Girls' Training Corps (Uniforms)

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at on 8 September 1942.

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Photo of Mr Henry Brooke Mr Henry Brooke , Lewisham West

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the discouragement felt by girls throughout the country who joined the Girls' Training Corps and now find that, although eight months have passed since it was approved by the Government as the official organisation for providing pre-service training for girls, uniform is still not obtainable for it; and whether, if he cannot release new material for this purpose, he will make women's reconditioned service uniform available to the corps in order to avoid further delay and disappointment?

Photo of Mr Hugh Dalton Mr Hugh Dalton , Bishop Auckland

This matter has been discussed with representatives of the National Association of Girls' Training Corps. There should be no difficulty in obtaining supplies of this clothing through ordinary trade channels, and I have suggested that the Association should make arrangements for its manufacture through the Trade Associations concerned. I regret that supplies of suitable reconditioned Service uniforms are not coming forward in sufficient quantities to meet essential industrial and agricultural needs, and they cannot therefore be made available to the Girls' Training Corps. I have agreed, however, to the issue of 30,000 reconditioned A.T.S. forage caps.

Photo of Mr Ralph Etherton Mr Ralph Etherton , Stretford

Will the materials for the uniforms issued be coupon-free?

Photo of Mr Hugh Dalton Mr Hugh Dalton , Bishop Auckland

That is a different question. It was not raised by the Answer to the original Question.