§ 28. Mr. Gilzeanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, in view of the fact that rankers of the Army and the Royal Air Force are permitted to leave and enter barracks in civilian clothes, such permission is not also granted the men of the Royal Navy.
Mr. DugdaleThe changes forecast in my reply of 2nd April last to the Hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. J. Lewis) have since been introduced, and plain clothes may now be worn on short leave by all ratings except those under training and by all ratings when on leave over 24 hours. Chief petty officers, petty officers and senior N.C.O.s, Royal Marines, are permitted to leave and enter shore establishments in the United Kingdom in civilian clothes and it is at the discretion of Commanders-in-Chief to extend the privilege to shore establishments abroad.
281WThe extension of this privilege to junior ratings is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.