§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the outfit allowance granted to officers commissioned in the present emergency being insufficient to cover the increased cost due to the Purchase Tax of those articles of uniform and kit which it is necessary for them to provide, he will release them from the obligation to be in possession of service dress and will authorise the wearing of battle dress for all occasions both on and off duty?
§ Mr. EdenThe question whether it is necessary for an officer when first commissioned to provide himself with service dress is under review.
§ Mr. Pearsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a newly-appointed officer purchasing his original kit for which he receives a grant, is usually supplied with uniform on credit upon an undertaking that his account will be paid on receipt of his grant; and, as it is found by supplying tailors that 1863W numerous officers do not adhere to their undertaking but use the Government grant for other purposes and the account remains unpaid, will he cause some alteration in existing arrangements necessary to ensure that such funds will be properly applied to the purpose for which they are issued?
§ Mr. EdenArmy officers are amenable to the civil law in regard to private debts, and it is not the practice of the War Office to intervene in such matters. The fact that an officer is given a grant in respect of his initial outfit is not considered to warrant a departure from the normal rule.