HC Deb 10 July 1939 vol 349 cc1826-7W
Mr. H. Morrison

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the widespread desire among members of the airraid precautions services for some form of uniform; and whether he will give immediate consideration to the matter?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir; and it has now been decided to place local authorities in a position to provide free uniform for members of their air-raid precautions services on a grant-aided basis. For men the uniform will consist of an overall suit in dark blue with a red A.R.P. badge on the left breast. Women will have a long coat of the same material, and a special coat has been designed for women ambulance drivers. Women serving in first-aid posts will have a uniform of the same type as that worn by the Nursing Auxiliaries. Contracts for the cloth have already been placed, but I ought to make it clear that owing to the heavy calls on the textile trades in connection with the demands of the Defence Services it will not be possible for the uniforms to be delivered to local authorities in any substantial numbers until October, and it will take several months thereafter to complete the issue.