§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the reasons that his Department does not manufacture a portion at least of the boots and shoes required for the Army; and whether, having regard to the advantage of his Department, he will consider the advisability of the establishment by the Government of a manufactory for this purpose in or near some place where this class of labour can be found.
§ MR. HALDANESo long as the War Department can obtain all the boots that are required of good quality from contractors as at present, and can rely upon contractors to provide the extra quantities which might be required in emergency, there would appear to be no grounds for adopting the hon. Member's suggestion. In the interests of economy, I am not desirous of embarking on the trade of boot-making.