§ 38. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that neither the W.L.A. nor war agricultural executive committees in Scotland are aware of the possibility and means of purchasing battle-dress and other articles of clothing for use by members of the W.L.A.; that in a case which has been brought to his attention the Department of Agriculture also declared ignorance as to where such equipment could be obtained; and, in view of his assurances to the hon. Member for East Fife that such clothing was readily available, what steps he is taking to make these facilities known throughout all agricultural areas in Scotland.
§ Mr. WestwoodA Press notice, a copy of which is being sent to my hon. Friend, was issued by the Board of Trade last year regarding the supply of dyed battle-dress for agricultural workers and others. My right hon. Friend is assured that the fact is well known among farm workers generally that these battle-dresses can be obtained through country drapers, and recent inquiries at typical country firms have confirmed that supplies can be obtained without difficulty. But in order to ensure that the information is more widely known, it has been arranged that a copy of the Board of Trade notice will be sent to all agricultural executive committees in Scotland. I may add that the Department have no trace of the inquiry to which the hon. Member refers as having been made. The name of a retailer could certainly have been suggested to any inquirer.