§ 4. Mr. Glanvilleasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many of the so-called safety boots now being sold are made of shoddy material and that this is causing grave dissatisfaction amongst workers in the heavy industries; and if he will remedy this.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. But if my hon. Friend will let me have some definite evidence, I shall be glad to have inquiries made.
§ Mr. GlanvilleIs my right hon. Friend aware that some of these boots, which are normally supposed to last for 12 months, do not last for that number of weeks, and an impression is being created that there is a racket in these boots, as they are the shoddiest possible material?
§ Mr. DaltonI made a Regulation last November, of which I have told the House, that every boot manufacturer has to stamp his mark upon the boots he makes and we can, therefore, trace any shoddy footwear to the maker, and further measures could be taken if necessary. lf, therefore, my hon. Friend will produce to me evidence, in the form if he likes, of some samples of these boots he speaks about, I will go into it.
§ Mr. GlanvilleI shall be delighted to do so.
§ Sir Granville GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the leather and shoe industries will resent these accusations that are being put forward?