asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to adhere to the policy that local authorities shall build their permanent houses in the ration of four to let and one to sell, in view of the desire amongst returned ex-Servicemen to spend their gratuities in acquiring a home for themselves and their families.

The most urgent need continues to be the building of houses for letting, and the present restrictions on the building of houses by private persons for sale must therefore be maintained. Local authorities were urged in June, 1945, to give consideration to the special housing needs of Servicemen.

Am I to understand from that answer that the hon. Gentleman is still determined to tie himself to the antisocial housing policy of the incompetent Minister of Health?

I have some difficulty in following the question about the four to one ratio in Scotland. May I say, speaking from memory, that in only two districts is anything near to a four to one ratio being worked, and that in most of Scotland the local authorities have never asked for anything approaching this?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that poaching on certain rivers in Scotland has now reached such dimensions that it threatens to ruin the salmon-fishing industry and that the penalties inflicted under the poaching laws are no deterrent; and whether he proposes to bring in amending legislation.

No complaints about poaching in salmon rivers have been made to my Department in recent months. Responsibility for the employment of water bailiffs for the protection of private salmon fishing rests with the owners of the fishings and with Salmon Fishery District Boards. The monetary penalties which may be imposed may be supplemented by the court by forfeiture of the catch and of the equipment used. I can hold out no prospect of early legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not the private owners of fishing in the rivers who are affected by this so much as the fishermen at the mouth of the river, because poaching on the scale going on is completely ruining the whole of the salmon rivers of Scotland by preventing the salmon returning there? Would he look into it in the light of information I will give him?

I certainly will.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the trading losses or profits for 1944, 1945 and 1946 on the four farms owned and run by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland at Dunragit, Wigtownshire.

The trading accounts for the farms at Dunragit under the management of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland show losses of approximately £4,790 for 1944 and £10,010 for 1945. During these years, the enterprises suffered from various adverse factors—

The weather again?

—including several severe outbreaks of contagious mastitis which necessitated the disposal of a considerable number of cows. The position generally has now improved and the accounts for 1946 show a profit of approximately £3,310.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the very serious statement he has just made—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh"]—yes, very serious—if he will keep this matter constantly under review, and whether he will consider returning these farms to private ownership at the earliest possible moment?

I will certainly keep under constant review anything which comes under my administration and shall do my best to increase the profit if possible.

Profit?

May I ask whether the accounts of these farms are available so that hon. Members may study the details?

I shall be prepared to consider that point.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the House will view with great satisfaction this very successful Socialist enterprise compared with the losses which occurred under a predominantly Conservative Administration?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers have been given three years' commissions under A.C.I. 837/46.

On 15th January, 1,457 officers had applied for these commissions. Three hundred and two had been accepted, 678 rejected and 477 were still being considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of rejections has caused great disappointment among these men who are over 40 years of age, many of whom are out of work? Would he at least see that the applications which are under consideration are speeded up so that an early decision is arrived at?

Yes, Sir, the examination of the applications which are still under consideration is going quite satisfactorily.

Can my right hon. Friend say why it is that such a large number of men who have served in the Armed Forces and have been discharged and now wish to take short service commissions are being refused? Is there any special reason?

One of the reasons is that we are having quite a large quantity of applications for short service commissions. Indeed, the numbers from our point of view are very satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State far War why 14983788 Corporal R. Hewitt, 7th Battalion Parachute Regiment, was not granted an extension of leave when in possession of a medical certificate stating that his father was dying, but was made to embark for overseas service on 7th January.

Corporal Hewitt came home on 30 days' leave on 6th November. He was given extensions for compassionate reasons which brought his leave up to a total of 61 days, expiring on 6th January. On 4th January my Department heard that his father had been discharged from hospital to his home, with the advice that he should be admitted to another institution; I understand that his family did not accept this advice and kept him at home. No medical evidence that death was imminent was supplied, and as the corporal's mother and two sisters were at home, further extension of leave would not have been justified on the information available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Corporal Hewitt visited the War Office on 6th January with a medical certificate stating that his father was dangerously ill, and that he was referred to Chesham Place, and there that afternoon he saw an officer who informed him that once his father was dead his troubles would be over? His father died on 10th January. The corporal was recalled from Toulon on 12th January, but did not arrive until the 14th, too late for the funeral. In view of these facts, would the right hon. Gentleman see that the War Office deal with these matters in a more humane manner?

The latter part of the question is totally uncalled far—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—totally uncalled for. On the facts I have given, this corporal had 61 days' leave, and I think we did take into account all the circumstances. It might interest the hon. Gentleman to know that this gentleman's own doctor was reticent about the expectation of life and stated that he would be surprised if death occurred in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield can have a reply to his letter addressed to him, dated 17th September, 1946, regarding the grave of 11266448 Gunner Ronald Salt, 171/57 Light A.A., Royal Artillery, and the wrong photograph which was sent to his widow, Mrs. C. Salt, 101, St. George's Street, Macclesfield, by the Imperial War Graves Commission on 17th August, 1946.

The hon. and gallant Member will have had a letter, dated 5th February, to the effect that the matter has unfortunately not yet been cleared up. The Imperial War Graves Commission are making careful inquiries, and a letter will be sent to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as there is any definite news.

This is a most unsatisfactory answer. This matter has been under consideration for nearly six months. The photograph which was sent to the widow was a faked photograph, and has caused great distress. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter, and get a decision at an early date?

I hope the hon. and gallant Member will have a talk with me afterwards. There are considerable difficulties in identifying the photograph, but what I am concerned about, and what he is concerned about, is that the headstone which was ordered is put on the right grave.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Lieutenant P. J. Allen, of the Worcestershire Regiment, who was placed under close arrest on 29th June, 1946, was not brought to trial until seven months later, on 6th February, 1947; and what steps he will take to see that under no circumstances do such delays occur in the future.

The delay in this case was due partly to the great complexity of the case, which involved the collection of evidence from many sources in this country and overseas, and the fact that the earlier investigations gave rise to further charges, and partly to Lieutenant Allen's unwillingness, for over a month, to disclose his account, and the fact that he escaped from arrest and was not apprehended for a further month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this officer did not break out from his arrest until three months had elapsed, during which time he had been awaiting trial? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that such delays as these will prejudice his appeal to deserters to return, and give themselves up?

No, Sir. As a matter of fact, the deserters who are voluntarily returning are being dealt with expeditiously.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us why this officer was placed under close arrest originally, since apparently it is contrary to King's Regulations in the ordinary course?

I would not like to go into the details of the 19 charges against this officer. I understood that the trial has been completed, and that he was not acquitted. I should be happy to discuss this matter privately.

When my right hon. Friend receives letters from Members about soldiers being unduly detained under close arrest, will he please give instructions to those who answer for him not to give answers which are a source of bewilderment to those who know anything about military law?

asked the Secretary of State for War for what offence 97004725 Private H. J. Harrison, after arriving at Fort Darland detention barracks on 16th January, 1947, was given a hot shower-bath and placed almost immediately in a punishment cell known as the ice-box, in which an electric fan built into the ceiling was switched on to produce a cold blast of air; who awarded such punishment or what authority existed for this action in the absence of any sentence or award by the commandant; what provision there is for the summary hearing and suitable punishment of offenders; whether he is aware that this man, on the same date, was stripped and dressed in uniform against his will by three sergeants; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

As the answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Bearing in mind that this man is a conscientious objector, will my right hon. Friend tell his officers that he is entitled to the protection of the law?

Yes, Sir, I quite agree with my hon. Friend, but I hope that he will read my answer carefully. It disposes of a good number of the suggestions made in my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he approved the arrangements made by the general officer commanding the 53rd Division in the British zone of Germany for requisitioning, in connection with a private party, the ss. "Mainz," and for her towage to the Hüllstrung Harbour, where a specially constructed landing stage is to be erected to connect her with Düsseldorf Yacht Club; and whether, in view of the effect of these plans on German public opinion, he will have them cancelled;

asked the Secretary of State for War the expenditure of manpower, transport, food and drink, in the celebrations of the transfer of 53rd Welsh Division to 2nd Infantry Division at Düsseldorf.

No prior approval was or needed to be sought from me for this private celebration of an important stage in the history of a division with a great record. There was no expenditure from public funds involved, the celebrations being paid for from the private mess funds. The ship "Mainz" was not requisitioned but was hired commercially, as was the landing stage. No section of any Autobahn was closed but a former military car park was reopened temporarily. Certain alterations that were made at the club formed part of the long-term plan to improve the amenities there, the only special provision being the erection of the usual temporary awnings.

Does the Minister not agree that the holding of this party at all was most undesirable? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] In view of the conditions in which it was held.

Generally speaking, I have no objection to private parties either military or civil. As far as military parties are concerned in Germany, I am certainly of the opinion that there should be no ostentation, and I think hon. Members in all parts of the House would agree with the statement I have made in that respect.

While I do not wish to detract from the very fine record in the war of this division, in which I had the honour to serve, will the right hon. Gentleman take further steps, in view of the last part of his final reply, to circulate to all military units in Germany instructions that there shall be no lavish display and expenditure on food and houses while the conditions of life are such as they are today?

Although I have no reason to believe that such is the case, I shall certainly be only too glad to make that representation to the General Officer Commanding the Rhine Army.

Can the Minister say if any Germans were deprived of accommodation which they previously possessed in the "Mainz," and if so, how many?

Not arising out of this party.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, whatever his other information, that this affair was vulgarly advertised? Will he impress upon the occupying Force that their business is to be available but invisible, and not to induge in these Herrenvolk activities?

I would ask my hon. Friend, who himself served in the Force, to try to view this matter in its right perspective. As I have said, any blatancy is to be deprecated but, on the other hand, I do not think that this celebration took in any way the form in which it has been presented in the Press, as something of an orgy.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will investigate conditions at Banstead Military Hospital.

I am not aware of the need for any special investigation, but if my hon. Friend has any particular information perhaps he would send it to me.

asked the Secretary of State for War why men of the R.E., D.C.R.E., who had taken and completed the architectural draughtsmen Class II course of training at Chatham, in November last, were sent to the Scottish Command in Edinburgh, then to Perth, Scotland, where no Army accommodation was available, then sent home on embarkation leave, after which they returned to Edinburgh and the next day were sent to Barton Stacey, Hampshire, later to be drafted overseas; and if he will prevent such journeys in future.

Men who complete courses in this country cannot always be posted direct to holding units for immediate drafting overseas. While they are waiting, they are employed in their trades in units at home. In the present case there were 20 students on the course and, as there were no outstanding demands for their services overseas, they were posted to home commands for temporary employment. Two were posted to Scottish Command, and they were sent to a district headquarters. After three weeks, urgent demands were received for draughtsmen for the Far East, and the men had to be posted to Barton Stacey, which is the only R.E. drafting unit in this country.

Is the Minister aware that the men concerned knew they were to go overseas, and in spite of the fact that they knew it, apparently many of them were sent off on a tour around the country? I suggest that those in the Department responsible for sending the men from Chatham to Scotland, then on embarkation leave, then returning them to Scotland and then sending them to the place from which they were sent overseas, ought to be attended to.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to make a further announcement on the payment of marriage allowances to officers of under 25 years of age.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the wives of married doctors under 25 years of age who are called up into the Army as officers will be eligible for marriage allowances for themselves and their children.

I am not in a position to make a statement at present but I hope to do so in the near future.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not fair to these men compulsorily to call them up and to make no provision for their dependants? Will he see to this without delay?

I do not think that affects the decision. I think this refers to Regular officers.

rose—

We have been over half an hour, and we have just got through 24 Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether permission was given to Professor Laski to address Army officers and cadets at the Prince Consort's Library, Aldershot, on "The Conditions of Democratic Government" and why Press representatives were refused admission to this meeting.

Professor Laski was invited by the District Commander to address officers and officer cadets at the Prince Consort's Library, Aldershot, on "The Conditions of Democratic Government," as a part of a winter study programme. Press representatives were refused admittance because these lectures are private and not open to the public.

Are the Press excluded from all lectures of this nature? May I also ask whether in the right hon. Gentleman's opinion Professor Laski has any special qualifications to talk about democratic government?

Well, he claims to have them. [An HON. MEMBER: "He has them."] There is no doubt that he was invited by military officers to give this lecture.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Professor Laski is a recognised international authority? [HON. MEMBERS: "On what?"] Does he not think that the courtesy extended to Professor Laski might be extended still further, and that he might be invited to give another lecture on the law relating to special juries?

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether facilities could be given to some man of equal, or even greater, eminence, who might hold different views on the same subject?

I do not think it is my duty to interfere with the arrangements made by senior officers to invite people of authority to speak on their particular topics.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the same facilities were given after the first world war as those referred to on this occasion?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give information as to the number of candidates submitted to the Royal Military Academy from independent schools, direct grant schools and State controlled schools, respectively; and the number of cadetships awarded by the Royal Military Academy in the same groups.

There has so far been only one examination for entrants for Sandhurst from civil life, and I have not yet got the particulars of the various types of schools from which the candidates came. I have asked the Civil Service Commissioners for these, and when I receive them I will write to the hon. Member. The numbers finally accepted for entry to Sandhurst will not be known before the end of March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the best candidates will be chosen, irrespective of their educational background?

Yes, most assuredly.

asked the Secretary of State for War the conditions governing United Kingdom leave from S.E.A.C.; and whether there is any delay, at present, in allowing this leave.

A soldier in South East Asia is allowed one period of 30 days' leave during his overseas tour. We cannot, however, allot everyone a vacancy, owing to shortage of manpower and shipping, and at present the proportion of vacancies is about one in three and a half; this is an improvement on the figure of one in five which obtained until recently. In the allotment of vacancies, due consideration is given to length of overseas service and campaign service. To be eligible, men must be able to serve for at least four months overseas on return from leave, before becoming due for release or repatriation to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the statements appearing on orders of units in S.E.A.C. to the effect that too much mail is sent home by men serving in the command and unless cuts are made restrictions will have to be made; and whether such statements are made with his authority.

I am aware that an order was issued by the Commander-in-Chief South East Asia Land Forces, to be repeated in unit orders, stressing the importance of using light weight stationery to reduce the weight of mail carried by air, consequent upon reductions in the air services available. A warning was given that if material reductions were not effected by these measures, the compulsory use of air letter cards or restrictions in the numbers of letters written each week might become necessary. The order applied only to letters normally carried by air and other classes of mail were not affected. I am satisfied that the order was a perfectly reasonable one.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what conditions a boy of 14 years of age can voluntarily enlist in the Army for 16 years' service; and whether such conditions permit of any break in that service.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 9th July, 1946, to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dudley (Colonel Wigg), of which I am sending him a copy. Premature discharge from a voluntary engagement in the Regular Army is not at present permitted, except that enlisted boys may claim discharge by purchase within three months of enlistment.

Does that answer mean that it is possible for a boy of 14 years of age to enlist voluntarily for 16 years?

Speaking from memory, I know that he can enlist for a certain period, which I think can be up to 12 years, but I think my hon. Friend is referring to boys' service, which is not counted in the Regular engagement.

Do I understand that it is possible for a boy of 14 years of age to be enlisted in the British Army?

Only with the permission of his parent or guardian.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think some legislation might be introduced to safeguard a child aged 14—an irresponsible age—from the decisions which he might take?

Speaking as a parent, I think that the biggest safeguard is the fact that the parent has to agree.

Will my right hon. Friend bring the age in this case into line with the new school leaving age which takes effect on 1st April?

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks were court-martialled for offences involving money in the West African Colonies during 1941–46.

I regret that the information asked for is not available in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to remove the discrimination regarding qualification pay that now affects officers of the R.E.M.E. compared with officers of other corps.

This point is being considered with others which have arisen over qualification pay, but no decision has been reached.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I raised this point on 1st October? Four months have now elapsed and I hope that he can give some assurance that a decision will be made at an early date.

Yes, Sir. I will do my best to speed up a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German and Italian prisoners of war, respectively, remain in the Middle East and North Africa under British control.

At 31st January approximately 90,000, all of whom are German prisoners.

May I ask what action is being taken to repatriate these men? At what rate are they going back to Germany?

I think the next Question deals with that point.

What is the basis on which these men are retained at all? Does it not use up manpower to guard them, and what possible right in humanity have we to keep them?

They are part of the whole picture. We have a far larger number in this country. All of them are being repatriated fairly speedily.

That does not answer the Question at all. Are they performing any function in the Middle East?

They are pretty fully occupied.

What are they doing?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to make a statement with regard to the increased rate of repatriation of prisoners of war from the Middle East.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 28th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge), of which I am sending him a copy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that however good the conditions are, they must be unsatisfactory in a sub-tropical climate, and is he aware that many of these people have been separated from their families for five years or more and are badly needed as breadwinners in the British zone in Germany?

Yes, Sir, I am well aware of that. In relation to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I caused a senior staff officer to go out and examine the conditions under which they are living, and the report I received indicated that they are living in very good conditions indeed.

May I ask the Secretary of State whether he can give some sort of indication of the rate at which they are being repatriated? He referred me to this Question, but the answer refers to a previous one.

In the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford, I said that from the beginning of July the rate of repatriation will be accelerated to 5,000 a month.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not tell us what is the principle underlying all this? What is the sense of this policy?

I do not think that arises under this Question. I was asked to give a reply as to rate of repatriation.

Can my right hon. Friend give some idea of his difficulties?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House some idea of what these men are doing?

They are helping in the preparation of camps in that part of the world.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the proposals now being discussed for the repatriation by 1st October of all German prisoners now in U.S. hands, and of all those in France who do not volunteer to remain there as free workers; and if he will consider making parallel arrangements for the repatriation of German prisoners in Great Britain.

My attention has been drawn to Press reports on this subject. As regards repatriation from this country, I can add nothing to the announcement made on 12th September, 1946.

If there is a real prospect that the prisoners of the French and the Americans will be sent back by 1st October, will not the effect be very bad if this country lags far behind?

This is only a Press report, and I am not at all sure of its accuracy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this was a very full "Times" report, based on official conversations between the French and American Governments? Has he not taken steps to ascertain whether it is accurate?

I have no information on the accuracy or otherwise of the Press report. All I am concerned with is dealing with our own prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners were repatriated from Britain during November, December, and January; how many of these, in each month, were repatriated on compassionate grounds; how many were in categories A and B; and what percentages of A and B prisoners have now been repatriated.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the target figure is approximately 15,000 a month, and if so, whether that is intended to include the number of compassionate cases?

As far as my memory serves me, 15,000 is the target with, I think, 500 compassionate cases as well. The target figure has been pretty well exceeded in the first few months.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war were repatriated from Great Britain and the Middle East, respectively, during each of the two months December, 1946, and January, 1947.

From the United Kingdom 14,236 in December and 16,932 in January. From the Middle East 1,510 Germans and 4,513 Austrians in December and 3,880 Germans in January.

How soon does my right hon. Friend expect to increase the rate to 30,000 a month, which is the rate at which the Control Commission in Germany would be glad to receive them?

That is another question. I have answered the Question on the Paper.

Why is there a discrepancy between the rates of repatriation from the Middle East and from Britain?

I have given the answer to that question previously. The numbers in this country are much larger than those in the Middle East, which accounts for the larger repatriation here.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise the whole question of repatriation of prisoners on the Motion for the Adjournment.

rose—

Notice having been given that this matter is to be raised on the Motion for the Adjournment, no further question can be asked upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that earnings credited to German prisoners for their work in Britain can be cashed by them, on repatriation, only at the prewar exchange rate of 13 marks to£1; and if he will make arangements to enable them to obtain at least the official occupation rate of 40 marks to £1.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 17th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

As that reply was entirely unsatisfactory, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether this is not in fact a breach of the Geneva Convention, which insists that prisoners of war should be treated in exactly the same way as garrison troops, and if he is aware that no military officer I have met in the zone is satisfied with the present arrangements, which consist of sweating the people in this country, and swindling them over there?

I would not like to answer the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question unless I knew who the officers were.

They were responsible officers.

Does not the present system mean that the Government are making a profit? Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he justifies that profit being made?

No, Sir, no profit at all is being made out of the rate of exchange.

Even if no profit is made, how does my right hon. Friend justify the distinction between the two rates?

I think I have given the reply to that question in two previous answers.

Would it not be more courteous to the House if on these Questions, about which public opinion is so deeply moved, the right hon. Gentleman could be more specific, and not always refer to previous answers?

I do not think public opinion is deeply moved on this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not reconsider the whole matter?

I do not think it is in my power to reconsider the matter, which was agreed between our Government and the German Government.

May I ask to what German Government the right hon. Gentleman is referring, because if there is one at the moment it has escaped most people's notice?

Unfortunately the right hon. Gentleman has not had an opportunity of looking at the answer to the previous Question. This arrangement was made between the British Government and the then German Government in relation to British prisoners of war and German prisoners of war.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the deep concern held by such societies as the Birmingham Young Friends, Quakers, about the lack of facilities for leading anything approaching a normal life by German prisoners of war; and if he will make a general statement on the situation, and issue new regulations to extend the privileges of these prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he will extend the concessions to German prisoners of war in Britain as regards time of reporting back and distance for visits on Sundays.

On 10th and 20th December I announced, in reply to Questions by hon. Members, considerable relaxations of restrictions on prisoners of war. This was an experimental measure and I am watching the results of it. I will consider making certain modifications of the instructions now issued if such action appears to be warranted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that nine farm-workers are employed as stokers at Ludford aerodrome, Lincolnshire, now used as a Polish Army camp, at £5 a week, whilst Poles are unemployed to the dissatisfaction of local agricultural workers; if he will see that these men are released for their work on the farm.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28th January last.

May I ask the Minister if he is aware that the reply gave no satisfaction at all to the farm workers who are aggrieved in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War what statutory authority entitles the Polish Forces in this country, who have not yet enlisted into the Polish Resettlement Corps or been otherwise disposed of, to try and detain members of these Forces in accordance with their own code of discipline.

The Allied Forces Act, 1940.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the agreement which the Allied Forces Act of 1940 applied to the Polish Armed Forces was an agreement concluded with the Polish Government in London, from which recognition has been withdrawn? Therefore, the Allied Forces Act, 1940 cannot possibly apply to the present Polish Forces in this country.

I have no other information to give than the information I have given in answer to the Question, but in view of my hon. Friend's doubt on this matter, I will certainly look at it again.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to complete the demobilisation of the 58,000 Polish troops still in uniform in this country; by what headquarters these troops are now administered, and how many Polish staff officers and other ranks, respectively, are employed in those headquarters.

The rate of discharge from the Polish Resettlement Corps depends on the rate at which members of the Corps can be absorbed into civilian life. As has previously been stated the intention is that this process should be completed in two years. The Corps is administered by the War Office through command headquarters and no Polish officers or other ranks are employed either in the War Office or at command headquarters for this purpose.

But is my right hon. Friend aware that this Question does not refer to the Polish Resettlement Corps as such, but to those troops who have not yet got into it? This figure was given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and refers to Polish troops who have not yet entered the Resettlement Corps but are still under Polish Army discipline.

In view of the way my hon. Friend put his Question, and the number he quoted, I took it that his Question dealt with those in the Polish Resettlement Corps, but if he would like to put down another Question, I will try to give him an answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the classification of these members of the Polish Resettlement Corps? Are they regarded as members of an Armed Force, or as prisoners available for industrial purposes in this country?

In so far as they have to be kept under some discipline, they are regarded as members of an Armed Force under the War Office. As for being available for work in this country, yes, they are, if suitable work can be found for them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the manpower crisis calls. for a rate of assimilation of these men in something less than two years, and is he seriously suggesting to the House that he is prepared to acquiesce in this queer policy in view of the general situation?

No, I think the noble Lord has misunderstood my answer. I said that I hoped the whole of the Polish Resettlement Corps would have been disbanded or dealt with in two years, but of course the whole process of finding them occupation, either abroad or at home here, is going on all the time.

Will my right hon. Friend give a categorical assurance that there is no ultimate intention of using these men as a foreign legion in Germany, as envisaged by the Leader of the Opposition yesterday?

Yes, Sir, I can give that assurance with the very greatest ease.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Poles now resident in the resettlement camps in this country are still being supplied with full Army rations, as this is preferential treatment as compared with ordinary British civilians.

The Polish Resettlement Corps is part of the British Army, and its active members therefore receive rations at the scale appropriate to the British Army. For administrative reasons it has not hitherto been found possible to issue a different scale of rations to those members of the Resettlement Corps who have been relegated to the Reserve, and who are still necessarily accommodated in Resettlement Corps camps. These men are fed in the same mess and from the same cookhouse. Families of the Poles, who mess under separate arrangements, draw a special scale of rations in which the amounts of nationally rationed foods are limited to the quantities included in the normal British civilian scale. I am, however, looking into the whole question.

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House why a Polish ex-Serviceman now training for Britain's industrial army should be treated differently from a British ex-Serviceman in the same category?

I have done my best to answer the point which my hon. Friend put in his Question, but I will certainly look into the matter in more detail.

Thank you very much.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that since various Government Departments have selected university towns and cities as regional headquarters, large demands are now made on accommodation normally used by students; and whether, in view of the need to encourage the training of students in arts and science and the increasing demand in applications, both from persons who have served in the Forces and from young people leaving school, he will consider with the appropriate Ministers the urgent necessity for finding alternative accommodation for civil servants and lay down a rule that Government Departments shall not select university towns and cities as regional headquarters.

I am anxious to do all I can to help the universities, but it is not possible to lay down so rigid a rule as the hon. baronet suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulty experienced by people continuing their university courses? As long as these university centres are also selected by the Civil Service, does it not mean that the accommodation is thereby restricted and that university education cannot be given at the very time when we want it most?

As I have said, I am very anxious to help the universities at this stage, and I keep myself informed, I hope, as to the difficulties. There is only one case in regard to which I have had an application for assistance, and that is from Cambridge. The other regional centres are nearly all in places where there is a university—Edinburgh, Cardiff, London, Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham, Reading, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester. There is a university in each of those. The only case where difficulty has been reported to me is the case of Cambridge. I am looking into that with every desire to assist. The East Anglian area is such that Cambridge is the indicated spot for the centre and it is difficult to put it anywhere else.

With a view to relieving this very serious situation, would the right hon. Gentleman consider the construction of a garden suburb on the outskirts of Cambridge for the accommodation of the Civil Service evacuees?

We will consider any reasonable proposal that will help with this Cambridge problem.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the Government's decision regarding equal pay for men and women in the Government service.

I cannot yet name a date.

In view of the fact that the Government are now employing such a large percentage of women and intend to employ more, is it not reasonable to ask that they should set an example in this matter and come to an early decision?

This has been for a very long time in incubation and I think we are entitled to have a good look at it, particularly as it involves increased expenditure if this is acted upon. In view of what he said, I think the hon. Gentleman would be watchful against such a proceeding.