HC Deb 22 February 1949 vol 461 c1676
22. Colonel Ropner

asked the Secretary of State for War when the issue of number one dress to the Territorial Army will begin; and by what date he anticipates that all recruits to the Territorial Army will be issued with No. 1 dress on joining.

Mr. Shinwell

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Worthing (Brigadier Prior-Palmer) on 14th December last.

Colonel Ropner

Is the Minister aware that the lack of drill hall accommodation, the shoddy state of equipment, and the fact that No. 1 dress is not issued to Territorials are real discouragements to recruiting for the Territorial Army, and can he account for the quite unreasonable delay in starting on the issue of No. 1 dress?

Mr. Shinwell

There is no unreasonable delay. There happens to be a shortage of materials.