§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, notwithstanding the fact that many subordinate officers in Her Majesty's prisons have complained of the poor quality of the uniform cloth furnished by the contractors, the Commissioners of Prisons have accepted a tender from the contractors to make up into overcoats, tunics, &c., for the officers, the cloth supplied by them at the average price per garment of 4s. 6d., many of the coats, &c., being heavily braided; and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.I am informed by the Prison Commissioners that it is not the fact that they have accepted any such tender as alleged. The making up is chiefly done by local contractors, and their prices vary according to local circumstances. The cloth is the same as that supplied to the Army, and is tested and passed at the Army Clothing Depôt before being made up into garments.