§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Secretary of State for War if, with reference to the tenders which have just been invited by the War Office for 50,000 pairs of canvas shoes which are wanted to meet the immediate wants of the service, so that early delivery is therefore essential, he will explain why the contracts department did not give such sufficient and early attention to the needs of the service as to ensure the placing of this contract in good time and the avoidance of haste and overtime working to secure urgent delivery; if he is aware that firms undertaking this particular kind of work have been anxiously waiting for work for some time and that trade unionists have been out of work and thrown upon the funds of their union while waiting for an order which the War Office now states to be urgent; and if he will take such measures as will in future prevent the unfortunate want of regularisation referred to?
§ Mr. HALDANEA new pattern shoe is under trial and pending a decision based on the final results of the trials orders for the present pattern have been restricted to the quantities required to meet the wants of the moment. The advantages of a regular course of ordering have not been lost sight of, but it is manifestly desirable to avoid the further accumulation of a stock of stores of moribund pattern shoes. The period of three months named for delivery seems a reasonable time for the comparatively small order contemplated, but if2214W more time is desired there will be no objection to allow another month and extend deliveries to include June.