§ 80. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that since 1911 till within a few months ago the naval boot was made almost entirely of German or foreign material, and will he explain why the Admiralty were so anxious to serve the interests of German and other foreign leather manufacturers at the expense of the British manufacturers; whether a wearing test was furnished by the Admiralty when it was proved that the British material was in every way equal, if not superior, to the German or other foreign material; and whether, in spite of this fact, the Admiralty still continue using the German and other foreign material?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThroughout the period mentioned in the first part of the question it has been stipulated in Admiralty boot contracts that the whole of the sole leather shall be of British manufacture. Contractors have been at liberty to use either British or foreign leather for the uppers, provided it was equal in quality to the sealed patterns. Since July, 1912, two scaled patterns have been exhibited and issued together, namely, one with upper of British leather, and one with upper of foreign leather of equal quality. Thus British tanners of upper 725 leather have had an equal opportunity with foreign tanners. At the request of the trade a six months' trial was made of the wearing qualities of a certain number of boots with uppers of British tanned leather in comparison with a similar number of boots with uppers of foreign tanned leather, but owing to the impossibility of equalising the conditions of wear, the results could not be otherwise than inconclusive. So far as they went, they did not indicate any appreciable difference between British and foreign upper leather. As regards the last sentence in this question the hon. Gentleman will probably see on reflection that it would be quite impossible to meet our needs at this time if restrictions as to sources of supply were insisted upon.
§ 81. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in November last, the Admiralty received a deputation from the Light Leather Federation; whether that deputation asked the Admiralty to remove the German sealed standard pattern and to allow the specification to read that the Navy boots shall be made both of sole leather of British manufacture and of upper leather of British manufacture; what was the reply given; whether the German sealed pattern was then and there removed; and, if not, has it now been removed and at what date?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answers to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. The pattern with German upper leather, previously exhibited and issued with the other sealed pattern of English upper leather, was withdrawn immediately after the deputation had requested that step to be taken. The reply given on the other point referred to was that the question of stipulating for British upper leather, in addition to British sole leather, was one which could not be settled without further consideration. The present position I have already explained.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINWhat is the reason for making a distinction between sole leather and upper leather?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think it is a question of durability, but I should like notice of the question.
§ 82. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now see his way to grant an all-British specification for naval boots; and 726 whether he will consult with the Government on the justice of an assurance being given to British leather manufacturers that, if new plant be put down and the price adjusted to meet the Admiralty requirements, they will be secured in their position by the continued use of British material for naval boots?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think the points raised in this question will be found to have been answered in the two previous replies.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand that the Lords of the Admiralty do not see their way to grant this request?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAt the present time we have, of course, to get supplies from the best sources available; we do not want soldiers to go bare-footed to the fight.
§ Mr. PETOHas not the right hon. Gentleman come to any decision as to the policy he will adopt after the present War is over?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have said that the question will be considered; in the meantime, I think we might as well postpone the fiscal controversy till we have beaten the Germans.