§ 28. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War whether colonels of regiments or senior regimental officers were consulted before it was de- 1062 cided not to adopt red as the colour of the new general duties dress of the infantry of the line; what is the estimated expense of red as compared with blue or green; what grounds are there for doubt as to the popularity of red as a walking out dress for regiments whose uniform has always been red; and whether he will give further consideration to this matter.
§ Mr. BellengerWhen this matter was under consideration the views of a large number of officers and men of all ranks, and drawn from all branches of the Army, were obtained. The estimated cost of red cloth is approximately twice that of blue or green. The general public has not seen the Army, apart from Household Troops and regimental bands, in scarlet for over 30 years, and it was felt that this colour would no longer appeal to popular opinion. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I mean, in relation to the Army, of course. I regret that I cannot now reconsider the matter.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, when these inquiries were being made, it was with the utmost difficulty that anybody was found to go to give evidence about this, as the greater part of the Army, and the whole of the Regular Army, practically, was abroad; and that, in fact, many regiments were not asked their opinions at all? Is he further aware that red is the historic colour of the British infantry? Are not this Government believed to favour that colour? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the red of the British infantry in the past was not scarlet, but was a darker red? Is there any reason why that could not be adopted for red coated regiments, which are the oldest regiments in the Army?
§ Mr. BellengerI naturally have predilection for red, and particularly in relation to the Army. It might interest the hon. and gallant Gentleman to know that I was one of the exceedingly small minority who did like the idea of red; but the reasons which I have given in my answer outweighed all that I could put before the appropriate quarters. The new dress has now been approved by His Majesty.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerAre we to understand that green will be available to the regiments that require it?
§ Mr. BellengerYes, Sir, speaking from memory, I think the Rifle Regiments will have green.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of what he said about the taste of the public in colour, he will correct any prejudice of the Imperial General Staff by also consulting Transport House?
§ Sir Ronald RossNow that it is possible to get authoritative regimental opinion, which has not always been invited, will the right hon. Gentleman have the matter reconsidered by a really representative committee before this traditional and glorious dress of the British infantry is finally discarded?
§ Mr. BellengerThe answer is, as I have said, that His Majesty the King has given his approval to the new colour. The House is not to imagine that representative opinion in the Army was not consulted before this decision was taken.
§ Mr. GallacherMay I ask the Minister if it is not the hostility of M.I.5 that has been at work?
§ Mr. BellengerI feel sure that the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that M.I.5 were not consulted at all.
§ Sir G. JeffreysWill the right hon. Gentleman go further into this question of those who have been consulted in this matter? Will he accept from me the statement, in regard to one regiment with which I am connected, that we were asked to send a sergeant, and that it was with the utmost difficulty that we found anybody who was available who knew anything about the peacetime Army? Will he also ascertain if that was not the case with many other regiments?
§ Mr. BellengerThe hon. and gallant Gentleman will know that the investigation was undertaken by a well-known general, but I can hold out no hope whatever of this matter being reopened, as the decision has been taken.