§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War why his Department has abandoned the use in the provision of seats for lorry-drivers of curled hair or hair padding for spring interiors of such seats by preference to a rubber preparation; whether recent tendering was confined to the use of this rubber preparation; and what is the cost to the taxpayer of the rubber product and the curled-hair product, respectively?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaRubber-filled seats have been specified in contracts for vehicles as they give greater comfort to the soldier when travelling over bad ground and on long journeys, especially when he is wearing equipment. Their extra initial cost compared with the hair-filled pattern is found to be more than outweighed by their longer life and reduced maintenance cost. Trials of other types of cushions are constantly being undertaken.