§ Mr. THORNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is the intention of the Government to include in their contracts with clothing contractors the tunics for drummers or bandsmen, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the Household Guards and Household Cavalry; and if he can state the approximate cost for each kind of tunic made at the Royal Army Clothing Factory, Pimlico, and that undertaken by a clothing contractor?
§ Mr. COOPERAs regard the first part of the question, experimental orders have been placed with the trade far certain full-dress articles, but pending review of the results of these orders, no decision regarding the future method of obtaining1284W full-dress can be reached. As regards the second part, it would not be in the public interest at this stage to publish comparative prices, but the object of the experiment is to effect economies—and this object will not be lost sight of.