asked the Minister of Pensions whether in connection with the disabled ex-Servicemen's basic pension and other matters calling for review, he will now consider appointing a commission to review and revise the Royal Warrant, so as to ensure the practical changes necessitated by the changed conditions which have arisen during the past two years.

A comprehensive review of the war pensions code was undertaken by the present Government two years ago, and many improvements were made. Further improvements have been announced during the last 12 months, and in the view of the Government there is no need to set up a commission to review the whole field of war pensions.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this matter cannot be lightly dismissed; indeed, it cannot be dismissed at all? Is he aware that since 1919 the basic pension has risen by only 12½ per cent., and that the standard pension-income for the family unit of a man, child and wife has been increased by only 9 per cent.? Surely, these increases are utterly inadequate in view of the increased cost of living today?

The hon. Member should realise that that states only half the situation. In point of fact, over 20 or 30 improvements have been made benefiting the whole range of our war pensioners. The statement made by the hon. Member is not by any means complete.

In view of the fact that the rise in the cost of living since 1919 is probably of the order of 100 per cent., does the Parliamentary Secretary think that any number of revisions which amount to an increase of only 12½ per cent. is anything like adequate to the situation?

I can only repeat that the increase in the percentage mentioned is not a correct representation of the improvements which have been made.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the service pensioners had a very raw deal when their pensions were stabilised, and that in view of the increase in the cost of living there is a great deal of leeway to make up? Surely, they should be treated just as well as other pensioners?

I agree that the pensioners had an extremely raw deal, and that it has taken us a considerable time to try to make up some of the leeway.

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

asked the Minister of Pensions if, in view of the increased cost of living, he is taking any steps to increase the pensions of disabled ex-Service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there is any intention of increasing war pensions in respect of the 1914–18 war.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is satisfied that the present basic rate of pensions payable to disabled ex-Service men is sufficient in view of the rise in the cost of living; and whether he proposes to adjust the rate.

The basic rates of war pension for pensioners of both world wars were reviewed and increased less than two years ago as part of a complete survey of the war pensions code, when many other improvements were made. In the view of the Government the rates now in payment do not call for further general revision at this time.

Although one recognises that the Government have made improvements as compared with what was done by the Tories, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that many Members are getting communications from disabled soldiers who are finding it difficult to make ends meet on the pensions they are receiving, because of the greatly increased cost of living? Cannot something be done?

If a general review is not possible would the hon. Gentleman look into the question of allowances for children, which are quite inadequate?

The general increases affected the whole of the war pensioners, and it is quite untrue to say that the percentage increase is as small as some have suggested. In some of the more severe cases the increase has amounted to 50 to 100 per cent.

Is the Minister optimistic enough to believe that the cost of living will come down?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us by what percentage, on the average, the war pensions for 1914–18 have increased, and how that percentage compares with the percentage increase in the cost of living?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down that question I will see what I can do to answer it.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider altering the regulation that prevents disabled ex-Service men receiving a pension on the ground that their disability has not arisen or been aggravated by service in the Forces.

It has been an accepted principle that where disablement was unrelated to service a pension could not be awarded. This principle was reaffirmed by the present Government on the occasion some two years ago of the full review of the war pensions code.

In view of the fact that many men have given years of service and have then been incapacitated, would it not be desirable that this should be removed and that the Minister should have discretion to say whether or not a pension is desirable in these cases?

I can only say that there is no other basis upon which war pensions can be awarded than the effect of the war upon these men.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the very large number of border-line cases where it is so easy for the tribunals to show that no disability arises from service? Will he not review the whole situation in view of the resentment of ex-Service men at the vast number of cases decided against them?

I would remind the hon. Member that we are spending very much of our time reviewing decisions which were made in the past.

Is my hon. Friend further aware that there are a great many really serious afflictions of unknown medical origin, and that although a man who gets before a High Court judge sometimes establishes his case, there are thousands of such cases which are refused on the ground that the cause of injury cannot be established?

It is for that reason that independent tribunals were set up.

Is the Minister aware that in a very bad case which I put to his predecessor, his right hon. Friend said that he could not get away from the regulations? He was in favour of doing something, but he said that he was tied by the regulations and had no discretion of any kind. Is it not desirable that the Minister should have some measure of discretion?

My right hon. Friend has some measure of discretion, but however much discretion a Minister may have, he must work with some regard to the regulations.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether men who are called up under the National Service Act, 1947, and who sustain injuries whilst undergoing either whole-time or part-time service will be eligible for a disability pension under the present war pensions instruments; and if there will be any right of appeal to an independent tribunal in the case of disputed claims.

I regret that it is still not possible to make any announcement on the matters referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

Could the hon. Gentleman say when a decision will be come to in this important matter?

In good time, before the new Act comes into operation.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the Limb Fitting Centre at Portsmouth is in urgent need of renovation, improvement and extension; and whether he will state the nature and extent of any improvements contemplated or any proposals for the acquisition of alternative premises.

The hon. and gallant Member will be pleased to learn that work has already started on the erection of a hut adjacent to the regional office premises at 77, Elm Grove. The hut will be specially adapted for use as a limb fitting centre, and it is anticipated that it will be ready for occupation early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what ground the application of Mr. Arthur Wild, 3, Bromley Street, Coldhurst, Oldham (Reference 3/MW/5578), who sustained a gunshot wound in Gallipoli in the 1914–18 war and as a result lost his speech and hearing and was granted a pension, and who has now suffered a recurrence of loss of speech and hearing, is being refused a restoration of his pension.

Mr. Wild did not sustain a gunshot wound. On demobilisation a provisional pension was issued whilst further inquiries were being made. A medical board early in 1920 could find no disability, and pension ceased. Mr. Wild suffered a temporary loss of speech and hearing in 1916, but this was purely functional. He recovered and there was no such defect on demobilisation in 1919, nor on examination in 1920. In 1942, he made an application in respect of his speech and hearing, and, as the hon. Member was informed in a letter of 21st February last, it is regretted that Mr. Wild's present condition must be regarded as unrelated to his war service.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this man was wounded at Gallipoli, that he has been in nine hospitals suffering from loss of speech and hearing, that he had a pension, that he recovered, and that he has now precisely the same symptoms? Is he aware that no medical man out of Bedlam could say that there was no relation between the present symptoms and those which the man had in 1916?

I would remind my hon. Friend that at one date the man himself firmly said that he was not wounded, but suffered from scarlet fever and concussion while in Gallipoli. It is not true that he was wounded in Gallipoli, but if my hon. Friend has any further information in his possession I shall be glad to consider it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this man lost his speech and hearing in the trenches in Gallipoli, and that his Ministry asked me for the evidence of someone who saw what happened in 1915? I found that evidence, and now this man has been refused a pension on the ground that he did not see shrapnel enter his head.

My hon. Friend is trying to put another construction on the case. I have evidence here that does not support the man's claim in the least.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he has taken to secure that a pension or other form of adequate compensation is paid to the parents or dependants of those prisoners of war killed and injured in a level crossing accident at Burton Agnes, Yorkshire, on 17th September last, while in the forcible employment of this country.

The Geneva Convention does not impose any obligation on the detaining power to pay compensation to the relatives of a prisoner of war whose captivity is terminated by death whatever may be the cause. In cases such as that mentioned in the Question, the view of His Majesty's Government has been that compensation is a matter for settlement by the proper authorities in the man's own country. Where a British prisoner of war was killed during the period of his captivity by the enemy, the death is accepted as due to service and the pension awards are made by the Ministry of Pensions.

Can my right hon. Friend say who is the proper authority for compensating them?

I cannot offhand. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put a Question on the Paper.

As the Minister has quoted the Geneva Convention in support of himself, may I ask if he is aware that that Convention lays it down that prisoners of war are to be returned to their homesteads as soon as possible after the cessation of hostilities? Does he think that even this Socialist Government have carried this out?

I think that is irrelevant to the original question.

It is very relevant.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances Heinz Lenz, a German prisoner of war, was killed in helping to clear a minefield at Selsea; and what action he has taken to arrange for compensation to his dependants, and to those of one of his comrades who was injured.

This prisoner of war was unfortunately killed through accidentally stepping on a mine while searching for mines with a mine detector. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave in answer to the preceding Question. I am looking further into certain aspects of these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the recent road accident in Bedfordshire in which one' prisoner of war from Clapham Camp was killed and four others injured, such statement to cover the arrangements he is making in the matter of compensation.

On 20th October a lorry driven by a civilian was transporting prisoners of war from their camp to their work when it became involved in a road accident near Bedford with a lorry belonging to the Women's Land Army. As a result of the accident five prisoners of war were injured and of these one has died in hospital. The inquest has been adjourned for 10 days. As regards compensation in respect of the prisoner of war who has died I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply to Question No. 9 today. With regard to the prisoners of war who were injured, they will be dealt with under the scheme announced in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 1st July.

With regard to this question of compensation, surely the refusal of the right hon. Gentleman is really repugnant to the dictates of civilised humanity? Were not these people who were killed Service men, no matter whether they were Hottentots or Germans, and are not their relatives entitled to compensation?

The principles of the Geneva Convention in this respect are universally applied. We cannot apply one system here and another system elsewhere. I have already said, in reply to an earlier Question, that I am reviewing certain aspects of this case.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the War Office invoke the Geneva Convention when it suits them and that when it does not suit them they say it does not apply? Why should the War Office have it both ways?

This is my first experience of invoking the Geneva Convention.

If British men had been killed in similar circumstances in Germany, would their relatives have been compensated?

asked the Secretary of State for War, what proportion of the £4 10s. per week paid by farmers for prisoners of war doing agricultural work, of which £1 10s. is deducted for board and lodgings when billeted, is paid to the prisoners of war; and how the balance is disposed of.

As stated in the answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbartonshire (Mr. McKinlay) on 24th June last, the pay received by prisoners of war is determined by their status as prisoners of war and not by reference to the charges made for their services. All pay issued to them is paid from Army Funds, and the net receipts in respect of their services accrue to Army Funds, which incur heavy expenditure in administration and maintenance of prisoners of war generally.

I know, but what are they paid?

The question does not ask me what they are actually paid, but what proportion of the amounts paid for their services is handed over to them. I am afraid I cannot say.

May I ask why?

Would the right hon. Gentleman have a look at the quality of the cigarettes issued as a bonus to prisoners of war. I was given a packet and they seemed to me to be inferior to horse manure, and non-smokable?

If I put down another Question will my right hon. Friend tell us what are the amounts and rates paid to the individual prisoner of war for work done?

If my hon. Friend puts down a specific Question I will do my best to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the restrictions limiting the number of letters German prisoners of war may send home; and whether he will now remove such restrictions.

There are no restrictions on the number of letters German prisoners of war may send home.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the despatches about the Malayan campaign will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state when the despatches covering the loss of the Malay Peninsula and Singapore will be published.

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any forecast about the publication of these despatches.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the cause of the delay? Will he give an assurance that it is not due to bad expert advice?

There appears to be some difficulty in obtaining agreement on this matter. The causes of delay are quite beyond my control, and were beyond the control of my predecessor.

Is the Minister aware that many of my constituents are very fed up with this intolerable delay? We lost more than two battalions of men from my neighbourhood, and we are after the blood of the person who landed troops who had no possibility of fighting at all.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the leave train known as Medloc cam-pares unfavourably with U.S. leave trains in Germany as regards coaching stock and cleanliness of lavatory accommodation; and whether he will amend the timetable so as to increase the running speed and reduce the time spent at the numerous halts, other than meal halts.

The coaching stock used, though not of the highest standard, is the best that can be obtained in present conditions; the lavatories are cleaned before every journey. Every effort is made, and will continue to be made, to reduce halts, other than meal halts to the minimum, but the timing of this international train is a complicated matter. Stops are necessary for taking water, engine changing, and frontier control examination, and these cannot be avoided.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this train is slower than the average German civilian express train? Cannot he improve the conditions and the timetable? It takes 36 hours to do the journey, and it is very uncomfortable for six to eight men with their kit on wooden benches in a compartment.

That may be because the rolling stock in unsatisfactory. The only means of improving that rolling stock is by sending some out from this country, and we cannot afford to do that.

asked the Secretary of State for War approximately how many motor-transport vehicles, capable of further service, are still parked along autobahnen and in similar parks in Germany; whether they will be disposed of before the winter; and what is the approximate number of Service and civilian personnel now employed on guard duties, repair service, and general administration of these vehicles respectively.

I am looking into this matter, and when my inquiries are complete I will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what capacity Italians are being employed by the British Military Administration in Eritrea; and for what reasons.

Italians in Eritrea are being employed in administrative and professional capacities, as judges, doctors, teachers, police, agricultural inspectors and surveyors; others provide the technical and clerical staffs which local resources are unqualified to supply. The employment of such Italians is necessary to enable the administration to function smoothly until such time as the future of the Colony is determined.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total rent and the rent per unit paid by the War Office for pill-boxes erected to repel the 1940 invasion and for other military purposes; and what proportion of these pill-boxes are being used and for what purposes.

The War Office does not pay rent in respect of land occupied by defence works, but compensation based on the diminution of the annual value of the land. No separate figures are available for land occupied by pill-boxes as distinct from other defence works, and it would not be possible to give them without a disproportionate amount of work. There is no fixed scale of compensation per unit as the diminution in value of the sites would vary greatly with the location of the site and the size of the defence work. No pill-boxes are at present being used for military purposes.

In view of the sense of urgency which, no doubt, now fills the War Office, will the right hon. Gentleman try to get this matter cleared up both by active and passive consideration?

asked the Secretary of State for War why the decision to discontinue primary training centres was taken, and if he is satisfied that this step will save manpower and at the same time maintain the standard of training.

This decision was taken in order to save manpower, and because it is now possible to introduce a method of selection designed to indicate for which arm of the Service a man is most suitable before he is called up. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, sir."

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the event of suddenly having to expand manpower, this can be done on the basis of the proposed abolition of the primary training centres, or whether it is proposed to evert to the system adopted during the war, which proved thoroughly satisfactory?

I cannot answer a question on expansion at the moment.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman employ some of the Regular battalions now due to be disbanded on reduced establishment, for doing this primary training which is now being done away with so far as these centres are concerned?

It is our opinion that the new method which is to come into operation shortly, and of sending men to a basic training unit of a particular Arm will be more satisfactory in point of efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the plans for the future of the 14 Command Workshops, R.E.M.E., and the R.A.O.C. Depot at Ashford, Kent; and if he will make these known to the employees concerned, in order to avoid so many conflicting rumours being circulated.

So far as can be foreseen the R.E.M.E. Workshop and the R.A.O.C. Depot at Ashford will be retained permanently. I am not aware of the existence of doubts among the employees about the future of these establishments, but I am taking steps to have the information given in this reply communicated to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what numbers of civil servants, industrial and non-industrial, are employed in the R.A.O.C. and R.E.M.E. Depots, respectively, at Ashford, Kent.

At the R.A.O.C. depot 133 industrials and 79 non-industrials; at the R.E.M.E. workshops 268 industrials and 32 non-industrials.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements and facilities are now available to assist relatives to visit the graves of Service men buried overseas.

I am not yet in a position to add to the statement made by my predecessor in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 22nd July.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain William McGrath, of the Drill Hall, Cumnock, has been threatened with eviction by the local military authorities; that no house is available for him in the district; and whether, in view of the fact that this officer has 25 years' service and has three children, he will ensure that this decision will be reconsidered until alternative housing accommodation is available.

The soldier's married quarter occupied by Captain McGrath is urgently required for a T.A. instructor who will be a married soldier With a family. Captain McGrath was told 2½ years ago that the quarter would be required and that he should make other arrangements for accommodation. Since then repeated official warnings have been issued, the fifth early this month, when Captain McGrath was notified that legal proceedings would be started if the order was not complied with. I regret that I am unable to intervene further.

Will the Minister give a definite guarantee that these long-service men will not be evicted?

I am afraid that I have no alternative in the matter. We must have accommodation for the men now in the Services.

Can the Minister say whether Captain McGrath is a serving officer, and, if so, why is a serving officer in the men's quarters?

I understand that in 1943 Captain McGrath was granted an emergency commission and was allowed to remain, but he has now left the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that the lectures on economics, drama and mathematics given to Service students at Welbeck Abbey during the past six months have been conducted without political bias.

Every effort is made to keep Army Education free from propaganda for any movement or party. I have had no reports of political bias being shown in lectures on any subject at the Army College referred to.

Would the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter again? According to my information, all the three courses of lectures mentioned have been given at one time or another with great political bias.

Which way?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me have the information on which he has based his Question?

Will my right hon. Friend see if there is such a thing as Conservative mathematics and if so bring it to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the fatal accident which occurred on Thursday, 16th October, 1947, near Aberfoyle, Perthshire, within the area of the ammunition depot in that county, whereby one child was killed and one seriously injured; if he will state the reason for having dangerous ammunition stored in the depot accessible to children; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent a repetition of such fatalities.

Yes, Sir. I am aware of this regrettable accident. I would, however, point out that this depot covers an area of 220 square miles and there is no means of completely removing the possibility of such an accident, except the clearance of the ammunition, which is being carried out as fast as the very limited manpower and transport facilities allow. Danger notices are erected throughout the depot, attractive items are where possible stored in lock-ups, mobile guards patrol the depot, and broadcasts, warning the public of the dangers of interfering with ammunition are frequent.

Is the Minister aware that hikers and holiday-makers actually sleep in or near these ammunition dumps, that they tear open boxes of ammunition and use them for firewood, and that children play with the ammunition; and is not the whole thing a public scandal after two-and-a-half years?

There is great physical difficulty in removing these dumps, but I understand that they are being removed as quickly as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the really dangerous dumps are removed, where there are cases of detonators which go off very quickly? The larger shells do not matter so much.

I have gone into this matter since I saw the Question, and I am advised that we are proceeding as expeditiously as possible with the removal of the dumps.

asked the Secretary of State for War what quantities of ammunition and explosives, by categories and types, remain in the ammunition depot in Perthshire; what is the current rate of removal and by what date will removal be completed; whether arrangements are made to give priority in removal to the more dangerous types stored in close proximity to centres of population; and what action he proposes to take to remove the danger to the civilian population by clearing away ammunition and explosives stored along main roads and near to habitations.

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

Does the Minister realise that the entire population of the county of Perth view with the utmost concern the continuous presence of this dangerous ammunition? What is the reason for the abnormally slow rate of despatch—a mere 400 tons a week out of 90,000 tons is practically nothing?

I am as much concerned as the hon. Gentleman's constituents or the people of the whole of Perthshire, but there is great difficulty. We are giving priority to the removal of these dumps from agricultural land and where there is density of population, but there is the great physical difficulty to which I have referred. We have not the labour power with which to remove these dumps more quickly.

asked the Secretary of State for War why none of the improvements planned in the living quarters at Halheaths Camp, Lockerbie, have yet been started; and whether he will now give instructions that improvements be undertaken forthwith, so as to make the camp suitable for occupation this coming winter.

This camp is requisitioned property and I do not propose to retain it. The unit now occupying it will be moved early in the new year. Every endeavour will be made to ensure that the camp is kept as comfortable as possible until the unit moves, but extensive improvements are not justified in the circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during last winter one group of huts was over 300 yards from the nearest latrines, and will he make certain, if this camp is to be occupied during the coming winter, that it is fit for occupation?

The hon. Gentleman's statement appears to be consistent with the facts, and I am not prepared to doubt what he has said. As I have said, we are clearing out of here as fast as we can, and, therefore, it does not seem desirable that we should expend much money on improvements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least expend the £2,000 already authorised by Scottish Command?

asked the Secretary of State for War what expenditure has already been incurred on the base at Fayid; what total expenditure thereon is contemplated; when the base will be completed; and what acreage it will cover when completed.

G.H.Q. M.E.L.F. moved to Fayid on the evacuation of Cairo and together with administrative units directly connected with G.H.Q., are the only Army personnel located there. The total cash expenditure incurred on the provision of accommodation at Fayid is less than £¼ million and the work is now virtually complete. I have no information as to the actual area of desert which is covered.

Was not the whole of this camp, in fact, built by German slave labour, and would not the whole of the cost be a great deal greater had the full rate for the job been charged, including the work of many hundreds of thousands of the men there?

With the statement of fact by my hon. Friend I am in agreement, but on his opinion I am saying nothing.

asked the Secretary of State for War what amount of petrol was used for the Forces in Greece from January to August, 1947; how this rate of consumption compares with that in other commands; and whether he is satisfied that no petrol is being wasted on unauthorised journeys.

Approximately 10,000 tons. The per capita petrol consumption in Greece is the lowest in all Commands abroad except Gibraltar. I have no reason to suppose that petrol is being wasted in Greece. A strict system of petrol accounting is employed there as elsewhere.

As my highly esteemed right hon. Friend—[Laughter]. Members opposite may laugh but I speak for the workers and not for the Tories—is aware, I have received several communications on this question and will he look into the matter again?

Certainly, if my hon. Friend will let me have the details.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to issue a report on the theft of jewels and valuables from Glucksburg Castle.

No, Sir. This matter is still being investigated in conjunction with the Control Commission for Germany.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this event took place a long time ago, that the names of very high personages are connected with it and are broadcast over Germany, and will he make quite sure that the greatest possible haste is taken with regard to the publication of the report?

I note what my hon. Friend has said about this event taking place a long time ago; I only heard about it yesterday, but I will see what I can do.

It is two years ago.

Regarding the remark of the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) about the publication of the report, may I say that any further delay in publishing this report will have a devastating effect on the whole of the German population and it is high time that the matter was cleared up?

I stated in my answer that the matter is being investigated by the Control Commission in Germany, but I will make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much land in the county of Suffolk, capable of being used profitably for agricultural purposes, is occupied by his Department for training and establishment purposes; and how much is to be released and when.

My Department at present holds under Defence Regulation 51 a total of 18,326 acres of land in Suffolk. Of this area 9,455 acres are being rehabilitated by Civil Departments and will be released when the process is complete, 230 acres are being cleared of unexploded missiles and a further 165 acres are also due to be released. The Inter-Departmental Committee on Service Land Requirements is considering proposals to retain permanently the balance of 8,476 acres. Of this area only about 1,225 acres could be classified as agricultural land.

Would my right hon. Friend tell me how much land in Suffolk was held by his Department before the war?

I am afraid I could not off-hand, but I will give an answer if my hon. Friend will put down a question.

In view of the urgent need for extending agricultural production in Suffolk, will my right hon. Friend use every endeavour to expedite the release of this land?

We are in the process or releasing as much land as possible and we have released a great deal, but hon. Members must bear this in mind that if we are to train the Army efficiently we must have training grounds for them.

Will the Minister for War tell us from what map he got the figures of land now under cultivation. The one I have seen was one which was made up before the war, but since then the war agricultural committee have brought into use a great deal of land used for agriculture.

I cannot say when the map was prepared but I am sure it was up to date.

Is it true or not that the right hon. Gentleman's Department are intending to requisition at least another 20,000 acres in the Elveden area of Suffolk and if that is really the case, will he seriously consider the great disadvantage to agriculture of any such step?

In any requisitioning proposals made, we are taking all precautions possible to ensure that good agricultural land should not be taken over if it can be avoided. As I have already said, however, we have to train the Army and we must have training areas for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many complaints have been received from wives whose husbands have deserted them after being demobilised outside the United Kingdom, and outside the jurisdiction of British Courts; and if he will take immediate steps to check this abuse.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not readily available. All future applications for local release from married personnel will be referred to the War Office, who will communicate with the wife. If it is believed, as a result of these inquiries, that the husband is seeking to evade his domestic responsibilities release abroad will not be permitted and the officer or man concerned will be released in the United Kingdom.

Do I understand from that reply that this will be done, if it has not already been done?

I am advised that it is a new arrangement.

Could my right hon. Friend say if this machinery has been adopted in the other Services as well?

I could not say.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the reasons for his Department arranging a press conference for Major Farran on his return from Palestine; and whether he now proposes to grant similar facilities to other members of the Army returning from that country.

This interview was arranged in response to numerous requests received from the Press. In view of the very exceptional circumstances in which Major Farran returned to this country, I do not consider that the second part of the Question arises.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the circumstances of a court-martial will in future entitle the members of the Armed Services to a Press conference?

That question appears to be highly hypothetical, but if exceptional circumstances justify a Press conference, I should certainly not raise any objection.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if, in view of the abolition of the basic petrol ration, he proposes to reintroduce the "G" licence system for officers of the Territorial Army who are not drawing supplementary petrol for other purposes.

Yes, Sir. The "G" licence system will be reintroduced for members of the Territorial Army and officers of the Army Cadet Force who do not draw petrol for other purposes and who necessarily use their cars for military purposes. The scheme will be promulgated as soon as administrative details have been completed.

Is the Minister aware that the decision will be very welcome by the officers of the Territorial Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will review the present position which prohibits any person being granted a commission in the Territorial Army unless they have previously held a commission.

Arrangements are now under consideration whereby suitable men serving in the ranks of the Territorial Army will be able to obtain commissions. It is proposed that to be eligible for consideration candidates should have completed 12 months' service in the ranks of the T.A., including one annual training camp, should be approved by a Selection Board on the lines of those now engaged in selecting officers for the T.A., and should attend a special course lasting 15 days at an Officer Cadet Training Unit. This O.C.T.U. Course will count as annual training in camp for the training season next following. It is hoped to announce the final scheme very shortly, and at a later stage to make the necessary arrangements to cover National Service men who have completed their service with the Colours.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether, arising out of the acute dollar crisis and the need for increased home production from the land, he will now give an assurance that no productive agricultural land will be sacrificed for development while suitable land of an inferior value is still; available.

It has always been the aim of my right hon. Friend to ensure that productive agricultural land is not lost to agriculture wherever that can be avoided.

May we take it that in practice it will be avoided?

It will be avoided where it is possible to do so, by consultation among the principal officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, my own Ministry and the planning authorities.

Is the Minister aware that I have particulars of a clear case of agricultural land being used for an aerodrome?

If the hon. Gentleman has such a case in mind and will give me details I shall be glad to have it investigated.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps he is taking to safeguard the rural amenities of Cannock Chase and the right of public access thereto, in view of the land now requisitioned by the Service Departments and the proposals that more land shall be requisitioned in the future.

The requirements of the Service Departments and of the Ministry of Supply in the Cannock Chase area are at present under consideration by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Services Land Requirements, together with the objections which have been made to the proposals individually and as a whole. The committee in making their recommendations to my right hon. Friend will give careful attention to the preservation of rural amenities and the safeguarding of the rights of public access.

Is the Minister aware that three Government Departments are now taking this land, with the result that public access will be denied over a considerable area which was previously open? Is it not a fact that this area was scheduled as a future national park?

It was not scheduled as a future national park but as a wild life conservation area. I am aware of this case, and we have set up the appropriate machinery in connection with it.

Is the Minister aware that this is one of the areas which is less well served by adjacent open spaces? Is he also aware that on the last occasion that I was there, a danger flag was flying over the area although there were no military training operations going on? Will my hon. Friend see that the Service Departments allow the maximum access by the public, particularly at week-ends?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of some of the facts referred to by my hon. Friends. I am concerned about the future condition of this area.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether it is his intention to prohibit all forms of hunting and other methods of unnecessary destruction of animal and bird life in national, nature or reserved areas and in the national parks as proposed in the recently-issued Report on the Conservation of Nature.

Consideration is being given to the recommendations on this subject of the National Parks Committee and the Special Committee on Wild Life Conservation. They do not, however, suggest that the main responsibility should rest wholly with the Minister of Town and Country Planning.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in their Report upon national parks, the Committee, speaking in appreciation of the Lake District, actually say:

"Visitors are increasingly sharing and enjoying the traditional sports and pastimes of the country. Chief among these is fox hunting on foot "?

Will my hon. Friend do his best to protect wild life in those areas?

Among the recommendations in the Committee's Report is one that this matter should be considered by the Committee, and in the case of national parks by local committees.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the anomaly by which a person earning more than 10s. 6d. a week when in receipt of a supplementary pension loses part of it; and whether, as this prevents a large number of people who would otherwise engage in industry from doing so, and, in view of the serious shortage of labour, he will consider its amendment.

Supplementary pensions can be paid only to those who can establish need for them and it would be contrary to this basic requirement to disregard the whole of a pensioner's earnings. The statutory Regulations provide that the first 1os. 6d. a week of such earnings shall be disregarded. A pensioner who takes up employment must, therefore, always be better off to this extent at least. I would add that two-thirds of supplementary pensioners are 70 years old or over and a high proportion are infirm.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the urgency of encouraging as many people to work as possible, he will consider waiving the present restriction on Old Age Pensioners whereby they are prejudiced in their pension rights if they accept other than casual work.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Byers) on 12th August, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the Minister aware that by his discrimination he is discouraging people from working? Surely at a time like this we want all the available labour that is possible. Is it not time that he reconsidered his decision?

The new pensions scheme is designed to allow people to stay at work, and indeed to increase their income by so doing. During the three months July, August and September, of those who reached pensionable age, 69 per cent. of the men and 59 per cent. of the women declared their intention to stay at work.

Does not the Minister think that the old age pension should be doubled?

We discussed these matters very fully. We have designed the scheme to protect pensioners against reduction of wages by mean employers.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he intends to appoint the National Insurance Advisory Committee which will advise and assist him in the operation of the National Insurance Act, 1946.

I am glad to have this opportunity of announcing that the National Insurance Advisory Committee has now been appointed. Sir Will Spens, C.B.E., J.P., Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, has accepted the Chairmanship of the Committee. I am circulating the names of the members in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Committee will shortly begin consideration of those preliminary drafts of regulations which I am required by the Act to submit to them. The Committee will give public notice that these draft regulations are under consideration, and all persons affected will have an opportunity of putting before the Committee any objections to the draft regulations. The Committee will also advise me on any questions which I refer to them relating to the operation of the Act.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give the names of the Committee?

Yes, Sir. The names are: Sir John S. Boyd, Mrs. Dorothy Rees, Dr. John Ritchie, Dr. W. A. Robson, Miss Eileen Spelman, Mr. Townley, Mr. Frank Wolstencroft and Professor J. K. Charlesworth. Particulars of their experience will be given in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister for Economic Affairs whether full employment is still the aim and policy of His Majesty's Government; or whether it considers that it is necessary to have a reserve pool of unemployed labour upon which industry can draw as stated by a member of the Government's Economic Board.

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." A considerable transfer, however, between industries of labour and other resources will probably be required to meet our present difficulties. The Economic Planning Board to which I presume the hon. Member is referring, is an advisory body and His Majesty's Government are in no way responsible for the views expressed by individual members of the Board.

asked the Minister for Economic Affairs if he is aware that steel allocation arrangements give many firms steel but in such inadequate quantities that all firms have some steel but no single firm enough to complete essential jobs; and if he will review the present system.

I have been asked to reply. I recognise that steel supplies are inadequate to meet all requirements for home and export uses, but in allotting steel to consumers under the allocation arrangements Departments do their best to ensure that essential needs are met as far as possible. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Economic Affairs announced in the House on 23rd October, the steel control scheme has already been reviewed with a view to ensuring that deliveries follow closely upon allocations.

Is the Minister aware that to my knowledge there are three important businesses all of which have 65 per cent. of the steel they require and none of which can complete its orders? They have the orders but they are waiting for steel. Would it not be better to give one of them a full quota and let the other two do without?

I cannot be aware of what is in the hon. Gentleman's knowledge, but if he will send particulars I will look into the matter.

Has this industry an absolute priority in respect of supplies of steel? We have received representations from companies that if they had the steel they could produce the machinery.

I think the right hon. Gentleman is now referring to a Question which has not been asked. Question No. 49 does not refer to that particular industry.