§ 40. Captain Ramsayasked the Secretary of State for War what quantities of serge for service dress have been ordered since 1st January, and what proportion of this order has been placed with Scottish mills?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaSince 1st January last, 1,700,000 yards of serge for service dress have been ordered. As a result of the tendering for this order, all Scottish firms except one were excluded on price, and the one exception was so far behind schedule on a trial order which had already been placed with it, that it was not considered that a further order could be given to it. In some cases, such as that of Highland tartan, Scottish firms supply the whole requirements.
§ Captain RamsayCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether consideration was given to the fact that unemployment in the Scottish mills is very high, and that the quality of the stuff which they turn out is rather higher than that produced in Yorkshire?
§ Mr. Neil MacleanCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the firms which tendered from Scotland were excluded on the ground that they were not in depressed areas, and whether the difference in the estimates sent in was due to the extra carriage from Scotland to England?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThis is merely a question of price.
§ Mr. MacleanDoes not freight enter into price? Will the right hon. Gentleman go into the matter, because he does not seem to know what enters into an estimate?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe freight per yard is quite negligible.
§ 41. Captain Ramsayasked the Secretary of State for War whether any orders for clothing material, other than serge, have been recently placed with woollen mills; and what proportion of them has been placed with Scottish mills?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaOrders for 3,230,585 yards of clothing material, other than serge, have recently been placed with woollen mills, of which 49,500 yards were placed with Scottish mills.
§ Captain RamsayWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the question of unemployment in Scottish mills is really very grave, and see whether he cannot make some allowance, and not merely look at this matter from the point of view of pounds, shillings and pence?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI will willingly go into the question with the utmost sympathy, and consider any facts which the hon. and gallant Member will lay before me.
§ Mr. HoldsworthWill the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that Yorkshire can do with all the orders he can give?
Mr. AlexanderWill the Secretary of State keep in mind that in all these matters the chief consideration must be the public interest?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is the prevailing consideration.