§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for War why no firm of boot manufacturers in Scotland received a share in the contract for 1,000,000 pairs of Army boots for which tenders were recently invited?
§ Sir V. WarrenderEight Scottish firms were invited to tender for this contract.1318W Three failed to reply, and, of the remainder, one offered an unacceptable pattern, while the failure of the other firms to obtain orders was due to the prices quoted, the War Office having met its requirements at lower prices than those offered. Further quantities of ankle boots will be purchased shortly, and the capacity for production which is available in Scotland will not be overlooked.