§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list all those items of clothing used by the British armed forces that are produced or manufactured abroad; if he will list (a) the unit costs and (b) the total annual costs of each of such items; and which countries are involved.
§ Mr. WigginVery few items of clothing purchased centrally on an annual basis by the Ministry of Defence for use by the British armed forces are produced or manufactured abroad. It is not the practice to reveal commercially sensitive cost information. The remaining data are as follows:
Country and Item Annual Costs £ Italy Boots Mountain (Lauaredo) 12,711 Korea Boots Magister 4,785 India Peak Cap Embroidered 8,700 Canada Overshoes Black Rubber 33,800 India/Pakistan Hand Embroidered Badges 60,000 Canada Gloves, Cloth, Anti-Contact 3,500 Coveralls Technician 40,000 Boots, Extreme Cold Weather 25,000 In cases other than Canadian purchases, the contract is placed with a British company. For Canadian items, the contract is placed direct. In all cases there is no adequate British source of supply.