asked the Minister of Labour whether he will amend the regulation whereby a building contractor or his son or brother when released under Class B may be directed by the employment exchange to a firm other than his own.

:I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Isle of Wight (Sir P. Macdonald) on 11th October, a copy of which I am sending to him.

In view of the fact that it is the usual practice not to send these men away from their home towns, does the Minister think that it is justifiable that these men released under Class B should be directed to work for a rival firm?

:I would prefer not to add to the answer which I have given. If the hon. Member will look at that, and let me have any further information, I will be glad to have it.

asked the Minister of Labour approximately how many men would be eligible for immediate release under Class B in the categories of building and civil engineering and industries ancillary thereto, if Class B releases were not restricted to 10 per cent. of Class A releases; and if he will consider removing or modifying such restriction in respect of such category.

:The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part, the answer is in the negative. The Government has repeatedly stated its intention to maintain the principle of release by age and length of service, subject to the provision for limited release in Class B, which has been accepted by men and women in the Services as fair and reasonable.

Is the Minister aware that according to a careful calculation made by the present Minister of Works, and explained to this House on 7th December last, only one in ten ex-Service families will be found housing accommodation within two years after the-end of the war? In view of that does he not consider that the majority of men in the Forces would welcome the early release of everyone who could help in building houses, even if it meant prolonging the service of others?

No, Sir, that is not the impression we are getting from the communications we are receiving. On the other hand, there is every reason to believe that with the demobilisation of 1,500,000 men by the end of this year there will be considerable labour augmentation generally in industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether building operatives in the Middle and Far East are considered for Class B releases equally with those stationed nearer home.

Yes, Sir.

Could my right hon. Friend publish comparative figures to illustrate his reply, as the men in the Far East are a little sceptical about it?

I hesitate to make any more promises, but I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now give reconsideration to the position of men who, after four years' service or more in the N.F.S., have been called up for service in the Army, placed in high demobilisation groups and not permitted to count any of their N.F.S. service so far as Army pay rates are concerned.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him to a similar Question on 9th October.

Does not the Minister think that these men, in view of their long service, are being rather unfairly treated?

That is a matter of opinion.

Is it not a fact that these men when they were in the N.F.S. were paid on a Service rather than on an industrial basis, and, therefore, surely it is only right that their service in the N.F.S. should be taken into consideration for the purpose of long service pay?

I think that point is dealt with in the answer which I gave previously, to which I have referred.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds owners of one-man businesses, who are now serving in the Forces, can obtain release; and whether such release is temporary or final.

:There is no provision for the early release of owners of one-man businesses as such. These cases are usually based on considerations of a personal nature and are, therefore, dealt with by the Service Departments under the arrangements for compassionate release. Release on compassionate grounds may be for a definite or an indefinite period, according to circumstances.

Is the Minister aware that there is a general impression that owners of one-man businesses who have served three years in the Forces and who have compassionate grounds now get released; and has there in fact been any alteration at all in the treatment of these cases?

So far as the treatment of compassionate cases is concerned, that is a matter for the respective Services and not the Ministry of Labour.

Would the Minister consider the advisability of putting this matter on a specific, clear basis which everybody can understand, laying down the definite conditions on which owners of one-man businesses may be released?

Quite definitely we will do that.

Is the Minister aware that his statement this afternoon appears to conflict with the official statement issued by his Ministry a few weeks-ago on which, I suppose, we must all of us have had innumerable inquiries? Will he, at an early date, make a clear statement on this matter?

I cannot recall the statement to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I think there is a clear case made out for what the hon. Gentleman has said, and I will immediately see about getting out a statement on the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a wider interpretation, if possible, to the term "compassionate leave?" It has been very narrowly interpreted by the Services, and I think we might have a wider interpretation with regard to men in this class.

This is not a matter for the Ministry of Labour, but I will make contact with the Service Ministers on the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is pre- pared to consider placing former agricultural workers now in the Forces in Class B for release.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hallam (Mr. Jennings) on 9th October, a copy of which I am sending him.

Will the Minister give the House some assurance that the employment of prisoner-of-war labour for agriculture will be considered before such time as these prisoners of war finally disappear? Is he aware that the present situation is extremely unsatisfactory for the man who wants to come back to agriculture, and who does not know how soon his labour is going to be really useful in view of the prisoner-of-war situation?

That is rather wide of the original Question, but we are in almost daily contact with the Minister of Agriculture on this question of labour supply.

Is the Minister aware that agricultural executive committees inform farmers now that they may apply, and send them special forms to apply, for the release of agricultural workers, which appears to conflict with the statement which the right hon. Gentleman has made?

Conflict with this statement or the other one?

With both, if you like.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been released from the Forces under Class C since 1st September, 1945; and will he give the figures of the three Services.

The number of men released in Class C between 1st September and 30th September is as follows:—

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain, having regard to the numerical strength of the three Services, why they should apparently be following entirely different practices in that matter?

I am afraid I cannot answer for practices in the Services.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will agree that in future the group number of men in the Services who have been granted temporary release will not be affected by such release.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) in answer to a similar question on 9th October, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour why, in his new demobilisation proposals, in view of the retention of the principle of age and service, R.A.F. releases are three groups behind the Army and 17 groups behind the Navy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the men to be released from each of the three Services will be the same percentage of the total strength of those in the Navy, Army and Air Force, or on what basis the allocations were made; and will he make it clear to R.A.F. personnel why the group releases of the Navy and Army are higher in group numbers than that of the R.A.F.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement made on this subject by the Under-Secretary of State for Air in the Debate on the Adjournment on Friday, 12th October.

Is the Minister aware that there is widely spread dissatisfaction with regard to the dates of demobilisation; and will he see that the fullest possible information is given to these men, in order that not only they but their relatives may understand the reason for this delay in demobilisation?

I did not hear the Debate, but I was under the impression that that information was given by the Under-Secretary of State for Air on Friday last.

Will my right hon. Friend see that that informative speech of the Under-Secretary of State for Air is made known to the R.A.F. personnel concerned?

Is the Minister aware that anyone reading that speech, especially men in the R.A.F., will remain thoroughly dissatisfied?

Could the Minister have copies of that statement printed, and make those copies available for Members for use in their correspondence?

I seem to be full of promises this afternoon, but I promise to look into that. I am aware, as a Member of Parliament as distinct from a Minister, of the communications we are getting. I will confer with the Departments concerned to see if we cannot get some informative statement published in Hansard or circulated in some other way.

In view of the large increase in our correspondence from these disillusioned men in the R.A.F. and their wives, will the Minister approach the Chancellor with a view to giving us a subsidy to deal with this correspondence?

Will my right hon. Friend answer the first part of my Question?

I referred my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Air.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will mitigate the disparity in the rate of release as between the three Services by increasing the proportion of recruits allocated to the R.A.F. and by remustering into the R.A.F. a proportion of Army and Navy personnel in late release groups.

In the allocation of manpower to meet the requirements of the three Services, such considerations as those mentioned by the hon. Member have been taken into account. There is, however, a limit to the extent to which releases can be accelerated by the call up or transfer of inexperienced men.

Does that answer mean that men from the other Services are being remustered in the R.A.F.?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

Is there a larger proportion in the intake into the R.A.F. than to the other Services?

I am afraid I cannot answer that. If my hon. Friend will put that question down I will get the information.

Shall I put down the same question?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the difficulties at present, which prevent the personnel of the R.A.F. from getting their releases according to their groups at the same time or speed as the other Services; and if he will at once consult with his colleagues in order to give to all men in the Forces who are being prevented from release at the time that age and service applies in general, some recompense financially or otherwise, because of the hardship they are suffering.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 9th October to the hon. Member for Southall (Mr. Ayles), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of architects and assistants required for the housing shortage, he will consider releasing architectural students on the same terms as those released for the arts and theology.

Students holding scholarships for the purpose of taking an architectural course at a university may start such courses this year on the same conditions as students holding Arts scholarships.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will arrange for South American volunteers with dual nationality, serving in the British Forces, to be classified as Class B for release if either our ambassador or the ambassador of a South American country in Great Britain certify that they are required for work essential either to the South American country or to British trade with that country.

No, Sir. If in any particular case the services of a South American volunteer serving in His Majesty's Forces are regarded as essential for urgent work of reconstruction, it is open to his employer or, if he has been in business on his own account, to the man himself, to apply through the appropriate Government Department in this country for his release as an individual specialist in Class B.

In view of the fact that there are some 1,366 men and about 211 women who could be valuable ambassadors for us abroad, could the right hon. Gentleman indicate in more detail how these people can get out to take up foreign businesses abroad?

I will look into the point which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has raised. I am not sure that it is covered by the Question, but I will examine it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great delay which is caused, for instance, by having to send telegrams?

I do not think any difficulty is put in the way by the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the position in regard to demobilisation of men indefinitely released from the Forces for transfer to industry; and whether it is still necessary to require them to remain in their present employment.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Balham and Tooting (Captain R. Adams) on 11th October, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that sufficient numbers of men and women are being released from the services for employment in the trades and industries vital to our export markets.

I would refer the hon. Member to my comprehensive statement of 2nd October, a copy of which I am sending him, in which I explained that the numbers of men and women being released from the Forces are the maximum possible in the present circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that if these releases are not accelerated we shall be gravely behind with our exports and we shall miss the boat?

We hope to be able to maintain the acceleration which has been promised up to the end of the year, and, while we cannot have all that we require, we think there will be a general easement of the position.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that young men called up out of industry are being replaced by the release of men from the services.

The calling up of men from industry cannot, of course, be dependent upon individual replacement by men released from the Forces; but the number of young men being called up is very much smaller than the number of men being released.

Is the Minister not aware of the great dislocation caused particularly in a place like Sheffield, where there are many complaints that the calling up of young men is hindering production?

The process must continue to some extent because the young men must go into the Forces to take the places of the older men who are being released.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will permit Merchant Navy Service rendered prior to Army Service to count in defining a man's age and Service group number.

Service in the Merchant Navy since 3rd September, 1939, is taken into account in determining the release group numbers of members of the Armed Forces.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, which, of course, does no more than bare justice to the Merchant Navy, may I ask whether he can give me an assurance that there are no classes left out of this group?

I cannot understand what the hon. Gentleman means. If he will let me know about it I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consult with the Service Ministers with a view to ensuring that men newly called up into the Forces are directed, so far as possible, into those trades in which men due for release are being held back.

This is a Service matter, but I understand that the procedure suggested by my hon. Friend is already in operation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women by age groups, who were previously employed in industry, have been conscripted to each of the three Services, respectively, apart from the normal call-up of youths of 18 years, during each month of 1945 up to September; and how many, by age groups, it is intended to call up in the last three months of this year.

The detailed information desired by the hon. Member is not available. It is, however, estimated that, apart from youths of 18, and students, there were called up from industry under the National Service Acts during the first nine months of 1945 about 42,000 men. For the last three months of the year it is estimated that the corresponding figure will be about 32,000. No women have been called up under the National Service Acts during 1945.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether due distinction is being made between skilled and unskilled men and women, and will he assure the House that the minimum number of skilled people are being called up from industry so far as possible, while the maximum number of unskilled people are being called up, with a view to speeding up demobilisation as fast as possible?

All relevant circumstances are taken into consideration, but as one of the so-called unskilled workers I do not think that all the burden of the country should be borne by the so-called unskilled labourer.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the importance of engineering toolmaking to all industries in the nation, he will consider deferring, for two years, the call-up of young toolmakers and skilled technicians engaged in this section of industry.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the difficulties which are being caused in the engineering industry by the call-up for the Forces of skilled toolmakers; and whether, in view of the importance of retooling for peace production and the export trade, he will reconsider the present policy.

The call-up of men from the engineering industry must proceed if the programmes of release from and intake to the Forces are to be maintained. In view of the present labour shortage the call-up may cause some difficulty to employers both in the engineering: industry and elsewhere, but every effort will be made to reduce these to the minimum particularly as regards highly skilled men who are needed for the re-establishment of our vital civilian industries.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the engineering toolmaking industry must not be confused with the engineering industry in general, and that it is the basic foundation of the whole of our industries? Is he also aware that numerous industries in the country to-day are depending on that section to supply them with the necessary tools to make machinery?

Yes, Sir. I can inform my hon. Friend that toolmakers who were born before 1923 and who are engaged upon important work are not being called up.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the policy of the Government is to widen existing bottlenecks, and not create fresh ones?

That is the policy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these toolmakers cannot be replaced by men returning from the Forces, and that if he takes these men away he will cause a great deal of engineering unemployment?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the terms of the letters circulated in September by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland on the subject of continued Service by members of the W.L.A.; and whether the further statement regarding release, mentioned therein, has yet been issued.

The letter referred to in the first part of the Question contained an appeal by my right hon. Friend to members of the Women's Land Army in Scotland to remain at work and help to secure this year's vital harvest. I am glad to say that the response to the appeal has been most gratifying. Regarding the second part, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries informed the House yesterday, a statement is to be made in the very near future on the matter of release, and it will apply to members of the Women's Land Army in Scotland as in England and Wales.

Is the Minister aware that unless girls are attracted to make up for the loss and disappointment in not getting a gratuity, he will not get the services of these excellent women?

I think we are very well aware of the circumstances.

In view of the scurvy treatment that these fine young women have hitherto received during their service, how can the Government expect them to continue under such conditions without making their service and their demobilisation conditions attractive?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Ministries, in addition to the Scottish Office, are participating in the building of houses in Scotland; what function each Ministry performs; and what over-all responsibility he exercises.

The Secretary of State's over-all responsibility for housing in Scotland covers housing policy generally, including questions of design and the formulation of the programme for the building of houses whether permanent or temporary. The Ministry of Works are responsible for the building of temporary houses. Apart from this no other Departments are participating in the building of houses, but the Ministries of Works, Supply and Labour have responsibilities on housing, as on other services, for the Supply matters which come within their respective provinces. May I add that Questions concerning labour are appropriate to the Minister of Labour?

In congratulating the hon. Gentleman on his new office may I ask whether it is not a fact that at least six different Ministries are, at present, giving instructions to contractors in Scotland in order to make houses or parts of houses? Is not that faulty instructional system hindering the production of houses?

If the happy relationship between the hon. Member and myself is to continue as in the past, he must be more accurate in his statements. It is not correct to say what he said on the subject of permanent housing, which is the sole responsibility of the Secretary of State. Temporary housing is the responsibility of the Minister of Works. On the question of design, all is held within the Department of the Secretary of State. There are not six Ministries entering into housing in Scotland at all. The only entrance by any Department is by the Ministry of Works, and that is entirely limited to the programme of temporary houses.

After that extraordinary reply I will endeavour to raise the matter in to-morrow's Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint a Commission to inquire into land ownership in Scotland and, where there is no clear title, to make recommendations on the use to which such land should be put.

I have made full inquiries and am advised that the number of cases in which there might be doubt as to the legal ownership of land and other heritable properties in Scotland is infinitesimal, and I do not think that in the circumstances the appointment of a commission is necessary.

Is the Minister not aware that the predecessor of the present Secretary of State wrote a book in which he proved beyond question that the Tory aristocrats of Scotland got their land from hundreds of people? Has the Minister read those allegations and, having been returned in a Government which represents the people, will he not be prepared to do something in that connection?

In the first place I have enough to do with regard to my own past without taking on the past of anybody else. I want to say in fairness that I examined this question with a good deal of sympathy, but that the Keeper of the Register in Edinburgh, and everybody that I have consulted, say that the numbers who could not prove a legal title to own the land in question are now so small that to set up a Commission with all the expense and the work attached to it, would be quite unjustified.

May I hope that my hon. Friend, now that he is in a position of authority, will fulfil some of his past by quickly introducing a Bill on rating of site values, so as to recover the land for the people?

I have enough responsibility in Scotland regarding housing, without taking on a responsibility which is not mine. If I emerge from my own, I will do quite well.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation at an early date providing for statutory monthly meetings of Scottish Members in Edinburgh to discuss with representatives of the Convention of Royal Burghs and the Association of County Councils urgent matters affecting the welfare of Scotland.

My right hon. Friend is in frequent consultation with the local authority associations in Scotland with whom he has no doubt Scottish Members are also in the closest touch. He is, of course, also very willing to meet Scottish Members either in company with local authority representatives or otherwise whenever this can be suitably arranged. He is not, however, aware of any general desire that these consultations should be put on any other than the present basis of co-operation.

Is the Minister aware that most of the Scottish Labour Members of Parliament have at one time or another given support to the idea of a Scottish Parliament, and that this proposal is only a step in that direction? In view of the difficulty of getting Scottish business discussed in this House, is it not desirable that we should set up a body in Edinburgh to discuss it?

This raises many issues with which it is difficult to deal at Question Time. Whatever may be said about the necessity, I am doubtful if this is the best method. I do not want anything to become a substitute for the House of Commons. I would be willing, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to look at any kind of new machinery suggested, but we need to examine it so that it does not become a substitute for the House of Commons.

The hon. Gentleman said the Secretary of State would be available to Members in Edinburgh; would it be possible sometimes for the Secretary of State to be available in Glasgow?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am the only member of the Government who lives in Glasgow, and I will continue to live there. Since I have been in office, I have made a practice of meeting deputations from various bodies in that great city. I hope to continue to do that, and if at any time the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues wish to see me in the city, nobody will be more pleased than I.

Will the hon. Gentleman realise that I am not asking him to continue the domestic hospitality which is always open to me? I am asking him to make arrangements for some meetings of Scottish Members to take place in Glasgow.

I recognise that sometimes meetings are better held in Glasgow. All I am anxious about is to make a convenient place and time to suit all the Scottish Members, and if there is a feeling that occasionally a meeting should be held in Glasgow as against Edinburgh, nobody will be better pleased than I.

In view of the unsatisfactory answer, I will raise this question at an early opportunity on the Adjournment.