HC Deb 02 July 1941 vol 372 c1366W
Mr. Keeling

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval officers' uniforms cost much more than Army or Royal Air Force officers' uniforms; and whether he will consider introducing a working dress in which gold braid is replaced by blue braid?

Sir V. Warrender

Naval officers' uniforms cost rather more than those of Army and Royal Air Force officers because the materials employed are of comparatively expensive types, the durable qualities of which have been amply demonstrated by generations of use. The possibility of employing a cheaper cloth of the same type is being explored, but it is not intended to alter the general design of the uniform. The hard wearing qualities of the braid now in use are such that no eventual economy would be effected by the substitution of braid of a cheaper texture or different type.