Discarded and Rejected Service Boots

HC Deb 14 July 1943 vol 391 cc195-7

53 and 54. Sir Granville Gibson

asked the Minister of Supply, (I) what percentage of discarded or rejected Army boots are repaired and reissued to the Forces for further service; and what percentage are sold for civilian purposes;

(2) the total number of pairs of discarded Service boots sold by the Ministry during the past 12 months; and the method used in the disposal of these stocks and the average price per pair at which they are sold?

Sir A. Duncan

During the past 12 months, 44,380 pairs of boots, not repairable to Service standards, have been sold by the Ministry of Supply; most of them were sold at a nominal price to a social service organisation on condition of no resale. No Army boots are now being sold to the trade for use as civilian footwear. Thirty per cent. of the discarded or rejected Army boots returned to the Ministry are being rebuilt and re-issued to the War Office and the Ministry of Home Security. Forty-five per cent. are being reconditioned and stored against possible emergencies, and the remainder are passed to salvage after the usable parts have been recovered.

Sir G. Gibson

Has the right hon. Gentleman any Department for repairing for civilian purposes boots which have been re-issued to the Forces?

Sir A. Duncan

We have a Department which overlooks that matter, but we have channels through which repairs can be done.

Sir G. Gibson

If only 53,000 pairs have been repaired during the past 12 months, how is it that 500,000 pairs have recently been sold by a Manchester firm and exported to Eire for civilian purposes? Why could they not have been kept in this country?

Sir A. Duncan

My hon. Friend has another Question to which the President of the Board of Trade is replying on that subject.

Mr. E. Walkden

If these figures are correct, why is it that people who have never handled boots or shoes or repairs before are able to offer 100,000 pairs which have been dumped for 12 months in the Midlands?

Sir A. Duncan

This may be possible in respect of accumulations in the past. I cannot say. I shall be very glad if the hon. Member will give particulars, and I will give him a complete answer.