asked the Minister of Defence, what restrictions of colour, race or religion prevent British subjects from voluntary enlistment in any one of His Majesty's forces.

The present position is that Regular engagements in the Army are confined, as they were before the war, to British subjects of pure European descent. There are no restrictions on religious grounds. The position is substantially the same in the Royal Navy except that non-Europeans are accepted for local service on non-continuous engagements. The R.A.F., however, is now open to all British subjects without discrimination of race, religion or colour. As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War has indicated, future policy in this matter is under consideration.

In view of the fact that there was no restriction of colour on British subjects coming to the help of this country during the war, is it not entirely repugnant that there should be any distinction whatsoever?

I have said that the whole matter is under consideration, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait until that consideration has been completed.

Are these considerations likely to come to fruition, and can the right hon. Gentleman say when?

I cannot give any fixed date.

Can my right hon. Friend say why it has taken over a year for the other two Services to follow the good example of the Royal Air Force?

There are different circumstances in some parts of the Services. I must repeat that the whole matter is under consideration between the three Services, and I will make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Defence how the proportion of desertions during the recent war compares with that in the previous war.

I regret that this information is not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to obtain the information?

I think it would involve far too much labour at the present time.

asked the Minister of Defence when, in view of the rise in the cost of living, he intends to restore to all ex-officers whose retired pay was stabilised in 1935 at a level below that of the 1919 basic rates, the small difference between the present rates and the 1919 basic rates.

It is not possible to grant further increases in consolidated rates of retired pay beyond those obtained by applying the terms of the Pensions Increase Act, 1947.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the refusal to make good this remaining small reduction is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction, and that it is looked upon as a breach of a pledge of honour? Further, will he reconsider it in view of the rise in the cost of living?

I do not think I can add any more to what has already been given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I think that any further questions on the principle of pensions increases should be addressed to him.

The right hon. Gentleman used the expression "it is not possible." Does he mean that there is some statutory impediment in the way, or that the Government are not willing to consider it?

I suppose that, in this matter, I follow the line of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Defence what are the food rations per head supplied weekly to the wives and children of British Services personnel at present resident in Germany; whether these rations comprise the only source of food available to the recipients; or by what other means the rations can be augmented.

The wives of Service personnel in B.A.O.R. and their children over the age of 12 receive the same food ration as A.T.S. personnel serving in this theatre. I am sending the details to my hon. Friend. Children aged 5–12 receive five-sevenths of that ration and children up to 5 receive special rations, including an appropriate amount of tinned milk, on a scale slightly more than 2,000 calories a day. Additional tinned milk may also be purchased from N.A.A.F.I. for expectant and nursing mothers and for children aged 5–12. Children attending school receive the equivalent of one-third pint of milk daily free of charge. The provision of mid-day meals for school children is now beginning. No purchases of food from German sources are allowed, but a few items such as sauces, condiments and special baby and health foods are available for purchase in N.A.A.F.I. shops.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Services and civilian personnel are sending food parcels to this country, to the extent, in some cases, of 2 lb. of butter in one parcel? In view of the food situation existing in Germany, does he not think that this practice is deplorable, and will he take steps to see that the sending of food parcels to this country from Germany is prohibited?

I should have thought that it would not have been possible, at any rate, for the kind of quantity mentioned by my hon. Friend, to be sent out of savings in the rations.

Black market.

I have no direct evidence of a black market. I know that there are some arrangements for troops in Germany to send gift parcels from Denmark, but I will look into the matter especially to see what steps can be taken to curb it. It is already a direct offence for anyone contracted with British troops to engage in the black market, and, in cases of exposure, they would be dealt with.

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that these people should be practising self-denial in view of the extremely serious circumstances by which they are surrounded?

indicated assent.