§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the order communicated to commanding officers announcing that no further kilts are to be issued to other ranks?
§ Mr. StanleyThe orders were contained in War Office Letters to Commands, which it is not the practice to publish.
§ Captain Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement at the earliest possible opportunity to allay the anxiety of Scottish soldiers everywhere that the appointment of English regimental 421W officers, reservists and Army-class intakes to Scottish regiments, and the decision not to issue the kilt in war-time, are indications of the intention to pool man-power on a non-territorial basis without consideration for the national characteristics, historical derivation, and magnificent fighting records of Scottish regiments and the Highland and Lowland divisions?
§ Mr. StanleyEvery effort is made to post men territorially, but it has been found to he inevitable that some Englishmen should be posted to Scottish units, if these units are to be maintained at the necessary strength with the normal calling up of age groups.
As regards the kilt, I would refer to the answer I gave this afternoon to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, East (Mr. Henderson Stewart).