§ 21. Mr. Burkeasked the Secretary of State for Air if the concession of 21 clothing coupons per year made to officers for the purchase of civilian clothing will be made available to other ranks.
§ Sir A. SinclairIt is misleading to compare the position of officers and other ranks with regard to the issue of clothing coupons. Officers have to buy their own uniforms, underclothes and clothing 'or sport and recreation. For this they are allowed 88 coupons a year, 21 of which can be spent on clothes for sport and recreation. Other ranks have a free issue of uniform and underwear and in general get clothes for sport or recreation either as an issue or through Service institutes. I regret that the stocks of material available make it impossible to alter this arrangement which is the same in the Navy and Army.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the Minister aware that the phrase I have used about the 21 coupons for civilian clothing is the phrase he used in reply to me last week? Is it not a fact that sports clothing consists of a jacket and trousers, which can be worn outside? Does he realise that many men of other ranks who joined in 1939, have discovered when they get leave that, because of their training their own clothes cannot——
§ Mr. SpeakerReally, I once said I was in favour of short questions.
§ Mr. BurkeWill the right hon. Gentleman look at the matter? If the concession can be given to officers, why cannot the men have it?
§ Sir A. SinclairIf the hon. Member will look at the answer I have given, he will see that the circumstances are different.
§ Mr. HyndIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these 21 coupons for officers are used for no other purpose than that for which they are issued?
§ Sir A. SinclairI have not looked into that point, because I have not been asked that question before.