asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any examinations open to time-expired soldiers to enable them to secure civilian clerical employment in the War Office; and, if there are, what qualifications are required from those desiring to compete?

Competitive examinations are held annually for established clerical posts for ex-soldiers in the War Office and in the War Department Out-station Offices.Candidates must

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many posts now filled at the War Office by serving soldiers involve the performance of duties similar to those carried out by time-expired ex-regular soldiers; and whether in order to carry out the Government's policy of finding employment for time-expired soldiers and at the same time to reduce the shortage of qualified military personnel in the units and commands, he will consider the substitution of serving soldiers at the War Office by the appointment of qualified ex-soldiers with the requisite experience who will remain available for continued service at the War Office in the event of war?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the beneficial effects upon recruitment to the Army of being able to offer to time-expired soldiers an opportunity of filling all clerical posts in the appropriate divisions of the War Office?

The clerical posts in the military branches at the War Office are filled by serving soldiers only to the extent necessary for training in duties for which such soldiers would be required on active service, or where special knowledge and experience are needed. There are 203 such posts. The remainder, to the number of over 500, are filled by ex-soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much agricultural land has been taken over by his Department in the last 10 years; and at what cost?

I regret that the information required is not readily available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the United States of America War Department is using slate-blue cloth for army uniforms on account of its excellent camouflage properties; and whether he will inquire into the possible advantages of adopting this colour for certain British regiments in place of the khaki now worn?

The present khaki shade for uniform was chosen specifically on account of its camouflage properties. This shade stood the test in all theatres of war during the Great War, and there would consequently appear to be no justification for a change.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a part of the expansion of the Territorial Army, the opportunity will be taken to reverse the process whereby the Yeomanry regiments of two counties were, on conversion to other arms, amalgamated into one unit covering a large area, and administered by two county associations; and whether he will bear in mind the advantage in administration, recruiting, and esprit-de-corps, likely to arise from reversion to the single-county basis?

When the duplication of the regiments concerned is completed, and if the units so desire, consideration will be given to their reorganisation on a single-county basis. It would clearly be imprudent to disorganise the existing regiments until the duplication is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information showing to what extent British business men, merchants and commercial travellers, have been able to take advantage of the increased facilities at their disposal resulting from the expansion of British air services throughout the Empire during the past two years; and whether, in view of the fact that under present conditions foreigners are able to obtain the same advantages from these air services as British subjects, arrangements can be made to introduce a system of special reduced fares for British merchants, certified by the Department of Overseas Trade to be engaged on business likely to prove beneficial to British export trade?

Information is not available to show the extent to which British business men, merchants and commercial travellers have taken advantage during the past two years of the increased British air services to overseas parts of the Empire. In regard to the second part of the question, I am advised that, for administrative and financial reasons, my hon. Friend's suggestion is impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he can state if any State subsidy is being given to the Scottish Aviation Company for the construction of the new aerodrome at Grangemouth, and, if so, how much; and whether the fair wages clause applicable to Government contracts applies to the workmen who are engaged on its construction?

No subsidy is being granted to the Scottish Aviation Company in respect of the development of the aerodrome at Grangemouth. It is, however, proposed to utilise the aerodrome for the training of personnel of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and contract arrangements are being made on the usual lines for the use of the aerodrome and buildings in this connection. The contract for the constructional work at the aerodrome is a matter between the Scottish Aviation Company and the contractor, but I understand that the rates of wages paid by the contractor are those applicable to the district.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the numbers of airmen in each of the pay groups in the Royal Air Force?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to furnish the infromation which the hon. Member requires.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what further action is contemplated by the Board to replace the schools considered by the Committee of Inquiry into Anti-Tuberculosis Service in Wales to be a danger to the children?

As the removal of schools from the black list is very largely dependent on the progress of reorganisation, the Board will continue to urge upon authorities the importance of proceeding as rapidly as possible with the carrying out of schemes of reorganisation in their areas. A number of general reports on elementary education in Welsh county areas, containing recommendations with regard to reorganisation, and also calling attention to defects in premises, have already been issued to the local education authorities concerned, and others are in course of preparation; and the attention of authorities and managers is continually being directed to the need for effecting improvements in the case of individual schools where the premises are known to be defective.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will consider setting up an interdepartmental committee to consider the possibility of laying down a standard method of teaching English?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend does not consider it desirable to attempt to standardise the methods of teaching English.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, as it was considered necessary to state in the Admiralty Fleet Order about the new promotion scheme of warrant officers to lieutenant that they would be eligible to specialise under the conditions laid down for ex-cadet officers, and in the original Order about the mate scheme that those officers were to be eligible for promotion to commander and higher, he will have a statement made in a Fleet Order about the promotion prospects of the new lieutenants as there is considerable doubt on the subject not only among possible candidates but also their commanding officers and others concerned?

In view of the references already made in Admiralty Fleet Order 763A/39 I do not think there is any reason for doubt. I am nevertheless making the position quite clear by arranging for the incorporation in Fleet Orders of a statement to the effect that these officers will, in due course, be considered for promotion with officers of similar seniority entered from other sources.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty will reconsider the maximum retired pay of £346 a year for warrant officers promoted under the new scheme to lieutenant, who can complete 19 years' commissioned service, observing that many officers commissioned as mates be tween 1913 and 1931, of the ages of 25 and 26 years, were eligible for the maximum rate of retired pay of lieutenant-commanders, ex-cadet, and are, in fact, now in receipt of the full rate of £407 10s. per annum?

Considerations that applied to the Mate Scheme are not applicable to the new scheme of promotion from warrant rank. It has been decided that it was more appropriate to offer them the same terms as officers transferred from the Royal Naval Reserve, but with the benefit of reckoning former warrant officer service in full and one-half of man's service from the age of 18.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty will introduce new regulations whereby pension rights will begin from the time a recruit enters the Navy, and not from the age of 18 as at present, observing that such regulations are to be introduced for the Army; and that naval recruits ought to be on the same footing in this respect as Army recruits?

I will keep in touch with my right hon. Friend if any changes are made in Army practice and consider their effect on Naval Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the shortage of engineer officers, a scheme of promotion similar to that of executive warrant officers between 25 and 36 years of age to lieutenant's rank is to be introduced for the engineer branch of the Navy; and, if so, can he say when this is to be done and the number suggested?

The whole matter is at present under consideration.