§ 16. Mr. Millanasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of clothing for the Royal Navy, in terms of cost, is purchased in Scotland.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThe bulk of our purchases in this field are for made-up clothing, but of the 50 Scottish firms on our list 31 make hosiery and only 12 contract for made-up clothing; this represents 2½ per cent. of the total United Kingdom list. At present our orders in this field are much reduced because we are using up surplus stock, but nevertheless Scottish firms are taking 3 per cent. of our total clothing orders which in the last financial year represents £28,000 spent in Scotland.
§ Mr. MillanIs not that percentage very low? Will the hon. Gentleman accept is as a principle that, in common with other Government Departments, the Admiralty should set an example in these matters and as far as possible place orders in areas of high unemployment, keeping Scotland particularly in mind in that respect?
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Civil Lord aware that many women in Scotland are unemployed and that the proportion is far greater than in any other part of the United Kingdom? Does he appreciate that, if the Admiralty would give at least a fair share of those orders to Scotland, many of these unemployed women could be employed in clothing firms?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingIf there are Scottish firms which are able to supply our needs but which are not on our list, I hope that they will apply to be put on the list, when they will receive offers to submit tenders for the clothing which we need.