§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that those men of His Majesty's Army who have been provided with civilian overcoats cannot use them except when on duty, no matter what the weather conditions may be; whether he can say that all the men now have Army greatcoats, or what number still await them; and what has been the cost to Army expenditure for civilian overcoats?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI am not aware of any instructions to the effect suggested in the first part of the question. Army greatcoats are available for all but about 40,000 men, and it is hoped that they will become available for this number by the end of this month. Issue will then be made as rapidly as possible. The cost of buying civilian overcoats is estimated to be over £100,000. A figure for the allowance issued to personnel for using their own overcoats is not available.