§ 14. Mr. BETHELasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the boot and shoe laces supplied to the Navy are mainly of foreign manufacture, the polished cotton yarn being imported into this country in lace lengths and the tags also being or foreign manufacture, the only British process being the affixing of the tags to the yarn; and whether he will in future contracts stipulate that all laces and other material containing polished yarn shall be of British manufacture throughout?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMBoot and shoe laces for the Navy are bought from manufacturers who undertake that the braid used is woven in this country. I have no definite information as to the source of supply of the polished cotton yarns but this question has already been brought to the notice of the Admiralty and an inquiry will be made on the next occasion that tenders are invited, with a view to ensuring that British-spun yarns are given the usual preference.
§ Mr. BETHELWould the hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation on this subject?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI do not think that there is any necessity for us to receive a deputation. The matter is receiving consideration.
§ Mr. HARRISWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman see that the country of origin is branded on both the tags and the yarn, and will he also bring the tags under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?
§ Mr. RILEYHas the Admiralty any information as to whether there is a supply of these tags of British manufacture available at reasonable prices?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI must have notice of that question.