asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that tree seedlings and transplants for large-scale planting are in short supply and whether, in order to encourage owners of private woodlands to dedicate their land under the Forestry Commissioners' Dedication Scheme and to afford the maximum assistance to those who have already done so, he will arrange for plants which are surplus to the requirements of the Forestry Commissioners to be offered, as a first priority, to owners who have dedicated their woodlands.

I am aware of the general shortage of seedlings and transplants for large-scale planting. The Forestry Commissioners recently met representatives of private woodland owners and of the nursery trade and agreed to release to the trade from eight to 10 million plants from Commission stocks. Maximum retail prices were agreed between the owners and the trade and have been published. The Commissioners do not sell plants surplus to requirements other than through the trade. If owners of dedicated land experience difficulty in obtaining plants within this arrangement they should get into touch with the Forestry Commission whose Scottish office is at 25, Drumsheugh Gardens.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland; and what is the total annual cost and the total annual revenue.

At 30th September, 1946, the number of people employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland was 2,933. In the year ended 30th September, 1946, payments covering all the Commission's activities in Scotland amounted to a total of £750,000 and receipts to £160,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the position now in regard to the development of Carradale Harbour, in view of the announcement recently made public that Carradale Pier is to be closed at the end of this month because of its dangerous condition.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave on this subject yesterday.

While I apologise for not being in my place yesterday when this answer was given, may I ask the Secretary of State today whether he can do anything to speed up the deliberations of the Development Commissioners, to which he referred yesterday, because this project has been in hand for months, if not years? No progress seems to be made in the discussions and deliberations, and we should like to see whether something cannot be done.

We must await the result of the application made by the county council, but I shall certainly do all that is possible to help speed up a decision on this particular question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the continued increase in unemployment in Scotland, any interim schemes of employment are under consideration by his Department.

Schemes for which my Departments are responsible, such as housing water and drainage and hydro-electricity, are already providing a substantial amount of employment and will provide more as they get fully under way. In addition, the establishment of new industrial estates now being promoted by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the creation of new towns, the recently announced scheme for the rehabilitation of land in the development area, and work in connection with forestry schemes will result in the progressive expansion of employment facilities on a substantial scale. Work on all these schemes is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of the schemes mentioned in the last part of his answer will not bear fruit until probably 1948, and the object of the Question is to ask what is being done to assist the unemployed during this interim period which may extend for two years or more?

I am speeding up the decisions which are required in connection with the allocation of the grants for rural water supplies, and I have pressed the local authorities to give me their priority schemes by the 31st of this month with a view to starting from £15 million to £16 million worth of work in connection with housing and rural water schemes.

Is the House to understand that the only land in Scotland which falls to be rehabilitated is that in the development area?

No, Sir.

Is it not the case that the bulk of this problem lies in the industrial areas, and that the outline scheme which my right hon. Friend has given will be of no help at all?

Is it not a fact that in connection with hydro-electric schemes a very large proportion of the work is done by German prisoners of war, and would it not be better if Scottish workers were employed there?

It is cheaper to employ slaves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider civil aviation in Scotland as a means of helping to cure unemployment?

That is not a matter which concerns my Department. As the hon. and gallant Member knows full well, it is the concern of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

How many of these unemployed persons are people who have been demobilised and are in process of being absorbed into industry?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to alleviate the loss sustained by the tenant of Little Rahane and Meikle Rahane farms at Rosneath by the destruction of dykes and fences during the construction of the Finnart and Rosneath oil fuel pipeline in 1943; and if he is aware that the land speculators, who purchased the estate and subsequently sold out, collected the compensation for damage and have refused to pay the tenant the cost of repairs, as a consequence of which food production is being retarded.

The settlement of claims for compensation for damage arising from the laying of the pipeline referred to is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. The question of payment to the farm tenants of the cost of repairs to the landlord's equipment would appear to be one for settlement between the landlord and tenant in terms of the contract of tenancy, and I am not in a position to answer my hon. Friend's question on this point. The agricultural executive committee for the district have reported that the state of the dykes and fences affected by the work is having no appreciable adverse effect on food production.

Do I take it that my right hon. Friend's Department accepts no responsibility for the agricultural development in that area? Is he also aware that the surveyors to Gabriel Wade and English, the speculators concerned, were awarded £77 compensation on the distinct understanding that they would pay for reinstatement work, that my constituent had no replies to his letters, and, in other words, that they have stolen £77 belonging to the tenant? Could I have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that he will not dismiss this matter in a summary manner and that his Department has an interest in the matter?

My Department certainly has an interest in agricultural development. All I can do in this case will be done if it comes within the ambit of my Department and within my Department's powers.

I wish to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is reconsidering the application of the county council of Ross and Cromarty for financial assistance towards the cost of constructing the Tolsta-Ness road, Isle of Lewis, in view of its value to land settlement, tourist and transport improvement.

I have the county council's application under consideration, and I am arranging for a survey to be made of the area which would be opened up by the proposed road with a view to examining afresh the possibilities of development.

May I assure my right hon. Friend that his reply will give the greatest satisfaction?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation for the protection of traders in Scotland as is provided in England under the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1927, or by what other means does he propose to achieve this end.

When the English Act was passed in 1927, the exclusion of Scotland was deliberate—there did not happen to be a Labour Secretary of State for Scotland—but the then Secretary of State undertook to consider its extension to Scotland if any widespread demand was made. There has been no widespread demand. The matter merits and will receive consideration, but there is no immediate prospect of legislation.

May I take it from that answer that when an opportunity occurs, this omission in the law of Scotland will be remedied?

I have already indicated that the matter is receiving consideration because we think it merits consideration, but I can give no promise with regard to legislation.

When my right hon. Friend is considering this matter will he bear in mind that the Landlord and Tenant Act is not half sufficient to protect those whom it intends to protect, and will he give his colleagues the benefit of his advice in order to make it a really good Measure instead of the Measure that it is at present?

My hon. Friend can rest assured that so far as possible we always take into account all relevant considerations.

What is the value in giving the matter consideration if there is no prospect of legislation?

I was dealing with the immediate prospects. If we find that it is absolutely necessary there might be time, possibly not next year nor the year after, but some time, to introduce legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Swedish houses are under construction and roofed in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire but cannot be completed for lack of fittings; and how many have been completed.

In Aberdeen, four Swedish timber houses are completed and 92 are under construction. In Aberdeen County, 32 houses are under construction. All of the houses under construction are roofed and components are now available for the houses as and when required.

Can the Minister give an assurance that, within a reasonably short time, these houses in Aberdeenshire will be completed?

I am hopeful that almost all of them will be completed this side of the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason for the delay in making available to the applicants in the Isle of Lewis the temporary houses offered in May to the county council of Ross and Cromarty.

The delay is due to difficulties experienced by the county council in selecting a suitable site for the houses. The site recently selected has still to be serviced by the council before house erection can commence.

Does my hon. Friend mean that the Scottish Office is going to allow the Ross-shire local authority to delay accepting an offer of houses, or is some action to be taken to hustle them along?

I had a meeting with this council at the end of May last. They put forward a proposition for Army huts, and I thought I had improved upon it by giving them an offer of temporary houses instead. They accepted that but, according to my information, they have had great difficulty in getting a site. I have arranged that as soon as they can start servicing, this site will be given as high a priority as possible.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is normally very little difficulty in the Isle of Lewis in obtaining a site, and that much of the land is under public ownership, vested in the Stornoway Trust?

That may be, but my hon. Friend has no right to expect me to have power to supersede the local authority. That must be done by the electors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why some of the now completed permanent houses in Stornoway are not yet available for occupation; and what steps are being taken to end this delay in view of the urgency of local housing needs.

I am informed that all the houses in Stornoway which have been completed are occupied. There are, however, 26 houses which are complete except for a few essential fittings. I have obtained a note of the materials required and every effort is being made to ensure delivery as speedily as possible.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these houses cannot be occupied because of the lack of essential fittings for bathrooms, kitchen sinks and so on, which are in ample supply in Ministry of Works stores, and will he take steps to see that this does not happen again?

This is the first I have heard of that. If my hon. Friend had communicated to me where these articles were lying in store, I would have taken steps to have them taken out of store and put into the houses. I have done my best to find out what materials are available, and I have taken the most urgent steps to see that they are delivered as speedily as possible.

May I be assured that my hon. Friend does not expect me to supersede in their functions the Scottish Office and the Ministry of Works?

I do not expect my hon. Friend to supersede the Ministry of Works, but I expect him to inform me if he knows where these articles are, and to that extent help his constituents.

How can my hon. Friend charge me by implication with having neglected my constituents in this respect when he has been out of touch with the local councils with respect to these questions for six months?

Far from being out of touch, I went up to Dingwall and met the county council on their own home ground. I made an offer to them which was an improvement on any suggestion which had been made hitherto. Since then I have been in constant touch, continually pressing them for a site. I think that those people who elect the local authority ought to give me a much better one with which to work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the huts in military camps are now being included as an addition to the numbers of temporary houses given in the monthly housing returns for Scotland.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reason there is for the discrepancy in the rates of pay as between officers in the R.A.V.C. and officers in the R.A.M.C.

The responsibilities of officers of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps are not of so wide a character as those of medical officers, and the new scales of pay reflect this difference of responsibilities.

As the Secretary of State for War has eliminated the difference between rates of pay in respect of Army trades, why does not he do the same thing in respect of Army professions?

The answer is not so easy as the supplementary question implies. It is not a matter entirely for the Army.

The closed shop.

It is a matter for all Service Departments, and there is some civilian guidance on this point. I can assure my hon. Friend that our procedure is in accordance with civilian work.

Would not the War Office give a lead to the Government upon this matter so that in future we may have some steps taken which are very necessary but which are now lacking?

I do not think it wise to give a lead to anybody, if to do so might create an undesirable precedent.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the veterinary's job is much more difficult than that of the R.A.M.C. as he gets far less help from his patients?

I, of course, have no practical experience of this matter, and therefore I have to be advised by those who know.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, instead of issuing members of the Army stationed in this country with the proposed blue walking-out uniform, he will issue them with civilian suits which will be more in accord with modern ideas.

No, Sir. The proposed post-war dress has been designed for use on duty, as well as for walking out.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the organisation for dealing with the recording and posting of officer personnel was found to be inefficient and out-of-date during the last war; and whether he will set up a committee to investigate the many weaknesses and to suggest the necessary improvements.

A committee in the War Office is already dealing with this matter. It has furnished its first report, which is now under consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are quite a few branches of his Department which are long overdue for a good clean out; and is not the time ripe to effect this and introduce some sound business methods into the War Office?

I think that is going a little beyond the specific point raised in this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has a further statement to make on his plans for Army education.

I am not yet able to add anything to the statement regarding our educational plans which was made by my predecessor during the Debate on 27th June. The full implementation of the plans for the future will take some time. They will be developed gradually from the present Army Education Scheme, which is being kept in operation as fully as possible. Under it particular attention is at present being given to the educational needs of the young soldiers who now form so large a proportion of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will ensure that officers who have held a certain rank for a substantial period and are, without fault on their part, reduced in rank shortly before release shall be paid their gratuity and release leave pay on the basis of their higher rank.

The regulations already provide a suitable safeguard. In such cases, an officer's pay during release leave is assessed on the highest rank held during the 12 months immediately preceding release; his gratuity is assessed on the highest paid rank held during the war for an aggregate period of six months, assuming this is more favourable than an assessment based on his final substantive or war substantive rank.

Will the Minister now consider implementing the reforms which he has undertaken for so long, of abolishing the acting rank in the Army and its conversion to temporary rank after being held for a period?

Speaking from memory, something like that is at present under consideration, or being put into practice.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will secure a supply of motor omnibuses or other similar transport for the use of troops in B.A.O.R. who are stationed some distance from a town in order that they may be conveyed in reasonable comfort to such town for their time off duty.

Transport for this purpose is already provided, where necessary, to the limit of the resources available. Troop carrying vehicles are extensively used. It would not be possible in present circumstances, to supply and maintain additional motor omnibuses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very considerable hardship is caused to men who have to travel in the back of a three-tonner to their leave places; that they are actually refusing to go on leave for that reason; and can he do something about it?

I would be very surprised to hear of soldiers refusing to go on leave merely because they had to travel on hard seats. We can only work within the facilities that are available to us.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will receive particulars from me and look into them?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the train from Austria to Calais which brings troops home on leave or release has only hard seats and no lying-down accommodation for the journey lasting two nights; that the meals provided at long intervals, have to be supplemented by food of poor quality in a N.A.A.F.I. buffet, for which the troops have to pay, and that these conditions cause dissatisfaction; and if he will arrange for a responsible officer to travel on this train and report.

I am aware that the degree of comfort on these trains leaves much to be desired, but the great scarcity of good rolling stock in the liberated countries makes it impossible to provide sleeping cars or upholstered seating at present. Great improvements have already been made since the service was inaugurated. Well prepared meals are provided at the beginning and end of the journey and at three intermediate stops, and haversack rations are served for use on the trains. No complaint has previously been received about the food supplied in the N.A.A.F.I. buffet cars, but I am having this point investigated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on a recent occasion the only food obtainable in one N.A.A.F.I. car was cake—and that was made of sand? Does he realise that the poor and not free food, and the hard lying down accommodation of this train, are a very poor advertisement for the Army?

No, Sir, I was not aware of what the hon. Gentleman has stated; but he will have observed that I have stated that I am having the N.A.A.F.I. buffet car service investigated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that cattle cars properly equipped are far more comfortable for the troops than third class continental carriages?

I should hope that they are much more improved than when I first used them 30 years ago

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that deferments of officers in M.E.F. will not be for longer than three months.

An instruction was issued some time ago to all commands forbidding the deferment of any individual for more than three months without prior War Office sanction. This rule is being observed, and no request has so far been received from M.E.L.F. for any exception to be made.

When the Secretary of State says "for more than three months" does he mean for more than one period of three months, or does he merely mean not more than three months at a time?

No, Sir. I mean a total deferment of more than three months

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to make an announcement on the subject of the payment of postwar credits and gratuities to regular soldiers at present serving.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that considerable time has now passed since the close of hostilities, if he will state when active Servicemen will receive their gratuities, since these payments are required in many cases to resettle the family side of these men's lives.

Arrangements for payment have now been made. These are explained in more detail in a statement which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As the work of payment will necessarily take some time to complete, I hope the Press will help by giving publicity to this statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War what British troops are now stationed in Japan; what proportion of these are from the Colonies and from the Dominions; and what are the arrangements for leave, both local and home.

It is not the practice to make public figures of the strength of our Forces in particular overseas theatres. The British troops in Japan are eligible for the same leave as those in other Far East commands.

Arising out of the point about eligibility for the same leave, what is being done about it, because they are not actually getting it? They are getting only one in five men on leave to England at the present moment.

In relation to leave in the United Kingdom, that proportion which the hon. Member has stated is correct. But if he has any case where the leave is not properly working, and will let me have the particulars, I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a full statement on the death of a 19 years old soldier in the 4th Battalion Border Regiment, 7th Indian Division, S.E.A.C, who died, on or about VJ-Day, 1046, following the disciplinary action of pack drill without recovering consciousness; and whether pack drill has now been abolished in the Indian Army.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a full statement on this case. The court of inquiry proceedings have now been received, but it has been necessary to cable to ALFSEA for certain additional information. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as the investigation is completed. I am informed that there is no such punishment as pack drill in the Indian Army.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now four months since I called attention to this case? Can he give any indication of when we shall have a full report on the matter?

I cannot give any precise information, but I have asked for this additional information to be sent to me as speedily as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the allegations at court martial proceedings in June last to the effect that the commanding officer in Burma had authorised the imposition of flogging, and other punishments not sanctioned by Parliament.

As the House will wish for a full and detailed statement, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the officer charged in this case successfully pleaded condonation by his superior officer, and will he make clear that the will of Parliament must prevail in these matters, and that no officer, however high his rank, is entitled to ignore the Army Act?

Yes, Sir. I find no fault with the point of view expressed in that supplementary question. The only thing I can say is that war is a very desperate occasion, and that is the only excuse, if such is needed, that I have to offer for a departure from the literal interpretation of King's Regulations.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is justifying flogging being introduced by some officers because there is a war on?

No, Sir, I am not; but I ask that my hon Friend should read my reply in detail.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Parliament has always been very jealous of its right to protect the private soldier?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the excuse he has put forward certainly was not accepted by the Allies vis-à-vis the Germans?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's decision on the size and location of United Kingdom military training areas.

Not yet, Sir. As previously explained to hon. Members, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning has set up an inter-Departmental committee to consider the Services' requirements and proposals as a whole, with a view to recommending which areas shall be made available, having full regard to civil as well as Service interests. The committee are giving urgent consideration to the training areas, and decisions will be reached as soon as their recommendations are available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that consideration has been given to this matter now for something approaching twelve months, and does he realise that the opinion is growing in these country areas that the pledges given at the beginning of the war to these people, that they would not be dispossessed of their homes, have been broken by the Government? Will he consider making a full statement to the House, if only of an interim character, on the whole position?

I understand the interest of the House in this matter, and will endeavour to make a statement as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that such common lands as are at present under requisition under the Defence Act will be derequisitioned at the earliest possible time, and not be used as training areas in future?

I am not aware that they are being used as training areas, but the only assurance I can give is that the whole matter is now being very carefully investigated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that, as far as possible, there will not be training areas in areas where we hope there will soon be national parks?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an undertaking that there will be no further encroachment on the Forest of Dartmoor which is to be made a national park?

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to reintroduce the pre-war custom of allowing a Regular soldier to purchase his discharge, should he wish to break his term of service.

I regret that in view of the present requirements of the Army it is not possible without detriment to reintroduce yet the pre-war system under which men were permitted to purchase their discharge.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to examine individual cases where real hardship has been shown to have arisen?

Not on the basis of enabling a man to get his discharge by providing money.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is prepared to consider an adjustment of the new pay code whereby marriage allowances may be granted to men called up to the Services who are below the age of 21 and are married.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that marriage allowances are not being paid to wives whose husbands are being called to the Forces while they are less than 21 years of age; and if he will take immediate steps to rectify this position.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the hardship which is occasioned, he will amend the regulation which denies a marriage allowance to the wife of a soldier under 21 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that hardship is suffered by wives of married soldiers under 21 years of age who, under the new Code, are not eligible to receive marriage allowances; that cases have arisen of recourse to public assistance and if he will restore the 1939 position by amending the Code.

My hon. Friends are presumably referring to men called up under war-time arrangements and not to Regular soldiers who enlist voluntarily. Men called up for service, if they are married and under 21 years of age, are eligible to apply for war service grants. Application should be made in the first instance to the commanding officer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in many cases I have written in to the War Office and the reply I have been given today is exactly the same as I had before? Is he further aware that this is a ridiculous situation? Cupid does not wait for K.Rs. and A.C.Is., and I think he had better adopt the slogan. "Fit for fighting, fit for marriage."

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the grants referred to are made from the Ministry of Pensions and not from the War Office, and that in the interim of many weeks dependants are compelled to get local assistance boards to give them public assistance?

In answer to the first part of that question, that is the normal procedure, because the Ministry of Pensions administers war service grants. As to the latter part of the question, that is certainly not my desire, and I will do all I can to see that as soon as they join up they have facilities for getting these grants.

Will my right hon. Friend please say what is meant in the White Paper on the subject of Service pay and allowances by "special arrangements being made for soldiers under 21"?

I think that was in reference to the point I have just made.

Would it not be simpler and more desirable to make a direct payment to these people, rather than have a war service grant on a means test?

It would be simpler, but there are various administrative difficulties in the way, and the effect of this procedure is that these men do not in the main lose any pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any steps are taken in B.A.O.R. to obviate delays in trials, particularly in cases where officers or men otherwise due for release leave are involved.

Yes, Sir. Instructions were recently issued to all commands stressing the need to avoid such delays which were contributed to in the case of B.A.O.R. by the lack of adequate defence facilities. This is being remedied.

asked the Secretary of State for War the rates of pay issued to private soldiers, paid local corporals and paid corporals on demobilisation; what proportion of these rates is considered as ration allowance; and if he is satisfied that the amounts so paid are adequate to cover demobilised men's needs until such time as postal drafts arrive three to four weeks later.

The advances are £10 in the case of corporals and £9 in the case of privates, representing about 21 days' pay and ration allowance. The ration allowance portion of this amount is £3 6s. 6d. Postal drafts to cover the remaining period of leave are issued within 21 days of release. The advance is roughly equivalent to the soldier's entitlement for the period up to the issue of the postal drafts, and I am satisfied that there is no ground for modifying the arrangements. A standard rate of advance is necessary to ensure the rapid despatch of the men through the dispersal centre.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the postal drafts arrive on time, because in many cases men are complaining that they are late?

In the main, yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make available to hon. Members the proceedings of the two courts of inquiry which preceded the recent courts-martial of men of the 13th Parachute Battalion.

No, Sir. It is not the practice, and would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the proceedings of courts of inquiry, which are privileged documents.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present Government were elected because the people of this country wanted a Government which was not bound by precedents? Is he further aware that there is grave public disquiet about the conditions under which men in the Far East are living, which will not be alleviated by any apparent reluctance to make the facts known to the public?

No, Sir. The facts have been made known to the public, judging at any rate by the volume of Press interviews given in one particular case. The hon. Member must leave a certain amount to be dealt with by Ministers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman now state what were the irregularities at the trial?

There is another Question on the Order Paper on that subject.

Do I understand from the reply that we are not to have a report of the dreadful and appalling conditions which obtained there, because that is the question which is worrying the people of this country? I hope the right hon. Gentleman will tell us that we can have some official report.

I have already given the House some information on that matter. The main thing the House and the country want is that these conditions, where they exist, shall be altered, and altered quickly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least issue a White Paper indicating what were the irregularities?

No, Sir. I am giving an answer to that question later on.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for a supply of brushless shaving cream to be made available, through N.A.A.F.I. canteens, to British troops serving on the Continent.

That is already done, and I understand that no complaints of any shortages have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War what alteration has been made in the free ration of cigarettes and the supply of duty-free cigarettes from N.A.A.F.I. for B.A.O.R troops; and what is the purpose of the changes.

There has been no change in the free ration. The supply of cigarettes through N.A.A.F.I. has been increased temporarily because of the favourable stock position.

Are any immediate changes contemplated, because there seem to be many rumours going about?

No, Sir. The supply of cigarettes has been temporarily increased, as I have said.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many tons of redundant ammunition have been destroyed or disposed of each month since January, 1946.

I will circulate the detailed figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The total for the nine months ended 30th September was about 279,000 tons.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much still remains to be destroyed?

Not without notice.

Does the information include the areas where ammunition has been removed or destroyed?

The statement I am circulating gives the figures only for months. It would entail a good deal of extra work at the War Office to give the figures asked for. Unless the hon. and gallant Member particularly wants them, I would rather he left the answer as I have given it.

As my constituency and that of the hon. Member for West Perth (Mr. Snadden) have hundreds of thousands of tons of this ammunition we are particularly interested.

I will see what I can do to help.

Will the Minister arrange that some of the ammunition is shifted to some of the beauty spots in England for a change?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now sanction an ordnance issue of pyjamas and handkerchiefs to other ranks serving in B.A.O.R.

The question of issuing pyjamas and handkerchiefs to men of the three Services is at present being considered by the Service Departments and Board of Trade. I am unable to deal with B.A.O.R. as a special case in advance of the general decision.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is not such an issue in the Far East; and does he hold out any hope for the Rhine Army?

Only as part of the general conclusions which are arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for the entertainment of British troops to take the place of E.N.S.A. in India, the East Indies, Ceylon, Burma and Japan; and whether, in view of the distance from home and the small amount of military work to be done, he will insist that good professional talent is sent out to them from home and that their entertainment is not left in the hands, of local talent collected amongst the troops themselves.

The Combined Services Entertainment Organization has been set up by the Army and R.A.F. to provide some "live" entertainment in place of that provided by E.N.S.A. Some 70 professional artistes have already been sent to A.L.F.S.E.A., who are responsible for the East Indies, Ceylon and Burma, but it will be understood that time and cost will limit numbers to be sent from the United Kingdom. British troops in India and Japan are administered by the Government of India and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Australia respectively. I understand that both these authorities are including "live" entertainment amongst the amenities which they are providing.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by ", live" entertainment? Were not the people who went round with E.N.S.A. alive?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will take immediate steps to confer by Statute a right of appeal, in the ordinary sense of that term, to a higher court from the decision of a court martial of first instance and from the award and order of a military and naval officer involving punishment;

(2) if he, in conjunction with other appropriate authorities, will take steps to inquire into the advisability of amending the Army Act, the Acts relating to the reserve and auxiliary forces and other relevant law, so as to make them more consonant with the needs and conditions of the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the question of setting up military appeal courts on similar lines to the Court of Criminal Appeal, to which soldiers sentenced at a court martial may, if they desire, make an appeal against their sentences.

asked the secretary of State for War whether, in view of the position disclosed by the imposition of heavy sentences upon soldiers who were wrongly convicted, he will immediately promote legislation enabling every person serving in His Majesty's forces who is convicted of an offence by a service tribunal to appeal against the conviction and/or penalty imposed to a court constituted of at least one civilian judge; and to provide that pending the hearing of the appeal the accused shall be entitled to apply to the High Court to be treed from detention if he is detained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Armed Forces have altered much in character since 1881, he will consider altering the regulations covering the penal code in the Army, as set out in the Army Act of 1881 and its subsequent amendments, and in the notes thereto in the Manual of Military Law, in order to prevent a repetition of the recent paratrooper incident.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will institute a review of the whole system of trial by courts martial; and an inquiry into the organisation, methods and efficiency in the Judge Advocate-General's Department.

The suggestion that under the military code there should be a right of appeal to a court of appeal in the ordinarily understood sense of that term is not new. Two important committees, whose reports were laid before this House, have already considered the question. The first was the Committee presided over by the late Mr. Justice Darling, which sat in 1919, and deliberated in the light of the experience of the Great War (Cmd. 428). The second was the Committee presided over by Mr. Roland Oliver, K.C. (now Mr. Justice Oliver) which reported in 1938 (Cmd. 6200). Both these committees reported against setting up service appeal courts, and gave weighty reasons for their views, which are fully set out in their reports. I will not attempt to recapitulate those reasons here, but would point out that the Darling Committee considered that the existing system of automatic review of court-martial proceedings by the Judge Advocate-General, and further review on petition, furnishes a soldier convicted by court-martial with fuller safeguards against error at the trial than are available to a civilian convicted in a civil court.

However, as my right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for War indicated in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Lang) on 4th December last, it was always contemplated that an investigation should be undertaken in the light of recent war experience, and he suggested that it would be desirable to appoint a committee for this purpose a little later on, when the Judge Advocate-General and other staffs intimately concerned were less heavily pressed with current business. I agree with that view, and after consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, I now propose that a committee of similar standing to the Darling and Oliver Committees should be set up forthwith for this purpose. The exact composition and terms of reference of the committee will need consideration and I will make an announcement as soon as I can.

Questions relating to the administration of justice under naval law would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

In setting up that committee, will my right hon. Friend take into account the fact that the Acts referred to in Question 36 were passed at a time when the Army consisted of volunteer soldiers, and are quite unsuitable for the Army of today, which consists very largely of conscripted soldiers who cannot be said to have accepted the conditions laid down by those Acts?

I think that question is one which the committee would more properly consider.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer that portion of the Question set down by myself relating to the right of a soldier who has appealed against a conviction to apply to the court to enable him to be freed from detention, if he is detained, and will that be considered by the committee at the same time?

Yes, I should think that that would be one of the matters to come under review by the committee.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the terms of reference of this committee will be sufficiently wide to enable them to consider the question of appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal in the case of indictable offences, to take into account the question of men being kept under arrest for long periods before and after their court martial, and also the question of whether some other form of trial than a court martial might not be more speedy and effective?

While not giving any specific undertaking, I would desire to make the terms of reference as wide as possible.

In setting up this committee, will the right hon. Gentleman give heed to the urgent need to include men of the lower ranks, who may have had difficulty with or perhaps been victims of a court martial, and who have had difficulties in having their cases re-examined? There are men of ability who could probably serve very well, as compared with major-generals.

Naturally I should desire to get the best possible committee of inquiry that I could.

In the course of the right hon. Gentleman's answer he has referred to two committees set up to consider appeals from courts martial. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both these committees made many recommendations that would have been most helpful both to courts martial and to prisoners, and that not one of these recommendations has been carried out by the War Office? When any committee is set up in the future will he see that such recommendations as it may put forward receive the attention of the War Office?

Yes, Sir. I think I can give the assurance asked for by the hon. and gallant Gentleman in the latter part of his question. We had better let the committee investigate and report, and then this House will be able to take suitable steps to see that I implement the document.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the arrangements made for the accommodation of soldier's families going to Germany.

Yes, Sir. If the Question refers to accommodation in Germany, no soldier's family is sent to Germany until a certificate is received from B.A.O.R. that suitable accommodation is available. As regards the type of accommodation, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 9th October by my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown). I am sending him a copy of that reply.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is absolutely satisfied that this accommodation actually does exist, because there is a very widespread feeling that that is not the case, and that families going there do not know what the conditions are?

I have given personal consideration to these matters, and have visited B.A.O.R. to see for myself the conditions awaiting families before the scheme was put into force.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the main question last week was not so much concerned with that aspect of the position as with the finding of the accommodation, and with the position of the German families who would have to be moved in order to find accommodation? I think that the feeling of the House was somewhat more concerned with alternative accommodation for them not being available. It is on that subject that we want to be assured.

I think that my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave a fairly complete answer to those points last week.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I will endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated cost of living in Germany for soldiers' families in relation to that existing in home stations.

I have no information to suggest that there is any marked disparity in the cost of living for soldiers' families in Germany as compared with home stations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman go into this question very carefully, because soldiers' families are going lightheartedly to Germany as though it were a paradise, and I am afraid there may be a good deal coming to them which they do not expect?

I do not know what reason the hon. and gallant Gentleman has for saying that. We have set up an information bureau in London to help the families that are going overseas, and I have not had information on that score.

What is the use of a bureau in London for families going from Scotland?