§ Mr. ASTORasked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the late Secretary of State for War stated in this House on 1st July, 1913, that it had been decided to remove the restrictions in regard to the wearing of plain clothes in the Southern Command, he will explain why paragraph (c) of Southern Command Order 404 has never been cancelled or modified; and, seeing that, as a result of that paragraph, non-commissioned officers below the rank of colour-sergeant and men of good character are in fact unable to obtain permission to wear plain clothes when on pass at their stations, whether he will take steps to carry out the pledge of the late Secretary of State for War by removing the restrictions in regard to the wearing of plain clothes by such noncommissioned officers and men?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe undertaking given by my right hon. Friend was fulfilled by the issue of Southern Command Order No. 684 dated 23rd June, 1913. Paragraph (c) of Southern Command Order No. 404 dated 16th April, 1913, is in accordance with the provisions of the King's Regulations.