§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War how certain firms can secure, repair and sell Army boots at 10s. 6d. per pair and no coupons; whether he is aware that the advertisements state these boots were slightly worn and were disposed of by the Army authorities; how were they disposed of and at what price?
§ Mr. A. HendersonI am making inquiries but so far as I have been able to find out the boots referred to by my hon. Friend were disposed of to the trade about a year ago. They were boots which could not be repaired under Army or Ministry of Supply arrangements then existing. These arrangements were reorganised towards the end of 1941. Repairs are now completely undertaken by units or by civilian bootmakers under contract. Boots which are beyond repair are handed to the Ministry of Supply. The Ministry remake them in factories which have lately come into full production. No more worn boots will be sold to the trade but those previously disposed of in this way may still appear on the market from time to time. The firms paid a variety of prices for these boots according to their state of repair.