asked the Minister of National Insurance why the concessions of allowances for the removal expenses, cost of travel and lodging, have been withdrawn from temporary civil servants who have, at his request, agreed to be transferred away from their homes in Blackpool to fund offices in other parts of the country.

Members of the temporary staff were invited to volunteer for transfer to fund offices on the footing that they would receive temporary transfer allowances for the first three months, and that they would then be given the option of remaining at a fund office without further payment of allowances or of returning to Blackpool. Where, however, a married officer or an officer with equivalent responsibilities has elected to remain at a fund office, I have decided to offer him the alternative of permanent transfer terms.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make quite certain that none of the staff covered by this Question have been deprived of their travelling allowances once they have become permanently attached to fund offices?

Yes. These permanent transfer terms will, I think, meet the desires of members of the staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the number of ex-Service men and women employed in a temporary capacity in the Civil Service; and what prospects they have of establishment.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available centrally. As the reply to the second part of the Question is somewhat long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not true that there may be 20,000 or 30,000 men who are employed temporarily, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman hold out some hope that they will receive permanent employment at some time?

As the hon. Gentleman will see when he gets HANSARD tomorrow morning, quite a large number of these vacancies are reserved for ex-Service men and women.

asked the Minister of Labour how many postmen in Aberdeen have been discharged as redundant since 31st May; how many have been found jobs in industry; and how many of the remainder are unsuitable for industry by reason of age and or disability.

Two temporary postmen have been discharged as redundant in Aberdeen since 31st May. One is being considered for a suitable industrial job for which he was submitted by the exchange. Information is not available about the other who did not seek the assistance of the exchange in obtaining employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that some football pool promoters are employing full-time canvassers and opening shops for the distribution of their sheets; and if he will take powers to prevent this and all other uneconomic uses of manpower.

I am informed that full-time canvassers are employed by some football pool promoters, but I have no information as to the numbers involved or as to the extent to which shops are used. The Government strongly deprecate the use of manpower on all forms of uneconomic employment. This question raises wide issues which are at present being examined in consultation with the National Joint Advisory Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear to the country that in this present state of emergency we cannot have both football pools and clothes, and will he make sure that labour goes into the textile industry, where it is so urgently needed?

That question calls for rather a long answer which would not be appropriate at the moment; but, to summarise it, we are anxious to have the cooperation of the pool promoters in getting some of these women into the textile industry. However, the bulk of the women are employed in areas which are a long way from the textile areas, and it is difficult to move them because of the accommodation problem.

While the examination to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred is taking place, will he consider reverting to what happened before, when all the pools were merged into one unit, thus saving a lot of labour and materials?

I cannot give a pledge about it, but I would draw attention to the last sentence in my main answer:

"This question raises wide issues which are at present being examined in consultation with the National Joint Advisory Council."

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement on this matter before the House adjourns?

I am not quite sure, but if there is a possibility of making a statement on the matter I will certainly do so before the House adjourns.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Would it be possible to disconnect the electrical amplifier apparatus which has been erected along the rearmost benches? It makes the answers of Ministers almost inaudible by emitting a continual booming?

I am very sorry about that. It is an experiment, and we ought not to be afraid to try experiments. Yesterday I noticed it booming. I think that the experience so far proves it not to have been a success. I expect improvements will be made, so that, I hope, it will not boom. It is necessary that all of us should speak clearly. I try to speak clearly.

Further to that point of Order. The hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) broke the apparatus yesterday.

When the hon. Member for Oxford broke it yesterday, we could hear nothing at all.

The apparatus on this side is quite satisfactory.

I have no doubt that the engineers of the Ministry of Works, who put in this apparatus, will take note of what has been said.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the apprehension existent in the newspaper in dustry that the cut in newsprint may cause unemployment; and whether he is making any provision for alternative employment.

In view of the current general shortage of manpower in the printing industry, I do not anticipate any special difficulty in finding alternative employment for workers released from the newspapers.

Can the Minister give any information about the possible variation in unemployment in the different sections of the printing trade?

It is customary in this industry for the workers to be given two weeks' notice of termination of employment. Until this notice has been given and has become effective, we shall not be able to give any definite answers on the position.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to augment our manpower, he will circularise all aliens who have come in on compassionate grounds calling on them to enter the essential undermanned industries.

In general, aliens admitted to this country are subject to the condition that they may only take employment which is approved by me. I am thus in a position to satisfy myself that the work which they wish to undertake is work of a useful nature. There is nothing to prevent aliens admitted on compassionate grounds from applying for employment.

Would the Minister say whether all aliens who were brought into this country on compassionate grounds are aware that they may apply for employment and be allocated to it according to need?

It would be difficult for me to say they are all aware of it, but I hope the publicity given to this statement today will bring it to the notice of them all.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the trade unions are now opposing the employment of aliens—for example, of Poles?

That is another question, and has nothing to do with this one.

Are aliens who are admitted on compassionate grounds and directed to serve in an industry allowed to leave it without the right hon. Gentleman's permission?

If we find it advisable to direct an alien to an industry that is undermanned, we expect him to remain in that industry, although not in that particular employment; otherwise we should have people floating into and manning non-essential industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, during the present acute need for trained teachers, he will suspend the rule whereby retired teachers returning to duty must lose their pensions.

The principle generally applicable to public servants who return to public employment after retirement is that the sum they draw from public funds as salary and pension should not exceed the amount of salary at the time of retirement. This usually involves suspension or reduction of the pension for the time being. I regret that I cannot make an exception in favour of teachers.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with his colleagues with a view to changing this rule, which was laid down at' a time when there was no acute shortage of teachers? Will he impress upon his colleagues the stupidity of preventing retired people who are still fit from serving in the schools by penalising them if they do so?

I do not think there is need for the consultation that is suggested, because the suggestion is based upon a misapprehension. I did point out in the. Debate on Scottish education that, through the emergency training scheme and normal channels of recruiting, a sufficient number of teachers to meet the full need of the schools is expected.

For what size of classes?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Government Purchasing Mission to the U.S.A. in March this year purchased 240 rock drifter drills for use in the Scottish hydro-electric schemes, when a substantial number of these machines could have been made in England.

The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, in pursuance of the Government decision that every effort must be made to increase the electricity generating capacity of the country, requested the Mission to acquire certain equipment, including the rock drifter drills which were urgently required during 1947. On the information then available the Board considered this the only prudent course to take in order to ensure timeous delivery. After discussion with the Advisory Committee on Contractors' Plant, it has been arranged that no further purchases for the hydro-electric schemes will be made outside the United Kingdom until the Committee has considered whether the plant can be provided in this country by the date required.

As I understand that the Secretary of State for Scotland has taken the responsibility for this Question, although the Question was originally addressed by me to the Minister of Supply, may I ask him why it was that he, as planner of this enterprise, failed to co ordinate the activities of his Department with those of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Supply, so that the two firms in Cornwall that have made this sort of implement for many years were not even consulted as to their ability to deliver this order before the order was placed, with the result that a totally unnecessary expenditure of 170,000 dollars was incurred?

That is a very long supplementary question.

I am credited with many things so far as Scotland is concerned, but this is the first time I have been credited with being the planner of the hydro-electric scheme. I certainly do not accept that, but I accept responsibility for doing what was best in the circumstances, and I have now assured the House, on the facts at my disposal, that there will be no orders abroad until we have discovered whether we can obtain supplies from our own resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the housing achievements of Perth compared with the housing achievements of other large Scots cities since the end of the war; if he is aware that the Perth first target figures are expected to be reached during this year; and if he will do anything to organise similar achievements in other cities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the appendix to the Housing Return published each month, which gives details of the progress made by individual housing authorities. I am sure that local authorities generally are anxious to expedite the completion of houses, and it is the aim of the 1947 programme formulated by the Government to assist them to complete the largest possible number this year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving an answer to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) about the excellent work that is being done in housing in Perth, that great Tory strong hold in Scotland?

My difficulty, as one responsible for the working of all the local authorities in Scotland, is to see that I do not give too much praise to one for fear that I fall out with some of the others.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether local authorities whose housing progress includes houses at first-floor level are prohibited from finishing these this winter; whether compensation will be paid for deterioration; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer to the answers given to similar questions by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir B. Neven-Spence) on 8th July, and the hon. Members for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood) and Montrose Burghs (Mr. Maclay) on 15th July. Local authorities are not prohibited from finishing any houses, at whatever stage of construction, if labour and materials are available. It is the aim of the 1947 housing programme to complete the largest possible number of houses this year.

Does my right hon. Friend give preference to cities like Perth as against burghs like Coatbridge, where housing conditions are very much more appalling?

No. I can assure my hon. Friend that I have no "step-children." I do my best to see that fairness is done by all the local authorities in Scotland.

Is not the Minister aware that these local authorities were encouraged to go ahead with big housing programmes, and that those housing programmes were cut; will he not reconsider the question of meeting the financial losses which these local authorities have incurred as a consequence of having to maintain these expenses; and does he not know of resolutions which have been passed by many local authorities in regard to this matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the materials in short supply are issued in accordance with a priority which agrees with the date on which the original building licence was granted?

That is the general principle on which we work.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there are a number of buildings which have been built right up to the eaves by the Glasgow Corporation, but which have been stopped for lack of materials and are, therefore, bound to deteriorate; and are they to get no compensation for that deterioration?

That does not arise out of the Question which I have answered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of houses completed in Scotland by local authorities in the inter-war years, and the number completed by private enterprise for sale and to let.

The number of houses completed in the inter-war years by local authorities was 227,295. The number completed by private enterprise was 109,878, of which 8,207 were built for letting with assistance under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924. No precise information is available, but it is thought that the majority of the balance of private enterprise houses were built for sale.

In view of those figures and the constant reiteration by certain people that we should engage private enterprise again, will my right hon. Friend see that each Member of the Opposition has two copies of that reply?

I have always believed that if private enterprise had made a success of dealing with Scotland's housing problem, the Secretary of State for Scotland would not have half as many troubles as he has at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look again into the rating problem in Scotland in order that private enterprise may have a fair deal?

Again, that does not arise out of the Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the assurance that, in delimiting the areas assigned to the regional hospital boards, care will be taken to ensure that each shall include a population proportional to the needs of the particular medical school as regards clinical material, and as regards hospital accommodation necessary to provide an adequate number of the resident appointments demanded by the new Health Service arrangements before registration as qualified independent practitioners.

The National Health Service (Scotland) (Determination of Areas of Regional Hospital Boards) Order 1947, fixing these areas was made on 25th June and laid before Parliament on 27th June. In settling the terms of that Order I had fully in mind the needs of clinical teaching, as represented to me by the universities. As I explained in a letter I wrote to the Acting Principal of Edinburgh University on 23rd July, of which the hon. Member has a copy, clinical teaching is not, in my opinion, prejudiced by the provisions of the Order.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that there is no truth in a statement which I have seen that, of the two chief Scottish medical schools, with approximately equal numbers of students, one has been allocated a population of approximately three million and the other a population of approximately one million?

I can only give the assurance that, in looking into the whole problem associated with the new organisation necessary, I have at least given the fullest consideration to all the representations made to me. I have made my decisions having regard to what I think is in the best interests of Scotland, and without any prejudice to the clinical teaching of the respective universities.

Is the Minister aware that the success of any pubic health service, however carefully it may be planned, is, in the end, dependent entirely upon the training given in the medical schools?

Yes, Sir. I am in entire agreement with the point just made by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a reduction has been effected in the amount of paper made available for the publication "Soldier," issued by his Department, proportionate to the reduction imposed by His Majesty's Government on daily newspapers.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that this publication is now an affair of 48 pages; and is it not a little unfair that it should be permitted to use paper on this scale when the popular Press is reduced to four pages?

I do not think so. It serves a very useful purpose. At any rate, there is no discrimination between this publication and other publications of a similar nature run by private enterprise.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is no one class of newspaper which is more appreciated by men in the Forces than their local newspaper; and would he not consider using some of the paper allocated to this publication to bring the local newspapers back to something more nearly approximating to their normal size?

No, I do not think I could do that, because the allocation of this paper comes from the Control Commission for Germany. I would say that this publication is very greatly appreciated by members of the Forces.

How is paper obtained for a publication which was not published in 1939, before the war, when such a prohibition applies to all civilian publications?

That question is much too technical for me to answer. I suggest that the hon. and gallant Member apply to the President of the Board of Trade, who knows the answer.

But it is the Secretary of State for War who publishes this publication.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a reduction in the purchases by his Department of the publications of the Bureau of Current Affairs, proportionate to the reductions in newsprint imposed by His Majesty's Government on the daily newspapers.

No, Sir, but in view of the continuing shortage in the supply of paper special instructions have been issued in the War Office that every effort is to be made to reduce demands for printed matter, including instructional literature of this kind.

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will not allow his natural modesty to prevent him from conveying his own good example to his colleagues, with particular reference to the Minister of Fuel and Power?

No. I would prefer that hon. Members opposite made. those references to my colleagues.

Will the Minister ensure that all the copies of these publications which are supplied are displayed to the best advantage, and are not tucked away in orderly rooms and other places?

Yes, Sir. I am constantly trying to see that all publications like these are used to the best possible advantage by the troops.

Is the Minister aware that if he gets as many attacks and criticisms from hon. Members opposite as the Minister of Fuel and Power does, he will be a very popular man with the working classes?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will report progress in the matter of dealing with war graves by his Department and the War Graves Commission.

Progress in dealing with War Graves may be said to be generally satisfactory. All cemeteries and graves in the Middle East, Italy and North Africa have been handed over by the Army Graves Services to the Imperial War Graves Commission for maintenance. In addition, there are some 80,000 graves in the United Kingdom which have been registered and maintained by the Imperial War Graves Commission from the outset. In France and the Low Countries, the Imperial War Graves Commission have accepted the care of some 35,000 graves, and many more cemeteries in these countries and in the British zone of Germany will be ready for transfer by the Army Graves Service during the next few months. In India and the Far East, measures are being taken by the Imperial War Graves Commission to take over the cemeteries in these areas in the near future.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate when he thinks that bodies like the British Legion may, with advantage to bereaved relatives, arrange pilgrimages or missions to these cemeteries?

I thought the hon. Member knew that we are now engaged in conversations with the British Legion, in which he occupies a very important position, and certain other voluntary societies, to achieve that end.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a further announcement regarding facilities for visits to war cemeteries of relatives of men killed during the war; or, if impracticable at present, when he expects a scheme will be possible, so that parents and relatives can have the consolation of looking forward to making such visits in the future.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 22nd July, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what purpose the land surrounding Agaton Fort, Plymouth, in the ownership of his Department and amounting to 12½ acres, is being used; if he is aware that the city council has for the past 18 months been trying, with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, to come to an arrangement about its future use, and that the delay of his Department is holding up the building of some 100 houses; and if he will expedite its release.

This land is let for grazing. I am aware that the Plymouth city council wish to acquire it, but I regret that I cannot agree to make it available, as it will most probably be required for War Department buildings.

Is the Secretary of State aware that this fort was built for defence in the Napoleonic wars, that it was never used then because the enemy did not come that way, that it is not being used now, and that it would be much better used for housing purposes? Will he please show a little common sense in regard to its use?

I can certainly give the assurance asked for in the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question.

The right hon. Gentleman has not shown much of it.

I would remind my hon. Friend that the Question deals, not with the fort, but with the land surrounding it, where we may want to build houses for soldiers.

We would do that better than the right hon. Gentleman.

Does not that answer make the original answer even more imbecile?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that men who have qualified for 30 days' leave through service in M.E.F. are not cut down to 19 days because of being transferred to C.M.F. before leave is granted.

Men serving in M.E.L.F. are eligible for 30 days' leave in the United Kingdom once only during the overseas tour, provided they will still have four months to serve after returning to M.E.L.F. Men in C.M.F., however, get 38 days' leave in the United Kingdom each year, this leave being taken 19 days at a time. The leave in the United Kingdom of men transferred from M.E.L.F. to C.M.F. is therefore increased and not decreased.

As I had some difficulty in following the right hon. Gentleman's answer because I am not near enough to the amplifier, may I ask does he mean that arrangements are in force to prevent this anomaly from taking place?

No, Sir, it means that those who are far away from this country can get only one leave of 30 days, and that those who are nearer get two leaves a year, each of 19 days, making a total of 38 days.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a substantial part of King's Links Corporation Golf Course, Aberdeen, though no longer used by the military authorities, is still under their control; that it is used by four clubs with a combined membership of over 2,000 and hundreds of unattached players; that it is a seaside links to which the public have access; that it is encumbered by masses of broken barbed wire and other things which are dangerous to the players and public who resort there; and if he will have it cleared immediately and restored to its former condition suitable for golf championships.

The area on this golf course held by my Department contains a hutted camp and some additional land. The camp is required for futher military use. The additional land is no longer required by my Department, and the possibility of clearing it is being investigated.

Is the Minister aware that this site is required, particularly during the summer months, for the use of visitors but that it is now cluttered up with huts which could be used for housing civilians? Will he see that these huts are removed so that people can live in them and enjoy the amenities of life?

No, Sir. I said that the huts are required by my Department. As soon as the land is cleared, it can be given back. If the hon. and learned Member can help in finding labour to clear the land, we should be prepared to pay for it.

Is the Minister aware that these huts, which would accommodate several families, have been occupied by only two men for months past?

I will look into that.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the duties of the officer i/c Central Moribund Accounts

The Central Moribund Accounts Office has been set up to maintain and administer the accounts of all non-effective soldiers, that is, soldiers released from the Service, discharged unfit, or who have died.

How does the right hon. Gentleman decide when an account is dead?

When it is extinguished.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many persons are employed under the officer-in-charge of this Department?

I could not do that without notice, but it is not a large number.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the title of this appointment is not the new title of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

If hon. Members will look at this matter in a serious way, they will understand that the whole purpose of creating this Department is to relieve the Pay Office of a lot of matter which will disappear in a short space of time. We do not want to clutter up the living tiles with what we consider to be dead or nearly dead matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the cash allowance issued by the officer in charge of Central Moribund Accounts in lieu of civilian clothing on demobilisation is £2 15s. 1od.; how that sum is arrived at; and whether he is satisfied that it is an adequate equivalent of the suit of clothing, shoes, shirt, hat and other articles issued as civilian clothing on demobilisation.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Pudsey and Otley (Colonel Stoddart-Scott), on 19th November, 1946, of which I am sending him a copy. In the event of an application from a man who was discharged before 16th October, 1944, without receiving either clothing or a cash grant in lieu, the officer in charge. Central Moribund Accounts, would issue a cash allowance based on the wholesale price of the garments at the time of the man's discharge.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us where we can get these goods for this price?

I do not think anywhere, but if my hon. and learned Friend had been in the last House, he would have known that on many occasions we raised this issue of the small cash allowance. It was only by the action of a previous Government that we got it increased in 1944. There has to be a date line drawn somewhere, and it was decided to make it 1944.

If a discharged soldier was not in the last House, how is he to get these clothes with this money?

asked the Secretary of State for War when the residents of Thatcham, Berkshire, may expect to re gain the use of the footpath closed during the war for the purpose of an ordnance depot; and if a decision has now been reached about the future of this depot.

I regret that I am not yet able to give a decision on the future of this depot, and that until this question has been settled the reopening of the foot path cannot be considered.

While the right hon. Gentleman is making up his mind, can he not allow the people of Thatcham an alternative right of way to get to and from their jobs in the mornings and evenings?

I think that matter is under consideration.

It has been under consideration for two years.

That is not long.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to repeated burglaries at Longparish, Hampshire, by soldiers identified as coming from Barton Staceycamp; that camp officers disclaim responsibility on the grounds that the matter is one for the local police; and whether, in view of the disquiet throughout the neighbourhood, he will take steps to re-establish discipline and control of personnel, particularly at night.

No, Sir, I was not aware of these incidents. I am making immediate inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that the officer in charge has said that nothing less than six policemen are required to maintain security in the village under present conditions, and that there is not one policeman there at the present time?

I am not responsible for the police, and I would not like to form an opinion on these allegations until I have investigated them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement upon the future role and conditions of service of the Senior Training Corps in amplification of the Government's policy upon the future of the Cadet Forces.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement about the future of the Senior Training Corps, but I hope that an announcement will be made in the near future.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been pressing for this information for over a year? We have been told at varying times to await decisions about compulsory military service, liability for auxiliary service, and the future of the Territorial Army. As all these things have now been decided, when can we expect a decision on this matter?

To a certain extent it bears on the composition of those at the universities. At present, most of them have no need for any further training, as they are ex-Service men, and a decision is not so urgent as it would appear to be. Within the next year, according to the composition of the university students, we shall make a decision.

Will my right hon. Friend see that their service does not compete with the academic years?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and men of the British Army have been killed,

I will permission, circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet completed the hand-over to the Ministry of Supply of the 10,000 motor vehicles referred to on page 31 of the May, 1947, Report of the Control Commission for Germany; and when he expects to complete his plans for disposing of the remainder.

Of the 10,000 vehicles which, at the end of May, were in course of inspection and hand-over to the Ministry of Supply, only some 600 remain on Army charge. These will be in the hands of the Ministry of Supply within the next few weeks. As a result of the reduction in the strength of the Army of the Rhine, a further 6,000 vehicles are now undergoing final inspection and segregation before handing over to the Ministry of Supply for disposal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that handing over these vehicles to the Ministry of Supply is no guarantee that anything further will be heard of them?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Territorial infantry battalions are not yet complete to peace establishment in weapons and transport.

Commanding officers of all Territorial units have been instructed that they should not demand more transport or equipment than they can handle, house, and maintain. At present, no unit could maintain its complete peace equipment. Until units have obtained a sufficient number of recruits and, in most cases, additional buildings have been provided, the full peace scale of equipment and vehicles will not be issued.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many units which have sufficient recruits to maintain some equipment, that there are units today that have not one carrier, that have one anti-tank gun with nothing to pull it, and not sufficient wireless apparatus to carry out a skeleton exercise without borrowing from another unit? Does he not agree that three months after recruiting has opened for the Territorial Army this is disgraceful?

Where there are recruits in units, they will get sufficient equipment for their purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the equipment is at least up to date, since the equipment being issued at present was obsolete in 1942?

I should not be surprised if, during the next two or three years, a certain amount of Army equipment became obsolete at the pace we are moving nowadays, but the Territorial Army will be equipped with the same equipment as the Regular Army.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the Territorial Army is incomparably better equipped than it was at the time of Munich, after many years of Conservative government?

Yes, Sir, very much better equipped, as many Members who were in the House then will recollect.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will recollect the votes he cast against the provision of that equipment?

The right hon. Gentleman has been a bit hasty in putting that question to me. I do not think that I voted on that issue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the North-West, where units are struggling to be come fully established, recruiting has been retarded because there is no modern equipment?

I would not accept that for one moment. I can assure the House that there will be no shortage of equipment for the Territorial Army, even if they recruit up to the ceiling. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows of any particular case let him bring it to me, and I will look into it.