Mr. F. P. Crowderasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that many of the National Service men who were given commissions in the Royal Air Force last year and, instead of having to purchase their greatcoats and mackintoshes are to be issued with them and to return them at the end of their service, have still not received these greatcoats and mackintoshes and have suffered illness during the winter months as a result; and what steps he is taking to hasten this issue.
Mr. WardI regret that temporary shortages of certain sizes have led recently to delay in issuing greatcoats to some 150 National Service officers. All the officers have now been issued with greatcoats or are about to be issued with them, and action has been taken to prevent such delays in the future. No cases of illness resulting from the absence of greatcoats have been reported.
I am not aware of any delays in issuing raincoats to National Service officers.