asked the Secretary of State for War the total amount paid to the German Government by the British Government for the maintenance of illegitimate children arising out of the occupation of Germany after the first world war; and whether consideration has been given to employing a similar system to cover the present occupation.

I am not aware of any such payment as that referred to in the first part of the Question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

Is the Minister satisfied with the present arrangement? Does he feel that in the circumstances it is just?

The present arrangement has nothing to do with the Question that was asked.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present total of the Polish Armed Forces now under British command; and if it is still his intention that by 1st January, 1950, all members of these Forces will have been demobilised, and transferred to the Polish Resettlement Corps, or will have obtained productive work in industry or have been returned to Poland.

The total of the Polish Armed Forces under British command administered by my Department at 1st November was approximately 17,000. I hope that these Forces will be closed down and their personnel have been repatriated, transferred to the Polish Resettlement Corps or otherwise have ceased to belong to the Polish Armed Forces by 1st July, 1948.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that his predecessor gave an undertaking to see that this question was settled by 1st January, and could he look into it again? Does he think it is fair to workers in this country that they should be saddled with this responsibility any longer?

We are hurrying on resettlement or repatriation as speedily as possible.

Can the Minister give an undertaking that none of the Polish Armed Forces will be sent back to Poland against their will, especially in view of the fact that they may be transferred to Russia?

We are doing everything possible to meet the wishes of the men concerned.

Are these men the Poles who refused either to join the Resettlement Corps or to return to Poland?

I am afraid that I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that no drill halls or other Territorial Army buildings exist in Northern Ireland; and that it is impossible for the Government of Northern Ireland to allot building materials for the erection of such buildings from their share of materials for domestic use; and what steps are being taken to deal with this situation.

There are at present four drill halls, three offices and ten hutted camps for the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland, but I am aware that the accommodation is far below requirements. The difficulties regarding the supply of building materials for this purpose are being examined.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great advantage which Great Britain has in already having drill halls, and the impossibility of starting a Territorial Army in Northern Ireland for the first time unless some special arrangements are made to expedite the building of drill halls and other building?

The hon. Gentleman suggested in his Question that there were none. As I have indicated in my reply, there are some, and we are doing everything we can to provide others.

Is the Minister aware that the last thing I wished to do was to call in question what he said, but that if he saw what he calls drill halls, and such like, he would not think them very good?

I quite agree. It may be that they are inadequate for the purpose. We have to make the best of the present situation, but I am fully conscious of what is required.

The right hon. Gentleman said in his answer that he is considering the supply of materials for this purpose for Northern Ireland. Is he also considering the supply of materials to this part of the United Kingdom?

Very much so.

Does not the Minister agree that if partition were removed, there would be no need for these drill halls?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give instructions that boys serving in the Army shall not be sent to Palestine before they are nineteen years of age.

It was decided last April that since garrisons overseas could not be kept up to strength by any other means the lower age for posting men beyond Europe would have to be reduced from 18 years 6 months to 18 years 3 months. In consequence some soldiers of little more than 18 years 3 months have been sent to Palestine and are serving there. In view, however, of the decision to evacuate Palestine, the whole matter must obviously be made the subject of further review.

Would the Minister bear in mind that, under a new order, recruits are not allowed to join the Palestine Police until they are 19½?

This Question does not relate to the Palestine Police.

Quite apart from the effect of the recently announced policy of withdrawal, does not my right hon. Friend consider that, in the circumstances which have prevailed in Palestine for the past two and a half years, it was a very cruel and inefficient thing to send boys of this age to that area?

I am not called upon to pronounce on what was done before I came to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Military Barracks at Ballater, Aberdeenshire, are unoccupied; and whether it is intended that they shall be used by his Department in the near future or whether they can be made available as married quarters for civilian housing purposes, having regard to the serious shortage of accommodation.

It is intended to reoccupy these barracks in the near future. I regret, therefore, that the suggestion made in the last part of the Question cannot be adopted.

Would it not have been better if instead of these barracks remaining unoccupied, they had been used for housing military pensioners, or something like that, because they are buildings of the cottage type, each capable of housing a family?

I think there were special circumstances in connection with this matter. In any case, we now propose to occupy them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to get a passage for Mrs. Janet Buckley, wife of Driver K. Buckley, T.14050158, H.Q., Coy., R.A.S.C., No. 3, Training Bn., Elles Barracks, Farnborough, Hants, from Haifa to this country, details of which have already been sent to him.

The military authorities in Palestine have been asked to arrange for this soldier's wife to be sent to the United Kingdom. The actual date of her passage will be a matter for the overseas Command.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since I put down this Question, I have been informed by the soldier that he was told by Capt. Hargraves that if he got into touch with me, he would get into very serious trouble; and will the Minister give an assurance that there will be no victimisation of soldiers in that way?

I am afraid that I cannot give any assurance until the facts are placed before me—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] In the absence of definite information, it is obviously impossible for me to give any assurance. I want the facts established. If the hon. and gallant Member can establish the facts, he can rest assured that I will not allow that sort of thing to happen.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I interviewed this man personally and made notes of his statement, which I will gladly send to him? Will he give me an asurance that, in the meantime, this soldier will not suffer at the hands of a senior officer for having communicated with his Member of Parliament?

All I can say is that I am astonished to hear that any soldier would suffer in consequence of any statements he made to a Member of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many newly commissioned National Service Officers are on indefinite leave.

Indefinite leave is not granted in the Army. Circumstances may, however, arise in which an officer is held temporarily on the strength of his depot whilst waiting for shipping or being found suitable employment. In such a case, if there is no temporary employment for him at the Depot, he may be allowed to live at home. Information is not readily available as to the number of such officers at any one time, nor could it be obtained without a disproportionate amount of work.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what sort of limit of time is set in cases where young officers newly commissioned cannot be employed immediately? Is there any limit of time before they are posted?

That is not the original Question. If the hon. and gallant Member puts it down, I will try to give an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the advertisement for recruiting for five years in the new Regular Army, under the caption, "George—you're kidding," he will have deleted the two sentences which imply official Government approval to the contention that a skilled worker cannot compete in industry today without a union card.

This section of the advertisement was intended merely to bring out the fact that, as announced by my predecessor on 17th June in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Mr. Mikardo), the recognised soldier tradesman is not debarred from the advantage of trade union membership in civil life. I am, however, having the text revised so as to remove any mistaken impression which might be created by the present wording.

While I will wait to see what the revision will be, can the Minister assure the House that this caption, "George—you're kidding," is not a veiled reference to the Minister of Labour?

On a point of Order. Is it not a fact that no quotations are allowed in Questions? If so, could you, Sir, give your Ruling whether in future quotations might be allowed?

I did not get the point. Would the hon. Member make it again?

There is a quotation in Question No. 16—"George—you're kidding."

As the Question has passed the Table, I am sure that it is in Order.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the dissatisfaction among soldiers with regard to release or terminal benefits, he will take steps to grant civilian outfit or cash grant in lieu of same on release.

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction among soldiers about release benefits. All men called up before 1st January, 1947, receive a civilian outfit on release provided they satisfy the necessary conditions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many private soldiers are unable to save that money from their Army pay in order to buy civilian outfits at the prevailing prices?

I am not aware of it, but if my hon. Friend has some information, perhaps he will let me have it?

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose his Department continue to hold the Imperial Service College premises in Windsor under requisition.

These premises at present accommodate the A.T.S. Officer Cadet Training Unit and Junior Officers' School.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these premises were bought during the war by the Windsor Borough Council, because they were urgently required as soon as the war was over for borough council staff, and will he say what steps his Department are taking to find an alternative building?

We are trying to find alternative accommodation, and I am sure that, as soon as it is found, we will use it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain S. L. Roxburgh of the Command Ordnance Depot, Colombo, has been in close arrest awaiting trial since March, 1947; that although his court martial started in October, no verdict has yet been given; and if he will take steps to expedite this matter.

I have called for further information about this case by cable from the military authorities overseas, and I will write to the hon. Member when it has been received.

How comes it that an officer can remain for seven months under close arrest before being brought to trial? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how that could possibly happen without questions being put asking for more urgent steps to be taken to look into the matter?

That is precisely what I am trying to find out.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the War Office was in ignorance of the fact that this officer was kept under close arrest as long as that?

I am informed that there was some difficulty about witnesses and the like. It is precisely because I am dissatisfied, and because a Question was put dow on the Order Paper, that I am trying to ascertain the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a final decision has yet been reached regarding the permanent retention of the tank training ground at Netherlaw, near Kirkcudbright.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware of the necessity for reaching a decision as soon as possible, because more than 5,000 acres of the best agricultural area in Scotland are being retained? When he does come to a decision, if he should come to an affirmative decision in regard to the retention of this land, will he keep in mind the necessity for carefully revising the existing boundaries in order to ensure the minimum loss to agriculture?

I am fully conscious of the need for coming to a decision on this matter, and also of the need for liberating as much agricultural land as possible, but this matter is under consideration by an Inter-Departmental Committee and they have not yet reached a conclusion.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the Debate on Scottish agriculture yesterday, there was great anxiety expressed in all parts of the House about the occupation of land by the War Office in Scotland, and will he take into earnest consideration the desire felt in Scotland to evict the War Office altogether from Scotland?

I am afraid that, in this matter, my hon. Friend does not speak for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Brigade of Guards, when doing guard duties in London, can wear full dress.

No decision has yet been made regarding the future dress of the Brigade of Guards.

In view of the appreciation shown by the people of London and others on the recent occasion when the Life Guards were turned out in full dress for the Royal Wedding, would not my right hon. Friend give an early decision on this matter?

That required a special effort for a special occasion, and I cannot promise to repeat it in the near future.

Would my right hon. Friend ask the Guards whether they want to wear full dress?

There was some difficulty about the wearing of full dress, but we overcame the difficulty.

What has happened to the full dress uniforms which were put into store in 1939?

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the full dress uniforms put into store between 1939 and the end of the war. A lot of things happened to those uniforms.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his regulations permit soldiers under 21 to sign regular engagements to serve for a period of years over and above the term of their liability under the National Service Acts.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the Infants Relief Act of 1874 was passed so as to protect young people from the consequences of contracts which they have entered into whilst under age, and does the Minister consider it satisfactory that young lads of 18 and 19 are allowed to bind themselves to serve in the Army for seven, eight and even nine years ahead?

The hon. Member asked for information, and I have given him the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the inquiry instituted by the C.C.G. into the theft of valuables from Glucksburg Castle has yet been completed; and what action has been taken.

The inquiries into this case are still being pursued both in Germany and in this country. The length of time which this is taking is regrettable, but I must remind my hon. Friend that the alleged theft took place at the time of the capitulation of Germany when conditions were in a highly confused state.

Subsequent moves of units and individuals hampered inquiries, and he will, I am sure, appreciate the difficulties of bringing the investigations to a satisfactory conclusion in the circumstances.

Can my right hon. Friend give any kind of indication as to when he thinks the investigations will be completed? Will it be another year?

According to the information that I have, it seems to me to be beyond the capacity of anybody to discover how this affair occurred.