§ Mr. HUNTasked the Under-Secretary for India whether the manufacture of boots and accoutrements for the Indian Army is a private undertaking carried on for profit at Cawnpore; whether His Majesty's Government here and in India have employed the Cawnpore leather factory to its fullest extent; and whether the supply of leather from India can be expedited by taking over for Government use the leather factory in question?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSBoots for the Indian Army are obtained from the Cawnpore Leather Factory, a private undertaking. Military saddlery and accoutrements are manufactured at the Government Harness658W Factory, Cawnpore, though supplementary supplies are obtained, when necessary, from the trade. The Cawnpore Leather Factory is employed to the fullest extent possible. The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that the acquisition of this undertaking by the State would have the result suggested in the last part of the question.