asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now make a statement on the proposed operation of the Visiting Forces Act, 1952.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring into operation the Visiting Forces Act, 1952.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement, but I hope to be able to do so next week.

May we take it that pressure is being brought to bear on the American Government to introduce the necessary reciprocal legislation, so that the Act can be introduced in this country?

It would be better to wait until next week, when I will try to deal with the point which the hon. Gentleman makes.

Seeing that Questions to the right hon. and learned Gentleman will be at the bottom of the list next week, will he make a statement rather than answer a Question?

I will willingly consider that suggestion, if I may.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that unless an arrangement is arrived at very quickly with the American authorities these unmarried mothers and their children must secure assistance from the National Assistance Board, which will impose a burden upon the taxpayers of this country?

I will bear that point in mind.