HC Deb 22 June 1948 vol 452 cc1121-2
36. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for War of what material or materials the equipment and rifle slings used by the Brigade of Guards when in full dress are made.

Mr. Shinwell

Buff leather.

Sir W. Smithers

May I ask the Secretary of State for War why, when the Trooping of the Colour was so unnecessarily cancelled, the reason given was that it would spoil the webbing equipment?

Mr. Shinwell

That is quite another question.

Sir W. Smithers

Does not the Secretary of State for War know the difference between buff equipment and webbing equipment?

Mr. Shinwell

I am well aware of the difference. I have answered the hon. Member's Question.

Sir W. Smithers

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered it.

Mr. Shinwell

That is all the hon. Member will get now.

37. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for War whether full dress uniform is the personal property of other ranks in the Brigade of Guards; or when this concession was withdrawn.

Mr. Shinwell

The full dress uniform now in possession of the Brigade of Guards is public clothing. No question of the withdrawal of any concession arises, as, under the prewar regulations, a soldier has no absolute right of property in his personal clothing. This is still the position.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is it not a fact that these uniforms were the personal possession of other ranks before the war and that they were personally responsible for them? Is any compensation being afforded to them for the withdrawal of the privilege and will the Minister arrange for these uniforms not to disappear entirely from the public view now that they are under national ownership?

Mr. Shinwell

National ownership of these articles still holds the field and there is no intention to abandon it. As regards the advantages derived since the close of the war, as compared with before the war, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that every soldier now leaving the Service is entitled to civilian clothes.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is it not a fact that the original issue in every case was the property of the State but that the soldier was allowed to purchase thereafter a second or a third suit if he wished, and that the second and third suits would be his own property?

Major Legge-Bourke

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what has happened to the second tunics which belonged to members of the Brigade of Guards before the war and which were handed in to store during the war? Has compensation been paid for them if they are no longer usable or have deteriorated whilst in store?

Mr. Shinwell

I cannot see anything in the Question about a second tunic.