asked the Secretary of State for War how many married quarters for officers and other ranks, respectively, have been completed since 1st April, 1948; how many such buildings have been started; and how many it is expected will be completed before 31st March, 1949.

Six permanent married quarters have been built for officers and 304 for other ranks since 1st April, 1948. Eighty-four for officers and 648 for other ranks have been let to contract or are under construction. It is expected that of these, 14 for officers and 60 for other ranks will be finished before 31st March. In addition an appreciable number of quarters, most of which may be used either by officers or by other ranks, has been and is being provided by conversion of hutting and other existing buildings; figures of these for the periods referred to in the Question are not readily available.

In view of the fact that the Under-Secretary of State for War, during the Debate on the Army Estimates in March of last year, stated that 600 would be completed before the end of this year, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress; and what steps is he taking to increase building?

I am certainly not satisfied with the progress. We have a long way to go before we can be satisfied. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary certainly did make an observation of the kind referred to by the hon. Gentleman, but I have looked at the progress, and I find that by the end of the financial year we shall have completed 538, that is 62 less than the target which was promised. All I can say is that we shall do everything possible, subject to the provision of materials and labour—there is no difficulty about the financial provisions—to increase the accommodation.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the figures he has given include married quarters which are to be built, or have been built at Fayed in the Canal Area?

I could not say without notice. The problem of Fayed is a much more complicated one.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reserve of the Army may be joined by retired senior officers of the Indian Army who are now resident in the United Kingdom and still of a suitable age and health.

Retired officers of the Indian Army may be considered for appointment to either the Regular Army Reserve of Officers or the Army Officers Emergency Reserve. This was announced by advertisement in the Press on 31st December when an invitation to apply to join the Reserves was issued to all ex-Regular officers of the late Indian Army, and all non-Regular officers of both the British and the late Indian Armies. Details may be obtained from all Recruiting Offices, Territorial Army Associations, and Regimental Depôts or by written application to the War Office.

Are these officers to be allowed to retain the substantive rank which they held at the time of the independence of India?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and men previously on Class Z reserve have registered in the special registered reserves created by him in September, 1948.

It would not be in the public interest to give these numbers.

Is it not very much in the public interest that the public should know that there are a lot of officers and men who are prepared to come forward at the right hon. Gentleman's request?

Nobody knows better than the hon. Gentleman that it is not in the public interest to give the number of persons in a particular category.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the particulars which have been sent him about the conditions of the troops in Singapore; and what action he has taken.

As the hon. Member has been informed, it is difficult to make satisfactory enquiries into the complaints which he has quoted without more detailed information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman surprised that the recruitment of more people for the Armed Forces is so difficult when such conditions prevail? [HON. MEMBERS: "What conditions?"] The right hon. Gentleman knows. Is this not another instance of maladministration by the Socialist Government?

No. My surprise is exclusively confined to the fact that the hon. Member has put down a Question without giving me detailed information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Gallows Hill-Worgret Road in the Wareham-Bovington area is practically impassable for vehicles; that the Dorset County Council cannot undertake to repair the road unless he will give assurances that it will not again be used by tanks; and whether he will reach some settlement with the county council in order that the road may be again used by the public without risk of accident.

I regret that I cannot give the assurance asked for, but the repair of this road is under consideration in consultation with the Ministry of Transport.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this matter has been under consideration with the Ministry of Transport for some months now, that this road, as its name implies, is becoming something of a death trap, and will he give special consideration to the possibility of renovating it within the next few months?

I certainly will take into account the views of the noble Lord, but I understand that this road gives access to a tank training area and difficulties may arise. However, I will look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in Banda II Camp, Nairobi, he proposes to close this camp.

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend when these have been completed.

Is not the Minister aware that the condition of the food supplied to these troops in Nairobi at Banda Camp is intolerable and disgusting; further, is he aware—I hope that he is—that a high ranking officer who visited the camp stated that it was not fit to live in? Does the Minister know that troops are reporting daily with dysentery, that no attempt is made to keep down the flies and that one trooper has died from dysentery?

I can assure my hon. Friend that these allegations will be inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many local authorities have refused to allow the formation of cadet forces in schools within their jurisdiction.

Complete information as to which local education authorities have refused to allow the formation of cadet contingents in schools within their jurisdiction is not available to my Department. I understand, however, that the great majority have no objection to cadet contingents in schools, and during 1948, 58 schools, previously without cadets, have raised new contingents. At the moment there are already more cadets in schools than ever before, and my information is that in many areas consideration is being given to the formation of still more contingents.

Why cannot the Minister answer the Question on the Paper?

I think I have replied to the Question.

I asked how many local authorities had refused to allow the formation of these cadet forces. The Minister said the information was not available. May I ask why not?

Part of my reply was that complete information is not available.

Why not?

Because it is not complete information.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in the case of National Service men, the grant for officers' uniform on commission has been reduced from £50 to £30, in view of the fact that this decision will deter .many young men from seeking to take commissions.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on 19th January, the initial outfit allowance for National Service officers commissioned in the Army has been reduced because these officers will not be required to provide themselves with the full scale of uniform for Regular officers. Their new allowance will cover the full reasonable cost of their prescribed uniform.

Does the Minister think it right to economise at the expense of young National Service officers, who will be required to dress in the same way as other officers when they are serving?

It is precisely because they are not required to dress in the same way that this reduction has been introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of recurring outrages against Europeans in the Suez Canal zone, culminating in the case of a young officer who within a few days of joining his unit was beaten up, stripped and left for dead; if he is aware of the indignation caused by the enclosure of the wives and children of British troops within the barbed wire defences of the camps; and if he will see to it that the authorities are provided with a reinforcement of European police adequate to guarantee safety within a reasonable distance outside the camp boundaries.

I am aware of the unprovoked attack on the officer referred to, and a few other isolated cases of violence against members of British Forces in the Canal Zone. I am not, however, aware of any indignation having been caused by enclosing the wives and children of British troops within the perimeter of their camps. This is a security measure designed for their protection against such assaults.

May I ask the Minister if he is aware that the safety, not merely of British subjects, but of one of the great trade routes of the world is dependent on the maintenance of British prestige in the Middle East?

That is perfectly true. Nevertheless, officers, other ranks and all concerned must obey the instructions, and, if they fail to do so, then we obviously cannot provide safeguards.

Can my right hon. Friend say from which side of the Egyptian frontier the assailants came?

Not without notice.

Is it not a fact that the conditions in this particular camp are disgraceful, and that there are no worse conditions under which British troops have to serve? Will the Minister take a very early opportunity of rectifying the whole matter?

I would be very glad to do so, but there are physical difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now given instructions that supper is to be provided each evening without fail for young soldiers serving in basic training units.

It is a basic principle that the soldier in mess is entitled to all his meals including supper if he wants it, and Unit Commanders are aware of their responsibility in this matter. If the Men's Messing Committee, which is constituted in every unit, recommends that for local reasons supper is not required for the unit as a whole on a particular night, then a more substantial high tea is served using the food which would have gone into the supper meal, but even in these cases an individual soldier who wants supper as well should be able to get it.

Is the Minister aware that, in fact, young soldiers have had to go to bed hungry, unless they have had money in their pockets to enable them to go to N.A.A.F.I., and will he see that instructions are given that supper is regularly provided?

Instructions have been issued, and I have given personal attention to this matter, because I have visited some of the camps and have asked the question precisely if that was so. I have been assured in some cases that boys were not very keen about supper, but preferred to go down town and spend what money they had. In those cases where they want supper, the instructions are quite definite that they must have it.

Is the Minister aware that he gave a similar categorical assurance two months ago, and that I have been able to show him that that assurance was based upon information entirely without foundation? Will he therefore see that his present categorical statement has a better chance of success? Is he also telling the House that trainees are represented and know who their representatives are on these messing committees? I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that he has been misled.

I can only say that, if instructions are received, we expect them to be carried out. If they are not being carried out and information on specific cases is given to me I shall certainly deal with those responsible.

I have already done that.

In the case referred to by the hon. Gentleman, he will recall that I inquired into the allegations, and, although in some cases supper was not provided, there was no reason why, if the men asked for it, it should not have been forthcoming.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the recommendation of the coroner's jury inquiring into the death of Private Haverty at Ranikhet Camp, Tilehurst; and what steps are being taken to increase the medical staff there.

I am considering this matter and will write to the hon. Member. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sympathy with Private Haverty's family.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the British War Claims Commision have refused to accept service of proceedings in order to establish the question of liability in the case of an infant, Alan Ruffell, who was seriously injured when knocked down by transport driven by an American soldier in September, 1944; that this case has now been proceeding for some years; and what steps he proposes to take to end the continued evasion of the matter by the British War Claims Commission.

I will, with permission, circulate a statement on this case in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps will be taken to avoid danger to passing traffic when practice firing takes place across the Scarborough and Whitby road.

Guns will be kept so far back that no risk will arise to users of the roads. Nor will the noise of firing be sufficient to distract the attention of drivers. The type of shell and fuse to be used and the minimum range on which the guns may be, fired will be subject to strict rules.

Does the Minister agree that sometimes shells do fall a long way short, and that, in fact, a roadman on a neighbouring road was killed during target practice in 1945? Will he give an assurance that there will be no stoppage of traffic between these two important seaside resorts?

I will certainly do all I can to help the hon. Member most concerned.

Is the Minister telling the House that there will be a constant stream of shells going over this important road all the way through the holiday season?

I certainly have said nothing of the sort.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many instances his department have been unable to get a contractor to tender for the painting of barrack rooms which require brightening up; and if he has had communications on this subject from the Federation of Painting Contractors or has himself approached the federation with a view to overcoming this hindrance to recruiting.

There were in the past some difficulties about the supply of labour and paint, although no figures are available which would illustrate the precise effects of these difficulties. I have been in communication with the Federation of Painting Contractors about the matter. I am glad to learn that little difficulty in obtaining tenders, except in a few isolated areas, now appears to be likely.

Why did not the right hon. Gentleman find out all these facts at the time when he gave an exclusive interview to the "News of the World," in which he said that the main difficulty was to get the contractors to tender?

I said it was one of the difficulties; a minor difficulty, but, nevertheless, a difficulty.

Will the Minister consult his Department before he gives any further interviews?

We are always in close consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are at present stationed in the Gold Coast Colony; to what extent it is proposed to increase the numbers in the near future; how many were stationed there 12 months ago; and what is the reason for the increase.

It is not the policy to give information about the number of troops stationed in a particular area.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the reason for the sudden posting away from East Africa in or about May, 1948, of Sergeant-Major Peacock, responsible for air bookings, Mogadiscio.

I am making inquiries into this case, but it would be helpful if the hon. Member could supply the soldier's regimental particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the well-known term, "Drill Hall," has been superseded by a new title, "T.A. Centre"; and what is the advantage, military or otherwise, to be derived from the change.

Drill forms only a small part of the modern soldier's training. I think that the new name more accurately describes the purpose which the centres are intended in future to fulfil.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this will certainly add to the confusion? Territorial headquarters have been affectionately known as drill halls for a very long time and will continue so to be known.

There is no confusion whatever, except in the mind of the hon. Member. The fact is that much more than training is carried out in these territorial centres. We have to store equipment there, and besides, we hope that these centres will be the hub of social activities associated with the Territorial Army.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these places always have been the hub of social activities associated with the Territorial Army?

But the social activities that we have in mind are very much better social activities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, whatever these drill halls may be called officially, they will always be known by the Territorials as drill halls?

Is not this a case of a rose by any other name smelling just as sweet?

As long as it is sweet, it does not matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how often he has been in a drill hall in his own constituency for social activities or otherwise?

In fact, I have been in the drill hall at Seaham Harbour several times, but I do not know what that has to do with the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the unhelpful attitude of the National Coal Board in Durham in comparison with previous colliery companies, towards recruiting for the Territorial Army; and whether he will make fresh approaches to the National Coal Board to ensure that his Department's literature may be appropriately displayed on National Coal Board premises and ask that National Coal Board officials should accept membership of local recruiting committees.

I am informed by the Durham Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association that the Northern Divisional Coal Board are in general adopting a helpful attitude towards recruiting for the Territorial Army.

Is it not a fact that, in spite of the allegations in the Question, Durham County has a higher recruiting figure for the Territorial Army than almost any other county in the country, and can my right hon. Friend say how the figure compares with the figure for Westmorland?

To the best of my knowledge, Durham compares favourably with Westmorland.

asked the Secretary of State for War the sum which it is estimated will be spent during the current financial year on accommodation, including drill halls and training camps, for the Territorial Army.

A little over £2 million.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the difficulties which confront Territorial units, especially heavy anti-aircraft units, owing to this lack of accommodation; and is it not a fact that, at the present rate of expenditure, it will be something like 1968 before full accommodation is provided? Will he arrange to accelerate the matter?

In fact, we intended to spend more than £2 million in the current year, but have been unable to do so because of the difficulty in procuring land, and because of the negotiations which arose out of the acquisition of property.

Does the Minister wish the House seriously to understand that no more than £2 million can be spent because of the difficulties in acquiring land?

That is precisely what I said.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the amount provided in the current estimates for warlike stores for the Territorial Army; the amount which it is estimated will be actually expended during the current financial year on the provision of such warlike stores; and the amount of the further expenditure which it is anticipated will be required for the provision of warlike stores for the Territorial Army between the end of the current financial year and the attainment of full strength by the Territorial Army.

The amount provided in Army Estimates for warlike stores is for the Army as a whole. This follows the policy of treating the Active Army and the Territorial Army as one. It is not practicable, therefore, to apportion the provision made between them. Stocks of equipment, vehicles, guns and other warlike stores are regarded as a common source from which to meet the requirements of units of the Active Army and of the Territorial Army as they arise. No separate accounts are kept for this purpose.

Does that statement mean that very much less was spent and is being spent than was estimated and is necessary; and does the right hon. Gentleman realise that some Territorial units have had up-to-date equipment taken away from them and out-of-date equipment substituted? Does he think it possible for the Territorial Army to attain anything like efficiency by such methods?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will furnish me with details of units where modern equipment has been replaced by obsolete equipment, I shall be glad to have it.

I shall be very glad to do so.

Is the Minister aware that, apart from the present situation, unless money and material for realistic training are available in the future, the whole of this scheme will be turned into a farce; and, further, will he convince us that he is aware of that, and will take it into account?

I am certainly aware of that; I entirely agree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the recommendations of the Abercrombie Report are being followed in relation to the building of houses in the outer country ring of London; and whether he will state the number of houses built in the outer country ring since the acceptance of the report.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir," subject to certain modifications set out in my memorandum on the Greater London Plan. The answer to the second part of the Question is approximately 13,000.

Can the Minister say whether the methods which he contemplated a year or two ago for building new satellite towns can be expedited in order to relieve the congestion of the population in Central London?

They are being expedited as far as conditions permit.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what alternatives were considered to the proposed extension of the Hope Valley cement works before approval was given; and what were the reasons for rejecting the proposals for restricting the height of chimney and developing Cauldon Low as an alternative source of supply after the next few years.

The proposed works at Cauldon Low and the extension of the works at Hope are both necessary to achieve the required level of production for the home and export markets. Cauldon Low is not, therefore, an alternative. New or expanded works in other parts of the country will be necessary as well. Sites containing the necessary mineral deposits of suitable quality and quantity are very limited and I know of no satisfactory alternative to Hope that would give an equivalent output. The height of the chimney has been restricted to 400 feet which should be just sufficient to deal effectively with the emissions from the works. I am satisfied that any further limitation on the height would not have been in the interests of the people who live in the area.

While appreciating the need for cement production, may I ask if the Minister is aware that technical experts, including a professor of fuel technology at Sheffield University, have stated that a much shorter chimney combined with efficient waste gas clearing plant would be more effective to do the job; and would he set up a technical committee to review this matter again?

I cannot review this particular matter. The whole thing was threshed out at great length at the public inquiry, and I am satisfied that I have all the relevant information before me.

Is the Minister prepared to put a report of the whole of the proceedings of the inquiry into the Library? This point was raised with the Parliamentary Secretary the other day, and he undertook to give consideration to it. Can the Minister now give us an assurance on this point?

We have placed in the Library the decision letter which has gone out and which is a pretty full account of the reasons which actuated us.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning (1) whether, in view of the Central Land Board's decision that the cubic contents of buildings occupying small sites cannot be aggregated for the purpose of assessing the development charge when re-development is contemplated with a single composite building over, the amalgamated sites, he will make an Order that such aggregation will be permitted, since refusal to do so is imposing severe hardship on owners of such sites and is impeding practical schemes of development;

The answer is "No, Sir." The hon. Member no doubt has in mind the building of a block of flats on a site formerly occupied by a number of houses. The owner in such a case has a claim under Part VI of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, in respect of any diminution in value resulting from the Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advantage of clarifying some of these very complicated regulations which are undoubtedly holding up building and development generally?

If the hon. Gentleman will tell me which particular regulation he finds difficult to understand, I will certainly have another look at it.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will publish the full report on the recent inquiry that led to his decision to use Fylingdale Moor as a training centre.

The publication of confidential reports such as this made to a Minister to assist him in coming to a decision, has for long been regarded as undesirable, and I see no reason for making an exception in this case.

In view of the very strong local opposition to this decision, does not the Minister think it would be fair to publish all the facts which actuated that decision; and will he also publish particulars of the alternative sites which were considered before it was decided to accept this area for a training ground?

This matter was not decided in a hole-and-corner manner. There was a public inquiry, and the evidence is public property. We have published the letter which actuated our decision, and, therefore, the public have all the information available.

Can my right hon. Friend say to what extent the public will be denied access to this part of the proposed national park area?

That is another question. If the hon. Member will put it down, I will answer it.

In view of the fact that this is a large part of a national park area, will the Minister place a report of the proceedings in the Library so that hon. Members can read it before the Debate on the National Parks Bill?

That is exactly the question I have answered.

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman if he will place in the Library for hon. Members of this House, and not for publication, the proceedings of the inquiry?

I am not prepared to do that.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether a decision can now be given to the application made by the Horncastle U.D.C. to build houses on a site at the corner of Louth Road and Low Toynton Road, in view of the fact that consultations on this question between Ministries have taken a considerable time and are holding up the erection of houses in this area.

The site in question consists of good farming land and will probably be cut through by a proposed new trunk road. These objections, with proposals for alternative sites, have been referred to the local planning authority, and are being considered today at a meeting between representatives of the authorities and Ministries concerned. I hope a satisfactory solution to the difficulties will be found.

In view of the fact that there appear to be such good reasons, can the Minister say why it has taken so long to give a decision to this Council on this matter? Does he not realise that it has been holding up the building of houses for a very considerable time?

Undoubtedy there has been delay, but I am not answerable for the authorities.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what complaints he has received from the New Town Corporations of administrative difficulties arising out of the present procedure for the approval of schemes by the Departments concerned and by the local authorities.

I have no reason to believe that New Towns Corporations are experiencing difficulties with Government Departments or local authorities which are either serious or irremediable.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware of the feeling of frustration on the part of the highly skilled staffs of these corporations at the treatment they are receiving, in so far as they are being treated no differently from the builders of quite a small number of houses?

I am not aware of it and I am in very close touch with the various corporations. If the hon. Member has any information on this matter I should be very glad to have it.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning (1) what consultations took place between the regional planning officer and the land utilisation officer before the Draft Designation Order in respect of the new town at Bracknell was made;

I did consult my right hon. Friend not only before the Draft Designation Order was published but before I reached any conclusion that Bracknell appeared suitable for expansion. These consultations included discussions between my Regional Controller and the Provincial Land Commissioner on the extent and relative value of all the farm holdings in the area which might be affected by a Draft Order. On a point of information, only about half the 2,600 acres provisionally designated is agricultural land.

Could the right hon. Gentleman explain why, out of a number of alternative sites, the one selected was the one most intensively cultivated?

Because it was thought to be the most suitable for the erection of a new town.

Are we to gather from that reply that the claims of the suitability of town making shall overweigh the advantages of the land for agricultural purposes?

No, of course not. The hon. Member must understand that all factors are taken into account, including the claims of agriculture.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if the replacement of dwellings acquired under the Town and Country Planning Act is to be restricted to maximum selling price and superficial area on the same basis as applies to war damage property payments; or is it to be related to the floor area and value of the displaced property.

Under Section 30 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1944, as amended and incorporated in the 1947 Act, the criterion is the reasonable requirements of the displaced person. Normally the basis to be adopted will be that used for war damage value payments, but special treatment will be possible in exceptional circumstances.

Is it the position that a house which has been damaged by enemy action, the site of which is subsequently taken under the Town and Country Planning Act, is to be dealt with under the War Damage Act, with its restrictions on superficial area and selling price, or is it to be dealt with under the Town and Country Planning Act, where there is no such restriction?

That is the question I have tried to answer. Broadly, we will try to provide equivalent accommodation, unless the circumstances are exceptional.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will state, in respect of each of the severely bombed cities and towns, in which cases declaratory orders under the Town and Country Planning Acts, 1944 and 1947, have already been made; the acreage in each case covered by such orders; and, in connection with these declaratory orders, the number of compulsory purchase orders made to date, excluding overspill areas, and the total acreage covered by such orders.

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

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for the very serious delay in the issue of compulsory purchase orders? So far as Southampton is

I would advise my hon. Friend to look at the figures which I am circulating before he makes such an allegation.

I can certainly say that so far as my own borough is concerned we have not received them, whatever the right hon. Gentleman may say about other boroughs.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when the Buxton Corporation may expect a decision upon their application to erect huts at Ladmanlow to accommodate the squatters now occupying the Empire Hotel which constitutes in its present condition a danger td public health.

A reply will be sent as soon as the views of the County Council, who are the planning authority, are known. I understand that the Planning Committee of the County Council is meeting to consider the matter on 28th January.

How long has this application been before the County Council?

I do not know. The original application was made on 22nd November, but not to the County Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why domestic type water softeners which have been modified for industrial requirements are now being relieved of Purchase Tax when industrial gas water heaters in a similar tax group are not so exempted.