HC Deb 29 July 1919 vol 118 cc1915-6
12. Mr. ATKEY

asked whether the purchase of large quantities of boots for the mobilisation of the Volunteers cannot be traced and the cost price ascertained; if so, will he at once cause inquiries to be made so as to base an equitable offer to the Volunteers of the boots they have actually worn for a fortnight; and will he also give instructions for accurate records to be kept of cost prices of boots purchased from time to time?

Mr. FORSTER

The boots issued to the Volunteers were not specially purchased for that purpose, but were taken from general Army stocks, which, as my hon. Friend will realise, are maintained by continual purchases at varying prices from many contractors. The prices paid for boots are carefully recorded, and watched, and the price charged on sale from Army stocks is that for which they could he replaced at the time of sale; in the case of (he boots now being offered to the Volunteers that price is 26s. 6d., but in view of the wear which the boots have received the sale price to them is 25s.

Mr. ATKEY

Am I to understand that the average price of these boots is 26s. 6d.?

Mr. FORSTER

No; that is the price we should have to pay if we replaced them now.

Mr. ATKEY

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is reasonable to offer these boots to the Volunteers not at the price they cost the Government, but at the price they are worth to-day?

Mr. FORSTER

Yes, I think it is. We are issuing the goods now, and I think it is reasonable and right that we should charge the cost of replacing the boots.

Major HOWARD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Volunteers wore their own boots before boots were supplied by the Government, and ought not that to be taken into consideration?

Mr. FORSTER

That has been considered, and I am afraid we were not able to do it.

Mr. ATKEY

Is it not a case of profiteering by the Government when they buy boots at a certain price and then sell them to Volunteers at an enhanced price owing to an advance in the cost?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not think so. I cannot say when these particular boots were bought or what price; they cost, but they formed part of the general Army stock. It seems to me that the only way in which we can deal with this matter is, when we are selling Array stock, to sell it at the price at which we can replace it.