§ Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the statistics, relating to soldiers who have been recently demobilised, reveal the unpopularity of the civilian suit and the inadequacy of the additional attire at present being offered to discharged soldiers; and whether he is prepared to make drastic changes and improvements in the existing scheme and relate it to the pre-war needs of the average citizen.
§ Sir J. GriggThe number of complaints received about the clothing now being issued to soldiers discharged from the Army is very small and no complaint from an actual recipient of the clothing can be traced. The whole question of the nature and extent of the civilian clothing to be issued to soldiers on demobilisation has been the subject of very full consideration and planning in consultation with other Departments concerned for many months past. I am not at the moment in a position to give full details of the proposed scheme, as one or two points still remain unsettled, but I can say that I feel sure that when details of the scheme can be made public, hon. Members will be agree- 57W ably agreeably surprised both in regard to the quality and variety and to the scope of the outfit which it is intended to issue. The question of applying this scheme, not only to soldiers released on the termination of hostilities, but also as soon as possible to those who are discharged before that date, is under consideration.