HC Deb 02 July 1908 vol 191 c948
MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the cloth of which the uniforms of Scottish regiments are made is manufactured by and purchased from Scottish manufacturers; and, if so, whether the like treatment will be accorded to manufacturers in Wales in respect of the uniforms of Welsh regiments.

MR. ACLAND

Highland tartan for the Army is made exclusively in Scotland. Should any Welsh manufacturers desire to tender for Army cloths, the War Office will be glad to receive applications.

MR. REES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a strong impression prevails in Wales that the Scottish by some superior craft or subtlety get better terms in this respect?

MR. ACLAND

I do believe they make the cloth better.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Are we to understand that Scottish tartan is to be made in Wales?

MR. ACLAND

If the Welsh could make any cloth good enough, we should be glad, I think, to buy it from Wales.

MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)

Will the War Office take care to procure the best cloth for this purpose at the least possible cost?

MR. ACLAND

Certainly.

MR. REES

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in Wales he can obtain those conditions?

MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)

It is in Scotland that those conditions prevail.

AN HON. MEMBER

And is this the United Kingdom!