HC Deb 08 March 1949 vol 462 cc960-1
11. Wing-Commander Hulbert

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now authorise the wearing of full dress uniform by troops performing guard duties in London, or why not.

Mr. Shinwell

Household Cavalry are already authorised to wear full dress when carrying out guard duties in London. Authority also exists for the wearing of full dress by the Brigade of Guards on ceremonial parades attended by a member of the Royal Family and Guards of Honour mounted in attendance on members of reigning royal families or presidents of republican states. It has not so far been possible to authorise any further extension of the occasions on which full dress can be worn as it is necessary to rely on existing prewar stocks, and when these are exhausted new production would be required with consequent diversion of cloth from the export trade. I cannot give any undertaking that any further extension will be possible in the near future, though the matter will be reviewed from time to time.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

May I ask the Minister whether after three years of peace and three years of Socialist Government he does not think that London should have a little of the prewar pageantry?

Mr. Shinwell

There has been more full colour since this Government came in than ever there was before.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is the Minister aware that when in 1921 full dress was restored to the Brigade of Guards for duty in London, from that moment their recruiting, which had been languishing, never looked back again?

Mr. Shinwell

Yes, Sir. I am aware of all this, but there are compensations.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In view of the desire for colour and gaiety, would the Minister equip these gentlemen with battle-axes and bows and arrows?

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Although the Household Brigade have in fact got prewar clothes, have they not khaki underclothes?

Mr. Shinwell

In certain circumstances it is not wise to look underneath.