§ MR. WILKIEI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland upon what principle does the Scottish Department base their grant of 40 per cent. of the cost of police clothing, and what are the regulations as regards the price and quality of the cloths supplied, as it is asserted that the Dundee contractors are unable to compete for the police clothing owing to the conditions fixed by the Scottish Department.
§ MR. SINCLAIRThe percentage of grant varies from year to year, the amount available for distribution being fixed and the amount of outlay which it has to meet being variable. The auditors admit charges for the various items required for police clothing up to a fixed maximum. For information as to the regulations regarding police clothing, I may refer the hon. Member to the rules issued in 1892 of which I shall be happy to give him a copy.
In reply to a further Question.
§ MR. SINCLAIRsaid he understood that a maximum price was fixed for each article of clothing, but the authorities were given full discretion as to how and where to obtain them.