§ MR. BROADHURST (Leicester)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether boots or shoes supplied for the troops have been condemned; and, if so, whether they were goods sup- 1056 plied by others than the usual contractors to the War Office.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.There are always a few rejections of boots and shoes; but not more than usual have been rejected since the war pressure began, and there has been no general condemnation of any supplies on account of bad quality. I must add that the boots for Yeomanry and Volunteers have not been ordered through the Army Clothing Department.
§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)Can the hon. Gentleman state what proportion of these Army boots are obtained from middlemen like Messrs. Samuel, mentioned the other day?
MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSNo, Sir; I cannot tell. The Volunteer commanders give their own orders. The person who contracts for Army orders must be the person who actually supplies the boots.