§ 8. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that airmen must buy their raincoats; and if he will ensure that they get a free issue in future.
§ Mr. SoamesIn present circumstances, we are not able to make a free issue of raincoats.
§ Mr. RankinDoes that mean that the hon. Gentleman has not got the money? Is it logical to give airmen a greatcoat to keep out the cold and not give them a raincoat to protect them from the rain? The hon. Gentleman cannot do the one without the other. Is it a matter of money?
§ Mr. SoamesMoney, of course, does enter into the matter. Greatcoats and groundsheets are issued, but to issue raincoats would cost between £1 million and £2 million, with a recurring cost of up to £1 million a year.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs it not important that this matter should be looked into if we are to make the Service sufficiently attractive to young men and be able to do away with National Service?
§ Mr. SoamesIt certainly has been looked into, along with a good many other things that we should like to do if we could.