§ 5. Lieut.-Commander Baldockasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will reconsider the grants to be made to naval Reserve officers for the alteration of distinction lace which only extend to one coat and one pair of shoulder straps.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe grants have been assessed on the cost of altering the garments included in the official scale of uniform.
§ Lieut.-Commander BaldockIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that one monkey jacket is quite insufficient for an R.N.V.R. officer who has to do several drills a week during the year, and that R.N.V.R. officers who do not perform these weekly drills are getting grants for two jackets? Is not that an anomaly?
§ Mr. CallaghanYes, Sir. I take note of that point.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteWill the Parliamentary Secretary allow a reasonable time to elapse during which those who report for duty in the stripes of the "Wavy Navy," the disappearance of which many of us regret, will not be regarded as improperly dressed?
§ Mr. CallaghanThe end of the year is the date fixed.
Brigadier ClarkeIn view of the necessity for saving metal, will the hon. Gentleman consider not changing the R.N.V.R. buttons for the ordinary buttons, which is a great waste of money?
§ Mr. CallaghanI prefer to take the opinion of naval officers on that.