§ Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the arrangements for kitting up, in payment or in clothing, of the various classes of reserves called up for the Fleet mobilisation in September last; and whether more equitable arrangements are to be made in future?
§ Colonel LlewellinMen in certain classes of reserves are provided with kits in peace time and when mobilised are required to bring their kits with them. If they are then called upon to provide themselves with articles not in their peace kit they are given a gratuity sufficient to cover the cost. Men in other classes are not provided with kits in peace time and when they report at their depot on mobilisation, they are paid a gratuity sufficient to cover the cost of the articles with 391W which they are required to provide themselves. This is the routine procedure and was followed in September last. I am unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that these arrangements were not equitable.