§ 1. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Secretary of State for War how many regiments of the Army, excluding the Brigade of Guards, and how many battalions of the same are being dressed 6 in Guards barathea or barathea of the Guards shade; what prices do young officers pay for such uniforms compared with the prices laid down in the Board of Trade, Goods and Services (Price Control) Order, No. 2556; and from what source do manufacturers obtain the yarn for the making of such cloth?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)An officer is allowed to wear material of whatever type he prefers provided it is one of those normally used, that is, khaki barathea, whipcord or serge. Officers of the Brigade of Guards usually wear a special barathea. There is no Regulation against other officers wearing this barathea if they wish to, but I know of no unit in which all the officers wear this cloth. I understand the Wool Control release the necessary yarn for its manufacture. A Service jacket and trousers in this barathea cost between £12 3s. 5d. and £14 3s. 6d. The prices in the Order referred to by my hon. Friend vary between £12 3s. 10d. and £13 7s. 9d.
§ Mr. WalkdenWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I say that I was hoping that he would give us a general statement upon what appears to be a general ramp on the part of military tailors who seem somehow to have information from commanding officers on what is dress uniform for a particular regiment, instead of the Service type of uniform or standard uniform laid down by the Army Council? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make a general statement?
§ Sir J. GriggI made a general statement. If the hon. Member is referring to the Question which I answered the other day in regard to the supply of articles from ordnance, I hope to make a further statement shortly. I see no evidence, in the figures which I have given in my answer, of what the hon. Member refers to as a general ramp.
§ Mr. WalkdenWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries about what has happened in O.C.T.U. camps where tailors' shops are being set up which seem to encourage young officers to spend more than they ought to do upon their uniforms out of their uniform allowance?