40. Lieut.-Colonel Geoffrey Clifton-Brownasked the Secretary of State for War when the new blue patrol uniform made and fitted for officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, last April, will be issued.
§ Mr. BellengerThe uniform which it was proposed to issue to the officer cadets was that used by the Army mechanised recruiting column last year. The quantity available was only sufficient, however, to cover the present strength. The needs of future intakes would have had to be met from fresh production, and in view of the general clothing shortage it has been decided to postpone such production and any issue of blue uniform to cadets until the textile position has improved.
Lieut.-Colonel Clifton-BrownCan the Minister say why it was that this uniform was fitted to each cadet, and that labour was wasted?
§ Mr. BellengerI do not know that it was fitted to each cadet. Actually, the cadets come in each term, and I cannot imagine that all of them have been fitted with this uniform.