§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the number of pairs of boots and shoes required for the Army this year are equal to the number of pairs ordered in other years; whether any of the contractors are behind with their deliveries, and, if so, to what extent and for what reason; and whether he is aware that there is no dearth of labour in Northamptonshire but much unemployment.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures given in reply to a Question put by my hon. friend on 15th October contain the information required in the first part of the Question. As regards the rest of the Question, speaking generally, the deliveries are in advance of those of any year in recent times, there are few arrears, and only of slight extent. I am informed that there are unemployed hands in Northamptonshire.