asked the Secretary of State for War why the Labour Battalions in this country are kept in existence; if the gardeners and others forming them have their places waiting for them; if their wives and families receive separation allowances whilst their absent husbands do jobbing work in the neighbourhood of the camps; and if he will say why the men are kept with the Colours under these conditions?

Men in labour units, including agricultural companies in this country, are being demobilised in accordance with the recent Army Orders, providing for the armies of occupation, and and are not being retained longer than necessary. The wives of men in labour units receive separation allowances under the rules and conditions in force.

Is not the Labour Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment being retained because it is composed of the sons of enemy aliens?

I will make inquiries.

Is it proposed to reinforce agricultural companies to make up for the demobilisation of soldiers employed in agriculture?

They are being treated in exactly the same way as the rest of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for Warif he can make any statement with regard to the British forces in Italy and when they may expect to be able to return to this country and be demobilised?

The British Forces in Italy are being reduced to a strength of one brigade of all arms and lines of communication troops, which we are required to maintain by the Allies for garrisoning certain Adriatic ports The remaining 64,000 are being brought away at the same rate as French troops, i.e., 600 a day, this being the maximum capacity of the railways.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to give effect to the speedy demobilisation and discharge from the Army of men who enlisted prior to January, 1916, and who are over thirty-seven years of age; whether he is aware that many of these men are assured of situations in civil life; and what reason exists for their retention by the military authorities?

The necessary orders have already been issued, and the men referred to are being demobilised as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service and transportation facilities permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if favourable consideration can be given to the claims for demobilisation on business grounds of men who returned from foreign countries to endeavour to enlist in 1914, but who were rejected, and can produce their rejection certificates, and were subsequently conscripted when the standard of fitness was lower?

Officers and soldiers of the Imperial Army claiming repatriation overseas, whose claims have been or may be approved under existing Regulations, are not being retained for the Armies of Occupation unless they so desire, and will be repatriated as the exigencies of the Service permit. This applies irrespectively of the date they joined the Colours, of age, or whether they enlisted voluntarily or were called up under the Military Service Acts, 1916.

Is there any provision for the individual release of soldiers serving with the Army of Occupation, except on purely compassionate grounds?

I believe not.

asked the Secretary for War whether it is proposed that the troops now in India shall remain there for an indefinite period; whether he is aware that most of these men who enlisted for the duration of the War are suffering from the climate, to which they are unaccustomed; that the head of the Indian Ordnance stated publicly in November last that the men were to be retained for five years; and whether he will consider this matter with a view to these troops being relieved and brought home as soon as possible?

asked the Secretary for War if the promise made to the men of Territorial battalions who volunteered for foreign service in September, 1914, will be kept that they should be given priority of release; and will those men be allowed to return to England on peace being signed, and, if possible, before the hot weather sets in?

The urgent necessity of bringing these men home from India and the Far East at the earliest possible date has not been lost sight of. It may be confidently expected that a certain proportion of such men as are entitled to release will return to England at a comparatively early date. With regard to the remainder, it is necessary that their reliefs should arrive in India before they can return. These reliefs are being collected as expeditiously as possible, but some time must elapse before they are ready to leave England. This fact, added to the difficulties regarding provision of transport and danger of moving troops in the tropics during extreme heat, must necessarily result in some delay in effecting the return of all the men concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many men of the Territorial Army nearly fifty years of age who have been four years in India and cannot get home?

I am well aware of the fact.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are men in the same category serving in Siberia—what arrangements are made for them?

asked the Secretary for War what is the sum allowed to soldiers on discharge for the purchase of an overcoat; if a standard price has been fixed for overcoats; if so, what is the amount; what is the cost of the military overcoats now supplied to the Army; and if he will take steps immediately with a view to increasing the allowance under this head to an amount sufficient to enable the men to obtain clothing of a satisfactory and serviceable quality?

Civilian greatcoats are given to men discharged as physically unfit for further service. They are not issuable to men dispersed on demobilisation, who go away in their Army greatcoats. The soldier entitled to a civilian greatcoat is issued with a coat in kind, but if he declares that he is in possession of a greatcoat of his own and prefers an allowance in cash, he gets 40s. In these circumstances it is not considered necessary to increase the allowance. The cost of the civilian greatcoat to the State is 44s. 3d. The cost of the military overcoat is 49s. 6d.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, unless the men are physically unfit, they are turned out without their overcoats in this bitter cold weather?

That is not quite correct. Overcoats are served to men physically unfit and men who have come back from overseas, and in a great many more cases, perhaps, than the hon. Member realises.

Does the Government give them the coat, or do they have to pay for it?

Under the strict Regulations, they are not entitled to it.

Cannot steps be taken at all events to provide proper clothing for these men who have served overseas?

Are all these overcoats rotting that are not taken away?

asked whether improvements can be made in the arrangements for bringing Home soldiers who have been demobilised in France and to shorten the time taken on the journey which at the present time takes at least a week?

At present the difficulties of transportation in France and Belgium are very great, but every effort is being made to effect improvements. In some instances the train journey overseas, under existing circumstances, takes five days, and in such cases it is conceivable that at least a week would be occupied in reaching the Dispersal Station in this country. These, however, are extreme instances, but in other cases the journey is much shorter and many men have been demobilised in this county and proceeded to their homes on the same day that they left their units in France.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether twenty-eight days' furlough on full pay is granted to the officers as well as to the men on demobilisation; and whether the officer is permitted to wear his uniform for the same number of days after demobilisation as the non-commissioned officer or private?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative.

Why should there be a difference in treatment between officers and men in this respect? Why should not officers be given 28 days' leave on pay as well as the men?

To a certain extent officers' gratuity is a set off against this furlough pay given to the men.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what war gratuity on demobilisation will be given to officers promoted from the ranks during the War in respect of the time served by them in the ranks?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Army Order published in the Press on Thursday last, in which it is laid down that a gratuity will be granted for such service.

asked whether gratuities to officers are to be granted on either the temporary rank or the acting rank held on the day of demobilisation; and, if not, what is the reason for differentiation between the two?

As stated in the note to Army Order IV. of the 11th instant, this question is under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that if an officer who gets temporary rank as lieutenant-colonel on the staff gets a gratuity, a lieutenant-colonel commanding a battalion should also be treated in the same way, and that a regimental officer should be treated on equal terms with a staff officer?

It is specifically stated in the Army Order referred to that the matter is being kept open, and I am sure this is one of the questions that will be taken into consideration.

Why should it be kept open? Why cannot it be settled?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state, approximately, what number and percentage of the temporary officers in the Royal Army Medical Corps have been demobilised; whether the percentage of medical officers set free is equal to that of all ranks; whether the plan of retaining units in existence whilst steadily attenuating in numbers is apt to lead to the retention of an undue proportion of such unit officers as doctors, when the fall of the numbers to be attended to would permit of one doctor serving more than one unit; and whether, in view of the very serious shortage of doctors for the civil population, and especially for the 13,000,000 insured persons, he will consider whether the demobilisation of doctors can be expedited?

Since the Armistice 1,502 temporary commissioned officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps have been demobilised and returned to civil life. This represents in all theatres of war and in the United Kingdom 13.2 per cent. of the total number employed, and which compares with 15.1 per cent. of all ranks. It follows, of course, that if units could be demobilised as such it might be possible to release more medical officers, but at the same time it should be understood that the work of medical officers is centralised to the greatest possible extent to avoid wastage. Every endeavour is being made to release as many medical officers as possible, but so long as the present system is maintained of demanding early demobilisation of individual officers, the process must be retarded, as in very many cases substitutes have to be provided.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in the case of a man who has been discharged to the Reserve for civil work and who finds himself unfit to follow his occupation, any provision is made for the man and his family pending consideration of his case for treatment and pension?

As Class W. of the Army Reserve was closed two months ago, I assume that my hon. Friend refers to men who are now being demobilised and transferred to Class Z. Pending the settlement of the man's claim by the Ministry, arrangements have been made for the local war pensions committees to assist temporarily, both as regards recoverable advances and treatment, after the period of furlough (twenty-eight days) has expired, provided that the Medical Referee certifies the man to be suffering from a disability due to or aggravated by his war service. This temporary assistance may also be given, on the same conditions, to the man who did not claim the disability at the time of his demobilisation. Advances cannot be made during the furlough period, as the man is in receipt of full Army pay and allowances, and during this period also any treatment required should be obtained from the military authorities.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the delay in providing the promised State assistance to soldier apprentices on discharge, he will, having regard to the necessity of instant action, formulate proposals, e.g., by employing either the Whitley committees or the local advisory committees, to enable such assistance to be rendered in a simpler and more expeditious manner?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Proposals for assisting those persons whose apprenticeship was interrupted by service in His Majesty's Forces have already been approved by the Government. Negotiations are now being carried on with national joint industrial councils and other committees representative of various trades. It is hoped that, as a result of these negotiations, it will be possible at an early date to secure agreements which will enable assistance to be rendered to returning apprentices.

When there is an agreement will applications be made to the Ministry of Labour or Ministry of Pensions?

I am afraid I am not in a position to answer without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War the acreage that at present is being utilised in the Cippenham scheme; how many men are at present engaged on the works; whether they are being carried on by contractors or by the War Office; and, if by contractors, will he state the names of the firms who are engaged on the work?

The acreage utilised at Cippenham amounts to over 600 acres. The number of men including staff, at present employed is 3,400. The building work is being carried on by a contractor—McAlpine and Sons—with certain minor sub-contracts. Separate contracts for special services are let as follows:—

• Langley and Johnson—Sewers.
• Robinson and Co.—Internal Railways.
• Thomas Matthews and Sons—Well sinking.
• Herbert Morris—Cranes.
• Babcock and Wilcox—Boilers.
• Fraser and Chalmers—Transporter gear.
• Brush Company—Electrical plant.
• Davenport Engineering Company—Cooling tower.
• Haden and Son—Heating.

Have the whole of the 600 acres already been utilised?

I am afraid I am not in a position to answer that question.

Is the rate of wage that is being paid based on the rates ruling in the district or is it based on some special scale?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

Referring to the contract system, is it contract by time and line or by amount?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Have the contracts been given out in accordance with the original plans or have those plans been modified?

The hon Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the present position of the work that is being carried on at Cippenham, near Slough; and whether it is the intention to continue the original scheme?

It is proposed to continue the original building scheme at Cippenham, omitting three large store sheds. About 25 per cent. of the work is completed, with liabilities for materials up to 50 per cent. Some temporary work is in hand to clear the Kempton Park Depot and to enable repairs to commence at Cippenham in anticipation of the completion of the permanent buildings. Accommodation for staff is temporarily in abeyance pending a decision on the question of the future employment of civil working staff in lieu of military.

Is it the intention of the Government to retain these works permanently or only temporarily?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Mr. J. M. Sandy, late Private, No. 292, 9th field ambulance, now residing at No. 1, Sussex Villas, Highland Road, Aldershot, has been refused his certificate of service; whether he is aware that, when Mr. Sandy was called up from the Reserve in August 1914, he was passed fit for active service, and that, after some months of active service, he was discharged from the Army for loss of health, for which he received a pension; and whether he can explain, in view of these facts, why Private Sandy's disability is held not to be caused or aggravated by military service?

Inquiries are being made and my Noble Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Allies are employing coloured troops against the Bolsheviks; and, if so, what troops, in what numbers, and where?

Certain Indian troops have been employed in Trans-Caspia to assist the Askhabad Government in their resistance to the attacks of the Bolshevik forces from Tashkent. The latter forces consisted principally of enemy prisoners. It is not possible to give any further information, as military operations are still in progress.

Do I understand that the French are not employing black troops in the Ukraine?

That was not asked for in the question.

Whether the Allies are employing coloured troops?

Are the Bolshevists employing quantities of Chinese murderers against the Allies?

Are Chinese tortures being employed by the Bolshevists?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an order has been issued to the forces in Italy to the effect that if men who enlisted since January, 1916, refused to enlist for another two years'service their bounty money would be stopped; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

I am having inquiries made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a serious state of discontent exists among the troops in Egypt; that on the 15th ultimo the men in the command depot camp at Alexandria set fire to a cinema theatre and looted the canteens as a protest against their treatment; and whether he will see that steps are taken to grant leave facilities to all men who have had no home leave?

Nothing is known at the War Office of the incident alleged in the second part of the hon. Member's question, but if he will let me have any particulars in his possession I will have inquiry made. As regards the grant of leave to this country for men in Egypt, I would refer to the answer given yesterday to by right hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Territorials and other soldiers have served for long periods in India and Mesopotamia without leave; and when it is intended to bring such men home?

The circumstances mentioned have not been overlooked and all possible measures are being taken to effect the speedy return of these men to the United Kingdom. It is expected that it will be possible to bring a proportion of them home at a comparatively early date, but others must necessarily remain until relieved by the new units which will be prepared for overseas as soon as circumstances permit.

Will all the men who have been in the East for two years without having been home be brought home before the hot weather sets in?

I am suggesting that the Secretary of State should make a much fuller statement upon this question and one or two others.

asked the Secretary for War whether it is now possible for overseas leave to be granted to officers and other ranks on the same terms and conditions; and whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst other ranks with the present system, whereby in some cases officers receive four leaves during the same period in which their men only get one leave?

I am in communication with the military authorities overseas regarding this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the men to be retained for the Army of Occupation are those who joined the Colours after 1st January, 1916; and whether men who attested under the Derby scheme in December, 1915, but who were not called up until some months later, are to be exempted from serving with that Army?

The men referred to in the first part of my right hon. Friend's question will be included in the Armies of Occupation, The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. F. Tiarks has been appointed financial adviser to the military governor of Cologne; is this gentleman a director of the Bank of England and a partner of Schroeder Brothers, of London; what is his connection with Schroeder Gebruder, of Hamburg; and whether he is aware that he is a grandson of a Lutheran clergyman in Germany?

General Sir Herbert Plumer applied for a civilian adviser of financial and commercial experience to assist him on questions of a non-military nature affecting the occupied territory and Mr. Tiarks was selected for appointment as Ciyil Commissioner in view of his special qualifications. Mr. Tiarks is a Director of the Bank of England, and a partner not of Schroeder Brothers but of J. Henry Schroeder and Company, of London, a purely British firm established here in 1804. Neither he nor his firm is connected with Schroeder Brothers, nor with any other German firm. His grandfather was born in Germany, came to England as a young man, lived there the rest of his life, and married an Englishwoman. For further information as to Mr. Tiarks' services in the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer of the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on 26th July, 1917.

Knowing the state of public feeling with regard to enemy aliens, does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would have been advisable, to select a British subject without any alien blood in his veins as being far more likely to give advice which would be in the best interests of this country?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Mr. Tiarks is rendering valuable assistance to Sir Charles Ferguson, the Military Governor of Cologne?

I have looked very carefully at the reply given on 26th July, 1917, in which the whole of his services in the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve have been set forth at great length and reflect the greatest credit on his performances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, whereas the municipal tramways of Cologne had to carry all ranks of the Second Army free, the men have now been ordered to pay half-fare; and, if so, through whose instigation was this change made?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. I am informed that British soldiers are not required to pay tram fares in Cologne, and that there has been no change in the practice.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether temporary officers of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps have been or are going to be selected to undergo the technical course to qualify them for permanent retention in the post bellum Army as administrative Ordnance officers; and, if so, why men who have risen from the ranks to be executive officers should be disqualified from such promotion;

(2) Whether it is proposed to continue the distinction in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps between executive officers and administrative officers; and, if so, will he say the grounds for this system which excludes merit rising from the ranks to the administrative ranks of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps; and

(3) Whether, in view of the fact that temporary Ordnance officers have had to be instructed in their duties by the executive officers of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, he will remove the injustice felt by executive officers of temporary officers being placed over their heads by enabling executive officers to compete for the administrative ranks by abolishing the age limit for admission to the Technical Ordnance course, which at present prevents their doing so?

The executive officers of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps are normally commissioned from among the warrant officers of the Corps itself. As the name implies, they are designed to superintend or carry out the executive work of the Corps, under the orders of the specially selected and technically trained combatant officers who constitute the administrative or directing staff. During the War it was necessary largely to strengthen the numbers of this latter category, and recourse was had to "temporary" officers, whose previous business or professional training in civil life gave promise of their being able, after preliminary training, materially to assist in the administrative work of the Corps. The experiment has been attended with successful results. It has been found by experience in the past that officers well qualified for executive duties have not necessarily the qualifications for administrative employment of an important character, though the last few years have shown that there are exceptions to this general rule. In the future constitution of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps as a tentative measure, it is under consideration to extend to certain carefully selected executive officers the same facilities for acquiring technical and administrative training as is found practicable for entrants from elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among a number of former British officer prisoners of war in Turkey, who, in accordance with a general routine order and also the King's Regulations, refused to give their parole to the Turks, at the action of certain senior British officers in Turkey who endeavoured to bring pressure to bear upon them to give their parole and, in some cases, gave information to the Turks of the intention of officers to endeavour to escape; and if he will order an inquiry and the attendance before it of all officers and men who were prisoners in Turkey and wish to give evidence?

This matter is already under inquiry, and I cannot make any statement at present, as disciplinary action may become necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an adequate scale of pensions for soldiers on completion of their period of Colour service has been considered as an inducement to voluntary extension of service, in preference to increased rates of pay, bonus, or bounty; and, if so, whether the direct opinion of regimental officers has been ascertained and considered?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the attractions of pensions as an inducement to soldiers to give long service in the ranks are thoroughly appreciated by the Army Council. I shall not fail to consult regimental officers if occasion should arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is great anxiety amongst officers of the Territorial Force as to the terms of a recent Army Order, whereby gratuities are to be paid on substantive or temporary rank, and not on acting rank, and specially in view of the fact that in February, 1917, temporary rank in the Territorial Force was abolished, and that many Territorial officers have held acting rank in service abroad for long periods; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in the matter of gratuities officers of the Territorial Force are not placed at a disadvantage as compared with officers of the New Armies?

The special position of officers of the Territorial Force in this respect is not being lost sight of. As stated in the note to Army Order IV. of the 11th instant, the question is under consideration.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider also the advisability of paying gratuities to Regular officers on at least as generous a scale as that fixed for officers holding temporary commissions?

I will convey that suggestion to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the treatment of the Bulgarian prisoners of war; whether these prisoners were released from Bulgaria over four months ago, but have since then been kept hanging about Salonika in connection with an inquiry into the conduct of the prison camp at Philippopolis, an inquiry which should have been completed within a week; and whether, having regard to the privations and sufferings endured by these prisoners in Bulgaria, he will take action to secure their immediate return to these countries?

As a result of the Court of Inquiry referred to an officer was court-martialled, and it was necessary to detain certain ex-prisoners of war as witnesses. The court-martial was concluded at the end of January, and instructions were immediately issued to expedite the return to this country of the men who were detained at Salonika.

asked the Secretary for War whether men who were in the Army at the outbreak of the War but were not sent to France because of their services as instructors, etc., being indispensable at home, are not permitted to wear the red, white, and blue ribbon, whilst officers and men who were trained by them are wearing this decoration; and whether he will take action to remove this grievance?

Entry on duty in a theatre of war is an essential condition for the award of every war medal, and I am afraid no exception can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the military authorities will evacuate the premises of Messrs. Challands and Company, Canal Street, Nottingham, now in occupation of the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport), in order that Messrs. Challands may give employment to those of their employés who have now been demobilised and thus diminish the unemployment at present prevailing in Nottingham?

At the present time a great deal of urgent work is in hand in the Mechanical Transport Depot at Nottingham, and if Messrs. Challands have workmen unemployed, they can be employed temporarily by the War Department at the works, until the pressure is over, and until the War Office machinery, now bedded in, can be removed and the works evacuated. The matter will be carefully watched and the wishes of Messrs. Challands will be given every consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether dental officers are treated differently to medical or any other officers inasmuch as they are allowed no gratuities whatsoever; and, if so, will he state why this inequality exists?

There is no provision for any gratuity in the contract of service of these officers; but an announcement is about to be made which I hope will be satisfactory to my hon. and gallant friend.

Does that mean that something is to be granted to them?

It has the appearance of that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a promise that he will make it retrospective?

I must have notice of that.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will give a pledge to this House that no further sale of any State property whatsoever in the control of the War Office will be made except by public auction; and if he will give full particulars of any sales which have so far been made, giving the conditions of the sales, the names of purchasers, and the price obtained?

The great bulk of State property in the control of the War Office will be disposed of under the instructions of the Surplus Government Property Disposal Board responsible to the Ministry of Munitions, after the Army Council has agreed that the property is surplus to requirements. In these circumstances I trust the hon. Member will not press a very overstrained Department for the details named in the last part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Government will consider the desirability of introducing legislation immediately enabling the Home Secretary to order the deportation from the United Kingdom of any alien of any nationality whose continued residence in this country is, in the opinion of the Home Secretary, undesirable; and (2) whether the Government will consider the desirability of introducing legislation immediately preventing for a fixed period of years the entrance into the United Kingdom for purposes of residence of citizens of those countries with whom we have lately been at war?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce an Aliens Bill which shall effectively deal with the repatriation and exclusion of enemy aliens; and whether he will undertake that legislation shall be presented immediately and pressed forward so that it may be effective by the time that a Treaty of Peace is signed?

It is proposed at an early date to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject, and in the meantime the special powers in force during the War are being used.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to deport to their respective countries all aliens who are at present interned in the United Kingdom; and, if not, will he state the nature of the discrimination that is to be shown?

As I stated on Thursday last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Twickenham, the general policy is that of general repatriation of interned enemies, and this is now being carried out as quickly as shipping facilities permit. If any are allowed to remain here it will only be for reasons of an exceptional character.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as a necessary preliminary to carrying out agricultural reconstruction, and rural regeneration as outlined in his speeches on the 16th November, 1918, the 23rd November, 1918, and 7th December, 1918, it is proposed to reorganise the Board of Agriculture in order that it may have the status, staff, and accommodation necessary to effectively administer and control; and, in particular, whether the eleven separate offices now under the Department can be centralised in one building in the interests of efficiency and economy?

I have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and various proposals are being placed before the Treasury. The position as regards the Board's office accommodation is undoubtedly serious. There are nineteen separate offices, not eleven as stated by the hon Member. My Noble Friend has made representations to the Government on the subject.

When does the hon. Gentleman intend that we shall have a decision on this matter?

I hope it will be very soon, but it does not rest with me.