asked the Minister of Defence what is the approximate value of installations, stores and equipment in Palestine belonging to the Royal Navy, the Army, and the R.A.F., respectively, and what arrangements are to be made about these prior to the withdrawal of our Forces from Palestine.

I regret that I am unable to supply the figures asked for by the hon. Member. The valuation of the installations, stores and equipment belonging to the three Services in Palestine would have to be carried out locally by staffs whom it would be unwise to divert from their more pressing duties in organising and carrying out the evacuation of the Forces from that country. The basis of any such valuation, if attempted, would be very uncertain, since, for some categories of stores it would represent the replacement value, while for others it would represent only the disposal value obtainable from a willing buyer. As regards the second part of the Question, instructions with regard to the evacuation of stores have already been issued, and evacuation by sea and land is proceeding as quickly as possible; the disposal of fixed assets is in hand.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea of the proportion of the installations, stores and equipment which will have been evacuated by August?

I do not think I could offhand. It will take some little evaluation to do that, but we are anxious to secure for ourselves, in the evacuation, those things which continue to be of replacement value to us, and we are concentrating upon them.

I presume that at some period the Minister of Defence will inform the House what is to happen to any of these installations, if any of them should be left there when the evacuation takes place?

I should think that would be quite proper, but I am not sure whether it would be my function or that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. We will look into it.

Is it true that a large amount of motor transport will probably be left both in Palestine and Egypt, and has my right hon. Friend considered the possibility of making it available to nearby countries which suffered enemy occupation in the war, and are still very short of such transport?

All these matters are being taken into account, but the first consideration is to secure the utmost economy we can for our country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us upon what, if any, principle, permanent and immovable installations are being left or destroyed?

The more permanent installations will certainly not fall within my category for negotiation; I have an interest in them but they are more a matter for negotiation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Did any stores or equipment come under Lend-Lease originally, and will these have to be returned?

I cannot say without notice, but I should think that there would not be very much of that now.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will give an assurance that men now with the Forces will, on demobilisation, be given civilian clothes on the existing scale; and that it is not his intention to substitute a money payment in lieu of clothes.

Men called up in 1947 for a fixed term of two years or less will, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 21st January last, receive a supplementary allowance of clothing coupons on release. All men called up before 1st January, 1947, and released under the age and service group scheme will receive civilian clothes on the existing scale. Certain difficulties are being experienced in the supply of suits, and to overcome them some modifications in the method of issue are now being discussed with the trade, on whose cooperation I am sure we can rely.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer make it clear that the pledge which has been given to the men will be kept? Is he further aware that his own intervention and action in this matter are greatly appreciated?

My view is that the pledge must be kept. It may perhaps happen that there may be a little difficulty here and there,. We are discussing the best possible way out with the trade, who, I am sure, will desire to help us meet the pledge which has been given to the men.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent administrative and operational co-ordination in the three Services has been achieved since his Ministry was established; and if he will make a statement on his future plans in this direction.

Under Ministers, the operations of the Services are fully coordinated through the organisation of the Chiefs of Staff which was described in the White Paper on the Central Organisation for Defence published in October, 1946. That White Paper also described the machinery to be established for co-ordination in the administrative sphere, including the appointment of a Standing Committee of Service Ministers under my Chairmanship. For a report on the progress made, I would ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the Defence White Paper early next year.

Could not my right hon. Friend now detail his achievements more precisely than he has done? Is it not possible to achieve more co-ordination in such directions as maintenance, pay, photographic reconnaissance, etc., and thereby cut down the manpower involved?

All these matters have been under examination. I certainly cannot deal with them by question and answer.

asked the Minister of Defence the potato rations for the three Services.

The present potato ration of the Army at home is 1 lb. a day for men and 14 oz. for women. Under the Naval and Air Force systems of messing on a cash allowance basis, there are no fixed rations of potatoes. It is hoped shortly to announce the adjustment of various items of Service rations, including reductions in the amount of potatoes, in the case of all three Services.