asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the rules at present governing the repatriation of men serving overseas whose parents are dying; and whether he will modify the restriction on those cases which are at present refused on the ground that there are other children available at home.

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the decision whether a soldier can be repatriated on compassionate grounds rests with the Commander-in-Chief of the Command in which he is serving. But the War Office, in forwarding cases for the Commander-in-Chief's consideration, groups them in categories according to the strength of the claims. Recently, modifications have been made in the rules, and certain cases of the type referred to by the hon. Member are now given a higher priority than hitherto. Whether anything more can be done in compassionate cases, it is not possible to say without examination of the general position arising from the end of the war with Japan, but I can assure the hon. Member that I have a lively personal interest in such cases.

:Having regard to the large number of cases involved in those categories, would the right hon. Gentleman consider making available to Members of this House the new categorisation to which he has referred, because most of us are familiar only with the old?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will, before the House rises for the summer Recess, make a general statement on repatriation, home leave for men serving in the various theatres and length of service overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that there are many cases of soldiers serving abroad who have been away from home for periods in excess of three years without home leave; and what steps he con-templates taking to remedy this situation;

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to make a statement about the repatriation of men who have served in the Far East for three years or more.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to honour the pledge of his predecessor that service overseas in the S.E.A.C. theatre should be reduced to three years four months; and will he take steps to see that men who have already exceeded that time are sent home immediately.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make respecting home leave or repatriation for men serving in the Far East.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the new circumstances he will make arrangements to reduce, at an early opportunity, the length of the Army overseas tour to the same level as the R.A.F., that is to say, three years for married men and four years for single men.

Since I have been at the War Office I have been paying great attention to this question. But hon. Members will appreciate that the whole situation is affected by the Japanese surrender. Until our revised commitments are worked out and we know what general transportation facilities are likely to be available for the vast amount of movement now involved, I cannot say whether the tour of foreign service can be shortened or the quota of leave increased. I am afraid, therefore, that it would be impossible for me to make any statement in the very short time left before the Recess. Meanwhile, the existing plans for repatriation and leave continue in operation, and every endeavour is being made to maintain and increase their effectiveness. As far as transport will allow, men in the Far East are now repatriated under the Python Scheme after three years, four months' service. I may perhaps add that I propose to visit S.E.A.C. myself during the Recess. This will give me an opportunity to look into these and other points on the spot.

While appreciating the difficulties of my right hon. Friend—and appreciating in particular the announcement of his intended visit to S.E.A.C.—may I ask him to bear in mind that this subject is second only to demobilisation itself in the volume of inquiries and complaints which hon. Members are increasingly receiving from their constituents in the Forces, and that this process will continue in the Recess? Will he take the earliest opportunity to make a clear and comprehensive statement?

Yes, Sir. May I say that everyone realises the very great difficulty men are in on account of the long period that they have been away from home and that there is profound sympathy in the House with these men. That was one reason why I decided to go out to S.E.A.C. to see the British troops there.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be more definite as to when he will be able to make some statement that will be reassuring to the men concerned, in view of the fact that some men have been out in the Far East for longer than three years and four months, and are not even repatriated, and feel that the promises made to them in the past in this connection have not been kept?

I am sorry that I cannot make any definite promise as to date, Sir, but I should say it will not be made until after I return.

If possible, will my right hon. Friend make a statement before we meet again in October? Will he also pay particular attention to releases on compassionate grounds?

I shall make a statement as soon as possible after I return.

asked the Secretary of State for War why many soldiers overseas who have qualified for repatriation under the Python Scheme are not coming home; and what steps are being taken to remedy this.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make on the delay in the Python Scheme in S.E.A.C.

When the qualifying periods under the Python Scheme were reduced in June last my predecessor made it clear that the reduction would take effect as quickly as shipping and other transportation facilities permitted. The decision to reduce the tour naturally created an immediate load, too big to be handled at once. Despite this, men in the Central Mediterranean and Middle East theatres who are entitled to repatriation under the new rules should be away by the end of September, while in India and the Far East generally men are being repatriated as quickly as the available sea, rail and air facilities can bring them home. Such delay as may occur in the future in these theatres will be due solely to the physical difficulty of movement, not only on account of shiping, but also of the limited internal transportation facilities in India and Burma.

With a view to allaying misgivings, will the right hon. Gentle- man consider the publication of periodical progress reports so long as there is a back-lag in repatriation?

I have already promised that as soon as I return from S.E.A.C. I will make a public statement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Italy the position is extremely serious as the L.A.A.M.I. Camp is congested, and troops are pouring in but none are getting away? The same thing is happening in all the transit camps in Italy.

I was not aware of that fact and I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among personnel transferred from C.M.F. to B.L.A. under operation Goldflake, who are due for repatriation under Python, because they have not been repatriated, although personnel in similar circumstances remaining in C.M.F. are still being repatriated; that there is anxiety among such personnel lest their release group may be called forward before they receive the leave to which they are entitled under Python; and whether in cases where a large proportion of a unit is due for repatriation he will now give instructions for the waiving of the rule which permits only a small percentage to be repatriated at one time.

I am aware that these men were originally at a disadvantage as regards repatriation, but the matter was adjusted in June last, when the qualifying period in both theatres was reduced to four years. Their entitlement is now the same as of they had remained in C.M.F. In either case the repatriation leave is admissible only if the soldier remains in the Army. It is normal disembarkation leave, granted to enable a man to resume home contacts after a long absence and before further service; if he leaves the Army as soon as he returns from overseas his release leave becomes due immediately. As regards the last part of the Question, it would clearly be impossible, in either theatre, to repatriate a whole unit at once if it is still required in an occupational role; the extent to which it can be reduced pending replacements must be left to the discretion of the Theatre Commander.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one small unit of the type mentioned in the Question, there are 186 men who have now been abroad for 4½years and have not received their leave under the Python scheme?

I am not aware of it.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British officers and men who were prisoners of war in Germany have not yet been repatriated; and how many of these are in territory now controlled by the U.S.S.R. awaiting repatriation.

The number of British Commonwealth (excluding India) officers and men who were recorded as prisoners of war in Germany and who have not been recovered or accounted for by the Allied Forces on 11th August, 1945,is 690. All prisoners of war notified by the Soviet authorities as having been released by them have been repatriated with the exception of one officer and nine other ranks who are in hospital at Kharkov.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the relatives of the men involved giving the latest whereabouts of the men?

I will take note of that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in supplying teachers, textbooks and educational facilities generally for men serving in the C.M.F.

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to speedup demobilisation, in view of the number of men insufficiently employed in the Army and the need of civil life for their services.

I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on this matter in the Debate on the Address on 16th August, I understand that a further statement will be made on behalf of His Majesty's Government during the week.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there was considerable disappointment with the statement made by the Prime Minister and that the present situation in which the men in the Army are having nothing to do and, on the other hand, are urgently required in civilian life, cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely?

:All I can say is that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is to make a fuller statement on this matter before the end of the week.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to the man employed in one-man businesses, whose wife has carried on very bravely during the war, and whose return is urgently needed?

:This Question refers to demobilisation generally. I think it would be unwise to give any definite answer upon any particular section.

:Would my right hon. Friend ask commanding officers to explain to their men the reason for any delay which may occur in demobilisation, to explain that it is impossible to take them out of one group and put them into another and let the men know the reason? Many have complained that they are doing nothing in certain barracks and cannot see why they cannot come home. Some of us know the reason. Would the right hon. Gentleman ask commanding officers to explain it to the men?

Yes, Sir, I will give consideration to that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now reconsider the decision whereby soldiers of Allied Armies transferred to the British Army with his consent and that of the Allied Government concerned, are not allowed to count for demobilisation purposes their military service in the force from which they were transferred.

:I am looking into this point and will write to the hon. Member.

:Will my right hon. Friend agree that if a man has spent five or six years of devoted and active service, most of it in the front line, then, for purposes of demobilisation, it ought not to matter in which of the Allied Armies the service was spent?

:I agree with my hon. Friend that it is a matter which is worthy of serious consideration, but I cannot give him a definite answer now.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the period of notice given to members of the Forces prior to their demobilisation as to the date on which their group is to be demobilised.

:The programme for releases up to 21st October next has already been issued publicly. Further programmes will be announced as circumstances permit. Normally, it is hoped to give at least two months' notice of the approximate dates of release of any particular group.

:Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the great difficulties under which these people demobilised in groups find themselves, commercially and privately, when they do not got sufficient notice to make their arrangements?

I am conscious of that. I think the notice which has been given in recent days gives a good deal of satisfaction. As the House will observe, the notice given now is two months in advance of the release of any particular group.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many cases have occurred, to the knowledge of his Department, of senior officers anxious to retain their full rank and maintain their establishment, prejudicing the demobilisation rights of men under their command.

:All commanders in the Army have co-operated loyally in the operation of the release scheme, and to the best of my knowledge there has been no case of the kind suggested.

In the light of that answer, will my right hon. Friend give consideration to a letter which I have to-day forwarded to his Department signed by one Robert Wray who alleges that he has been subject to such treatment?

Yes, Sir. I will certainly give attention to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that persons are waiting outside Army release centres offering between £14 and £19 for the clothing package issued to released Army personnel; and if, in order to prevent this happening, he will provide more policing of the areas surrounding release centres and the railway stations affected, and see that men overseas are warned of this danger.

:The men are warned at the dispersal centres not to part with their clothing rashly. Military police are on duty at the centres but these trans- actions take place after the men have left when the clothes are their own property. I should be reluctant to surround release centres with military police.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that men overseas in particular are sufficiently aware of conditions in this country to be warned against disposing of their clothes to people in this country?

:All men overseas go through dispersal centres and they are warned seriously at those centres about this matter. I should say that, having seen these clothes at one of these centres, I should be very much surprised if there were many men concerned in this matter of disposing of their clothes.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman take notice of the particular instance I sent him?

asked the Secretary of State for War why a free issue of clothing is not made to officers whose terminal or notice leave commenced before 8th May, 1945; and how this date came to be fixed.

:In normal circumstances officers do not receive a free issue of civilian clothing as other ranks do. But it was decided, as a special case, to give non-Regular officers the same treatment in this respect as other ranks as part of the general release benefits which took effect from the date of the end of the war in Europe. I am, however, looking further into this matter.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman propose on reconsideration to take into account the considerable feeling among officers whose leave commenced before this date that they should receive a free issue of clothing?

I have not been very long in the War Office, and I have given all the attention I could to personal matters affecting the soldiers, but when my attention was drawn to this matter I made up my mind to have a fresh look at the whole thing.

:Is it not most unfair that officers who have been serving five years, during which time moths have perhaps ruined their clothes, should not have a free issue?

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities are provided for telegraphic communication between persons in this country and officers and men of the armies of occupation in Europe.

:The only facilities available to North West Europe are those which enable next-of-kin to send telegrams, by normal Army channels, about urgent private affairs. The question of the provision of a private telegraph service is under constant review but there is no possibility at the moment of providing anything quicker than the present air mail service. In the case of C.M.F. there are in addition three telegraphic services available through the G.P.O.

:Will my right hon. Friend consider both in Europe, and now that the war in the East has ended, that, if men are restless away from home and want to get back, he can do a great deal to restore their peace of mind and that of their relations if he gives them the very best possible telegraphic and postal service?

Yes, Sir, I will be pleased to give consideration to that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it will be possible for men of the Army of Occupation to have their families with them.

:I regret I can see no prospect at present of arranging for men of the Armies of Occupation to have their families with them. The accommodation and transportation requirements alone would present formidable difficulties.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many of these officers and men have now been separated from their families for four or five years, and that many of them are likely to remain in Germany for a number of years further? Will he bear in mind that it is a long-term policy which is desired?

I agree that this would be a very desirable thing in view of the facts which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has mentioned, but Field-Marshal Montgomery quite recently stated definitely that the conditions were such that he could not support the proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of members of the Services because of the recent cut in the amount of cigarettes; and if he will arrange for the usual supply to be made available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the shortage of cigarettes amongst the Army of Occupation in Germany and Austria; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

So far as I am aware there is no shortage of supplies of cigarettes for the normal free issue of 50 a week per man. It has been necessary, however, to reduce the quantities on sale in N.A.A.F.I. canteens abroad, because of production difficulties, the cessation of lend lease supplies, and the serious shortage of cigarettes for civilians in Great Britain. Cigarettes are now released for sale in canteens at the rate of 280 a man per month, as against 360 before 1st August. The troops were informed of the reason for the reduction and as far as I know, there have been no general complaints. It is hoped that the situation will be easier by the end of the year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the men in Germany and Austria have the same facilities for getting cigarettes as if they were stationed at home?

I should be surprised to know that they have not, but I shall have to look at the question before I can give a definite answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will institute home leave for members of the Forces who have served for a substantial period in the Far East.

Home leave for the Forces in the Far East has been in existence since December, 1944. The scheme provides for 28 days' leave in this country for some 1,500 men a month. Men are not sent home on leave during the final part of their tour abroad, in view of their approaching return on repatriation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that several camp examination officers in prisoner-of-war camps in Germany handed over their completed examination scripts to responsible liberating officers for transmission to the New Bodleian, Oxford, but their papers have not arrived; and whether the matter can be expedited.

:I am not aware that any of the examination papers completed by prisoners of war in Germany have failed to reach the proper quarter. If the hon. and gallant Member will let me know to what particular camp or camps he refers, I will have enquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for War, how many requisitioned houses the Army has relinquished in the boroughs of Brighton and Hove since VE-Day.

:Seventy-four houses and flats in the two boroughs have been relinquished by the Army since VE-Day. It will be appreciated that some of these properties may be retained by the Ministry of Health for housing purposes.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware what a small percentage that is of the number of houses that are empty and unused, but are still held by the War Office?

I naturally sympathise deeply with those people whose properties are held, and I will take all the steps I can to get them evacuated as soon as possible. We have, however, a considerable number of Dominion troops in this country who are here for purposes of demobilisation, and that has to be taken into consideration in some of these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men of the C.M.F. who have been sent to Greece are eligible for leave in the same way as other men in this force.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by many Service voters in Burma owing to the widespread failure to deliver ballot papers in time for the General Election; and whether he has any statement to make on this failure.

I have received no complaints from soldiers serving in Burma, nor is there any report of the special arrangements for the air transit out and home of the ballot papers having failed to work as arranged with Transport Command. It will be realised that the distances and difficult geographical conditions in the Far East, and also the fact that the troops in Burma were engaged in active operations, increased the risks of delay and failure more in S.E.A.C. than in any other theatre.

Could my right hon. Friend give me any idea what percentage of the Forces in Burma received a ballot paper?

I am sorry I cannot, but I think the House will appreciate that, in common with the rest of the House, I was a victim in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many units serving in Burma have not yet received application forms for houses; and whether he can make a statement on the subject.

These forms are not issued in bulk by the War Office. The Army Council Instruction on the subject, which contained a specimen form, made it clear that they should be typed or otherwise reproduced locally, for issue under unit arrangements. The method of obtaining the form was also published separately as "Notice Board Information." No difficulty should therefore arise.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many units in Burma have not got this form at all, and are naturally getting very anxious about it?

I have here the notice-board information, which seems to me to be well laid-out and very simple. It may be of interest to the hon. Member as well as to Members generally to see that one paragraph makes it quite clear that, if a soldier wishes to apply for housing accommodation which the council may be able to provide, he can obtain from his C.O. a housing application form and send it to the clerk of the council of the place where he lived on joining up, or if he has been offered employment elsewhere, of the place in which he will be working.

The idea is all right, but it does not work in practice.

If there is any particular case in which it does not work in practice, I will, if I am informed, take steps to deal with the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of boys have been seriously injured by explosives pilfered from the ammunition dumps at Ranmore Common, Dorking; and whether he will take steps for the early removal of these explosives or for a permanent guard to be placed over them.

I understand that one accident has occurred involving two boys who received burns through interfering with this particular ammunition. Vast stocks of ammunition are stored throughout the country and while every effort is being made to dispose of it as quickly as possible, facilities for disposal are limited. Similarly, for lack of man-power, permanent static guards could not be provided for all the stocks. Constant patrols are maintained, however, and ample distinctive warning notices have been erected. In addition to frequent broadcasts and Press articles, special warnings are given to boys of school age by teachers and the civil police.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the full facts concerning the arrest and treatment of Trooper F. Fulwood, 321211 C Squadron, 15/19th K.R. Hussars, B.L.A., and other men, including the date of arrest, the number of days spent awaiting trial, the number of days spent awaiting the result of the appeal and the result of the appeal; why the men were transferred to another unit, and whether they are to receive leave and some form of compensation for their treatment.

I have called for a report on this case. As soon as it is received and examined I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many miles the K.R.R.C. marched between Barnard Castle and Windermere and at what time did the men parade on the 20th July last; what were the men carrying and what was the weight; why was the exercise carried out at Windermere in view of the prevailing conditions and weather; who was responsible for proceeding with the exercise; and why no men were detailed to watch for any emergencies.

:This unit was carrying out a five-day self-reliance exercise. After conveyance by transport to Haltwhistle, the unit marched a total of 57 miles to Windermere, between 16th–20th July, including a night march of 25 miles folloed by a day's rest on 19th July. The men were wearing denims, steel helmets, belts, ammunition braces and pouches, and personal weapons, the total weight being 15–20 pounds. After a three-mile march during the early hours of 20th July, they arrived at Lake Windermere and proceeded to cross to Belle Isle at 3 a.m. Two boatloads crossed safely but on the third trip a sudden squall struck up and the boat became waterlogged and sank. I regret to say that one officer and five other ranks lost their lives and I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep sympathy with the relatives of these men. When the party began the crossing the conditions were entirely satisfactory. All the men taking part were fully trained and experienced. A further more detailed report is being prepared and I cannot, of course, give more particulars until these investigations are completed.

:May we have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that, in view of the happy change from war to peace, hazardous exercises -which bring in a contingency of serious accident or death shall, in future, have every possible precaution available for safety measures?

I will give that matter my consideration, now that the war is over. These men however have to submit to training, and training these days is severe. They have to be trained far occupation purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider taking immediate steps to alter the present policy of the Government whereby deductions are made from officers' pay based upon allowances made to them while prisoners of war in Japanese hands, particularly having regard to the fact that the balance of Japanese pay left over to them, after the deductions, had to be used to buy additional food in order to keep them alive.

The question raised by my hon. Friend is already under examination in the light of the information at present available and that which will be obtained from the prisoners now being released. It raises complicated issues owing to the diversity of practice in the various areas in which prisoners were held.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that the American Government have decided to disregard completely payments received by their men during the time they were in prison in Japanese hands?

As I told my hon. Friend, the question is under examination in the light of information at present available. We are also awaiting further information from the prisoners now being released.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the complaints of the unsatisfactory billets and offices occupied by soldiers of the First British Corps District, Postal Unit, B.L.A., on the outskirts of Munster, Germany, which comprise vermin-ridden grain silos, warehouses and huts; and why promises made to remove the staff to more satisfactory premises are, as yet, unfulfilled.

I have received no complaints but I am now making inquiries and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War what policy he intends to pursue regarding the training of soldiers for work in industry; and whether he is prepared to grant temporary releases in such cases.

Generally speaking this type of training is provided by the Ministry of Labour and National Service after release from the Forces. Temporary releases are not granted for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for the removal of barbed wire entanglements from coastal areas and disused military training areas inland.

In general, the military authorities are doing what they can to clear up defence works, and a good deal is being done. Special steps are being taken to effect essential clearances in coastal towns and areas, in conjunction with the local authorities. At places inland, preference is normally given to areas which require reinstatement to permit re-occupation by dispossessed inhabitants, or where the existence of wire or other obstructions is seriously interfering with food production or some other national interest.

Might not enemy prisoners of war be employed in this uncomfortable task?

I will give consideration to that matter.

Have all the beach mines been removed from the beaches of this country?

I cannot say, but living in an area where there have been a considerable number of beach mines, I have been astonished by the celerity with which the work was done at that place.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number or officers, non-commissioned officers and men in the Army stationed at present in this country; and the number in the A.T.S. and auxiliary services.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the reply to be given later by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in answer to a similar Question.

Would my right hon. Friend be prepared to issue weekly, or at some other interval, figures giving the numbers asked for in the Question so that the House could have some information on the position?

:I should be obliged if the hon. Gentleman would put that question to my right hon. Friend when he makes his statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to provide the villagers of Dungeness with main water to replace their wells destroyed through the seepage of Army petrol.

The petrol installation at Dungeness has now been closed down and the pipes and tank age have been drained. The pollution of the wells has therefore ceased. Immediate steps are being taken to ascertain the extent of damage to the wells, with a view to their early reinstatement or to taking such other action as may be called for in consultation with the other authorities concerned. A fresh water supply to the bungalows is being maintained by the War Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some months ago his Department laid on one main water tap for the whole village and can he say whether, since then, the number has been increased?

No, Sir; I am sorry, I cannot.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make arrangements for an all-party delegation of Members of Parliament to visit the troops now serving in the Far East in S.E.A.C.

:I have been asked to reply. In view of the recent complete change in the situation in this theatre due to the sudden end of the war with Japan involving large-scale reorganisation and movement, I should be grateful if this request could be deferred for the time being.

asked the Secretary of State for War what plans have been made for the organisation of the regional economic life of South-Eastern Asia immediately after the surrender of the Japanese; and what measures are now being planned to assess and meet the needs of the population.

The military responsibility for the restoration of economic life is broadly restricted to the action necessary to prevent disease and unrest during the initial period of military administration. Arrangements have been made to meet the immediate requirements on that basis. It is intended, however, that the Civil Governments shall assume responsibility for economic restoration as soon as practicable, and close co-operation is being maintained between the military and civil authorities with that end in view.

In view of the magnitude and scope of the work of rehabilitation, will the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing a White Paper on the subject?

I will look into the suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now give an assurance that there will be a speed-up of release from the Forces, and that concessions in the case of applications for compassionate release on the grounds of genuine hardship will be made.

I have already given an assurance that personnel will be released as rapidly as military commitments permit. The number of applications for compassionate releases is very large and is increasing. It would not be possible to approve all applications without seriously prejudicing normal releases, but cases of genuine hardship are treated with all possible sympathy.

Does the Prime Minister realise that, in connection with compassionate release, the system is rather long and very often the object of release is past, and cannot he do something to speed this up for us?

I do not think so, in my experience, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in which he thinks there has been undue delay, I will gladly look into it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that certain sections of the War Office are hopelessly dilatory and need further assistance?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Department which deals with compassionate release is hopelessly understaffed and consequently very behind in work?

I will ask my right hon. Friend the new Secretary of State for War to see if he can improve that.

rose——

If we have a lot of supplementary questions we can only get through a very few Questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that a large number of persons, at present in the Armed Forces, who owe their livelihood to small businesses cannot, under existing regulations, be released permanently when adequate proof is given that, due to their absence, their businesses are being forced to close down, he is prepared to consider remedial legislation to protect the just interests of such individuals.

I do not know what remedial measures the hon. and gallant Member has in mind; but if he will bring any specific cases of hardship to the notice of the responsible Minister, they will be examined sympathetically.

asked the Prime Minister the present strength, at home and abroad, respectively, of each of the Services.

No, Sir, not at present. The extent to which statistics regarding the Forces can be released is now under consideration and an announcement will be made in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that all discussions about demobilisation depend on the starting-point of the strength of the Forces in the different theatres at the present time; and would he endeavour to give us that information at the earliest possible moment, having regard to the fact that the war has come to an end in all parts of the world, except for sporadic fighting?

Yes, Sir, I entirely agree and I will endeavour to get the figures published as soon as possible. The matter is now being considered by the authorities.

Surely, there is great need for more widespread knowledge on this matter.