HC Deb 11 December 1945 vol 417 cc192-3
11. Lieut.-Colonel Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to announce the particulars regarding the entitlement of temporary officers to a civilian clothing outfit on leaving the Services.

Mr. Lawson

Yes, Sir. Such officers will now become entitled to the outfit, where eligible, if they ceased to draw Service pay on or after 16th October, 1944. An announcement to this effect, inviting applications from the individuals concerned, is about to be made in the Press. In the case of temporary women officers the same procedure will apply, except that they will receive the allowance of £ 12 10s. od. instead of a civilian clothing outfit.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Why that particular date? Why was the line drawn there, because it is bound to cause some hardship?

Mr. Lawson

I understand that it was really a question of administration. The further you go back, the more difficult it is to get hold of the people concerned. It is partly administration and partly a matter of supplying the suits, which is a very great difficulty at the present moment.

Captain Crowder

Besides giving the announcement in the Press, could the Secretary of State arrange that the individual officers should be notified, as we are getting a lot of correspondence on this matter and the officers say they cannot get any satisfactory reply from their own Record Office?

Mr. Lawson

I said that an announcement to this effect, inviting applications from individuals concerned, is about to be made in the Press.

Captain Crowder

But cannot they be notified individually?

Mr. Lawson

I said so.

Mr. Lipson

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that equity should come before administration?

Mr. Lawson

I said it is a question of administration and production.