§ 11. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 890,000 pairs of surplus boots that have been sold were released on the home market.
§ Mr. SoamesNone of the boots were sold for the home market, except that one contractor has been allowed to sell in this country 5,000 pairs which had been damaged by flooding in his warehouse.
It has come to my attention that a larger consignment which was sold to a contractor, and by him to a foreign buyer for export, was later sold again in this country. I am looking into this.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the right hon. Gentleman explain why boots which have been damaged have been sold to our people and those that are good have 494 been sold abroad? Why should we have the rotten end? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have correspondence from knowledgeable people that during a period when the heavy boot trade has been having a bad time, some of these boots that ought never to have been made have been sold in this country? What does the Secretary of State propose to do now that he knows the contractor has broken his bond? The right hon. Gentleman says that he is looking into the matter, but we would like to know what action he is taking?
§ Mr. SoamesAt the moment, I cannot say. All I can say is that I am looking into it. As to boots which have been severely damaged being sold on the home market as opposed to going abroad, the hon. Member answered that himself in the second part of his supplementary question. That is something in which the boot and shoe industry has a great interest.
§ Mr. M. StewartWith all these boots to spare, could not we give one to the Government?
§ Mr. SoamesThe hon. Member is always witty.