§ Mr. Hyndasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what provisions for obtaining civilian clothing are applicable to men discharged or released from the R.N.; and whether he will explain why, in a case of which he has been notified, the man was provided with vouchers which have been refused by local traders because the clothes provided for in these vouchers are of too low quality for them to stock, whilst they decline to accept payment of any balance in respect of better quality clothes.
Mr. AlexanderRatings on discharge or indefinite release from the Royal Navy are given a book of vouchers which they can present to any retailer and which entitle them to be supplied, free of cost to themselves, with an outfit of civilian clothing corresponding to that supplied to men of the other Services. The vouchers stipulate that the clothing supplied shall conform to certain Board of Trade specifications which are well known in the trade and which ensure that the materials are similar to those used for the civilian outfits supplied to the other Services. The materials are of good quality and, even if it were permissible, there is no reason for a man to pay anything out of his own pocket to obtain a satisfactory suit. I have no information as to why, in the case which my hon. Friend sent to me, local traders refused to accept the man's vouchers and to provide him with the clothing. In the circumstances, I have made other arrangements to supply him with the articles.