§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War on what grounds it has been stated on behalf of the War Office that better cloth is manufactured in Scotland than in Wales.
§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)Before the Question is answered, may I ask if the War Office authorities are aware that a kilt made from tartan manufactured in Scotland will last a lifetime, while other tartans might be in tatters in a couple of years?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. ACLAND, Yorkshire, Richmond)As there are no Welsh manufacturers on the War Office list for Highland tartan, it may fairly be inferred that this pre-eminently Scottish material is better made in Scotland than in Wales.
§ MR. REESBut was not a statement made without qualification or reserve that better cloth was manufactured in Scotland than in Wales?
§ MR. ACLANDI made no reflection on Welsh cloth in general. If there are any Welsh firms able to meet our special requirements we shall be delighted if the hon. Member can bring us in touch with them.
§ MR. REESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Welsh manufacturers look on it as a very serious matter that a doubt should be expressed with regard to the superiority of the Welsh cloth?
§ MR. ACLANDIt is well known among cloth manufacturers that it is not a very difficult thing to get their names on the War Office list of contractors, and we are willing to give trial orders to any firm which likes to apply.