§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers who have obtained the new crimson and gold dress sash will be reimbursed the cost of the same now that the Army Order has been withdrawn?
§ Colonel SEELYAny claims for out-of-pocket expenditure incurred before the Army Order was cancelled will be favourably considered.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that all departmental officers promoted substantive colonel after 1st January, 1911, are required to effect alterations in their present uniform at a cost of some £30, which includes an entirely different sash, costing £11, from that now in their possession; and if he will state the reasons 2575W for this change, having regard to the fact that, besides the expense entailed upon the officers concerned, they are to be dressed completely different from officers of similar rank promoted prior to the date named?
§ Colonel SEELYThe officers mentioned were permitted to adopt a gold sash and certain other distinctions in dress which previously were restricted to other substantive colonels not belonging to services and departments. The change was authorised at the request of the heads of the services concerned with a view of removing what was felt to be an invidious distinction between these officers and other substantive colonels. To avoid undue expense to colonels who might wish to wear out their existing uniform, the change was not made compulsory for those who held that rank at the date of the order, namely, 19th March, 1910. All colonels promoted after that date were required to provide the new uniform.