§ 35. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the leather used for the recent re-upholstering of the benches in the House of Commons was obtained from Germany: and what was the reason that skins of British origin were not selected, especially having regard to the fact that 60 per cent. of the goat-skins imported into this country come from the British Empire and from India?
§ 31 Viscount SANDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the reason for using foreign leather for the upholstery in the Houses of Parliament instead of Empire leather?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI am informed that the leather used recently for re-upholstering the benches in the House of Commons was not obtained from Germany. The skins selected by the firm which undertook the work were of European origin but were entirely manufactured in this country. I am advised that European goat-skins give the most satisfactory results for the class of work required in this instance.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the hon. Gentleman say where the goat-skins came from if they did not come from Germany?
§ Mr. J. H. THOMASWas that contract entered into by the late Government?
Captain A. EVANSWill the hon. Gentleman in future specify that all such contracts shall be fulfilled by British goods?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThis question was gone into very carefully, and it was found that the European goat-skins were much more supple and much more durable than any of British origin.