§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for War who are the technical advisers of the War Office on the matter of the quality and make of boots for the forces; will he give their names, qualifications, and whether they are officials permanent or temporary, and is their advice checked and collated by any outside experts; and is he aware that, in the opinion of experts whose advice has been formerly accepted by the War Office, the stores of boots are so large as to be liable to partial deterioration before issue?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe present technical adviser as regards the quality and make of Army boots is the permanent Inspector of Boots who was selected for the appointment in 1908 out of some 300 applicants. He is well known throughout the trade, and generally acknowledged as a competent expert. During the War, the Royal Army Clothing Department had the advantage of the services of Sir Edward Penton, and he was entrusted with all the arrangements for the provision and supply of boots. Sir Edward Penton, assisted by the Inspector of Boots and an expert staff, was the principal technical adviser in the evolution of the Army boot, which was the outcome of experience in the field and supported by medical and orthopedic authorities. No pattern of boot is finally adopted until after practical tests and the most reliable opinions have been obtained—namely, those of the men who have to wear the boots under service conditions. I cannot accept the statement that the stock of boots is so large as to be liable to deterioration before issue. I am advised that the whole of the stock will have been turned over by issues for peace purposes before such deterioration could take place, and that in the meantime, far from deteriorating, the material will improve by keeping.