§ 54. Mrs. Braddockasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the price of Army socks to serving soldiers in the Canal Zone has risen from 3s. 9d. per pair to 7s. 5d. per pair; that this increase is causing resentment, as five pairs of Army grey socks, warm woollen mixture, are obtainable at 9s. 11d. in England; and if he will make inquiries about this matter.
§ Mr. HeadI have looked into this matter. There was a sharp rise in the price of socks early this year, but I do not think that this has caused hardship to the soldier. His clothing allowance for 1952 was fixed on the price of socks at April last, i.e., 7s. 5d. a pair and no reduction is made in the allowance because of any subsequent drop in cost.
Clothing allowance is reviewed annually in April and any change in the cost of socks is reflected in the allowance then fixed, and the price on which the allowance is calculated is charged to the soldier throughout that year. There is likely to be a marked fall in the price fixed for socks in 1953.