§ Sir R. Taskerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade require all municipal authorities to collect 18 coupons annually from each member of their uniformed staff whether new uniforms are issued or not?
§ Mr. DaltonThe arrangement to which my hon. Friend refers applies only to those employees who are full-time wearers of a uniform which I accept as essential. Such employees are not required to give up coupons for their uniform, which may be issued and replaced as necessary coupon-free, but surrender instead a fixed number of coupons annually for the wear and tear saved on their ordinary clothes. The rate of 18 coupons a year applies only where the uniform comprises all outerwear including (for men) jacket, trousers,790W greatcoat or mackintosh and boots. Such an outfit costs between 40 and 50 coupons. Where the uniform comprises certain only of these items, the saving on ordinary clothes is, of course, less and the number of coupons to be surrendered annually is correspondingly reduced. Some items of uniform are replaced more than once a year; others at longer intervals. The value of the concession can best be judged, therefore, if taken over a period of two to three years.