§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Secretary for War if he would state the number of infantry boots contracted for in each of the last four years, 1907–1910, and the number ordered in the contracts for 839W 1911 placed in December, 1910; and if he would explain why the numbers ordered have varied so considerably in the period referred to?
§ Mr HALDANEThe figures asked for are as follows, the year being the calendar year in each case:—
The decrease is accounted for by the fact that the 1907 requirements were large, as war surpluses had been used up, and that since then requirements have fallen off owing to economies in the working of the stock and the introduction of a system of cash allowance to the soldier instead of issues in kind.
1907 433,630 pairs Infantry boots and shoes 1908 352,918 pairs Infantry boots and shoes 1909 259,765 pairs Infantry boots and shoes 1910 293,946 pairs Infantry boots and shoes Dec, 1910 for 1911 160,730 pairs Infantry boots and shoes