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes my right hon. Friend think it wise that militiamen should get a complete outfit on joining and that some of these Territorials, who have been serving for one or two years, are still without a complete outfit? Might not all of them he put on the same scale?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI will look into that matter.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that every man now has a greatcoat?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI am not sure. I said that the issue is now being completed. There are enough greatcoats now; but I would not like to say that every man has had one.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not a serious state of affairs that at this time of the year all the men in the Forces have not a greatcoat?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaEvery man should have a greatcoat—I was speaking of Service greatcoats—and every provision is being made to that end.
§ Sir A. KnoxHow is it that militiamen get a complete outfit on joining, while these Territorials who have served two or three years are passed over?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI have said that I will look into that matter.