HC Deb 22 May 1939 vol 347 cc1914-6
54. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that most officers called up to assist in military training for the Militia and the partial mobilisation of Reservists and Territorials have outgrown uniforms purchased in 1919 and that no allowances were paid while on the Reserve of Officers, he will consider the grant of allowances for uniform and camp kit to all officers summoned for service with the Colours?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Victor Warrender)

The issue of outfit allowance and camp kit allowance under certain conditions for officers called out or otherwise employed in connection with the training of the Militia or the calling out of Reservists and Territorials has been approved, and I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:—

Outfit allowance and camp kit allowance for officers called out or otherwise employed in connection with the training of the Militia and the calling out of Reservists and Territorials.

Officers of the following categories are eligible:

  1. (a) Officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers or Territorial Army Reserve of Officers called out for service for at least two months, if and when the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
  2. (b) Ex-officers, granted short service commissions for the period of the operation of the Military Training Bill, if and when it becomes an Act of Parliament.
  3. (c) Retired officers re-employed under the Pay Warrant, 1931, Article 520, and ordered to wear uniform.

All officers will be required to have two suits of Service dress, but they are being instructed that, if not already in possession of two, they should defer obtaining the second suit until they have joined for duty. An officer who has neither served on an Active List nor been a member of any Reserve during the preceding 12 months will be eligible for a grant of £40 if he has to buy a complete fresh outfit. Any other officer who has not been employed in circumstances requiring the wearing of uniform during the preceding five years will be given a grant of £20; or, if the interval is not less than 15 years, the grant will be £40.

Where an officer has to have his uniform altered or replaced because his old uniform will no longer fit him, or where an officer is required to make alterations in his existing uniform for other reasons, a grant equal to the cost of the necessary alterations will generally be admissible. Any officer who has not been employed in circumstances requiring the use of camp kit for 15 years will be given a camp kit allowance of £5 if he is required to provide himself with camp kit.