§ Mr. MUNRO FERGUSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that no colours can be supplied to a unit of the Territorial Force until the fee of £2 10s. per colour or £5 5s. per battalion has been paid to the inspector of regimental colours for the designs; that no 1413W provision is made to defray the expenses of the colour party or detachment attending at Windsor on 19th June; and that expenses will consequently fall on the counties remote from London; and whether, in order to lighten the burden thus incurred by the counties, he will arrange for smaller fees to the inspector of colours, and either provide travelling and sustenance allowance for these parties or lay a request before the King that the colours for Scottish regiments might be presented by His Majesty at Holyrood Palace instead of at Windsor?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe fee payable for the two colours of a battalion of infantry is £2 12s. 6d. This fee is not considered excessive in view of the great accuracy required in the designs. As regards the presentation of colours referred to, in view of the fact that the provision of colours is voluntary and not obligatory upon Territorial units, it is considered that this is not a case in which a special grant of public money for travelling or subsistence could be provided out of public funds.