§ 51. Mr. Hewlettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average increase in 1072 the cost of an officer's uniform caused by the addition of the Purchase Tax; and whether he will waive this tax, which most young officers can ill afford to pay and which may plunge them initially in their careers into debt?
§ Sir K. WoodI am afraid that figures are not available from which it would be possible to compute the average addition for Purchase Tax in the price of an officer's uniform. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I made to him on this subject on 8th September.
§ Major C. S. TaylorIs it not a fact that the present allowance, irrespective of the Purchase Tax, is insufficient to provide an officer with the uniform he requires when he becomes an officer?
§ Sir K. WoodI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by the Secretary of State for War.