asked the Minister of Labour how many of the Jamaicans who came to this country on the "Empire Windrush" are still registered as unemployed.

Of the 242 Jamaicans who were accommodated at Clapham, 23 left of their own accord and the remaining 219 were placed in employment.

Can the Minister say what is the policy of the Government regarding labour from the West Indies? Do they encourage it or discourage it?

With respect, I think that does not arise out of the Question, but I can tell the hon. Member that provided we are notified of the arrival of any of these people, we will do our very best to place them, as we did in this instance.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the East End of London there are 300 to 400 coloured people unemployed?

I was not aware of that.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the reason for not publishing the information regarding the numbers unemployed and the approximate percentage rates of unemployment among insured males and females in each region in the form which has become customary in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

Detailed figures showing the numbers unemployed in each region are still set out in the regional analysis table in the Gazette. Publication of the regional percentage rates of unemployment has had to be temporarily suspended owing to a change in the scope of the unemployment figures following the introduction of the new National Insurance scheme on 5th July. As soon as the regional analysis of the number of new National Insurance cards issued since 5th July has been completed about the end of the year it will be possible to resume publication of the regional percentage rates of unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many increases in wages have taken place since the issue of the White Paper on Personal Incomes; how many people are affected by these increases; and the total weekly value of these increases.

The increases in rates of wages reported to my Department as taking effect between the beginning of February and the end of August, 1948, affected nearly 4½ million workpeople and resulted in an aggregate increase of £1 million a week. I am unable to say how many increases have taken place.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether all these increases came within the special circumstances contemplated by Paragraph 7 (d) of the White Paper?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what relation that figure of £1 million per week bears to the total wages bill in Britain?

I am afraid that I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of workers involved in each industry who have received an increase of pay since the Economic Survey for 1948 was issued; and what is the total annual amount.

As the reply involves a table of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

When will the Government realise that every increase in wages in these critical times increases our costs of production and impedes or destroys—

That is quite a hypothetical argument.

On a point of Order. This Economic Survey—

The hon. Member merely asked for a number to be stated, and then he goes on to an assumption. Really, there is a limit to the scope of supplementary questions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the uncertainty of employers, and the concern of the men themselves, he will make an early statement about the position of civilianised ex-prisoners of war now working in this country.

German ex-prisoners of war in the employment of individual farmers will be permitted to remain in this country for agricultural employment after the end of 1948, provided that their present employers are willing to offer-them continued engagement. Germans in the employment of agricultural executive committees in England and Wales or of the Department of Agriculture in Scotland will be repatriated towards the end of the year. Germans employed by the War Office on bomb disposal work will be offered an extension of contract until the end of 1949 or such shorter period for which their services may be needed.

Will my right hon. Friend look at the possibility of those Germans who are being allowed to remain here bringing their wives over here in all cases where they are married men?

I will look at the possibility.

Can the Minister explain to the House the difference between a civilian and a civilianised prisoner of war?

Not without notice.

Does the Minister mean that the prisoners of war who are in hostels will not be permitted to remain in this country? Is he further aware that many of these prisoners do not want to return, and in view of the shortage of agricultural workers is it a correct policy that they should be sent back against their will?

There are several points involved in that supplementary question. The first is the shortage of agricultural workers. The second is whether the prisoners of war wish to return. There are other people who are suffering from the effects of the German war, such as displaced persons, who have first claim upon our help.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that Government Training Centres employ on an average about six staff for every 10 persons in training, he will take steps to reorganise the Training Centres; what is their annual cost; and what has been the loss to the taxpayer.

These points are dealt with in the Report of the Committee of Public Accounts dated 27th July, which is under consideration. The net cost of running the Government Training Centres, including the provision of allowances to the trainees, is at present about £2 million a year.

What steps is the Minister taking to implement the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee? Will he follow the example of the French Government and dismiss one in 10 of the bureaucrats, so that they can be put to productive work and not go on wasting the taxpayers' money?

I will not venture into the realms of the second part of the Question. With regard to the first part, as I understand the traditions of the House, we must report our observations on the comments of the Committee to the Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employers, both public and private, are not yet employing their full quota of disabled persons; and what steps are being taken to remind such of their responsibilities in this direction.

A regular programme of inspection of employers' records is now in progress, but statistics of those who are not employing their full quota of disabled persons are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of disabled persons now registered; and how many of these are on the lists of the employment exchanges awaiting suitable employment.

The number of registered disabled persons at 19th July last was 898,554. The number recorded as unemployed on 16th August was 72,268, of whom 10,189 were severely disabled and in need of sheltered employment.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that machinery exists for the classification of these disabled persons so that they may be put into occupations best suited for them, or trained for such occupations?

Yes, Sir. That machinery does exist and I can assure the House that it is very effectively operated. I am not satisfied that all those who are at present recorded as disabled are in fact sufficiently disabled to bring them inside the scope of the Act, but every effort is being made. I know how keen the House is on the question and it is being pushed as far as we can in the existing circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour when he proposes to review the regulations issued under the Catering Wages Act, in view of the damaging effect these are having in rural areas upon the hotel industry, particularly in Scotland.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Tonbridge (Mr. G. Williams) on 16th March last, any question of reviewing the effect of the Wages Regulation Orders made under the Catering Wages Act is a matter for the Catering Wages Boards.

Has the Minister, who must himself know the effects produced by these regulations this season, no power to invite the Catering Wages Boards to reconsider the regulations.

They have complete authority and autonomy in the matter. I have gone to the extent of drawing their attention to observations I have received, but that is the extent of my power.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the resentment felt by employers and workers in the omnibus industry at the publication by his Department of an advertisement with the title "Bus Conductor Joins Miners on Leaving Forces," in view of the fact that the advertisement infers that the omnibus industry does not offer good money, regular hours or security; and will he immediately withdraw this advertisement.

I have received representations from three bodies connected with the transport industry commenting on the inference which it was suggested might be drawn from the wording of this advertisement. The scheduled run of the advertisement has ended and therefore the question of withdrawal does not arise.

Will the Minister take care that in future advertisements—as I understand this advertisement is but one of a series—the wording is done more carefully, so as not to cause disparagement of industries and resentment by workers and employers in the industries concerned.

I agree with the observations of the hon. Member. This was an unfortunately worded advertisement and i regret it. Care will be taken in future.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons will be employed and upon what sort of production at the remploy factory being built at Pallion, Sunderland.

The Remploy factory at Pallion, Sunderland, will provide employment for 100 disabled persons at the outset with room for expansion to 150 if need be. The Disabled Persons Employment Corporation has not decided yet what articles will be produced in it.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if the number of men and women who are unemployed at Aberdare and Mountain Ash, respectively, giving separate figures;

(2) how many of the unemployed men at Aberdare and Mountain Ash are partially disabled and fit only for suitable light work.

At 16th August there were 1,179 men and 372 women recorded as unemployed at the employment exchange at Aberdare. At Mountain Ash the figures were 620 men and 133 women. These figures include disabled persons classified as suitable for ordinary employment of whom there were 664 men at Aberdare and 390 men at Mountain Ash. They do not include the severely disabled classified as needing sheltered employment of whom there were 74 at Aberdare and 47 at Mountain Ash.

In view of the numbers just quoted, does not my right hon. Friend think it full time that an inquiry should be instituted with a view to these men, who have been unemployed for a considerable time, being given suitable employment, especially in these very serious times?

That inquiry is now proceeding, and, so far as the disabled persons arc concerned, it is proposed at the earliest opportunity to open a Remploy factory at Aberdare.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what encouragement he has given to the setting up of the Agricultural Machinery Mobile Repair Unit at Kinnell, Angus, an organisation employing approximately 15 Polish ex-Service men; and if he is aware that adequate agricultural engineering facilities were already available in the district before the setting up of this unit.

With the continuous increase in mechanisation of farms, I am advised that there will be ample work for the existing repair firms and the new firm to which the hon. Member refers. Before securing accommodation on Kinnell Aerodrome this firm asked for my help in securing certain other premises but apart from that they received no assistance from my Departments.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the arrival of this firm has given rise to widespread alarm amongst private enterprise engineering firms who have already an ample number of mechanics to turn out the work offered to them?

It is hardly for the Government to interfere with private enterprise any more than is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature of the complaints made to him on 2nd September, by the volunteer harvesters stationed at Doonfoot Hostel; and what was his reply.

A complaint was made that some of the volunteers had suffered the loss of a day's pay because they refused to work on a morning of heavy rain. Complaint was also made about the time occupied in transporting volunteers to outlying farms. On reconsideration of the circumstances payment of wages for the lost day has been authorised and steps are being taken to reduce travelling time so far as this is possible.

Is the Minister satisfied that the scheme is now working satisfactorily.

I am assured that it is, and that this trouble is finished.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representation Scotland has on the Economic Planning Committee; and what direct contact with the administrator under European Economic Co-operation.

The Scottish Departments are in continuous touch with the work of the various official committees concerned with economic planning and European Economic Co-operation. On matters affecting Scotland they contribute their views and are represented at meetings as necessary.

Am I to understand from that reply that there is no direct representation on the Economic Planning Committee, or with the Administrator, so far as Scottish industry is concerned? Am I right in my understanding that it merely goes through departmental channels and that the right hon. Gentleman has not himself pressed that he should be present at some of these negotiations and discussions?

It is not for us to decide what representation industry will send to this Committee. The Trades Union Congress, the British Federation of Industry, and the British Employers' Confederation are entitled to choose their representatives, some of whom are Scots and some are not. This is not a federal body. England and Wales and Ireland have no representation any more than Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when legislation will be introduced to facilitate the reciprocal enforcement of orders for aliment and maintenance in Scotland and England.

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I are at present considering this matter but it is too early to make a statement.

Would the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of legislation being introduced in the next Session?

I cannot anticipate what is likely to be mentioned in the King's Speech. Progress is being made in this matter and if the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question after the House resumes, perhaps I will be able to say something.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in regard to the operation of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947, whether it is intended to levy development charges on the building, either with or without Government assistance, of cottages on farms for occupation by agricultural workers; and whether development charge will be levied both in the case of cottages to be assessed as agricultural subjects and those to be let on a contract of tenancy.

Arrangements are being made to relieve the building of all cottages for farm workers from the payment of all development charge so long as they are occupied by a farm worker and receive the benefit of agricultural de-rating.

Does that mean that the development charge is initially to be paid and then refunded, and also in regard to the Hill Farming Act where the cottages are built subject to a contract of tenancy and there are no agricultural subjects are they free from development charge?

I would like to have notice of that question before I express an opinion.

Does that apply only to agricultural cottages or to dwellings for industrial workers?

This Question applies only to agricultural cottages.

I am not asking about the the Question. What does the answer apply to?

The answer applies to the Question.

May I have an answer to my supplementary question? Can my right hon. Friend say whether this policy applies to dwellings of industrial workers apart from the dwellings of agricultural workers?

If the hon. Member will put down a Question. I will do my best to answer it

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland upon what grounds he now refuses to permit the conversion of houses into fiats, particularly in view of the comparative ease and economy in labour, material and total cost which would accompany such conversions.

There is no general prohibition on the conversion of houses into fiats and the majority of such applications submitted to my Department are approved. If the hon. Member has any case in mind, perhaps he would let me have particulars.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this Question is put to him because I put a case to him and he turned it down though the application appeared to the local authority, myself and others as entirely reasonable, and I sought to ask why he turned it down?

If the hon. Member refers to his specific case, the licence has been granted, but I am not able to anticipate the date of the operation of that licence because of labour and material problems.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether such conversion attracts a development charge?

That is a different question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman refer to the case of an application for a permit from the lady in St. Andrews?

Yes, and the date to commence is 1st November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the housing schemes in Airdrie are held up for lack of flooring, main joists, ceiling joists and roofing materials; and when the Burgh of Airdrie can expect delivery to ensure continuity and completion of 582 houses.

I am informed that only on one site is progress held up because of timber shortage. Arrangements have been made for a further allocation which should allow substantial progress to be made.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that ten days ago there were several schemes held up through lack of timber and that in one particular instance applications have been made for eight months to the Department and my local authority without any reply being received? The schemes are those at McKenna Road, Gartlea and also the Whitsun Fairhurst houses.

A distinction must be drawn between houses upon which timber could be used and houses where timber would enable them to be completed. At the moment the use of timber is being concentrated on houses which may be quickly completed. On the receipt of information which gives that indication, the matter can then be considered.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that what is causing annoyance is the fact that roofing timber is being sent but flooring timber is not and, therefore, while roofs are being completed tenants cannot take occupation because the flooring timber is not available?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses in Scotland are delayed in completion through lack of timber; and when he expects to be able to meet the demands of the local authorities for this material.

Building is delayed by shortages of various materials and by shortages of joiners but I regret that I have not exact information regarding the number of houses whose completion is delayed through lack of timber alone. Everything possible is being done to ensure that timber is available for all houses included in the present programme.

Is there to be any extra allocation of timber for the completion of Scottish houses?

The main shortage is one of Scottish joiners. There are nearly 800 vacancies for joiners for priority work. There is no point in supplying more timber than can be used by the people available.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is plenty of timber in the country?

Yes. There may be plenty of water in a cistern, but one does not run it off all at once. One keeps some for emergencies.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that when water is very badly needed one might as well get it?

The point is that the building trade must be kept going at a steady, fully employed rate. Therefore, if we have a burst just now, then we will not only have labour unemployed, but we will hold up the whole of the planning of the building industry.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to get the 800 joiners for the building trade in Scotland? Is he trying to get them out of the Army and will he assure us that the new rearmament scheme will not hinder housing in Scotland?

Where local authorities can assure my right hon. Friend that it is not the lack of joiners that causes the difficulty, will he agree to send them the flooring or roofing timber, or whatever else they want?

Every instance will be looked into. My Department is in constant touch with the situation and they are fully aware of the circumstances and will do everything they can to help.

asked the Secretary of state for Scotland why the Electricity and Water Supply September Census, 1948, Form A.R. 9/1948, dated 2nd September and sent out to farmers by the Department of Agriculture to be completed by 15th September, need contain 56 questions regarding electricity and water supply and 87 regarding labour, livestock and crops, of which 50 questions have to be answered twice; why it is necessary to take the census in September; and why so short a time was allowed to complete the forms.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to the taxpayer of the recent additions to Form A.R. 9/1948; what is the object of the 56 new questions; how many extra staff are required to deal with them; how long it will take to collate the information called for in the form; and to what practical use it will be put.

In view of the great interest taken by the farming community in the provision of electricity and water supplies it was considered advisable to bring up to date information obtained in 1943. To do this a questionnaire identical to the one used then was incorporated in the September census. Because of harvest difficulties the date by which this census must be completed has been postponed until the end of this month. There will be some additional printing cost as yet unknown, but no additional staff will be required to deal with the returns.

Was it really indispensable that this very detailed questionnaire should be sent out just at the time when all the farmers had their hands full 'dealing with the harvest?

I must confess that my Department did not anticipate the calamities that have come upon the farming population any more than did the farmers. Of course, it could not be known that they would have these special difficulties this year.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever known the harvest in Scotland to take place at any other dates than those of this year, and, in view of the fact that the answers to these Questions when they are collated in St. Andrew's House will already he out of date, it is really worth while to put the farmers to all this trouble?

One part of the form is necessary in order to know whether a farmer requires rations for his poultry and farm stock. If we do not get the return, we cannot know whether the farmers require rations. The other part is to find exactly what is the position of the farmers in regard to their needs for water and electricity. The House has been most interested in trying to supply water for agricultural purposes. Naturally, particulars are required if these services are to be given. While the form may look formidable, one farmer has pointed out that it was quite a simple thing for him to say "Yes" to 16 questions. It caused him no trouble at all.

Is not the real answer that the Socialist Government are preparing for the nationalisation of land?

While agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman that if there were only 16 questions to answer it would be easy, is he not aware that there are more than 100 questions—nearer 200—and that one question asks whether water is laid on to a water closet, which seems to be perfectly obvious, otherwise it would not be a water closet?

That is just the trouble—some houses have been built with water closets installed without the water.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the hire charge for foreign agricultural workers is arrived at.

The hiring charge for both British and foreign labour employed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland is based on the recovery of the cost of their wages and National Insurance, after making an allowance for the estimated period taken up by paid holidays, broken time and sickness, etc.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there are districts in which the rates of wages being paid to foreign workers are higher than those paid to our own workers in this country, and that I can supply him with details?

I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will supply particulars of cases in which the rates are higher.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the farmers are finding great difficulty because the foreign agricultural workers in many cases do not understand our language, either Scottish or English, and, as this is a factor in their management, ought not the wages paid to them to be less than those for Scottish workers?

As these foreign workers are paid whether they work or not, could not the Secretary of State co-operate with the Ministry of Works, for instance, which has not yet de-requisitioned agricultural land, so as to allow these workers to clear that land?

These questions are all very interesting, but clearly agricultural work, as the hon. Member knows, is subject to all kinds of fluctuations and it is very awkward not to have workers on hand when the farmers need them, and that is the most important thing at this time of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that notices to German farm workers and their employers, headed Appendix II, despatched from the Aberdeen office of the Department of Agriculture on 13th September, required important decisions to be made by farmers and by ex-prisoners and reported to the Department by 20th September; and if, since in the majority of cases these forms have been received when farmers and workers were heavily engaged in the work of securing the grain harvest, he will grant an extension of time.

An extension to 27th September has been agreed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that limbless men are still having to wait a considerable time before they are able to obtain stump socks; and whether he will take action to increase the supply.

I am glad to say that, apart from occasional temporary shortages of a particular size of stump sock, supply is now immediate. Production has increased four-fold as compared with two years ago and is expected shortly to show a further substantial rise as the result of special steps that have been taken.

Is the Minister aware that there is still a very great need for increasing the supply of these socks, and will he keep his Ministry up to the mark about this?

Yes, Sir. I have devoted some personal attention to this matter since I took office, and I am satisfied that very rapid progress is now being made.

Will the Minister say whether the quality of the socks will be improved, as well as the supply?

That is a matter which we are also looking into. There has been some difficulty owing to the change of producers, and certain difficulties in regard to the supply of materials since the war ended, but I feel that we shall have reached a marked improvement very shortly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the considerable time taken to repair artificial limbs is causing hardship to many disabled persons.

I am not aware of any undue delay in the normal case, in which the average time for completion of repairs is one month. If the hon. and gallant Member will let me know of a particular case he may have in mind, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the cash payment made to disabled ex-Service men who have artificial limbs to compensate them for the extra wear on their clothes, is not made to men who, while they have no artificial limbs, are still in receipt of a special grant of clothing coupons.

The provision in the War Pension Instruments for an allowance for wear and tear of clothing applies to all pensioners who suffer exceptional wear and tear of clothing by reason of their was disablement. All amputees who wear artificial limbs are eligible for this grant.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that there are some cases of disabled persons who have not had limbs amputated but who are, and very properly, in receipt of extra coupons, thus indicating their need to have extra clothing? In some of these cases, they do not get an extra cash grant. Can he look into this matter and see whether it would not be more equitable, when coupons are granted, to grant the extra cash payment as well?

We make the cash grant to compensate for extra wear and tear, but there may be cases—I do not know; this is a matter for the President of the Board of Trade—where extra clothing is given for some reason where no extra wear and tear is incurred. But wherever extra wear and tear is incurred, we are certainly prepared to make the payment.

asked the Minister of Pensions how does the basic rate of disability pensions for ex-Service men and women today compare with the basic rate in 1918 taking into account the rise in the cost of living between these two dates.

The basic pension rate was 27s. 6d. a week in April, 1918, increased to 33s. a week in November, 1918. By reference to the cost of living index figures in 1918 and today, the present basic rate corresponding to the 1918 rate of 33s. a week would be about 36s. a week, whereas it is actually 45s. a week.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many cases there are of pensioners whose only income is the basic 100 per cent. pension of 45s. per week.

As my Department has no knowledge of the income of war pensioners other than their pension, I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks. So far, however, no individual case such as he describes has come to my notice.

In view of the unfortunate impression that is getting abroad owing to the campaign now being pursued by ex-Service men's organisations, is the Minister satisfied that the scales of allowances available to disabled ex-Service men are sufficiently well known?

I am not quite satisfied. I have come across cases where pensioners have not known what they were entitled to. I have found that my welfare officers, in conducting their interviews, have discovered sometimes as many as 20 per cent. who were not aware of the various supplementations. I am considering whether it may be possible somehow to convey this information to all pensioners, and I hope that all hon. Members who know the facts will make them known.

Is not this the point—that, quite irrespective of any question of supplementation, all war pensioners, whether 100 per cent. disabled or less, have their basic pensions calculated by reference to this 45s. rate or the appropriate rank above it? In view of the very small weighted increase which has been made since 1918, to which the Minister has just referred, will not the Minister consider whether this basic rate should not be improved?

I think I have already told the House, in a Debate last Session, that the Cabinet have carefully considered that matter and decided that the best policy was to continue to try to improve the lot of the specially unfortunate and not to raise the basic pension.

To ensure that all pensioners are aware of the allowances to. which they may be entitled, will my right hon. Friend consider printing a list of all the available allowances inside the pension book which is sent to each man each year?

I will consider that suggestion, for which I am grateful.

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received of foxes and other pests multiplying battle-training areas; and what steps he has found most effective in removing the objects of these complaints.

I am not aware of any recent complaints about the multiplication of foxes in the Army's battle training areas. Some months ago, however, there were complaints about the multiplication of rabbits in one battle training area. There is no general method of dealing with pests on War Department land, but it is left to the local Command land agent to make whatever arrangements are most suitable to local circumstances. For example, in order to control rabbits, in some places trapping or shooting rights may be let to local syndicates or a gamekeeper may be appointed or an area may be entrusted to a local county agricultural executive committee.

Will the Minister undertake not to seek the advice of the Minister of Agriculture on this matter.

Will the Secretary of State say whether he has any objection to the troops employed in the battle areas hunting the foxes in their spare time?

Would not the foxes serve a useful purpose in connection with rifle practice?

Are not the foxes useful in keeping down rabbits and rats?

asked the Secretary of State for War why the decision to try the four German generals was delayed until they had been returned to Germany as civilians; and if he is satisfied that this trial accords with the terms of the Geneva Convention.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement regarding the incarceration and proposed trials of Field-Marshal von Runstedt, General Manstein, General Brauchitsch and General Strauss.

asked the Secretary of State for War if medical officers of his Department examined the three German generals who have recently been repatriated; and what report they made as to the fitness of the generals to stand a trial.

I would ask my hon. Friends to await the statement to be made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs tomorrow.

As I am not prepared to await that statement, may I ask my right hon. Friend two questions: first, whether it is not a fact that the War Office doctors pronounced these generals as unfit to stand their trial; and, secondly, whether it is not a fact that we are still at war with Germany, that these men were our prisoners of war, and that under the Geneva Convention they ought to be tried as prisoners of war and not sent back to Germany and civilianised?

My hon. Friend's impatience is characteristic, but nevertheless I must ask him to restrain himself until tomorrow.

In view of the fact that many of us were given exactly the same answer yesterday, may we have an assurance that a full statement will be made tomorrow, and not merely a passing reference?

Yes, I think it will be.

Can the Minister say why, three years after the end of the war, a Question of this juridical character is answered by his Department and not by the appropriate Department—the Attorney-General, the Home Office—or even by Parliament?

I think that will also be answered tomorrow.

May I ask my right hon. Friend a question which he can answer. and which his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs cannot? Why were these officers not told before they were repatriated that they were going to be tried on their return—or were they? Did the War Office doctors say that they were fit to stand trial or not'? My right hon. Friend must know that?

I cannot imagine that I can say anything which could not be said as well by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

On a point of Order. This matter was referred to quite considerably in Debate last week. Because we got no reply, some half dozen or more hon. Members put down Questions. Again, yesterday, we got no reply, although Heaven knows why. I have tried again today, and got no reply. Is that the way, Mr. Speaker, in which Ministers should treat this House?

The hon. Gentleman must not ask me whether this is the right or the wrong way; that is a matter for Ministers to decide for themselves. My business is merely to see that the Question is asked, when the Minister is then responsible for giving his answer. I cannot dictate to Ministers what they should do.

With great respect, Mr. Speaker, I am not asking you to do that; I am merely asking whether, in view of the history of the case, you consider that the right way to treat this House?

Further to that point of Order. Has not the hon. Gentleman a perfectly simple remedy, which is to ask your permission, Mr. Speaker, to move the Adjournment of the House in order to call attention to a matter of urgent importance, namely, the refusal of the Secretary of State for War to answer the Question?

The hon. Gentleman certainly has that remedy, but, of course, I have to take into consideration whether the matter is to be debated at an early stage. I am informed that a statement will be made tomorrow, when the matter can, therefore, be debated. I think that ends that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will review the sentence passed on No. T/88703 Driver A. V. Fryer, R.A.S.C., who was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on 26th October, 1945, for an offence under Section 4, subsection 5 of the Army Act, in view of the fact that he was only 19 years old when he volunteered for the Army, was captured by the enemy in May, 1940, escaped twice and was recaptured in 1941 and 1942, that he has already spent over one-third of his life in prison and was wounded in 1940.

This soldier was found guilty of voluntarily aiding the enemy and sentenced to 10 years' penal servitude on 26th October, 1945. The sentence is subject to review by the War Office at periodic intervals, not exceeding six months. All cases of this kind were included in a special review which was made on my orders during June this year. No mitigation of sentence was considered to be warranted in this case. In addition to this special review, the case was reviewed by the Army Council last month as the result of a petition submitted on behalf of this soldier by a solicitor. This petition stressed this soldier's youth and the fact that he had already been in prison for a long time. No new facts or legal grounds were disclosed to justify interference with the conviction or sentence. After careful consideration of the case in all its aspects the Army Council decided that the petition should fail.

Is it not a fact that this soldier pleaded not guilty throughout the whole of these proceedings and refuted much of the evidence alleged against him? As he has already been in prison for seven or eight years, partly in German concentration camps and partly in this country, and as the evidence was disputed, will my right hon. Friend consider having a special review of this case now?

I am afraid that I cannot consider a further special review of this case. According to the evidence presented to us, the information in the possession of my hon. Friend is not consistent with ours.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decision has yet been reached regarding the position of the Judge Advocate General and the organisation of his Department.

Yes, Sir. The interim recommendations on this point of the Lewis Committee on Army and Air Force Courts Martial, announced by my predecessor on 24th June 1947, which endorsed similar recommendations of the Oliver Committee of 1938 have now been approved. It has been decided that the Judge Advocate General shall, in future, be appointed on the recommendation of, and be responsible to, the Lord Chancellor, instead of the Secretaries of State for War and Air, though the responsibility for acting or not acting on the Judge Advocate General's advice in particular cases will remain with the Secretary of State concerned.

The Judge Advocate General's Department will be reconstituted so as to separate the functions of pre-trial advice and of prosecution from functions of a judicial character. The former functions will cease to be the responsibility of the Judge Advocate General, and will be transferred to directorates in the Departments of the Secretaries of State for War and Air. The Judge Advocate General will also cease to be responsible for the collection of evidence against, and the prosecution of, war criminals. These duties in so far as they still continue will be carried out in the directorate of the War Office to which the Judge Advocate General's existing military department is being transferred. These reorganisations will take effect from 1st October next.

With permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the main functions to be performed in future by the Judge Advocate General.

In view of that answer, can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report of the Lewis Committee will be published?

The matters to which I have referred relate to the interim recommendations. It is not yet possible to say when the full report can be published.

Does my right hon. Friend's reply mean that, in future. only officers with some legal qualifications and experience will be employed in this particular branch of the War Office?

So far as I know, that has always been the case.

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has decided to implement the recommendations, could those recommendations themselves be published?

The final report is not yet available for publication, but when it is, I will certainly consider its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent those serving overseas and in Group 76 have been deferred; and if he will make a statement with regard to this matter.

The release of men in Group 76 serving in the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery, Infantry, the Army Catering Corps and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps was completed before the suspension of releases. In other Corps the release of Group 76 started on 23rd August and was to have been completed on 30th September. The number of men in this group still serving with their units overseas when releases were suspended on 14th September is not yet accurately known, but it may well be considerable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the feeling of resentment which exists among men in this and I think the following group in that some of them have been released and others are caught by deferment? Will he make some allowance for that?

Only this morning we have been receiving reports from various theatres about the reaction of the men to these proposals, and I am very glad to say that very little trouble has ensued.

What is the position of men whose passages home for demobilisation have been delayed owing to lack of shipping space and who are now caught up in this deferment?

The lack of shipping space, in so far as it exists, primarily concerns men who are in far off theatres, and I understand that very little trouble has presented itself so far in that connection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of tax collected from greyhound bookmakers during the four weeks starting on 9th August.

About £240,000.

Is it not a fact that the Chancellor expected nearer £100,000 a week, and do these figures mean that the estimate may have to be revised?

No, it is much too early yet to say whether the original estimate, which was £3 million in this year, will be reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that inconvenience is caused to British visitors to East Africa owing to the fact that the £5 sterling allowance they are permitted to carry cannot be exchanged in that country for incidentals they require on arrival there, either en route or for a visit; and whether he will make arrangements for such exchange to be permissible.

No, Sir. The £5 sterling notes which a traveller is permitted to take with him on leaving this country are for use on board a British ship or on return to the United Kingdom. They may not be spent or exchanged for other currencies abroad. A traveller to, or through, those parts of East Africa which are within the Scheduled Territories should provide himself with sterling travellers' cheques or letters of credit, valid in those territories, which may be obtained through any bank without limit. East African Currency Board notes, which are the local currency, may also be taken up to a limit of £10 per person.