asked the Minister of Labour why he prosecuted the employer of Sarah Alterkovsky at Nottingham on 22nd October for engaging her without his consent, having regard to the fact that neither then nor since has his Department been able to offer her alternative employment.

The defendants were prosecuted for engaging a worker otherwise than through the exchange or an approved employment agency.

What was the point in undertaking this senseless and vindictive prosecution when the Ministry were unable to offer this lady any employment and subsequently allowed her to remain in her present employment?

The facts are not as suggested by the hon. Baronet. The employer was definitely informed that there was alternative employment, or employments, to offer to this young lady. He actually defied the Ministry by retaining this girl in his employment. He knew that it was contrary to the law. I am surprised that the hon. Baronet should encourage other people's constituents in this way.

Why did the Ministry permit this lady to remain in this employment?

We did not want to make the lady herself the victim of her employer's action. She had been in this employment for some time during the prosecution. It was felt that, the employer having been punished, that was adequate and we ought not to impose any penalty upon the employee.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the reasons for the slow progress made in completing the Remploy factories programme; and how many additional factories and places are likely to be made available during 1949.

The main reasons for the rate of progress have been that suitable buildings and sites in the right places have been very hard to find and that shortages of labour and materials have delayed both new buildings and adaptations. It is hoped that about 50 Remploy factories providing places for nearly 5,000 severely disabled persons will be opened by the end of 1949 in addition to the 41 factories now open.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any difficulty in disposing of the products of these factories?

There has been some difficulty, but I think that we have now reached a solution of that problem.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at one displaced persons' hostel recently evacuated, it was necessary to arrange for the humane destruction of some 20 cats which had been left behind by the occupants; and whether he can arrange in future that the keeping of cats and other pets is better controlled at such places.

I am not aware of the incident to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but if he will let me have particulars I will make inquiries.

Pending the receipt of details, which I will send him, would the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is no intention to deprive these unhappy people of the companionship of any animal friends, but that it is intended merely that more care should be taken on the evacuation of hostels?

I am afraid, Sir, that it is the nocturnal activities of cats which are responsible for this position.

Is the Minister aware that there is another misplaced persons' hostel, and will he arrange for the inhabitants to be destroyed? The address is No. 10, Downing Street.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in Scotland in the establishment of joint production committees in industry.

I am glad to say that the subject of joint consultation in the factory is receiving increasing attention from both sides of industry in Scotland as elsewhere. I am not, however, in a position to measure precisely at any stage the progress that has been made.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is almost exactly the same answer as the one I received about nine months ago; and in view of the importance of this matter could he give some indication of the difficulties which are holding up progress?

There is no difficulty at all. Substantial progress is being made in Scotland. The T.U.C. in Scotland have requested that the Ministry should not too actively engage in stimulating this matter as they, with the employers, are dealing with the development in their own way.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that both in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom, because of slow progress in this matter due largely to opposition from employers, there is a growing volume of opinion to the effect that this Committee should now be put on a statutory basis?

We should not agree to any statutory basis. We are satisfied that unless the joint production committees have the whole-hearted co-operation of both sides in the factory or the mill, we shall not get any success from them.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of unemployed agricultural workers in Norfolk for the week ended 27th November or to the nearest available date.

Figures are not available for any date later than 13th September, when the number of unemployed men registered at Employment Exchanges in Norfolk for employment as agricultural workers was 47. The corresponding number of women was 35. I will send the figures for 6th December to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the report which Professor T. M. Knox has presented to the Scottish Tourist Board recommending the establishment of a Licensed Hotels Board for Scotland of which a copy has been sent to him; and what action he is taking in the matter.

I have received a copy of this report, which, I understand, has been submitted by the Scottish Tourist Board to the Catering Wages Commission and the Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restaurant Wages Board for their consideration. As regards the particular proposal for the establishment of a Licensed Hotels Board for Scotland, I am unable to vary the field of operation of a Wages Board except on the recommendation of the Catering Wages Commission.

In view of the almost unanimous expression of opinion of the Scottish people concerned here, with which I think the Secretary of State for Scotland would agree, is it not the intention of the Minister to require the Wages Board to consider the matter and reach a decision quickly?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour functions under the Catering Wages Act, which was passed by this House during the time of the Coalition Government, and, under the terms of that Act, he is prohibited from interfering at all until he receives a recommendation from the Catering Wages Commission.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary, after consultation with his Minister, consult the Secretary of State for Scotland with a view to setting up a commission to inquire into the whole question of the effect of the Catering Wages Act upon the tourist industry of Scotland, and, in so doing, will he take into account public expressions of opinion by Mr. Thomas Johnston on this subject?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman seems to forget that the Catering Wages Commission is a permanent body established by the Coalition Government, and that it is actively considering this proposal which has been submitted to it.

Are we to understand that the whole tourist industry of Scotland is to be left to fall into decay and that no action is being taken?

There is an independent body, set up by the authority of this House, for dealing with the matter, and until the Minister receives a recommendation from that body he cannot move.

Is not the Minister in the least interested in expressions of opinion from Scotland, or must we wait for another body to dictate to Scotland?

My right hon. Friend is not indifferent to the position of the catering industry at present, but he is prohibited by Act of Parliament from interfering, and that Act was passed by the Coalition Government.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider pointing out to this body the very serious situation which has developed in Scotland on this matter? Would it be considered to be an interference with their duties to say to them, "What are you going to do on this matter, which is so urgent"?

It seems to me that hon. Members opposite do not understand what is happening. Professor Knox's Report is the result of a request from the Scottish section of the Commission, and they are now considering that report. Until they make recommendations to the Minister, he can do nothing in the matter.

May I suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that I first addressed this Question to the Secretary of State for Scotland? Does it not seem amazing that this matter, highly affecting Scottish interests, should not be dealt with by the Scottish Secretary of State?

Under the Catering Wages Act, passed by the Coalition Government, the responsibility was placed upon the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total number of applications for subsidy payments in 1948 under the Hill Cattle Subsidy (Scotland) Scheme; how many of these applications were received on or before 30th June, 1948; and how many were received on 1st July, 1948, and within the immediately following 13 days; and

Under the Hill Cattle (Scotland) Scheme in 1948, over 13,000 application forms were received in the Department by 14th July. Of these just over 93 per cent. were received on or before 30th June, the final date prescribed in the Scheme. Four hundred and nineteen forms were received on 1st July and a further 494 during the next 13 days. I regret that it was not possible to deal with late applications immediately thereafter. This was due partly to the need to concentrate action first on the applications received in time and partly to a desire to consider carefully the rather awkward problem of late applications. I shall certainly consider the possibility of extending the period allowed to farmers to prepare and lodge their applications next year.

While I am much obliged to the Secretary of State for saying that he will reconsider the matter, may I ask him whether the reply does not indicate that a large number of farmers just failed to get in by the due date owing to preoccupations in the month of June? Does not he agree that the time allowed was not enough, and will he look into the matter again?

I will look into it again, but, except for a very small group, the applications came in by the due date, and that will be the case, whatever date we fix.

In view of the facility with which millions of pounds are put into the reclaiming of land in other parts of the world, does not the Minister think that something better should be given to the Scottish hill farmers to enable them to receive these grants more easily?

If the right hon. Gentleman says that the numbers who failed to get in were comparatively small, surely the administrative difficulties will be very slight, and could he not make a payment to satisfy the applicants?

In view of the small number of late applications, will not my right hon. Friend consider reviewing the position, and, in doing so, give some heed to the public services rendered by those who carried out the conditions under which the grant is earned, apart altogether from the paper work connected with it?

It is evident from the figures that there has not been any great difficulty, but I promise to look into the matter again next year to see if we can extend the time.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman look at the matter sympathetically and take into consideration the small number of claims received after the due date?

In regard to the claims received after the due date, where there was a good reason for them coming in after the due date, they have received sympathetic consideration, and that was the reason why the grants were made, but, where there was no reason for their being received after the due date, they had to be turned down, because, otherwise, there was no point in having a date at all.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any statement to make on the future of the Agricultural Machinery Development Board and the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering as these bodies affect Scotland.

As indicated in the reply of 29th November given on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll), my right hon. Friend and I are reconstituting the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering as a grant-aided research Institute with an independent constitution and governing body, to operate under the scientific guidance of the Agricultural Research Council. There will be appropriate Scottish representation on the governing body. The Scottish station will continue as an integral part of the Institute, and will be administered by a special Committee of the governing body. Arrangements will also be made for the performance of certain advisory work hitherto within the scope of the Agricultural Machinery Development Board. On these changes taking place, the Board will be wound up.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to obtain the former military camp at Pennylands Camp. Auchinleck, for housing purposes.

I have made arrangements with Ayr County Council for the conversion of this camp into emergency housing accommodation, and I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is about to release it for this purpose.

May I ask the Minister if he is aware that, on 10th September, 1946, his Department requested the local authorities to take it over, and, in view of the lapse of time, will he say that there will be no further delay?

In the meantime, there were several events in the world which caused us to be a little nervous about my hon. Friend's friends elsewhere.

May I ask if the Minister has considered making use of any other unoccupied camps?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the labour force on building work for education in June, 1948, in Scotland.

Two thousand five hundred and fifty-eight men were engaged on building work for educational purposes in June.

Is it not possible to make a considerable increase in this force, and, along with the efforts to increase the buildings, to take over other buildings, so that we can not only extend the present educational work, but start and conduct the junior colleges as well?

Any local authority which wishes to have more work done in this direction, and which will indicate from what other part of its work it is willing for building labour to be transfered, may make that suggestion, and will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken or is taking to implement the recommendations of the Laidlaw Committee in regard to increasing the supplies of building materials for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on Scottish Building Costs.

Action has already been taken to implement the Committee's first recommendation that in present circumstances some restriction of new commitments is necessary, and I am glad to say that since the Committee reported there has been a general improvement in the supply of materials. As regards the other recommendations, I have brought them to the attention of the local authorities and other appropriate bodies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a sufficient increase in the flow of materials, and that the flow is regular and not irregular at the moment, which, of course, makes the costs much higher? Is he satisfied with the progress made?

Yes, Sir, there has been a great improvement in that, and I am hoping it will bring down costs.

Is the Minister of the opinion that materials are the limiting factor in building houses? If not, will he say what is the limiting factor?

Probably the hon. Member was not present on the last two Tuesdays when an exhaustive answer was given to that question. One of the principal difficulties is the supply of certain types of labour, such as joiners and plasterers.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is answering Question No. 15 as well, will he say what he is doing about the suggestion from the Girdwood Committee that productivity of labour in the building industry in Scotland has fallen to less than 31 per cent.? Is he doing anything to increase it?

The hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) has just answered that question for the hon. and gallant Gentleman by pointing out that it arises from the irregularity of the flow of materials. When that improves, the costs are likely to come down.

If the supply of materials has improved, can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication of the extent that improvement may be reflected in the completion—both in the rapidity and the number of houses completed—in the next few months?

That depends on the building trade, but I hope there will be an improvement.

Further to that, the Minister has told us more than once that there is no shortage of materials, and that that was not the limiting factor. Does he not know that many of us have continually had cases brought to our notice in which the shortage of materials is, indeed, the governing factor; and will he do his best to see that these shortages of materials are removed so that materials can arrive continuously at the sites?

I have already pointed out that the position in regard to that has already been improved. It is sometimes not the shortage of material, but the fact that it was spread over too many houses, and not concentrated on finishing the houses which were ready.

Is the Minister seriously asking us to accept the suggestion that in Scotland they were building too many houses?

The point was that they started to build too many houses instead of completing those which were ready for completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he informed a deputation of the Stirling County Council on 11th November that his aim is so to organise the building of houses in Scotland that production moves forward until a house is completed in a year or 18 months, when the Girdwood Report shows that private enterprise houses were being completed in 11.2 months in the last quarter of 1947.

The Girdwood Report deals with house building in England and Wales and gives no data for Scotland. I made no statement about my aims in regard to the time taken to build houses. I informed the County Council that they should not start additional building until the work in hand had been reduced to what could be completed in a year or 18 months.

Does not that indicate that Scottish builders are taking from a year to 18 months to complete a house while it is only taking 11 months in England; and is that not due to incompetence on the part of the authorities in Scotland?

The hon. Member must not read more into words than they say. In the main, the local authorities in Scotland do not build houses; they are built by private enterprise to the order of local authorities, and clearly, of course, an 18-month to two-year programme is required if there is to be a steady flow of building in any community.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of permanent non-traditional houses for which contracts have been placed during 1948.

Orders have been placed during 1948 for 2,492 non-traditional houses.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that with this type of house a reduction in the cost can hardly be expected if orders are not placed on a rather larger scale?

Orders for these houses are now placed by the local authorities. We are watching the process, and will do everything to assist in regard to the point mentioned by my hon. Friend.

Can the Secretary of State tell us how many of these are aluminium houses?

One thousand are permanent aluminium bungalows.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to bring the building of new houses in Scotland into balance with the programme for the rest of the United Kingdom, keeping in view their respective needs.

The size of the housing programme depends on the capacity of the building industry to meet housing needs and the demands of other essential services. The industry is now building at the rate of about 20,000 permanent houses a year, but it has still some 40,000 under construction. The best immediate contribution towards meeting Scotland's housing needs will result from any speeding up which may be possible in the completion of these unfinished houses.

In view of the fact that one house in four in England is built by private builders against one house in 20 in Scotland, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be better in the future to give the private builder more opportunities of building houses in Scotland?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman seems to be under a misapprehension. Houses are being built by private enterprise in Scotland for letting purposes. I take it that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring to the question of building houses for sale. Until the greater need is met, I am afraid we cannot relax the provisions in Scotland.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask, in view of the fact that the immediate housing target appears to have been attained in the rest of the United Kingdom, if it is possible to take steps to concentrate more actively on the solution of Scotland's housing problem?

I take it that the housing target to which my hon. Friend refers is the target set by the Coalition Government, which covered presumably the whole of Great Britain. To that extent, of course, Scotland has met its proportion of that housing target, but the needs in Scotland are still very great.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the inter-war years when private enterprise was unfettered and subsidised, it still built only one house for every four which the local authorities built in Scotland?

Is the Secretary of State also aware that when private enterprise houses were being built, the local authorities in Glasgow under the Moderate majority built three times as many houses as they are building now under a Labour majority?

I should think the whole House would be pleased to know that from the point of view of the number of houses, we have beaten all housing records in Scotland this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses for miners and rural workers, respectively, have been allocated to Ayr County for 1949.

Under the 1948–49 programme, 324 houses were allocated for miners and 74 for agricultural workers. The corresponding figures under the 1949–50 programme will be 200 and 164, respectively.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this still leaves many rural areas and mining villages completely unprovided for?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many non-traditional permanent houses are to be built in Scotland next year.

Some 14,500 nontraditional permanent houses are at present under construction and the major part will be built by the end of next year. The wishes of the local authorities concerned will determine how many of the houses included in new tenders in 1949 will be non-traditional houses, but the sponsoring firms should find it possible to start some 6,000 under programmes already arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes there have been in the personnel of the committee appointed to consider shop tenancies in Scotland; and if the committee have so far invited evidence.

Sheriff H. W. Guthrie has agreed to act as chairman of the reconvened Committee of Inquiry into the Tenure of Shops and Business Premises in place of Mr. T. N. Taylor, who was recently appointed Principal of Aberdeen University. One member who is now employed in London has not been replaced, and the composition of the Committee is otherwise unaltered. The Committee who held their first meeting on 29th November are considering their future procedure.

How can we have a quick decision if the Committee have not yet even advertised that they are prepared to receive evidence?

The Committee, of course, are examining all the evidence that has been placed before me during the period since they last sat, and all the shop questions which came before me in the early part of this year will be there for them to make their examination.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the terms of reference of this Committee are any wider than those of the previous Committee, and, if not, will he consider widening them in order to deal with the problem which undoubtedly exists?

The terms of reference were announced on 2nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will submit a report on the work of the National Health Service in Scotland, including some detailed evidence of the earnings of doctors, dentists and opticians; and the difference in the cost of denture treatment and of artificial dentures and glasses compared with costs for similar services prior to the commencement of the National Health Service.

A report on the Health Service will be included in the next annual report of the Department of Health for Scotland.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very serious increase in charges to the State and the necessity for an immediate examination? A medical officer in Scotland has already indicated that in his area dentists are now earning, on an average, £15,000 per annum. Only on Friday of last week Glasgow Corporation received a report to the effect that, while formerly they paid 8s. 4d. for school children's glasses, they are now paying £2 10s. Surely, that calls for some immediate action?

A great many stories go about, and there are facts accumulating which, perhaps, are a little unsettling, but these matters are receiving the careful attention of the responsible committee. In due course, they will be examined, and action taken, if necessary.

As the report of the Department of Health is not likely to be presented to the House for many months, and as the matter is urgent—for example, some doctors in my district have suffered such serious cuts in their incomes that they cannot meet their responsibilities—is there not a case for a special interim report to be made?

I met the representatives of the doctors on Friday, and it is rather curious that they did not mention this matter. I should have thought they would have been the first people to have brought it to our attention if it had been necessary to do so.

If the Minister has evidence prior to the submission of this report, has he sufficient authority to alter the conditions regarding opticians and dentists?

Action has already been taken with regard to one set of factors mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, and, of course, administrative action will be taken where necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the most recent infant mortality figures for Scotland; how these compare with England and Wales; and what steps he is taking still further to reduce the rate.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what reports he has received regarding the local authorities clinical services with particular reference to the dental service and the discontentment at the staff remuneration in contrast to the incomes being earned by those engaged on similar work under the National Health Service; and what action he intends to take to ensure that all local authorities' health services are maintained on the highest level with well qualified and contented staffs.

I am aware that some authorities are having difficulty in maintaining their dental services at full strength because of a drift of public dental officers to general dental practice. I am encouraging the local authorities, who are the employers of public dental officers, and the dental associations to enter into negotiations about salaries. In the meantime, I should like to pay tribute to those dentists who are continuing to carry on their important work in the public service.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is yet in a position to state what special steps will be taken by his Department to assist ageing pensioners, who now find their war disabilities increasingly telling against them; whether he has yet studied the provisions of the Canadian scheme for giving increasing assistance to ageing pensioners; and whether he will make a statement.

If war disablement becomes worse, my hon. Friend is prepared to review sympathetically the question of the amount of pension. He hopes to say something about this problem in the Debate on the Adjournment tonight. My hon. Friend is, of course, aware of the provisions of the Canadian schemes, and he is bearing these in mind, together with all other relevant information in considering the problem of the ageing pensioner.

In view of the fact that it appears to be the Government's policy not to do anything to increase the basic rate in order to meet the rising cost of living, but rather to help by way of special allowances in cases that need most help, does not the hon. Gentleman think that a strong case can be made out for giving special assistance to these pensioners as they grow older?

We are aware of the problem, and we hope to discuss it and related problems with the Central Advisory Committee later.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his hon. Friend to urge the Chancellor of the Exchequer to pay postwar credits in such cases as are mentioned in the Question?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many private firms were manufacturing artificial limbs in July last; how many have now entered into contract to supply artificial limbs under the National Insurance Act; and how many persons insured under the National Insurance Scheme have chosen to be fitted with an artificial limb or limbs from any of these new contracting firms.

In July last there were 19 private firms manufacturing artificial legs in addition to the main contractor to the Ministry. Of these, 13 have now entered into contract with my Department to supply patients under the National Health Service Act and negotiations are proceeding with three others. Up to 19th November, 597 National Health Service patients have chosen to be fitted with artificial limbs made by one or other of 11 of these firms. The contracts with the remaining two firms were only recently concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now allow relatives to visit the graves of Service men buried in Italy.

No permission from me is required for relatives to visit graves in Italy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what schemes there are whereby poor relatives can undertake a journey to Italy to visit the graves of their sons?

The voluntary organisations have this matter in hand. They are partly subsidised from Government funds. In the case of Italy, however, they cannot make arrangements at present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some months ago he wrote to me concerning a constituent of mine, and said that it was quite impossible at the moment for relatives to visit their sons' graves?

That was some months ago.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that relatives can get no information whatsoever with regard to visiting graves?

My hon. Friend, no doubt, has certain people in mind, and perhaps they will approach him and be can then approach me.

What is the objection to extending the Government's scheme so as to include this soft currency country with its ample hotel accommodation?

There are several reasons, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give particulars of how these people are able to visit Italy?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will give him whatever information I can.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will provide free travel to parents wishing to pay an annual visit to their sons' war graves.

Arrangements for visits to war graves are made by five charitable bodies who, in cases of need, make grants towards the expenses of a single visit by two relatives. The organisations are reimbursed from public funds to the extent of seven-eighths of their direct expenditure. I do not consider that the scheme should be extended as suggested in the Question.

Is not the Secretary of State aware that a great many people object to a means test and that a means test is particularly undesirable in a matter of this kind? Will he consider whether he cannot accept more responsibility in this matter so as to see that whatever provision is made, all people are treated alike and are not subject to a means test?

It is quite impossible to concur in the view expressed by the hon. Member in the Question that free travel should be granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if all local authorities grant leave with pay to their employees who are territorials during their annual training.

Local authorities are generally co-operative, although there are variations in the concessions which they are prepared to make. Generally speaking, the majority are offering an extra week with pay, others are offering an extra week with the difference between Army pay and allowances and civil pay in cases in which the latter is greater, while a few are giving leave without pay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on two occasions, once at the Mansion House and once in this House, he has given the impression that all local authorities are paying the salaries of their employees? Will he please answer this specific question: Are all local authorities doing this?

I know of no local authority which is not co-operative.

Has a decision yet been reached in regard to the nationalised services?

That is obviously another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the issue of Territorial Efficiency medals will be recommenced.

The issue of the Efficiency Medal to other ranks has never ceased; in fact, the rate of issue has recently been increased. As regards officers, as soon as the new conditions of award are approved, medals will be issued as supplies permit to those entitled.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if the distribution of these medals could be timed to coincide with the Territorial Army recruiting campaign, that campaign might benefit?

There has been an issue at the rate of 2,000 a month, but I understand there are many difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement regarding the future of traditional Irish Regiments in the British Army.

No changes are envisaged in the future of these Regiments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the three Southern Irish Regiments were disbanded after the so-called Treaty with the Free State in 1921, and that the existing Regiments are traditionally associated with Ulster and are recruited in Ulster, with one possible partial exception?

I am very glad to be enlightened on these matters, but it does not make any difference to my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the Bowbridge Road Camp at Newark has now been handed over to the Ministry of Works for reallocation.

Instructions have been issued that the part of the camp needed for housing is to be released by my Department by the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for War why regular soldiers who purchase their discharge are called upon to surrender the whole of their Army clothing; are not provided with any civilian clothing; and have to pay their own transport fare from their Service depot to their home.

A soldier who purchases his discharge is required to pay a sum of money to the War Department in order to be allowed to break his contract. It would hardly be reasonable to give the benefits which he would have received if he had fulfilled the contract. As regards the first part of the Question, however, soldiers discharged by purchase are allowed to keep some articles of Army clothing.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the soldier who was called up in 1940, was decorated for special service in the field, opted to take on for a period as a Regular serving soldier, and ultimately is compelled to purchase his discharge after rising to the rank of warrant officer because of the ill-health of his wife, is entitled to the same treatment as the National Service man?

He is in quite a different category from that of the National Service man. He wishes to be discharged from the Army and he must accept the conditions which obtain in consequence of that discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many disability pensions are administered direct by his Department.

About 7,500. In addition there are some 4,500 awards to former members of local contingents raised overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken or proposes to take to ensure that all disability pensioners for whom his Department is responsible are made aware of all the allowances and services to which they may now be entitled.

Whenever a case is reviewed, admissible allowances are given without application, and the attention of the pensioner is called to any apparent entitlements. In addition, circulars have been issued to pensioners in certain cases. I am considering the issue of a comprehensive pamphlet similar to that now being issued by the Ministry of Pensions.

In order to make sure that these men or women 'get whatever personal advice and help they need, would my right hon. Friend consider asking the Minister of Pensions to put the services of his welfare officers at their disposal?

I will look into that.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of married quarters available in the United Kingdom for officers and other ranks of the Army, respectively; the number of such married quarters at present unoccupied awaiting repair; the number of married quarters at present under construction; and the number of officers and men whose names are at present on a waiting list for married quarters.

On 1st November there were 1,559 married officers' quarters and 14,551 married soldiers' quarters in the United Kingdom. Of these, 55 married officers' quarters and 704 married soldiers' quarters were vacant awaiting repair. A further 44 married officers' quarters and 586 married soldiers' quarters were under construction, and in addition 488 huts were being converted into temporary married quarters. One thousand two hundred and thirty-three officers and 3,507 soldiers had their names on waiting lists for married quarters. These figures refer to War Department married quarters only and exclude any quarters provided for Regulars serving with the Territorial Army.

As the situation in this respect is far from satisfactory and as Army personnel cannot be very vocal in registering their protests, will the Secretary of State bear in mind the extra responsibility which devolves upon him to use all his natural vocal talent in putting the matter before the Cabinet and the Minister of Health so as to improve the position?

I am fully aware of the difficulties and I have made representations in the proper quarter, but we are confronted by very serious physical difficulties in respect of materials and labour.

Is it not a fact that the bulk of the houses now awaiting repair were built during the Crimean War and that they would not be much use at the present time without a great expenditure of money?

Some may have been built during the Crimean War, but I think some are late Victorian.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date consent was given by the Army Council, in accordance with Article 100 of the Pay Warrant, 1940, for Brigadier J. B. Glubb, an officer of the Regular Army Reserve, to enter the service of a foreign power, namely, the Hashimite Kingdom of Transjordan.

As has been explained to the hon. Member, Brigadier Glubb is no longer a member of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, having passed the age for liability to recall in April, 1947. He had previously served under the Colonial Office in Iraq and Trans-jordan since 1926, and was so serving when the latter country ceased to be British Mandated Territory and attained its independence in 1946. He remained with the concurrence of the Army Council until he ceased to be liable to recall.

As the official answers which the Secretary of State has mentioned just now have described this soldier as being a Colonial administrator, alternatively as owing obligation to the War Office and the Army Council, alternatively as being a mercenary servant to a private chieftain and elsewhere as officially seconded to the Forces of the king of a foreign Power, is it not quite clear that the Secretary of State is helping the Foreign Office to connive at the work of this soldier who is leading a war of aggression?

All I can say is that this soldier is not on my pay roll. [HON. MEMBERS: "Whose pay roll?"] He is not on the Government's pay roll. He is not on the War Office list. I thought hon. and gallant Members opposite would understand what I meant. I therefore have no control over him and, as regards conniving with the Foreign Office in matters of aggression, I repudiate that entirely.

Are we to understand from that reply that the Secretary of State makes an indignant repudiation of having his name associated with the Foreign Office and the Foreign Secretary?

I am associated with the Foreign Office because I am a Member of the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers have resigned their commissions since 1st May, 1947.

Some 1,470 Regular and short service Regular officers have been permitted to retire or resign since 1st May, 1947, including those who had reached the normal age for retirement of their rank.

Is this not evidence that many officers have no respect for, and no confidence in, the present Secretary of State for War?

asked the Secretary of State for War why 19066467 L /Cpl. C. M. Richer, O.P.S. Section, Vienna Signal Troop, Vienna Signal Squadron, B.T.A., whose term of service should have ended on 14th September, 1948, and was extended for three months to 14th December, is now only due to be demobilised on 28th December; how many others of the same group are in a similar position; and if he will get these young men home to their parents in time for Christmas.

This non-commissioned officer is in age and service group 77. The original release dates for this group were 1st October to 26th October. Since release has been postponed for three months in accordance with the Government announcement made on 15th September, the new release dates for the group are 31st December to 26th January. There are approximately 11,000 officers and men of the same group due to be released between these dates. The House will appreciate that it would not be possible to accelerate the release of one particular group.

As the Minister says that the release dates start on 31st December, and as he is already releasing this boy on the 28th December, would it not be possible to bring the release forward for these extra few days? These boys have not been home for Christmas for two or three years to meet the rest of their families.

I am informed that it is possible that some of them may be lucky enough to reach home before Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the cause of the delay in handing over Pennylands Camp, Auchinleck, to the Ayrshire County Council for housing purposes; and when the camp is to be handed over.

This camp is not now needed by my Department, and I have arranged for its release.

Will the Secretary of State also consider seriously the possibility of abandoning the prosecution of the miners whose action pushed the War Office to this decision?

That is quite a different question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated cost of the prosecution of Field Marshal Runstedt and the other German generals; and what sum is being assigned to pay for the generals' defence.

It is not yet possible to make any reliable estimate of the total cost of these trials, as this will depend largely on the time taken in the very large amount of preparatory work still to be done and the length of the actual trials. As regards the last part of the Question, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary that for similar reasons it is not possible to estimate the costs of the defence. These costs, if they cannot be met by the individuals themselves, will be borne by the German authorities.

Is it not a fact that these officers have been deprived of their pensions and all resources? Will not the Secretary of State, in common justice, see that adequate funds are provided?

I understand that so far, two German counsel have been engaged for each of the accused and that they will be paid a certain amount while so engaged.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine the social and legal implications of the practice of human artificial insemination, including A.I.(D.), with special reference to the problems of legitimacy and inheritance involved; or extend the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Population to include this subject.

I should prefer first to see the general Report of the Royal Commission on Population, which I understand is in the final stages of drafting.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in an answer given on behalf of the Attorney-General yesterday on these matters it was said that the question of an inquiry into the legal implications of this decision was being considered? Does the present answer mean it is not being considered until after the Royal Commission on Population has reported?

I said in regard to the setting up of any Royal Commission that I should prefer to see the general Report of the Royal Commission on Population.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the Capital Investment Programme under the Economic Survey for 1948 is to be carried out in Scotland; and what does this represent in terms of current money values.

It is not possible to analyse all kinds of investment by areas, but for those programmes where the Scotttish share can be distinguished, it is estimated, very roughly, that in 1948 gross investment in fixed capital will be about £140 million, or between 10 per cent. and 11 per cent. of the corresponding total for the United Kingdom.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that it is erroneous and misleading to speak of a capital investment programme for Scotland as such?

Certainly. It would not be possible to distinguish.

Were the figures given arrived at after consultation in Scotland with any organisations outside the Scottish Office?

I understand that the Scottish Office is in constant consultation with many organisations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, while removing Purchase Tax by S.I., No. 2398, of 1948, on rubber flooring, tiles or strips not exceeding 450 square inches in area, he has retained Purchase Tax at the rate of 33⅓ per cent. on larger tiles or rubber flooring in rolls.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in reply to a similar Question on 6th December.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman refer himself to the supplementary question put by his hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Mr. J. Lewis) on the Question? Is he now aware that the effect of this arrangement is simply to induce the cutting of rubber strips into many bits of rubber small enough to avoid taxation?

I have seen the supplementary question which was put on that occasion. I do not agree with the implication.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that owners of wireless sets in places where electricity is not available have to buy a new high tension battery once every two months and so pay Purchase Tax six times a year; and will he consider giving them some relief from a tax which hits them more hardly than it does the owners of electrically-controlled sets.

As my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary said when this matter was raised on the Adjournment on 28th July, it is one that we shall bear in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that travellers leaving this country are asked by the customs official their reason for so doing; and what is the authority of the customs officials for making this request.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purpose his currency control officials at ports ask British subjects who have been granted the ordinary tourist allowance why they are going abroad.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why currency control officials at ports of embarkation ask British subjects to give the reason for their going abroad.

Some inquiry into the circumstances of a journey abroad is occasioned by the varying necessity for restrictions upon the export of goods and currency according to whether the traveller is a resident or a visitor and is proceeding to a sterling or non-sterling area. But Customs officers have no authority to go beyond the limits determined by their responsibility for securing compliance with these restrictions.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman mean by that, that they have the right to ask people where they are going and the reason for their journeys, or not?

Certainly, where there are regulations, for instance, that make a difference whether they are going to a sterling or non-sterling area, they must be able to ask.