HC Deb 01 July 1924 vol 175 c1146W
Lord APSLEY

asked the Secretary of State for War how the recruiting returns of the Guards Brigade compare for similar periods before and since the adoption of full dress; and whether he will consider the equipment of all ranks of His Majesty's Regular and Territorial Forces on a peace footing with full-dress uniform?

Major ATTLEE

The returns referred to indicate that the numbers annually recruited for the Foot Guards since the re-introduction of full dress in July, 1920, have been lower than in the period immediately preceding, but the primary reason for this is that the demand has been less and the physical standard higher. Full dress is no doubt an incentive for recruits to apply to join the Guards in preference to other units, but the cost of its extension to the rest of the Army has hitherto been found prohibitive. The money could only be found at the expense of other and essential Army services.