asked the Secretary of State for War why his Department consistently refused to announce a definite scheme of demobilisation for H.C.T. troops, when a definite scheme was offered to British troops; when the first of these H.C.T. troops were demoblished and reached their homes; how many are still on service in the Middle East; how many are now in transit camps; and when the whole of these troops will be repatriated.

It is not usual for the War Office to announce release programmes for locally enlisted forces, as this is a matter left to the Commander-in-Chief concerned. I understand that the first party of H.C.T. troops to be demobilised reached their homes on 26th August last. All H.C.T. troops have now left the Middle East except for 42 soldiers in hospital or serving sentences of imprisonment. It is expected that these men will have left by the middle of April.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the lack of a definite scheme of demobilisation, such as that announced for British troops, is the cause of great unrest among these troops and their friends in their native country, and does the right hon. Gentle man say that it is not the responsibility of the War Office to attend to that matter?

I realise that there has been some difficulty about this matter, but I am afraid it will have to be left to the Command concerned to deal with it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable evidence that these men are being sent back to their villages without sufficient medical examination and are arriving back home in a deplorable state? Furthermore, is he aware that there is a new recruitment scheme for these men, and does he think such a scheme desirable in view of the shortage of food and manpower in this territory?

I am sorry to hear the statement made about the conditions under which these men return home. I will certainly have the matter examined, because it would leave a very bad impression.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second half of my supplementary question?

asked the Secretary of State for War why, since the number of men to be released this year has been decided, any slowing up in the speed of that release is necessary.

The rate of release decided upon for the period up to 30th June, 1946, is the most rapid possible, having regard to current commitments, to bring the Army down to the target figure for that date. The programme of releases for July-December, 1946, is still under consideration, but it, too, will be governed by the extent of commitments during that period.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there is any chance of an acceleration, because the men are rather concerned about this matter?

I am hoping that acceleration will be possible, but the Army has its commitments and one has to be very careful before making a decision.

When are we to have a statement of our commitments?

If it is true that we are evacuating, or likely to evacuate, our troops from Indonesia, and, possibly, from Greece, and that we may, further still, be bringing our troops out of Italy, would that figure be considerably accelerated by August or September?

The Secretary of State for War, more than most people, desires to see this fact accomplished and, if it is, there would be no happier person.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that difficulties of communication cause delay in the offer of Class B release reaching men serving in S.E.A.C., he will arrange for the offer of block release under this scheme to be extended to higher release groups in the case of men serving in the Far East than in the case of men serving nearer at home.

I am looking into this matter and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the opportunity of electing Class B release has yet been offered to carpenters in age and service Group 38 under the block scheme; and what is the highest group to which this opportunity has been offered.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) on 12th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the minimum period for which a man must have served before he can be considered for release on compassionate grounds.

There is no minimum period for which a man must have served before he can be considered for release on compassionate grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War, when he will issue directions for all farm workers, who have been in the Forces over 12 months, to be offered Class B release.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that he has now given instructions to all commands that will ensure that agricul- tural workers with one year's service are offered immediate release under Class B block scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent offers of Class B release are being sent by his Department to men with over a year's service in the Army whose Service records show them as agricultural workers.

No special instructions to commands are necessary'. Individual authorities for the release of all those eligible have been or are being issued. To meet the demands received from the Ministry of Labour and National Service for agricultural workers it has been necessary to offer release to all releaseable men with over a year's service in the occupations concerned.

Can the hon. Gentleman bring this to the notice of commanding officers, as it does appear that many of them do not know about it?

I think commanding officers know all about this. It has already been brought to their notice.

Are all release groups sent forward at the same time. or are releases sent forward by demobilisation groups?

No, Sir, each case is dealt with individually.

Can the Minister say whether he has published an Army Council instruction yet?

I shall want notice of that question. Some instructions have been issued to all commands, and therefore to commanding officers of units in those commands.

In view of his last remark, that all cases are dealt with individually, does the hon. Gentleman mean to say that each individual has to be applied for separately?

No, Sir, but individual instructions are issued by the War Office in each case.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to replace essential specialist officers of R.E., Royal Signals, R.A.S.C. and R.A.O.C. in M.E.F., who are due for Class A release; when these steps arc likely to bear fruit; and whether, as a result, sufficient specialist officers will be available for the needs of this theatre without deferring any releases.

The steps being taken include the transfer of officers to the Middle East from other theatres, the attachment to the technical arms of officers from other arms in which the shortage of officers is not at present so acute, and, in certain arms a reduction in the length of officer cadet training. All these measures are bearing fruit.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a report on the mutiny among H.C.T. troops in Palestine during November; what was the cause of the mutiny; what action was taken; why airborne troops fired over too rounds at the sentenced men while in gaol on the occasion of the court-martial sentence being made public, four men being killed and a number wounded: and if, in view of the magnificent war record of the Basuto Company concerned, he will consider cancelling the sentences of six and nine months' imprisonment imposed on the men and return the men to their homes forthwith.

I have called for a report and as soon as it is received I will write to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman asking the House to believe that he knows nothing about the matter? A number of British native troops were shot in November last and this is April; is the right hon. Gentleman really asking us to believe that?

All I can say is that I have no detailed report to hand.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his Department or the Colonial Office is responsible for the welfare of these men, and will he make that plain to the House?

I could not say at the moment; I have no report.

Could my right hon. Friend explain for the more ignorant section of the House what "H.C.T." troops are?

The initials stand for "High Commission Territories."

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the gravity of the facts I have alleged on the best testimony, he will consider setting up a special public inquiry to look into the matter?

It has been suggested that it is possible that another Department has received this report. I do not know, but I have no detailed report at the moment. I have called for a report and, as soon as I receive it, I will make a decision.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any court-martial has taken place.?

Yes, a court-martial did take place.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman any report of the court-martial's findings?

In view of the very unsatisfactory reply, I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider the very grave accusation made, and I take this opportunity of stating that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a serving officer with an exemplary military and anti-Fascist record, whose name has been communicated to him, has been suddenly removed from his position as a staff captain in the Military Government of Germany, without explanation or inquiry.

The temporary employment in Military Government of the officer in question was reviewed in accordance with the normal procedure. As a result it was decided that his services could more appropriately be utilised in another capacity. It was not necessary to explain this as it is the normal reason for the reposting of officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, when 14450856 Lance-Corporal W. R. C. Hinman, left his reserved occupation to volunteer for the Army. on the death of his brother on active service, he was not offered a duration engagement.

I regret that I have no information as to whether or not this soldier was offered a duration engagement. He would, however, have been clearly informed of the nature of the engagement he did undertake and must have signed the attestation form voluntarily.

Is the Minister aware that this soldier, and others like him who, under the stress of emotion, left a reserved occupation and volunteered for service in the Forces, are now suffering considerable hardship by being held to that undertaking involving an engagement for a certain number of years? Will he look into the matter again—particularly if he is considering other penalties which have been inflicted on persons during the war—concerning, as it does, those whose only crime was over-enthusiasm?

I have looked into this matter very carefully and I cannot find any evidence which would justify my taking further action.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that this is the second time a question of this kind has been raised in this House?

asked the Secretary of State for War why his Department has refused the release from the Army, under Class B, of Lieutenant C. G. Noakes, 292021, R.A.O.C., particulars of whose case have been sent to him, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Labour had approved his release so that he could return to work for Messrs. J. D. Thomson, Limited, Boot Manufacturers, Leicester, of which firm he is the managing director.

The release of this officer under Class B has been refused because it could not be granted without delaying the Class A release of another officer. But my right hon. Friend is looking further into this case.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider the fact that the Ministry of Labour and the Board of Trade recommended the release of this man because of his extreme importance to the shoe industry in Leicester in January, and that in March a letter was received from his Department saying that that application should be made to those Departments in order to get his release?

Yes, Sir. Unfortunately this application, if granted, would have the effect of delaying a Class A officer who has absolute rights to get out.

Will the hon. Gentleman see to it that the industry is not impeded, by putting another person in place of this man who is so urgently needed in that industry?

I have already given the hon. Gentleman an assurance that my right hon. Friend is looking further into it.

Is my hon. Friend saying that Class A officers have absolute rights to get out? If so, will he reconsider the case of the officers in Group 26 who are being deferred?

I think that is quite correct. Class A release confers absolute right, subject only to one thing, namely, those who are considered to be operationally vital.

Relatively absolute right.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a soldier, of whose name he has been informed, was refused leave to attend at an interview for a post under the Ministry of Food to which he had been invited; and if he will take steps to prevent leave being refused, in future, for this purpose.

Special leave for such interviews is not allowed. At home or in B.A.O.R. it may often be possible for ordinary leave to be granted so as to enable the interview to take place, but it was evidently not practicable in this case.

Why cannot leave be granted, in view of the fact that the war is over, and there is a great deal of feeling among Servicemen on this matter?

It is obviously not practical to bring men home from different theatres for special interview. They should try to arrange their privilege leave to coincide with the interview.

Is the Minister aware that it is hardly within a man's power to know when some appointing body will summon him for an interview? Will he not give more favourable instructions on this matter?

I am afraid we cannot do that. It will not be possible for men in the Far East to come home for special interviews. Men of B.A.O.R. and those at home have some advantage, but that is a geographical advantage.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 14425529 Signaller D. C. Laidler, Royal Signals, has been offered B release as an agricultural worker; that this man is a tradesman in another capacity, his only experience in agricultural work being a short period on leaving school; that he has no intention of returning to farm work; and why he is being released ahead of his group.

This man's release was authorised because on his records he was shown as an agricultural worker of an occupation being offered Class B release. The release authorization contains a proviso that the man should state before release if he is not of the occupation quoted and that failure to reveal this will lead to immediate recall. In this particular case the man drew attention to the fact that he was not in fact an agricultural worker and the offer of Class B release was therefore cancelled.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he proposes to take with regard to the cases of officers and men who were reduced in rank through inefficiency or for other reasons following trial by court martial or summary proceedings whilst prisoners of war in Japanese hands.

Men who were reduced in rank following trial by court-martial or summary proceedings while in Japanese hands, will have all trace of the trials erased and their reductions in rank will be void.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that means that men who misbehaved themselves while prisoners of war will have exactly the same chance in the future as the men who behaved themselves well?

The answer says "Men who were reduced in rank following trial by court-martial or summary proceedings."

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the reasons for his decision that all pro- motions of prisoners of war in Japanese hands made by commanding officers should be cancelled; and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that those singled out by their commanding officers for good services whilst in captivity should be suitably rewarded.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave him on 27th November last. As regards the second part, all recommendations by commanding officers are carefully scrutinised and the names of a large number of ex-prisoners of war are being submitted to His Majesty for appropriate awards. Records of good service as prisoners of war are also noted to the credit of the officer or man concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any variation has been made in the liability of his Department for compensation in respect of requisitioned property as set out in Clause 2 (1) ( b ) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939.

I know of no recent variation in the liability which, under the Section quoted, rests upon all requisitioning departments other than those incorporated by Parliament in the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what authority the War Department Lands Agent, Fareham, has been instructed to base the settlement of claims under Clause 2 (1) (b) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, lodged with, but not settled by, his Department before 1st January, 1946, on the cost of repairs prior to that date.

I am advised that the compensation under 2 (1) (b) must be assessed on the basis of the cost of making good the damage as at the date of de-requisition. The instructions referred to by the hon. and gallant Member arc framed accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the reasons which have led to the deferment in the M.E.F. of Group 26 until July this year; and why the release dates for this group were given as 10th April to 5th May, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for War what block deferments of release have been ordered for officers in the R.A.O.C., serving in the M.E.F., in each of the release Groups 26 to 32 inclusive; and for what periods arc these releases being deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the widespread anxiety caused among officers by the recent deferment of many in release Group 26, what percentage of the total number of officers in this group serving in the Royal Signals, Pioneer Corps, and other corps in the M.E.F. and other theatres, have been so deferred; and if he will give an assurance that active steps are being taken to reduce this deferment, and make similar deferments unnecessary in 27 and later groups.

There is no question of block deferment of officers in any arm in the Middle East or elsewhere. Deferments on operational grounds can only be made on an individual basis and every case is considered on its merits. Officers in Group 26 are due to be released during the period 10th April to 5th May. It will not therefore be possible until the end of that period to say how many officers in this group will actually have their release deferred, but I am looking into this matter further.

Is it not possible to defer so many individuals that, in the end, it amounts to block deferment?

That is so, and that is why I am watching this matter very closely. I have taken active steps to get the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, for those officers whose release is being deferred, he will give a definite limit for their deferment.

All cases are considered by Commanders-in-Chief on their individual merits in the light of local conditions, and I do not consider that I should be justified in interfering with their discretion in this matter. I am, however, constantly impressing on them the im- portance of keeping the period of deferment to the minimum in all such cases.

Would it be possible to impose a definite limit to deferment in the case of very long service men? I know of one case of an officer who has served 6½ years and he is now faced with a period of indefinite deferment. It seems very unfair.

I realise, of course, that numbers can be deferred to such an extent that they can almost amount to a class by themselves. As to the period of time, that is another matter which is engaging my attention.

Could not the number of deferments be reduced if officers were commissioned more quickly from the ranks?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of No. 5 B.O.D., of age and service Groups 26–32, have been informed that their release will be deferred; and what proportion of the total officer strength of this unit this number represents.

According to my present information, two R.A.O.C. officers out of a total of 28 in this depot have been informed that their release will be compulsorily deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of a proposal to close the Kudu Services Club, Nairobi, in the near future; and whether, owing to the much-valued amenities it provides for British other ranks, he will arrange to maintain it for as long as the strength of His Majesty's Forces in Nairobi requires.

I am making inquiries, and as soon as they are completed I will write to my hon. Friend.

Would my right hon. Friend have an inquiry made into the whole question of welfare facilities for other ranks in Nairobi? I think he will find there is very considerable dissatisfaction out there.

I regret to hear that, and I will certainly look into the matter.

Why cannot the whole House have an opportunity of learning the information?

I can circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT if it is desired.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider recruiting for permanent service in the peacetime Army, coloured colonial personnel in the United Kingdom and within the Empire who may wish to join; whether those coloured soldiers already in the Service will be allowed to continue on a regular engagement; whether the relaxation during wartime of King's Regulations to allow Africans to hold the King's Commission will be continued in the future; and whether he will amend A.C.I. 1435 of 1942, para. 5 (B), which constitutes a colour bar on entry into the Service.

I am discussing this matter with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the relaxation of King's Regulations to allow Africans to hold the King's Commission during the war has worked extremely well? Will he also bear in mind that the Royal Air Force have indicated that they will take coloured personnel on terms of complete equality for the peacetime R.A.F.?

I know there is considerable feeling on this question, but I think it should be discussed before any decision is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that British troops in Germany arc not billeted in non-residential premises, when residential premises exist in the required area.

In order to ensure the most satisfactory grouping of units and sub-units, it is necessary to use non-residential premises in some cases. But the policy aimed at is ultimately to house all troops in ex-German barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the R.A.O.C. are now attached for duties with R.E. Services.

No R.A.O.C. officers are attached for duty with R.E. Services in the United Kingdom. I have no up-to-date detailed information as to the position in overseas commands, but the numbers must be very small, if, indeed, there are any R.A.O.C. officers in this position.

I could give my right hon. Friend six individual cases. Would he look into the question of deferment of R.A.O.C. officers, so many of whom are serving outside their normal duties?

I will certainly do so, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman's information conflicts with what I have been given to understand.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers now serving on War Emergency Commissions; whether there is any establishment of such officers; what is the number of such officers surplus to requirements; and whether the standard of efficiency required before, commissioning has 'been raised or lowered since the cessation of hostilities.

The number of non-regular officers now serving is approximately 120,000. I regret that a separate figure for Emergency Commissioned officers is not readily available. There is no separate establishment for emergency commissioned officers, and, so far from there being a surplus of such officers, there is an overall deficiency. No change has been made in the standard of efficiency required before commissioning since the end of the war.

Is it not a fact that the standard of efficiency required is now definitely low, and, in view of the fact that the urgency which prevailed during the war as regards the supply of officers is now at an end, could not the standard be raised?

That is a matter for consideration on the merits of the case. That is not the original Question which the hon. and gallant Gentleman put to me.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision is to be made for married quarters for regular soldiers holding emergency commissions who have re-engaged under King's Regulations, Appendix XXVII, paragraph 4.

On reversion to the ranks all regular soldiers holding War Emergency Commissions will he entitled to married soldiers' quarters on equal terms with other married soldiers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Catterick such men are denied officers' quarters on the ground that they have emergency commissions, and are denied warrant officers' quarters on the ground that they are officers? Can he take some steps to right that state of affairs?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider reducing the age at which retired officers become eligible for retired pay up to £300 a year from 6o to 55.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the terms of the Pensions Increase Warrant, 1944. This Warrant follows the statutory provisions in the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1944, and it would, therefore, not be possible to make any special provision in favour of Army officers.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to take any steps to increase the miserable pittance on which these men who have served their country for 35 years are existing at the moment?

It would not be possible without an Amendment of the Act.

Is the Minister not aware that we have been pressing his Government ever since last December to produce an Amendment to the very Act to which he has referred, and will he ask some of his back benchers to propose an Amendment to the Act, rather than plead the unamended Act as a reason for doing nothing when he ought to do something?

I will be as benevolent as I can in this matter. I was not quite sure whether the hon. Gentleman was asking me about the age or about the amount. I will take note of the suggestion made by the hon. Gentleman.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is justice and not benevolence that we require, and does he not agree that the Pensions (Increase) Act is very inadequate in its effect on officers' pensions?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many acres of agricultural land including rough grazings in Westmorland are occupied by his Department; what is the total net Schedule A assessment of such land; to what extent he estimates that normal farming is interfered with through occupation by his Department; and what early plans he has for releasing a substantial proportion of this land to agriculture.

The War Department is in occupation of some 5,200 acres of agricultural land in Westmorland. It is not possible without a great deal of research to give a total net figure for the Schedule A assessment, since the value of the various areas is different and most of the land taken is part only of individual holdings. Where possible arrangements are made to allow parts of any land so occupied to be used for farming purposes, for example, grazing. Some 1,700 acres are in the course of being transferred to the war agricultural executive committee for restoration to full agricultural use.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the battle training area adjoining Thetford will be returned to its agricultural and forestry purposes.

A review is being carried out as quickly as possible of the Army's requirements of land as a whole, and until this review has been completed and discussed with the other Departments concerned I cannot say what the future of any particular area will be.

Is the Minister aware that the trees of the Forestry Commission are deteriorating very rapidly as a result of an incursion of the Army into this area, and furthermore that a large part of agricultural land is still out of production?

Unfortunately, I am afraid that is so and that a considerable proportion of England is out of production for this reason. It makes it all the more necessary to hasten the decision in conjunction with other Departments to release such land as we can.

When is this review likely to be completed?

This is a very extensive matter, which affects not only my Depart-merit but other Departments as well.

Will the Minister bring to the attention of his colleagues, who are considering this matter, the position disclosed in the White Paper recently published?

I am sure that they are well aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whose is the final decision in the granting of compassionate leave and compassionate release.

Compassionate leave for personnel serving in this country may be granted by commanding officers up to 28 days. Compassionate reversion to the United Kingdom from overseas is decided by the overseas Command concerned. All cases of release on compassionate grounds, whether definite or indefinite, are decided by the War Office.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on many occasions hon. Members receive letters saying that although the War Office recommends compassionate release or compassionate leave the final decision rests with the commanding officer on the spot? Now that the war is over and military requirements are not so urgent, would the hon. Gentleman not agree that the granting of compassionate leave and compassionate release ought to be dependent solely upon the degree of compassion shown in the report of those who investigate the circumstances?

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. We do not say that all these cases are decided by the commanding officers. What we 'say is, that when the men are overseas it is decided by the commands. It might interest my hon. Friend to know that there are compassionate posting committees, consisting of officers and other ranks, in all commands overseas.

In view of the delay which takes place in deciding these cases, would the hon. Gentleman consider setting up some machinery which would expedite the hearing of such cases?

I can only say that the War Office have been expediting consideration of these cases very considerably, at any rate in the last few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War if marriages are permitted between British soldiers and Hungarian women; and if he will remove the ban on marriages between British soldiers and Austrian women, in view of the fact that Austria is regarded as a liberated country.

No instructions have been issued by the War Office prohibiting marriages between members of His Majesty's Forces and Hungarian subjects, but it is within the discretion of a Commander-in-Chief to refuse facilities for marriages with enemy aliens or to forbid such marriages in the interests of security. The ban on marriages with Austrian subjects is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that B.A.O.R. personnel have been granted permission to spend their summer leave in Venice, but are required to pay their own fares; and whether, as the Army provides free travel for men to travel home on leave in this country, he will arrange a similar concession for B.A.O.R. personnel.

Free leave travel for B.A.O.R. personnel at the rate of two journeys a year is allowed to this country or to certain approved leave centres on the Continent. Venice is not at present one of these approved leave centres to which free travel is allowed, because of its distance from the British Zone of occupation in Germany.

Will the Minister explain why he has arrived at that decision, in view of the fact that men in this country travel on British railways at Army expense, whereas the Army run the travel service to Venice, in which case there should be no charge at all?

I have told the hon. Member what is the position at present. I certainly-think the matter wants inquiring into further, and I shall do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the restriction is to be raised on the retirement of Regular Army officers.

No decision on this point has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose the hutments in Gunnersbury Park, Chiswick, are being used by his Department; when he will release them; and whether he is aware that these hutments are urgently needed for civilian housing.

The hutments, which are part of an anti-aircraft site, arc being used for housing pioneers employed mainly at a gas works. These troops cannot be accommodated elsewhere without holding up the derequisitioning of high priority property, and I cannot say when it will be possible to release the hutments.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any indication when the War Office is prepared to reconsider this question? Has the local authority to wait indefinitely?

These matters are receiving urgent consideration. This is one of the things which I have under my personal attention, and I will do what I can to expedite it.

asked the Secretary of State for War why young men. on attaining the age of 17, can no longer volunteer for the Army except on a long term engagement.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 19th March. The real need of the Army is now for regular recruits.

Does that mean that a boy who is coming under National Service and who is a cadet cannot volunteer and must wait until he is called up to be sent to the Air Force or Navy?

I do not think that that is really the purport of my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the maximum or standard period of service in the Gold Coast.

The normal tour of duty in West Africa is 18 months. After this a period of four weeks recuperative leave is granted in the United Kingdom; or in the case of those returning to West Africa for a further tour the period of recuperative leave is six weeks. For the very small numbers of men who serve three tours in West Africa the period of recuperative leave between the second and third tours is 12 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of prisoners of war employed by the garrison commander at Plymouth on painting the railings around the barracks; and whether he will arrange for these men to be transferred to the city engineer in order that they may be engaged on preparatory work for the building of houses.

Ten prisoners of war were employed by the Garrison Engineer at Plymouth, for two days on repairing railings round the barracks. They have since been put back on miscellaneous works services inside the barracks. As they are required by the War Department they cannot be transferred to work under another Department.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why these men cannot be put to work ouside to help the people of Plymouth who have been so severely mauled by the war?

That is a matter of negotiation.

Why not have negotiations?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, now that farmers are having to pay the rate for the job in respect of prisoners of war, he will review the rates paid to prisoners of war in order to induce a higher output; and what steps he is taking to secure that agriculture is not made liable to pay the full rate for inefficient work or time spent idling.

I have the remuneration of prisoners of war for work under constant review, but there are certain difficulties about making any increase in their rates of pay. The second part of the Question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture who decides what farmers should pay.

Will the Minister look again at the second part of the Question which is his sole responsibility, and, whatever the difficulties, will he take steps to ensure that these prisoners of war do produce the food that Britain requires?

I am discussing this matter this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Arabs and Jews, respectively, men and women, served in the Palestinian Forces during the war; and how many in the British Forces, other than in the Palestinian.

I will, with permission, circulate the figures of enlistments in Palestine in. the British Forces in the OFFICIAL REPORT. These figures include enlistments in the Palestinian Regiment which is a Regiment of the British Army. I regret that no figures are available of the numbers of Arabs and Jews other than from Palestine who served in the British Forces.

Is it not the case that a great number of Arabs are not permitted to serve because they are not British subjects, and that there is a very small Arab population in this country and a considerable Jewish one, especially in some quarters?

I have no information to that effect.

Following are the figures:

The following numbers of Arabs and Jews enlisted in Palestine in the British Forces during the war: JEWS. ARABS. Men. Women. Men. Women. Army 18,880 3,125 8,680 148 R.A.F 1,863 740 130 4 R.N. 1,106 — 83 —

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the world food shortage and consequent cuts in rations, he has now decided to make some reduction in the rations of the W.A.A.F., W.R.N.S. and A.T.S.

The scales are still under review.

Does not the Minister agree that it is unfair for girls in uniform to have greater rations than their sisters who are doing similar jobs in a civilian capacity?

That is a matter for decision by other Departments as well as mine.

asked the Secretary,of State for War whether his attention has been called to a recent advertisement of N.A.A.F.I. appealing for girls to take up work as canteen attendants and offering free board and lodgings when, in fact, a substantial charge is deducted from gross earnings for this purpose; whether he is aware that N.A.A.F.I. are seeking to increase this deduction and if he will take steps to see that advertisements of this character are couched in such terms as to leave no ambiguity in the minds of intending applicants.

Board and accommodation are provided by N.A.A.F.I. for women employed as canteen attendants in addition to the cash wage and no deduction is made on this account.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this value is taken into account in computing gross wages, and that the N.A.A.F.I. are, in fact, party to demanding an increase of the value of board and lodgings?

I have said that in these cases of canteen attendants no deduction is made on account of their board and accommodation.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will consider the formation of a volunteer scientific reserve of young men and women willing to offer their services in the same way as volunteers offer themselves for service in the R.N.V.R., the T.A., the A.A.F., and the R.A.F.V.R., so that there will be a nucleus volunteer organisation of scientists available to the country in time of national emergency in the same way as a reserve is available in the Armed Forces.

The Government are fully aware of the necessity for ensuring that an adequate number of trained scientists is available to serve the defence Forces in a future emergency, and the possibility of forming a volunteer scientific reserve along the lines suggested by the hon. Member will certainly be considered as one of the possible ways of achieving this end. It must, of course, be remembered that the scientist requires a very different training and works under very different conditions of service from the fighting man.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men of the West Yorkshire Regiment, recently transferred to the Lincoln Regiment, and serving in Java, had no mail during January and February; and whether he will immediately make proper arrangements for the redirection and delivery of mail.

The responsibility for redirection of mail in such cases lies with the unit. If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have full details I will investigate this particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for War by what date the British and Indian troops now in Indonesia will have evacuated that country; and how many Dutch troops, it is estimated, will have landed in Indonesia by that date.

It is not possible at this stage to forecast when British and Indian troops will have evacuated Indonesia. Nor is it possible to estimate how many Dutch troops will have landed by then.

In view of the talk about independence for Indonesia, can the hon. Gentleman tell me why our troops are holding the wicket for the Dutch in Indonesia and preventing Indonesians from achieving independence?

I think that question would be more appropriately addressed to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Might I ask the hon. Gentleman if the date might not happily synchronise with the evacuation of Persia by the Russians?

Did our troops go into Indonesia to prevent Indonesia from getting independence or to round up the Japanese? What was the object?

I am afraid that is not a question that should be put to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what purpose it is necessary to retain in Indonesia 54,000 Japanese troops under British control under arms as well as 60,000 British and Indian troops and 20,000 Dutch troops, in view of the fact that there only 26,000 unarmed Japanese troops remaining in central Java.

It has not yet been possible to evacuate all the Japanese from Indonesia because of the shortage of shipping. A start has been made, however, using Japanese coastal shipping in which the Japanese are being moved from Java, Sumatra, Bali, Lombok and Madura to islands in the Riouw Archipelago. Some of the Japanese remaining in Indonesia have been allowed to retain their arms because there are not enough Allied troops to guard them, their arms and their stores.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain how it is that the Japanese they were going to round up are still bearing arms and using those arms in Indonesia, while our troops are used against the Indonesian people?

Unfortunately there are a lot of Japanese troops still in Indonesia, including 26,000 with whom we are not in contact. We are doing our best to evacuate them, but I am afraid it is going to take a very long time.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what is the definition of "Indonesia" for the purpose of these questions?

I think I should want notice of that question. I have referred to some of the places in my answer. I have an idea that the hon. Gentleman opposite knows as well as I do, probably even better.

Are the figures given in this Question correct?

I should not like to vouch for them. I have some figures here, if the House wants them. The original total in Sumatra was 70,000 odd, of whom 25,900 odd have been evacuated. In Java there were 68,000 odd, of whom 2,500 have been evacuated.

I have a letter from the War Office giving these figures.

My question is not in any sense a catch question. This word is being used in varying senses, and it is quite impossible to debate or question unless we can be certain what is the official meaning attached to it in official pronouncements. I would ask the hon. Gentleman, what is the meaning of the word in relation to this Question, in the view of the War Office?

I think that would be a very appropriate question to put to the Ministry of Information.