§ Mr. BARNESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that boys in the training establishment for the lower deck of the Navy are not supplied with overcoats such as are supplied to men and boys in the sister service and to boys in training establishments for the higher naval ratings; is he aware that, during the recent inclement weather during the Christmas holidays, boys were to be seen in the streets insufficientiv clad; and will he take the matter into his favourable consideration, with a view to the provision of proper apparel to guard against the elements?
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§ Dr. MACNAMARAOvercoats are included in the "optional" kits of the various naval ratings, and supplies are taken up on repayment. There are no gratuitous issues of overcoats. Boys in the training establishments are given two jerseys, two pairs of woollen drawers, and a woollen comforter on entry, and these have hitherto been considered to afford ample protection. No representation to the contrary has been made to the Admiralty. Boy artificers do not receive these articles of warm clothing, and if they wear overcoats (as is usual with the Class III. uniform) they take them up from the paymaster's stores on repayment.