§ 7. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the Government still hold to the view that it is not possible to grant an all-British specification for Army boots; and whether, in face of the necessity recently referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of keeping as much money as possible in this country, he will reconsider the matter and allow the British Army to be supplied with boots made from British leather?
§ Mr. FORSTERThere already exists a specification to which regulation boots are being made in large numbers which specifies that the whole of the leather is to be of British manufacture. Returns showing the leather production of the country have, however, been obtained from time to time, and as a result it is not considered advisable at present to restrict the source of supply by entirely prohibiting the use of any but British leather. The consideration referred to by my hon. Friend is a guiding principle of all War Office contracts under 710 present conditions, and so far as is possible goods are obtained from British sources and foreign purchases are avoided.