HC Deb 19 June 1975 vol 893 cc483-4W
Mr. Terry Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether British footwear is issued to persons detained in Home Office establishments.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The majority of the boots, shoes and slippers worn by inmates in penal establishments are manufactured by prison industries from materials purchased entirely from British firms. Where purchases of footwear are necessary contracts are always placed with British firms which normally supply footwear of British manufacture.

Mr. Terry Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether British footwear is issued to Home Office personnel.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The great majority of all the footwear provided for Home Office staff is issued to prison officers and this is all British made. Small quantities of protective footwear are purchased from local sources and there is no reason to suppose that most of this is not also British made.