§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if and when they propose to make provision for a modified full-dress uniform for commissioned officers of the Royal Navy.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, the provision of a modified form of full-dress uniform for commissioned officers of the Royal Navy would involve substantial expense. In existing financial circumstances, my right honourable friend the First Lord of the Admiralty regrets that the matter must remain in abeyance.
LORD TEYNHAMMy Lords, arising out of the reply of the noble Lord, is he aware that the approximate additional average cost of a frock coat, with the usual distinctive lace, for 12,170 commissioned officers of the Royal Navy, including flag officers, in lieu of a No. 1 monkey jacket, would be only £97,000, plus purchase tax, based on a difference of £8? Further, is he aware that the cost of cocked hats without distinction lace would, on the same basis, be only £134,000, and these hats could easily be modified to indicate rank by the addition of a small amount of gold material at reasonable cost—estimated at £11? Further, is he aware that the epaulettes could be replaced by a suitable gold cord at a comparatively small additional expense? Would the noble Lord bring to the attention of his right honourable friend the First Lord of the Admiralty these figures which I assure him can be substantiated by well-known providers of naval uniform? And may I inform him that I am prepared to produce coloured 1572 plates indicating the effects of the changes proposed?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I will, of course, bring those figures to the attention of my right honourable friend. I would point out to the noble Lord, however, that the figures which I have and the figures which he has given me are really quite at variance. I am told that the initial cost of providing this uniform would be somewhere in the region of £500,000.
§ LORD CALVERLEYWould the noble Lord inform the House of the price of a monkey-jacket?
§ LORD CARRINGTONNot without notice.