HL Deb 21 May 1952 vol 176 cc1229-30
LORD BARNBY

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, with regard to No. 1 dress for the Regular Army and Territorial Forces, whether, since it is understood that there are no longer any problems as to raw material, supply or production capacity, the necessary cloth purchases have been made; and when issue to the Forces is to be completed.]

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for War intends to complete by the end of this financial year the issue of No. 1 dress to all Regular soldiers of the rank of sergeant and above and all the cadets at the Royal Military Academy. Sandhurst; to the whole of both the Queen Alexandra's Nursing Corps and the Women's Royal Army Corps; to all bands; and to some other special categories. While it is not possible at present to forecast the programme of further issues to Regular rank and file, National Service men and the Territorial Army, he is most anxious to make further progress.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, arising out of that reply and in view of the extremely limited scope of the programme indicated, may I ask the noble Earl if he will make representations to the proper quarter to see whether, in view of the help that it would give to the Territorial Army, and also with a view to implementing the Government's announced policy about assistance to the textile trades, he cannot bring persuasion substantially to accelerate the programme now indicated?

EARL FORTESCUE

I regret that I cannot say more than that I will bring the noble Lord's remarks to the notice of my right honourable friend.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, if the intention is to provide this clothing within the financial year, there can clearly be no financial objection to accelerating the programme to the maximum extent. As the capacity is lying idle, will Her Majesty's Government do their utmost to accelerate the issue?

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, I can say only that I will bring those remarks to the attention of my right honourable friend. I would add, however, that I understand that there is no more money available for this financial year, and that further consideration will have to be given to the matter in the following financial year.