HC Deb 01 December 1938 vol 342 cc625-6W
Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the total armament orders placed by his Department during the past two years were given to Scottish firms; and whether any effort is made by the War Office to secure that Scotland receives a fair share of all such orders?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

An informative answer to the question is not practicable because many Scottish firms operate from London addresses and reference to each individual contract would be necessary in order to ascertain the precise local effect of any given contract at any given time. The vast amount of clerical labour involved would be disproportionate to the value of the information obtained, which would relate only to a fluctuating position. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that Scottish firms have received equal consideration with all others in the past, and will continue to do so in future.