HC Deb 31 July 1939 vol 350 cc1969-70W
Mr. Kirby

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the difficulty of cotton spinners and manufacturers in meeting the demands of the War Office contracts department for the supply of fabric and uniforms has now been overcome?

Sir V. Warrender

I am obtaining a report on this question, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Trevor Cox

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large purchases of cotton goods now being made by Government departments, consideration will be paid to the high rate of unemployment in North-east Cheshire and to the numbers of unemployed cotton operatives, so that more orders can be placed in this district?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

It is the policy of the War Office to give sympathetic consideration to offers received from firms with works in distressed areas, and, other things being equal, to place orders, if possible, with firms so situated.

The Army has large requirements of the following cotton materials:

Denim, Drab, No. 3,

Drill, No. 2, Drab,

Duck, Cotton, No. 3, Black,

Calico, No. 6, Grey,

Cotton Sheeting (for groundsheets), and, if any firms in North-east Cheshire wish to be considered for orders for any of these materials, they should get into touch with the War Office Contracts Department, Arkwright House, The Parsonage, Manchester.