HC Deb 14 December 1960 vol 632 c385
7. Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for War his estimate of the extra cost of allowing other ranks of the Household Brigade, already in possession of full dress, to walk out in scarlet in London.

Mr. Profumo

The extra cost might be anything up to £100,000 a year.

Mr. Kershaw

Does my right hon. Friend think that they will pour coffee over their uniforms every time they go out? Why should they cost anything at all? They are only using the uniforms they already have to go out for a walk. Will my right hon. Friend look into this again?

Mr. Profumo

I have told my hon. Friend that I will certainly look at it again. I do not suggest that they will pour coffee over the uniform every time they go out, but the special material from which this is made is more than usually liable to wear and its use thus would entail something like doubling our consumption.

Mr. Kershaw

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the material is made in Stroud and wears very well?