§ 68. Mr. GOULDasked the Secretary of State for War whether any representation has been made to the Government on behalf of the hand-sewn boot operatives of the Rounds district, with a view to securing part of the Army boot contract being made hand-sewn, so that these special craftsmen may not be rendered unemployed; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. SHINWELLNo representations on behalf of the hand-sewn boot operatives have been made more recently than the summer of last year, but the question has been considered on frequent occasions since the War, and it has been established that there are strong practical as well as economic objections to the re-introduction of the hand-sewn boot for Army use.
§ Mr. GOULDIs my hon. Friend aware that these men have largely built up their craft and given the larger part of their life in the service of the War Office, and would he be prepared to receive representations on this point?
§ Mr. SHINWELLOf course, I should be happy to receive representations, but I can hold out no hope of any change being made.