§ 6. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for War whether shirt sleeve order will be given automatically to guardsmen stationed at Chelsea Barracks and elsewhere during the hot weather.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is customary for soldiers who are not on ceremonial or formal duties to work without jackets in hot weather. This is a matter which is left to the discretion of commanding officers.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the Minister aware that at Chelsea Barracks men were kept in full dress even on days when the temperature was very high? Will he ensure that instructions go out that when the temperature rises men can work in shirt sleeves?
§ Mr. SoamesAs to full dress at Chelsea Barracks, presumably the hon. Member is referring to scarlet tunics and 384 bearskins. That dress is worn on formal occasions. The soldier is not unlike the hon. Member in this respect. In day-to-day work, in the heat, he equips himself as reasonably and as sensibly as he can, but he is prepared to put his coat on and be formal when occasion demands.