HC Deb 17 October 1944 vol 403 cc2226-8W
Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the minimum period of colour service a soldier must have to qualify for the issue of a civilian suit of clothes or cash in lieu on discharge;

(2) what articles of Service clothing a soldier is permitted to retain on discharge, release to Class W reserve, or release under Class A or Class B of the demobilisation plan;

(3) whether soldiers who have received a suit of civilian clothes or cash in lieu on release to Class W reserve and are subsequently recalled, will be entitled to a further issue of clothing or cash on demobilisaition; and whether they will be entitled to retain Service clothing on demobilisation if they have already done so on previous transfer to Class W reserve.

Sir J. Grigg

In order to qualify for the free issue of a civilian outfit on current discharge soldiers must, in general, have at least one month's service. On release under Class A or Class B six months' service will be required to qualify for the issue. No alternative cash allowance is now permissible. In addition to the civilian clothing, they are entitled to retain such of the following items of Service clothing and necessaries as may be in their possession:

Boots, ankle (pair) … … 1
Badge, cap … … … 1
Bag, Kit, universal … … 1
Braces … … … … 1
Discs, identity (set) … … 1
Underwear (sets) … … 2
Gloves, knitted, drab (pair) … 1
Housewife … … … 1
Jersey, pullover … … 1
Shirts, angola, drab … … 2
Socks, worsted (pairs) … … 2
Towels, hand … … … 2
Cleaning and Toilet articles.
These arrangements do not apply in certain special cases, for example, when a soldier is discharged for misconduct.

On transfer to Class W of the Reserve soldiers are treated in the same way in regard to clothing as though they were discharged. On recall to the Colours within 12 months they are required to bring back their Service clothing and necessaries and are charged for any deficiencies. On subsequent release under the General Release scheme they will not be entitled to a further issue of civilian clothing, but will be allowed to retain such of the Service clothing and necessaries within the approved scale as may be in their possession, together with a suit of battle dress and the authorised headgear.