asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that timber fellers are excluded from the Industrial Injuries Act because they are generally classed as self-employed persons; and whether, in view of the risks of injury and disablement involved in their work, he will seek to bring them within the scope of the Act.

My present information with regard to these workers is not sufficient to enable me to say whether I can exercise in their respect my very limited powers of extending the scope of the Industrial Injuries Act, but I shall be glad to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if his attention has been drawn to the case of disabled people employed as outworkers who are now required to pay Class 2 contributions as self-employed persons; that these people were formerly classed as employed persons and paid considerably less; and if he will include disabled outworkers under Class 1 as employed persons.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 13th July to a Question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Yeovil (Lieut.-Colonel Kingsmill). I should add that I am having inquiries made into the actual incidence of the new arrangements on these classes of workers.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will have prepared and circulated in schools and other educational institutions a short memorandum explaining, in simple terms, the respective effects of a student's making or not making voluntary contributions to the National Insurance scheme.

A leaflet (N.I.30) on the position of students under the National Insurance scheme has already been issued, and copies can be obtained at local offices of my Department. A revised version of the leaflet is now being prepared, and this will include an explanatory statement on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he is taking to enable the notice of incapacity and claim to benefit certificate to be utilised for the friendly societies in order to prevent duplicate certification.

A note of the relevant particulars given on the medical certificate and other evidence submitted in support of a claim to National Insurance sickness benefit will, on request, be given to the claimant or sent to his friendly society or trade union. Arrangements for this purpose have been in operation for some time.

Has the Minister had contacts with the friendly societies and they agreed to the proposals he has made?

Yes. We had contacts and discussion with the friendly societies, and the arrangement which we are now carrying out is one reached with their full approval.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why women who became widows before 5th July receive only 10s. weekly pension, whereas those widowed after 5th July are given 26s. a week; and will he remove this discrimination.

It is not the case that all widows pensioned before 5th July, 1948, receive pensions of 10s. a week only, or that all widows pensioned after that date receive pensions of 26s. a week. The position of widows pensioned before 5th July, 1948, was explained in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) on 8th June. Women widowed from 5th July onwards will be eligible, subject to the contribution conditions and according to their circumstances, for the various widowhood benefits of the new scheme which were settled recently after full debate in Parliament.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his answer makes it clear that there is a discrimination between those women who were widowed before 5th July and those who were widowed afterwards, and will he remove this discrimination, because it is already causing very great hardship?

We have made the new pension payable to widows who were widowed before 5th July, to widows who have a child or children under school-leaving age and to all other widows who are incapacitated, leaving only the able-bodied widows on the 10s. pension.

Does not that answer show that very little is required to put the two classes on a comparable basis, and will the Minister not do that, because the present position is quite indefensible?

I wish it were only a little that was required, because if that were so, I would have had it done. It does mean an increase in the contributions, and I have been very desirous of avoiding any increase in contributions until we see how the scheme works.

Can my right hon. Friend say what sum of money would be involved in granting the concession which was asked for by the hon. Member opposite?

I could not, without notice, give any precise figures, but I do know that it would mean an increase in the contributions.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether it is not the case that a widow who was insured on her husband's contributions before 5th July, and has children of school age, automatically receives the 26s. rate, and that the same applies to women who were widowed after 5th July?

Yes, that is quite true. We have already made payments of the new pension to widows with children in nearly 120,000 cases.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what check he is making to verify that all those persons who became liable to pay national insurance contributions for the first time on 5th July have, in fact, begun to do so.

I am confident that insured persons generally and employers will fulfil their obligations under the National Insurance scheme. All necessary steps will, of course, be taken to ensure compliance with the statutory contribution requirements of the scheme.

Does my right hon. Friend think that those who have so far failed to enter the scheme have done so from negligence, or has he any evidence to show that in any quarter there is any attempt to boycott the scheme?

No, I do not think there is any attempt to boycott the scheme. I would point out that all those to whom the scheme applies in all three classes are liable to pay contributions as from 5th July, and that the longer they leave it before they begin to pay, the larger becomes the amount of arrears which they will owe to the fund.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the hardship caused to a considerable number of persons by their inability to apply for benefit because they have not yet received their National Health cards; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

No, Sir, but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases which he has had brought to his notice, I will have inquiries made into them.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that ex-relieving officers who have been absorbed as executive officers by the National Assistance Board are being retained as visiting officers in the locality in which they formerly functioned as relieving officers; and in view of the fact that this arrangement is not calculated to convince the public that the Poor Law has been brought to an end, if he will consider altering it.

asked the Minister of National Insurance to what extent former relieving officers now employed as executive officers under the National Assistance Board are normally working in the areas where they had previously functioned; and if he is satisfied that this is a desirable arrangement.

The precise number of officers of local authorities appointed to serve in a National Assistance office in the locality in which they were previously employed cannot be stated without special inquiry; but it would not have been practicable to recruit all the experienced staff required from local authorities to the Board had the possibility of such appointments been precluded. Every relieving officer appointed to a post under the Board is being given a course of training in his new duties and in the spirit in which he is expected to discharge them. I am sure that these officers can be relied on to carry out their duties in a kindly and humane manner.

While recognising the Minister's difficulties in this early stage of the working of the scheme, would he try to move away from the situation as fast as staffing considerations make it possible?

I am sure that the House will realise that I am under an obligation to provide employment for these persons. At the same time we have done our very best to urge upon them that this is a new scheme, shorn of the indignities of the Poor Law, and, to carry out the wishes of the House of Commons, there must be a new spirit in the administration. I am confident that the wishes of the House will be carried out.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that one week's training is sufficient to bridge the gap between the U.A.B. mind and the type of mind which we wish to have under this Act?

People's spirits have been changed in much less than a week or 10 days.

Does not the Minister realise that the Poor Law mind was rapidly being abolished by the local authorities, and that this is a stigma on many of the people who have served the local authorities in the past? Does he not think that in many cases these people would do much better service working in the localities which they understand than they would do if sent to other parts of the country to take up their work on entirely new ground?

I hope that my officials themselves will approach this matter in the new spirit. It is essential that our own officers should be taught to look upon the people in the spirit of the new Act and not in the spirit of the old one.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will refer the question of the position of part-time and low-earnings workers under the National Insurance Act for further consideration by the National Insurance Advisory Committee.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I made to him on 13th July. There has not yet been sufficient experience of the working of the Act and regulations in their present form to justify me in asking the National Insurance Advisory Committee to consider further at this stage the question of the position of part-time and low-earnings workers. It was only on 7th June that they signed their report dealing with this question. The matter will, however, be kept closely under review.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what are the number and amounts of the additions to allowances made by the National Assistance Board, under Schedule 6 of the National Assistance Act, on taking over, in the County of Middlesex, the tuberculosis treatment allowance cases.

The National Assistance Board are making inquiries from their offices in Middlesex, and I will communicate the results to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend try to ensure that there will be uniformity of practice, in view of the fact that, where there is merely the T.B. extra nourishment allowance, in some cases deductions are being made under the impression that this is necessary under the Sixth Schedule to the Act?

I think I had better await the result of the inquiry, and I would like to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend thereafter.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why, by the National Assistance (Appeal Tribunals) Rules Confirmation Instrument, 1948 (S.I., 1948, No. 1454), he has confirmed rules providing for tribunals to proceed with the hearing of appeals in the absence of the appellants and for the exclusion of the Press from the hearing of appeals.

These rules follow long-standing practice in these matters in the assistance and insurance schemes. They provide that the applicant shall be given reasonable opportunity of attending and of stating his case either personally or through a friend. It is only when he fails to appear without reasonble excuse that the tribunal can proceed to determine the case in his absence. The exclusion of the Press which extends also to the general public is in the interests of the applicants themselves when their intimate private affairs are under consideration.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's reply to the second part of my Question, is he prepared to consider the admission of the Press where the applicant so desires?

The Assistance Board will have to deal with all classes of very tragic people, afflicted in all sorts of ways, including mentally defective sons and daughters, and I do not think any good purpose would be served by admitting the Press to the hearing of these cases. This scheme has been working for a long time with the exclusion of the Press, and this system has protected the applicants from the publication of intimate details of their lives.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men are now receiving vocational training in industrial works.

On 28th June, there were about 24,800 under special arrangements with my Department. Many more thousands are getting training outside any official arrangement, but I have no record of them.

In view of the small number of men in this scheme, would the Minister do his best to publicise it, because there are many employers who are unaware that there is such a scheme in existence, and it is a fact, as the Minister will agree, that many men are trained much better in industrial work than in Government vocational training classes?

I should be surprised if there are very many employers without knowledge of the scheme, but I will take note of what the hon. Member has said and will follow it up if necessary.

Could the Minister say how many of these people are studying for the building trades?

Not without notice, but I shall be glad to get the figures for the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has made to the Minister of Health with a view to stimulating special efforts in housebuilding in those areas where there is an acute shortage of labour in essential trades.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is fully aware of the housing needs in areas of acute labour shortage and is doing all in his power to ensure that new houses are built in those areas of the country where the need is greatest.

May I ask my right hon. Friend what priority is being given to such house building? Is the Minister aware that, in the announcement which he sent me last week, it is quite clear that, in certain localities in the country, there is a particular problem of the acute shortage of labour in essential industries, like coal mining and textiles, and will he say what particular priority is being given to stimulate house building in those areas?

I am not in a position to state precisely what I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to do, but I can tell my hon. Friend that the Ministry of Health is co-operating.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the serious manpower position in the essential industries of coalmining, textiles, and agriculture, he will call an immediate conference with representatives of these industries to consider what improvements in wages, conditions, industrial relations, housing, and other matters are urgently necessary in order to attract more workers, and to take action.

My Department is already in frequent consultation with the two sides of these and other industries on questions relating to manpower.

Is the Minister aware that in order to get the manning-up in the essential industries aimed at in the Economic Survey, he has to treble the rate of entrants that has been experienced in coalmining, textiles and agriculture in the first six months of this year, and what hopes does he hold out that he is going to achieve the manning-up of the essential trades which was set as a target in the full sense in the Economic Survey?

All I can say is that I am in regular contact with the industries concerned and am co-operating with them to meet their needs. Up to now we have not failed to meet their needs.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that cases have recently arisen in which foreign workers in European Volunteer Workers' camps are using methylated spirits for drink purposes; and whether he will take steps to provide those in charge of these workers with some disciplinary powers to deal with such matters.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the complaints of drunkenness and bad conduct on the part of E.V.Ws.; and if he will give managers of the hostels where they are living powers to secure better discipline.

No such cases have been brought to my notice, and I am satisfied that there is no justification for any general charges of this nature. On the whole, their conduct has been exemplary.

Is the Minister aware that drinking the mixture made under this process results in blindness, madness or death; and is he further aware that, as a result, certain E.V.Ws. are going temporarily insane in these camps, and how does he propose to stop them?

I am not in a position to judge of the effects of this liquid—I have not tried it myself and do not intend to do so—but I do not accept the statement that there is any general indication of this. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will look into them. Our experience of these people is that their conduct has been most exemplary.

If I furnish the Minister with these particulars, will he give an undertaking that there will at no time, or in any way, be repercussions against the camp commandants concerned?

On the contrary, I would say that if a camp commandant were to draw people's attention to something bad that was going on in his camp, he should be commended, not punished.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that all E.V.Ws. in this country are fully employed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many European Volunteer Workers have been admitted for work on the land; if he has any idea as to how many are still engaged in that occupation; what has happened to the balance; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the latter category.

The number of European Volunteer Workers who have been placed in agriculture is 26,192. Nearly all of these are still working on the land. E.V.Ws., whether placed in agriculture or in other essential work, cannot change their jobs without permission, and this is given only in exceptional circumstances. There is little or no unemployment amongst these foreign workers, but sometimes a certain amount of under-employment among workers on the land due to weather conditions.

Is the Minister quite satisfied that these people are earning the rations that they are eating in this country, let alone their pay?

I am quite satisfied that not only are they earning their rations, but they are making a considerable contribution to the rations of everybody else.

In answer to my question, is the Minister aware that it is estimated that 30 per cent of these people still cannot be traced, and is he satisfied that there is absolutely no danger that some of these 13,000 people might be forming a fifth column?

Whoever made that estimate must have been drinking some of the liquid to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman referred, because when those figures were published in a certain newspaper, it completely forgot to mention the number employed in Scotland and those employed by individual farmers. I can assure the House that we can trace, and put our hands on, the overwhelming majority of these people.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any evidence to show to what extent employers are dismissing part-time workers since becoming liable to pay the full increased insurance contribution in respect of them.

No, Sir.

As there is a certain fear among crippled part-time workers, will my right hon. Friend watch the situation, and, if necessary, consult with the Minister of National Insurance with a view to a reduction in the contributions of such people?

It is no use taking up these questions on pure hypothesis. We have no information of this kind, but if anybody has such information, and will let me have it, I will deal with the matter promptly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that E.V.Ws., accommodated at Sibson Camp, Wansford, Hunts., have been taking growing crops from neighbouring farms without the consent of the farmers concerned; and what steps he is taking to preserve discipline in these camps.

I understand this hostel is not occupied by E.V.Ws. but by Poles. I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it will be in the interest of these Poles to educate them up to the standards of our own people with regard to growing crops, and that our own people do not take these crops? Will he please look carefully into this matter?

Until I get some information as to the incident complained of and whether these people are under my control, I cannot do anything in the matter, because it might be an agricultural workers' camp under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture. However, if the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars, I will see that the matter is examined

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of deferment from call-up of an apprentice, form N.S.294 is still applicable.

Yes. Sir, unless the apprentice was born before 1st January, 1929.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many counties the teaching of Scots history forms part of the normal school curriculum; and which history books are recognised officially for this purpose.

In all education authority areas the history taught in the schools includes that of Scotland. It is not the practice to give official recognition to any particular text books, the choice of these in all subjects being left to the education authorities and their teachers.

Is British history since the Union also taught in Scottish schools?

Yes, all desirable information is given in Scottish schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state to the nearest convenient date in 1948, the total numbers of transferred and non-transferred pupils on the roll of State-aided schools in Scotland with the corresponding numbers for 1939.

I assume that the question relates to the number of pupils attending Roman Catholic schools in relation to the total school population and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the information in the form of a table.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will prepare a supplementary housing programme, which will permit of an extension of the quota of temporary houses, particularly when there are little prospects, for some time, of an increasing supply of permanent houses and the need for houses is still serious and urgent in Scotland.

The manufacture of all temporary houses to be provided under the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944, has been completed, and no extension of the programme is contemplated.

If the Minister will look at the figures for 1947–48 he will see that there has been a very serious decline in output per month. Will he not re-examine this question of temporary houses, recognising that the greatest social disease which we have in Scotland is the housing one, and that any possibility of increased production in the heavy industries is seriously injured and held back owing to the housing conditions of the people?

I take it that the decline in housing mentioned by my hon. Friend refers to temporary houses. I would point out that as temporary houses are declining, the output of permanent houses is going up. In one town alone we have completed within the first six months of this year twice as many houses as in the same period last year.

While it is true that there has been an increase in the number of permanent houses, the actual drop per month in a total of 4,000 is 1,500. Surely, that is a serious decline in housing accommodation, even if permanent housing is slightly up?

I think my hon. Friend rather misunderstands the position. Instead of putting material into temporary houses, that material is going into permanent houses, which we think is the proper policy.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that the city which needs houses most was the one which limited its request for such houses to 2,500, and refused to have any more than that number?

Will the Minister again consider the first part of the Question which asks whether he will prepare a supplementary housing programme; and will he also consider in that programme making arrangements for Swedish houses to be imported to the mining areas?

We are importing the maximum number of timber and houses that we can, and are building the maximum number of houses that we can. As soon as more material and labour become available, we will certainly supplement what we are now doing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state the average number of permanent traditional and non-traditional houses built per year in Glasgow, since 1919 to the nearest convenient date; and the average number per year since August, 1945, to the same date.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can give details of the recently announced scheme to provide free motor cars for certain disabled people.

I am glad to say that a scheme has been worked out in agreement with my Central Advisory Committee under which a limited number of small cars, not exceeding 1,500, will be made available over the next two years for supplying, free of charge, to certain classes of very seriously disabled war pensioners who may elect to receive a car in place of the motor propelled tricycle to which they are entitled under existing regulations. These classes consist of double leg amputees, of which at least one amputation is above the knee, paraplegics, and pensioners suffering from other disabilities resulting in the total, or almost total, loss of use of both legs. When the needs of these classes have been satisfied, any balance of cars available within the number stated will be distributed on as fair a basis as possible to other very seriously disabled war pensioners at present supplied with motor propelled tricycles to enable them to obtain or retain employment, and also to blind war pensioners who require a car for the same purpose.

The cars will remain the property of my Ministry and will be supplied under certain conditions and with proper safeguards in respect of the Department's liability as owners. The pensioner will be responsible for driving licence, garaging, repairs and maintenance and running costs, but will receive an annual grant from my Department towards the cost of these items. My Ministry will be responsible for payment of the road tax and comprehensive insurance.

While thanking the Minister for his statement, may I ask him, first, when will he issue full details of this scheme; secondly, whether the 1,500 cars are for one year or two years; and, thirdly, how many ex-Service men will get motor cars in addition to those who now have tricycles?

In reply to the last of those questions, which I remember most easily, it is difficult to say, because we do not know how many of those who have a tricycle at present will opt for a motor car. There may be many who prefer to have a tricycle because it gives greater mobility in certain cases. The figure of 1,500 relates to a period of two years, mainly because of difficulties of supply at a time when it is necessary to export as many cars as we possibly can. I hope the details of the scheme will receive some publicity tomorrow so that pensioners will be aware of them, but we shall be sending out letters to all the eligible classes. However, I must reiterate what I have already said, that the figure of 1,500 is spread over a considerable period and it will take time to meet all the requests which we shall undoubtedly receive.

Could the Minister say whether these vehicles are to be three-wheelers or four-wheelers; are they all to be made by one manufacturer or more than one manufacturer; and will they be properly tested on the roads before they are issued?

They will be four-wheeler cars of one of the well-known British makes. We have not yet entered into a contract with any manufacturer for these cars.

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that the introduction of this scheme will not hold up the issue of tricycles?

Yes. We are continually issuing the tricycles, and we are preparing a modification of the existing tricycle to make possible a means of protection from the weather.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the scheme will continue even at the expiration of the two years?

It is not certain that it is going to begin before then.

There may be a difference of opinion about that. I cannot commit a new Government which may be in office in two years' time—

We know the party opposite would not introduce such a scheme.

—but, surely, there should be no doubt whatever about such a scheme as this being continued.

When will the Minister be able to make an announcement about top priority and second priority classes?

The best procedure would be for these people to wait until they receive a letter from the Ministry.

The Minister has said that no contract has been entered into. Can he give any idea when the first of these cars is likely to be in use?

I hope very soon.

asked the Minister of Pensions when he will make an announcement regarding the eligibility for the award of disability pensions to men called up under the National Service Act, 1947, who sustain injuries whilst undergoing either whole-time or part-time training.

The provisions of the Royal Warrant and other instruments for disablement or death due to service in the 1939 world war will continue to apply to cases of disablement or death due to service—whether whole-time service or part-time training—up to the date to be declared as the end of the war for war pension purposes. After that date, broadly similar provisions will be made under instruments to be administered by my Department. The House will in due course be asked to pass legislation giving rights of appeal in peace-time cases similar to those provided for war-time cases under the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act, 1943.

When are these regulations likely to be brought forward and discussed in the House?

I do not know when a proclamation will be made as to the official end of the second world war, but there will be time for discussion.

Will provision be made in these regulations so that anyone who is called up, passed as fit, and discharged with T.B. after a month or six months' or a year's service, will be eligible for a pension, instead of being told that his trouble did not arise from service in the Forces, as has so often been the case in the past?

The best possible provisions will be made and the code is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of his order authorising an increase in miners' disability pensions on 2nd August next, it is his intention to increase ex-Service men's disability pensions as from that date.

asked the Minister of Pensions if, having regard to the terms of the Draft National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Colliery Workers Supplementary Scheme) Order, 1948, he has any proposals to assimilate war pensions to the rates proposed to be paid under the said order.

I regret that I am not yet able to make a statement on this matter.

Does the Minister realise that he is expected to be much more forthcoming than that when this matter is debated on Thursday?

When does the Minister expect to make a statement on this important matter? Will the Goverment bear in mind that the fact that a big industry has felt these rates to be inadequate is good evidence that the soldiers' rates are inadequate?

I cannot add anything to the statement which I have made this afternoon.

Are we to understand that the hon. Gentleman will not be in a position to make a statement in the course of the Debate on this matter on Thursday? When will this promised consideration to which he has referred produce something?

I cannot say any more than I have said already.

asked the Minister of Pensions why there has been so much delay in dealing with the claim of Mr. W. Walker, M.B.E., of 228, Wellington Street, Grimsby, since this case has been under his consideration since last October, and the tribunal papers in his possession since last March, as indicated in the correspondence sent to him.

A form of appeal to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal was sent to Mr. Walker in October last but he did not return it until 10th March. He then gave further details about an incident seven years previously to which he ascribed his disablement, and extensive inquiries were made in an endeavour to obtain additional evidence. I regret that these inquiries took longer than was anticipated, but they have now been completed and, in accordance with statutory requirements, the statement of case for the pensions appeal tribunal has been forwarded to Mr. Walker.

Could the hon. Gentleman get his staff to look at these appeal cases from the appellants' point of view and try to get something done more quickly? Even if a man is not exactly in the right, surely it is cruel to keep him so long without a reply or a decision.

This is by no means a typical example. The injury arose on a ship, and it was necessary in collecting evidence to approach no fewer than eight owners who had had this man in their employment during the period which elapsed since the injury.

How long are the pensions appeal tribunals now taking to dispose of their cases?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the widow of a man killed in industry on or after 5th July, 1948, will be eligible for a re-marriage gratuity on the cessation of pension, he will make similar provision for certain classes of widow of the 1914 world war and for widows pensioned under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme.

I am pleased to say that in cases of re-marriage on or after 5th July, 1948, a widow in receipt of a pension under Articles 17, 17A or 17B of the 1914 War Pensions Instruments, or under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, will be eligible for a re-marriage gratuity equal to one year's pension at the rate in issue at the date of re-marriage. In addition, the provisions for re-marriage gratuities for other classes of widows of the 1914 war will be improved as from 5th July to provide that the gratuity shall be equal to a year's pension at the rate in payment at the date of re-marriage or in the case of the widow in receipt of alternative pension at the standard rate applicable to her case.

asked the Minister of Pensions if pensions paid to persons disabled in the South African war are on the same rate and basis as those currently paid.

Where it is to the pensioner's advantage he is paid a disability pension at world war rates instead of the original pension given under provisions which took account of factors other than disablement. Where, however, the pension on the original basis is more favourable to him than re-assessment on world war rates by reference to present disablement, he retains his old rate, to which additions may be made under the Pensions (Increase) Warrants.

Are there not valuable allowances which have been made in respect of the most recent war and would it not be generous to apply all of them to the remaining very few veterans in this class?

We are always prepared, as the hon. Member knows, to look into individual cases. I am not quite certain of the point he raises, but I shall certainly be glad to look into any individual case he may bring to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to state when the Bowbridge Road Camp, Newark, will be vacated and thus made available for housing purposes.

The release of the part of the camp needed for housing is being hastened. I cannot yet say exactly when it can be released, but the local authority is being kept fully informed.

Is the Minister aware that the local authority were given to understand that this camp would be released on 15th August, that they publicised the fact and that all the people who are homeless rather expect that some accommodation will be made available to them? The Minister's answer will be most disappointing.

The information given to the hon. Member himself was that the camp would be released later this year. There was a meeting recently between the local authority and the headquarters of North Midland District to decide the details of the transfer of the parts of the camp needed for housing, and we shall do all we can to hasten this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many ammunition dumps still remain in Nottinghamshire; what is the total quantity of ammunition stored in them; and how much ammunition has been removed during the past twelve months.

There is one ammunition sub-depot in Nottinghamshire. The total quantity of ammunition now stored in this depot is approximately 103,000 tons. Some 26,500 tons have been removed during the past year.

Is the Minister aware that there are a lot of roadside ammunition dumps in Nottinghamshire? I was not talking about one particular sub-depot. What steps is he taking to remove, in particular, those which are on the verges of public roads?

They are being removed as fast as the supply of labour will allow. As soon as we are more certain about the labour available for what is, in some cases, rather difficult work, we shall be able to say more precisely when it will be finished.

Can the hon. Member say where the 26,000 tons which have been moved from Nottinghamshire have gone to?

That is another question.

Will the hon. Member say whether it has merely been removed to another place, dumped in the sea or blown up, or what?

I do not quite follow what the hon. Member means when he says "removed to another place." The essential point is that it is no longer an inconvenience to the public.

Would the hon. Gentleman explain how it is that, while the Secretary of State for War says that on security grounds it is impossible to give the disposition of troops, he can at this period state where ammunition dumps are and the extent of the ammunition, in them? What is the relevance between the two considerations? Is there no security involved in this matter?

Not in this question, I think.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish details of the points system by which boys entering the Army are now given credit for service in the Cadet Force.

A grading scheme on a points system has recently been introduced for Army cadets. Points are given for activities which reflect intelligence, perseverance, keenness and knowledge. The scheme should help Cadet Force officers to keep the interest of cadets throughout the whole of their service; it should be particularly valuable for cadets between the ages of 16 and 18.

Will the Minister arrange for the particulars of this scheme to be circulated not only to schools but also to parents, so that all might realise the advantages of doing well in the Cadet Corps?

I will consider whether that can be done.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members have been pressing for a scheme of this kind for the past two years, and will he explain why there has been such a delay in introducing it?

There are a good many points to be considered before a scheme of this kind can be introduced—the question of what qualities we want particularly to reward, what particular weight should be given to each, and what is to follow from the allotting of points to a particular cadet. I think it would have been unwise to have done it with undue haste.

Why take two years?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Bailey bridges have been built by Royal Engineers in this country in the past three years as an exercise and at what places; and if he will consider providing these bridges at places where they are required.

No record is kept of all the occasions on which Bailey bridges are built and dismantled for the purpose of elementary training. As regards the last part of the Question, this is already done; many Bailey bridges have been built for the purpose of training at places where a bridge is also required for civilian use.

Does that answer mean that the authorities consider this a very useful exercise for the Royal Engineers, and if I bring to his attention the need for a Bailey bridge at Pilley, Cheltenham, will he consider providing one?

I will certainly consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that British troops in Derna, M.E.L.F., only have a water supply for one hour by day and two hours by night, that the supplies of food and newspapers are inadequate, that Colonial allowance of 6d. a day has recently been stopped, and that cigarettes marked "Naafi Stores for H.M. Forces," are available at 3¾d. per 10 additional cost in local bazaars; and what steps he is taking to rectify this state of affairs.

Water had to be rationed in a barracks in Derna for about a fortnight during May until some plumbing work had been finished. The matter was then put right. As regards food, the normal Middle East ration scale is in issue. There was a shortage of newspapers during May, but this was made good at the beginning of June; daily and Sunday English newspapers are delivered by air on the same scale as in other parts of the Middle East. Local overseas allowance is no longer issued in Cyrenaica to single officers and other ranks or to married officers and other ranks unaccompanied by their families; it was withdrawn because a recent review indicated that those in these categories are not put to extra expense as compared with those serving in the United Kingdom; on the other hand the allowance has not been withdrawn from married officers and other ranks accompanied by their families, but has been increased. The sale of a small quantity of N.A.A.F.I, cigarettes in bazaars is being investigated.

While this House will sympathise with the troops in Derna over the shortage of water, will the Minister tell us what their air supply is like, and if it is anything like as bad as the air supply in this Chamber?

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities exist to enable the Imperial War Graves Commission to inspect and to maintain at a decent standard British War Graves in Yugoslavia, Roumania and Bulgaria.

In each of these countries the land for a central cemetery has been granted by the Government of the country, and the work of concentrating graves has been completed. The Imperial War Graves Commission are now preparing to send a representative to Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia to make arrangements for the erection of headstones and for permanent maintenance.

May I ask the Minister whether, after the concentration of the bodies in cemeteries has taken place, these Governments will give permission for resident cemetery attendants, as in other countries, so that the cemeteries can be kept in a proper order and so that the relatives, later on, we hope, may visit these graves?

I hope we shall be able to make arrangements of that kind. I shall be better able to say after the visit of the representative to whom I have referred.

May I ask whether in each particular case the representative of the Imperial War Graves Commission has actually received a visa?

The Roumanian Government, until recently, had refused a visa, but they have now granted one. Unfortunately, their decision to grant a visa coincided with the resignation from the service of the Commission of the person to whom the visa was granted. We do not expect, however, that that will cause more than a very trifling delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War when details will be announced of the main recruiting drive for the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces due to commence on 1st October, 1948.

Preparatory arrangements for the organisation and running of the recruiting campaign have been discussed and agreed with representatives of the Council of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations, the Trades Union Congress, the British Employers' Confederation, the British Legion and representatives of all Home Commands. All these representatives are fully acquainted with the immediate steps to be taken. Local campaigns will be conducted in each county by the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association. My right hon. Friend will in the course of the next few days be sending all hon. Members information in connection with the national campaign, and he hopes they will give their full support.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that up to now the county associations have received only very vague details? If this campaign is to be a success it is absolutely essential that there should be a clear and definite lead from the Government and so far there has been no intimation of the nature of that lead.

I think that, now the discussions to which I have referred have resulted in agreement about arrangements for the campaign, the local associations will receive all the information they require.

Would not a good way of publicising the work of the Territorial Army in Middlesex be for the Territorial association to release some of the property they now occupy and which is urgently needed for housing in that area?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it was implied to the House by his right hon. Friend that a statement would be made, before we adjourned for the Summer Recess, on the whole subject of Territorial Army recruiting, and in view of the fact that the letter has been circulated, would the hon. Member consider its publication in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

I will ask my right hon. Friend to consider that.

Before this recruiting drive takes place, will the hon. Member make every endeavour to obtain proper accommodation for the Territorials, in view of the fact that some unpatriotic local authorities are putting every obstacle in the way of their obtaining accommodation?

I was hoping to strike a reasonable balance between my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. F. Noel-Baker) and the noble Lord the Member for Horsham (Earl Winterton) on that matter.

Are the financial grants to Territorial associations sufficient to enable them to carry out a thorough campaign?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far we have proceeded with the granting of a sterling loan to Japan; and how far will this be affected by Marshall Aid to this country.

The proposal referred to in my right hon. Friend's answer of 17th June was in general terms. My present expectation is that no final decision will be reached until more specific proposals have been received and considered by the commercial banks. The fact that we are receiving E.R.P. aid in U.S. dollars would not in itself affect the question of allowing a sterling loan to another country.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Marshall Aid to other countries, notably Italy and Southern Ireland, a most-favoured-nation clause is now being put in for Japan and accepted? Is he quite certain that no moneys from this sterling loan will in any way affect our exports to those countries?

There is nothing in our E.R.P. agreement which will affect commercial credits which are envisaged here.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, before making any loan to Japan, the very considerable claims for commodities and goods which have been found in Japan and which were robbed from British territory during the war, and that proper reparations should be made for those before money is loaned to Japan?

We have that very much in mind.