asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the best quality materials for making suits and dresses lasts longer than shoddy, and thereby is more likely to achieve the object he has in view of releasing work-people from non-essential industries, he will decide only to use such material in utility clothing?

I have every sympathy with the object which my hon. friend has in mind. But, at the present stage of the war, we must make the best use of all available material and manufacturing capacity, and waste nothing.

Is not the trade itself, which knows more about this matter, satisfied that the suggestion can be carried out?

Nobody in the trade would fall into the mistake of thinking that all the material available was of the best quality. In this imperfect world not all the material is of the best quality, and we must use what we have to the best advantage.

Will there not soon be a lot of black shirts available in Italy?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (I) whether he is aware that there are accumulations of large quantities of low-priced utility clothes in the hands of makers, wholesalers and retailers, in which the public apparently have no buying interest; and does he intend to take steps to absorb or buy these stocks to send them to countries occupied by the Allies or grant licences to enable them to be exported to markets abroad;

(2) whether he is aware that owing to the fact that a coupon is equally valid in purchasing a low-priced or an expensive article, holders are refusing to purchase other than the most expensive types of boots, shoes and clothing, leaving heavy unsold stocks in the hands of wholesalers and retailers; and is he considering a method to meet the anomaly of coupon holders who normally buy medium-priced goods, and still prefer them, insisting on buying higher-priced goods because of the coupon value being the same in both cases?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cambridge (Lieut.-Commander Tufnell) in reply to a similar Question on Tuesday last, I have received reports of the accumulation of stocks of certain types of rationed goods in the hands of traders, and I am now going into the matter.

Is there any reason why we should not grant facilities for the exportation of some of these accumulations to the Dominions, as has been done in the case of lower priced goods to another industry? Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the possibility of relating coupons to values, in order to encourage the purchase of these accumulations, instead of the higher priced and more expensive?

I am going into the matter, and I hope to be able to make an announcement before long, but I would rather not anticipate it. I can say to my hon. Friend that we do not want undue accumulations of any of these stocks of goods. That is common ground, but the question of preventing it does need investigation, and I am examining various alternatives.

Will the right hon. Gentleman examine the possibility of granting facilities for exportation?

Yes, Sir, I am looking into it.

Would it not be highly dangerous if my right hon. Friend agreed to release these stocks coupon free at bargain prices?

I have not given any undertaking to do any such thing, but I have said that I am considering the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that military grey socks on sale to farm workers in Norfolk are, at least, four inches too short in the leg; that they work down into the boots and cause great discomfort to the wearers; and will he endeavour to rectify the matter?

I am not sure what socks my hon. Friend has in mind. If they are military socks, their length is determined by Service specifications. All socks made for the civilian market must conform to the restrictions on length imposed in November, 1942, in order to save wool. I regret that, in view of the present stringency of supplies, I cannot see my way to relax these restrictions.

Would the President of the Board of Trade agree to wear a pair of these socks over the week-end when he is doing land work, as it would perhaps make him more sympathetic?

I should be very glad to make the experiment.

Will my right hon. Friend give coupons for them?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to issue supplementary clothing coupons for agricultural workers in the near future?

Agricultural workers have already received r o supplementary coupons for the present rationing period. I shall shortly be discussing with the Trades Union Congress and representatives of the employers the question of occupational supplements for the next period, which begins on 1st September.

May we be assured that people who are being asked to come and help on farms will not find difficulty sufficient to prevent their coming by not having coupons to get the necessary clothing?

We will do our best to divide the supplies among the various workers.

Will my right hon. Friend consider reducing the number of coupons required for certain classes of goods?

Yes, Sir, we will consider that suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that the Goods and Services (Price Control) Utility Cloth Order (S.R. & O. No. 753 of 1943) amends or refers to an Order of 1941, three Orders of 1942 and to Orders of 1943; and, as the explanatory note is difficult of interpretation, will he consider issuing a simpler and more comprehensive explanatory note?

I regret that my hon. Friend should consider that the explanatory note in this Order is not sufficiently clear, but I fear that, if it were more comprehensive, it would not be simpler.

In view of the fact of the incomprehensibility of the first section of the explanatory note, will my right hon. Friend be good enough to issue an explanatory note of the explanatory note?

I would do so if the trade wanted me to, but the trade—and after all it is for their benefit that these things are issued—find it quite clear. I have had no complaint from the trade.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that the trade do not find this explanatory note either simple or easily understood, and that it has involved a considerable amount of research to find out what the explanatory note means?

I have found that the trade are always ready to communicate with me if they have difficulty, and I have had no communication from anybody, except from Members of this House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the shortage of clog bottoms in the Heywood and Radcliffe districts of Lancashire is still serious; and what is the reason for the difficulty encountered by war workers in securing these articles?

As I have already informed the House, output of clog bottoms has risen by over 70 per cent. compared with 1941, and I am doing everything possible to raise it still further. I am at present in touch with the manufacturers with that object in view. I have also called for reports from my area distribution officers, in order to direct supplies to those areas which need them most.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that clogs are essentially Lancashire footwear, and that if he is regulating the supply to 8o per cent. in other parts of the country, Lancashire must go unduly short?

My information is that the two largest producers of clog soles are Messrs. Maude and Son, of Hebden Bridge, and British Clog Soles, of Snaith, Yorkshire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before deciding on a further general reduction in the number of clothing coupons, he will give particular consideration to the position of people who have only small wardrobes, which have already been seriously depleted and to the fact that many parents find it necessary to forgo their own coupons to provide essential clothing for schoolchildren and the requirements of the household?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, under the present allowance of coupons, the parents of two or more schoolchildren find it impossible to keep their children adequately provided with boots and shoes; and whether he will consider making some concession to meet these difficulties when allotting the number of coupons for the next year?

I hope to be in a position to make a statement next week on the clothing ration for the next period, beginning 1st September.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have decided to terminate the existing procedure whereby woollen comforts sent to the ships of the Merchant Navy are sent coupon free; and what is the proposed alteration in the procedure?

In order to ensure a fairer distribution and to prevent any waste of the comforts knitted for members of the Merchant Navy, I propose, at the request of my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport, to include comforts in the rationing scheme for the Merchant Navy. For this purpose, an extra sixteen coupons, specially marked, will be issued to each seaman over and above his ration for other clothing. Seamen will be able to obtain free comforts, whenever available, against these coupons, which may also be used for purchases in the shops. The scheme will not in any way reduce the supply of comforts available.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this procedure is necessary, and is he certain that it will not penalise the merchant seamen, both as regards the early supply of comforts and also for replacements? I would also ask him whether he is aware that it is a discriminatory measure against the seamen of the Merchant Navy that does not apply to the ratings of the Army, Navy or Air Force?

That is rather a long question.

My hon. and gallant Friend came to see me yesterday, and we had an interesting discussion on this subject. I understand that he afterwards went to the Ministry of War Transport and had further discussions there. As I told him yesterday, and as I now say to the House, the last thing any of us wish to do is to penalise the Merchant Navy or to discriminate against them. So far as I am concerned, they are at the top of the list. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any further considerations which he would like to put to the Minister of War Transport and myself, we would be very glad to go into the matter again. My advice up to the present is that this scheme would benefit the merchant seamen and assure them of a fairer share of comforts, but I would be glad to look into it further.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider extending this concession to men and officers serving on coastguard ships, who are also penalised?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend would put that down. It is a different question.

In view of the very arduous nature of the work which these men have to carry out, especially in the cold waters of the North, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the equivalent of 16 coupons is a very small allowance to be obtained in a year, and nothing more?

That must depend to some extent on the quantity of comforts coming forward. The number of r6 was arrived at with the idea that it would about absorb and fairly distribute the quantity of comforts coming forward. I will have that point looked into again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large supplies of dress material, artificial silk, prints, cotton piece goods and woollen suitings are being released, coupon free, from certain Manchester warehouses for quick sale through underground channels in Lancashire and Yorkshire towns and at inflated prices; and what action he has taken to prosecute the promoters of this widespread practice?

I am investigating these reports, and I invite my hon. Friend to give me the particulars of any cases that have come to his notice.

If I present to my right hon. Friend a packet of samples, will he give an undertaking that if he can trace the wholesalers and manufacturers he will intern the whole lot or put them out of business for the duration of the war?

I shall be very glad to take any action which can be sustained in the courts, but we must have evidence. My hon. Friend has been giving a good deal of publicity to this. I thought it would be convenient if he would meet my Chief Enforcement Officer to-day and give him some hard evidence.

I shall be glad to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists with regard to the regulation which allows 2s. a day to men who become paratroopers and by which they are deprived of this 2s. when they are wounded and no longer fit to jump; and whether this proficiency award can be made a grade in the Army and not a temporary increase?

As stated in the answer to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 29th June, the wounded may now, subject to certain conditions, retain this additional pay for 91 days. It would be unjustifiable for them to retain this additional pay indefinitely after ceasing to be capable of performing the duties for which it is given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is something more than mere cash involved in this? It is the whole aspect of esprit de corpsof a man who feels a certain humiliation in being returned to a subordinate rank through no fault of his own.

The hon. Member will find that the practice is the same as in analogous cases not only in the Army but in the other Services.

If a man in the course of his service suffers an injury which results in his losing 2s. a day, will the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Pensions to see whether that cannot be compensated for?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any settled policy with regard to the carrying-out of the usual periodic repairs, such as outside painting, in connection with properties held by his Department, many of which have been held for four years and may not have been painted for a similar length of time before requisitioning, with the result that the woodwork is decaying; and is he aware that owners of such properties look to him to see that they do not suffer after the war from inability to get their properties repaired for their own occupation?

It is the policy of the Department to maintain its own buildings and other buildings held on requisition to a certain standard of war-time maintenance, which includes painting necessary for preservation. Owing, however, to the shortage of labour and materials, it is becoming increasingly difficult to implement this policy. The Department is aware of the expectations of owners of property, which are no doubt based on the provisions of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, but my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that many owners who still retain possession of their property cannot maintain it.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is very real deterioration in the standard of maintenance of these much-valued properties and homes, and will he do everything he can to improve the standard?

I am aware of the deterioration. We will certainly do everything possible to maintain these properties, but I am bound to warn my hon. and gallant Friend that I do not think we shall succeeed in preventing some deterioration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the War Office pinched three of our schools and that we had no say in the matter?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the shortage of materials is entirely the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply and the Minister of Labour?

asked the Secretary of State for War the financial saving involved during the first six months of this year through treating Home Guard officers as private soldiers in respect of medical treatment?

None of the records kept show the cost to the public of treating Home Guard officers as such, and I regret that the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend could not be obtained without considerable labour, which in present circumstances would hardly be justifiable.

Since there is apparently no saving involved and no other reason for this anomaly, will my right hon. Friend continue to treat Home Guard officers as private soldiers while expecting them to bear the responsibilities of officers?

That is another question, which my hon. and gallant Friend might raise on another occasion.

asked the Secretary of Stale for War the number of members of the Home Guard who have been convicted by courts-martial of offences which were triable as felonies or misdemeanours by the civil courts; and whether, as a court-martial cannot place an accused on probation or bind him over to be of good behaviour, he will give instructions that in future Home Guards charged with civil offences shall be brought before the civil courts and not charged under Section 4 of the Army Act before courts-martial?

The answer to the first part of the Question is nine. It is sometimes desirable to try a Home Guard by court-martial for a civil offence which he commits in relation to his position and duties as a Home Guard, but the regulations require that authority for such a trial must be obtained from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. I do not think any further instructions are necessary.

Is not the least sentence that a court-martial can pass on a Home Guard member for such offences a sentence to detention?

I am not sure about that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing in the Army Voluntary Aid Detachment Nursing Service at the disabilities they suffer compared with the Naval and Royal Air Force Hospital Service; and whether he is prepared to assimilate the conditions of Army nurses to the more favourable conditions of the other Services?

My hon. Friend is no doubt referring not to the present position but to the recommendations made by the committee which reported on Voluntary Aid Detachments. I have at present nothing tc, add on this subject to the statements previously made.

asked the Secretary of State for War (I) whether all officers, whether Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers or infantry, etc., go through the same officer cadet training units and have the same training; whether there is any training of a specialised character given to Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers officers not given to the others, or vice versa; and, if so, what is the difference in each section that are being trained;

(2) the difference in training given to probable officers of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from that given to all other probable officers of other corps passing through the same officer cadets training unit; and whether there are separate training establishments from those of the Royal Engineers, Royal Corps of Signals and Royal Army Ordnance Corps or any other Army corps?

There are different officer cadet training units for different arms and corps of the Service, and the nature of the training and the length of the courses vary accordingly. R.E.M.E. cadets who do not possess the necessary knowledge of their technical duties and of workshop administration are sent on an r8-week course of special technical training for the R.E.M.E. After this course they are sent to an O.C.T.U. to learn their duties as officers. There are also at this O.C.T.U. cadets for R.E.M.E. who already have the necessary technical knowledge and do not need the technical course to which I have referred, and also some cadets for other arms of the service who, owing to their military knowledge and experience, do not need the full course at the O.C.T.U. of their arm or corps. The course at this O.C.T.U. has not hitherto included any subjects peculiar to the R.E.M.E., but in future the course for R.E.M.E. cadets will be lengthened and will include certain non-technical subjects peculiar to their corps.

Seeing that this is a combatant corps, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the chances of promotion for those who pass as officers are the same as those for officers in the Royal Engineers? Will he remember that the late Lord Kitchener was a Royal Engineer?

I am afraid I could not possibly, in any circumstances, give a guarantee that the rates of promotion in every unit or corps of the Army will be completely uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that both officers and soldiers serving in the Middle East are often unable for financial reasons to take even short periods of local leave; and, in view of the high prices for everything in the areas concerned, will he consider increasing the facilities of serving men for cheap and beneficial rest and recreation?

Free travel to leave centres is provided for officers and other ranks in the Middle East. I gave an outline of the arrangements made at these centres by the military authorities and by voluntary organisations to provide accommodation and meals at reasonable prices in an answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) on 4th May. The importance of providing facilities is, I know, fully appreciated by the authorities in the Middle East, and the facilities are continually being extended and improved in so far as the pressure on existing means of transport and the shortage of materials permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered representations made to him regarding the publication as a White Paper, or otherwise, on his administration of the former Italian colonies of Eritrea and Somaliland; and whether he can make a statement?

I think my hon. Friend's wishes will be met by a book which the Ministry of Information are now preparing on the administration of Eritrea and Italian Somaliland during the last two years.

When is it likely to be published?

Not for a couple of months, I am afraid.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the distribution of newspapers, including those papers specially produced for the troops, has often been unsatisfactory in North Africa; who is responsible for the distribution of papers, and whether he will inquire into this question?

The military authorities in North Africa are responsible for the distribution of all newspapers. I can assure my hon. Friend that they appreciate the need for providing as many as possible, and have shown great enterprise in providing what papers they can for the troops with the very limited transport available to forward areas.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while excellent papers are being produced, the system for distributing them to troops in the forward areas has not been satisfactory? Will he look into the matter?

I did look into it on the spot, and I cannot accept the statement of my hon. Friend that the system of distribution is not now satisfactory. It is, of course, always difficult to get enough paper to produce sufficient copies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the last 18 months this question of the distribution of newspapers has been carried out first by the Signals Corps, then by the Welfare Branch, then by the R.A.S.C., and then by the Ordnance Corps? Does that not show a certain amount of confusion?

I do not think that it shows anything except that continual efforts are being made to improve distribution.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that among the troops there is considerable feeling that they get their news very late?

I think my information is more up to date than that of my hon. and gallant Friend, and I am not aware of any such thing.

Which system was in force when my right hon. Friend visited North Africa?

The latest one.

Which was that?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention that the investigation to be conducted into the conditions in military detention camps should extend to those detention camps overseas?

No, Sir.

Why will not the investigation extend to detention camps overseas?

That is a small part of the problem. It would, moreover, prolong the inquiry if the members of the Commission had to travel to detention camps abroad.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that conditions in detention camps overseas are satisfactory?

I would like notice of that Question. I have had no complaints about them. I visited one in North Africa, and in that particular case conditions were at least satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the Army Order 324 of 1919, that the rates, of officers' retired pay should be subject to an increase up to 20 per cent. if the cost of living should rise, and in view of the stabilisation of these rates in 1934 at 9½ per cent. below the basic rates, he will, in view of the rise in the cost of living since the latter year, consider whether the present rate of payment is adequate?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 4th August last, of which I will send him a copy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in view of the Army Order in question, it amounts to a breach of faith to reduce the pension when the cost of living goes down and to fail to raise it when the cost of living goes up?

I imagine that the possibility of that was before the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the decision to which I have referred was reached.

Is it not very desirable that the present Government and the present Secretary of State should look into the matter and not allow this injustice to continue?

The matter has been looked into. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a decision, which was a Government decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War the pensions and other emoluments received on retirement by civil servants employed at the War Office and how they compare with those received by Regular officers and other ranks of equivalent grades?

Owing to the differing conditions of service and ages of retirement and the absence of any precise equivalence between the various grades in the Civil Service and the various Army ranks, I regret that a valid comparison cannot be drawn between the pensions drawns by civil servants and those drawn by military officers and other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the Report of the Cozens-Hardy Committee on staffing of mixed military and civilian establishments of the War Department?

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of cases where the payment of family allowance has been stopped as a result of the reporting of the cessation of normal domestic relations; and in what proportion of such cases the soldier has been held subsequently legally liable to maintain his wife and family?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of soldiers subjected to disciplinary measures for failure to report the cessation of normal domestic relations between them and their wives and families?

I regret that the figures asked for are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers in the Judge Advocate General's department and outside it who are normally required to read through the proceedings of each trial by field general court-martial held in this country?

The proceedings of trials by field general court-martial are normally reviewed by the confirming officer, by one superior military authority, by an officer of the Judge Advocate General's branch at Command Headquarters and finally in the office of the Judge Advocate General in London.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether the simplification of the system will lead to a saving in man-power?

That really arises on the next Question, where I am asked about the numbers involved. The man-power is no very large, but the important consideration in the matter of courts-martial is that the system should be such as to ensure fairness and justice. In point of fact, the procedure has been cut down somewhat since the war started by stationing officers of the Judge Advocate General's Department at Command Headquarters.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, in view of the absence of any right of appeal from the decisions of courts-martial, that the further cutting down of the system of review would be regarded with grave anxiety by a great many people?

The hon. Member is quite wrong is saying that there is no right of appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers now employed in the military department of the Judge Advocate General's Office in Great Britain; the number of colonels, lieutenant-colonels and majors so employed; and how their numbers compare with those of August, 1940?

There are at present 65 officers employed in the Military Department of the Judge Advocate General's Office in Great Britain and Northern Ire land. One is a Brigadier, five are Lieutenant-Colonels and 12 are Majors. In August, 1940, 42 officers were so employed of which one was a Colonel, two were Lieutenant-Colonels and eight were Majors.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this increase is partly due to the employment of these officers to prosecute Home Guards in cases that might well be tried by civil courts?

The total number of Home Guard trials by courts-martial is only 104, and the officers concerned have taken them in their stride without any addition to their numbers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now consider revealing the Government's views on the recommendations contained in the Report of the Army and Air Force Courts-Martial Committee; and when he proposes to give effect to any of its recommendations?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the prefatory note in Command Paper 6200 in which the Report was published.

Will not my right hon. Friend consider that the changes recommended should be introduced now that we have such a very largely increased Army and that A.T.S. and also Home Guards are liable to trial by courts-martial?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sicilians are debarred from any contact with Italian refugee political organisations?

As the Prime Minister stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. I. Thomas) on 21st July, no political activities by the local inhabitants can be countenanced under the Allied Military Government established in Occupied Sicily.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that nature abhors a vacuum in politics, and as these people have not been able to hear anything of democracy for 21 years, should not they be allowed to do so as soon as it is reasonably possible?

The part of the government of Sicily for which I am responsible is the military government, and the important considerations in a military government are military ones.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this political attitude of the administration in Sicily is taking a good deal of the glamour off our military victories?

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain why this association between the Sicilians and Italian political refugee organisations is going to conflict with the military government? Will he explain that?

Military requirements and whatever the Commander-in-Chief thinks necessary for military safeguards are paramount.

rose—

We cannot have a Debate on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information about the case of an Army truck that mounted the pavement in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, when a three months old baby was crushed to death in her perambulator and the mother and three other people were injured; and whether compensation will be paid to the people injured?

Inquiries are being made into the circumstances of this accident, and the claims for compensation which have reached the War Department are now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the schools under the control of the Glasgow Corporation are forbidden to form units of the Air Training Corps and that the use of school premises is denied to Air Training Corps cadets; and whether he will consult with the Glasgow Corporation with a view to altering this state of affairs?

I am advised that the Glasgow Corporation, by granting the use of accommodation and other facilities, have actively assisted in the development of open units of the Air Training Corps—that is, units whose membership is not restricted to boys of particular schools. But they decline to assist closed units, that is, units whose membership is restricted to particular schools.

Is my right hon. Friend aware what a great handicap this is to organisers of the Air Training Corps in Glasgow; and would he exercise every possible pressure to try to do away with this bigoted attitude of the Glasgow Corporation?

It is obvious that there is a very extreme difference of opinion on this matter. It is not confined to Glasgow; there is at least one other city which takes the same view.

Is there not a war on and should not that fact be given consideration?

As with one exception this attitude is unique in Britain, and as 5o per cent. of the officers are teachers themselves and the training is a good technical training, will my right hon. Friend take some steps in the matter?

We have made the most exhaustive inquiries as to the attitude of the Glasgow Corporation—

Why not make an order?

We have no power to make orders in this matter.

Take powers.

rose—

This, again, is developing into a Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many of the recently allocated 1,000 houses work has begun; for how many tenders have been approved; and if tenders for any have not yet been submitted to the approval of the Scottish Office?

I am advised that on more than 25 per cent. of the houses work has actually begun. Tenders for 742 houses have been approved, and I expect to approve tenders on 128 more to-morrow. Tenders for 64 are expected shortly. Tenders for 66 houses have been rejected because of the excessive costs, and the local authorities concerned have been advised to make fresh tenders.

In the event of local authorities, in these cases where excessive tenders have been made, failing to get what my right hon. Friend must consider a reasonable figure, what is he going to do in the circumstances?

In the first instance I want to make perfectly sure that these excessive tenders have been properly scrutinised. In one case tenders have been for £1,655 per house, exclusive of land, roads, drains and extra underbuilding.

Are any of these houses being built by the Ministry of Works, and, if so, at what price?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to publish a White Paper on Educational Reconstruction in Scotland, and when?

The Advisory Council on Education in Scotland are presently engaged upon five remits, the terms of which I communicated to the House during last Wednesday's Debate. These remits cover a wide field, and I feel that I could not usefully consider the question of a White Paper on Educational Reconstruction in Scotland until I have received the reports on these remits.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is some anxiety among Scottish Members on this side of the House in case a Debate is forced on us before we have had an ample opportunity of considering a White Paper? We have no guarantee when these remits are to be exhausted.

I am advised that there will be no undue delay.

Is it the intention to issue a White Paper when the Report of the Educational Committee is received?

I think the likelihood is that we shall, but it will only be courteous to the Advisory Committee to await their Report.

Will there be a delay of 12 months after the English Bill before we have an Education Bill for Scotland?

I cannot admit that any interval between the two Bills will be a delay because of the different position in the two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the petition from parents of children previously attending St. Lawrence School, Greenock; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement thereon?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, proposals recently submitted by the Renfrewshire education authority for the erection of prefabricated huts in order to restore full-time education for all the pupils of St. Lawrence boys' and girls' schools are now under discussion with the Ministry of Works. I expect that a decision will be reached at an early date.