HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 c1244
30. Mr. Astor

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give a list of the articles of tropical kit considered necessary for A.T.S. officers going to India and S.E.A.C.; what is the present cost of these articles in India and in England; and to what extent this cost is covered by the allowance of £15.

Sir J. Grigg

A.T.S. officers are given a grant-in-aid of £55 towards the cost of their outfit. When they go to certain stations overseas they are entitled to a further grant-in-aid of £10. This amount takes into account that officers maintain their uniform out of their pay and that they are therefore likely at any particular time to be replacing various articles. As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward) on 31st October, the A.T.S. officers who are going to India are on loan with the Women's Auxiliary Corps (India) and receive a grant of about £15 under Indian Regulations.

Mr. Astor

But my right hon. Friend has not answered my Question. Would he give information as to the articles of tropical kit which are necessary for an officer of the A.T.S. going to a tropical climate?

Sir J. Grigg

There is no authoritative list in this matter. There is no prescribed list, no list which is said to be necessary. The officers are only advised to take certain articles.

Mr. Astor

What articles are they advised to take?

Sir Herbert Williams

Could not the Minister put a set of them in the lady Members' room so that they can report on them?

Miss Ward

Would it not be a good thing if my right hon. Friend found out how much the money will buy?