§ 3. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for War when the blue walking-out dress will be issued to sergeants, corporals, lance-corporals and privates.
§ Mr. HeadIssues to Regular sergeants are now being completed. As I stated in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 7th July, we are starting on issues to Regular corporals and I now hope that we may be able to complete them this year. I am most anxious to make progress with lance-corporals and privates, but this must depend on the funds we can make available for this purpose in future years.
§ Mr. DoddsWhy should the lance-corporals and privates have to wait so long when this blue walking-out outfit would do so much to raise the morale and, above all, act as a recruiting sergeant, because it is so smart? Can I get an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that when that happy state of affairs is reached, it will not be destroyed by some of the men wearing deaf aids and groping about with white walking sticks?
§ Mrs. MannAre we to understand that sergeants, corporals, lance-corporals and privates are now to be put into blue dresses? What is wrong with trousers?
§ Mr. HeadThe hon. Lady is under a misapprehension. It is "blue dress," not "blue dresses." It is only the Scottish regiments which have the hon. Lady's kind of dress.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is no relation whatever between the kilt and the skirt?