asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the increase of unemployment in the shipbuilding and ship repairing industries in Southampton; and what steps he proposes to take to meet this situation.

Unemployment in Southampton among shipyard workers rose sharply in September, but I am glad to say that there has since been a considerable fall. Moreover, a large number of those still unemployed are expected to start work very shortly when recruitment of workers for the winter overhaul of liners begins. This work is expected to last until next February. By that time, there is a reasonable prospect of suitable alternative employment for workers not then required on ship-repairing work.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that the steamship "Isle of Jersey," which is normally handled at Southampton Docks has been diverted to a private yard? Can he consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to see that this does not occur again?

I am not quite sure what authority the Minister of Transport has in the matter, but I will most certainly consult him about it.

In view of the general uneasiness in different parts of the country in regard to this matter of shipbuilding cannot the Minister of Labour arrange a special conference of those concerned with shipbuilding in order to work out a plan of some kind to ensure the greatest possible distribution of the work?

I cannot say anything about a general conference covering all the shipyards but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the matter is having the very sincere attention of the Government Departments concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the extreme competition in shipbuilding which we have from the Continent, because conditions of labour and wages there are lower than they are in this country? Will he do something with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to improve conditions and to increase wages on the other side?

My writ does not run as far as that. The main work of repairing war-damaged ships has now been completed.

asked the Minister of Labour why training grants paid by his Department to photographic students at the Guildford School of Art now run only one year.

These grants are paid until the trainee reaches a standard at which he can obtain satisfactory employment. The intermediate examinations of the Institute of British Photographers and the City and Guilds of London Institute are adopted as that standard which normally takes a year to reach. Grants can, however, be extended in exceptional cases where it is not attained in that time.

Is it not a fact that the course in respect of which these grants were paid lasts two years? Is it not also a fact that the Minister of Education pays students for whom he is responsible, and who are doing precisely the same course, in respect of a two-year period? Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why he regards as ranking for grant only half the period which is so regarded by his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education?

All I can say is that we have accepted the one-year basis since 1947 and that all applicants who have applied for the course since that date have been told that it is for one year only, unless in exceptional circumstances it has to be extended.

asked the Minister of Labour why his vocational training scheme to provide for the permanent settlement into civilian life of men and women whose lives have been interrupted by war service does not provide grants for those who wish to become journalists unless they are disabled persons.

The arrangements for vocational training schemes in different industries are worked out in full consultation with the representative organisations of employers and workpeople concerned. In this case I have not yet been able to secure the agreement of the appropriate Joint Industrial Council to a training scheme except for disabled persons. Able-bodied persons cannot therefore at present be accepted for training under this scheme.

While I thank the Minister for that reply, may I ask him if he will continue to negotiate and see if it is possible to help those who have come out of the Services and have a flair for journalism to get some sort of assistance?

I cannot say that I will specialise in journalism, but we will continue our efforts with this industry to see if we can get a further agreement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed there were in the city of Manchester on 30th September, 1949.

Figures are not available for 30th September. At 10th October the total was 4,523.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are more than 2,000 unemployed among the coloured population in Manchester and that their leader has alleged that a colour bar has been raised against them as regards getting employment? Has he any evidence of that?

If the hon. and gallant Member had put that question down I could have answered it. I have answered the Question which he put on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour why he has delayed several weeks before calling a conference to investigate the reasons for the "go-slow" tactics in Smithfield Market.

The hon. Member misunderstands the position. The "go-slow" tactics were abandoned by the men following a meeting on 11th October last and arrears of distribution have been cleared since. The issue of the 6d. meat bonus in London, however, still remains in dispute. It is in relation to that difficulty that I have appointed a Committee of Investigation following an unsuccessful conference which an officer of my Department held with the parties on 1st November.

The fact is that the people of London have not got their meat. Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that his primary duty and responsibility is not to any trade union but to the people of London, and has he not sufficient powers to see that this meat is actually distributed to them?

The fact is that the hon. Gentleman has not got his facts right. [Interruption.] Give me a chance to answer. The fact is that my Department made contact with the parties in this dispute, and within four days arranged a conference. That conference was unsuccessful. Then within seven days of the start of the dispute we had arranged a series of meetings under one of our conciliation officers, and it was one of those meetings that led to the "go-slow" dispute ending. With regard to the bonus, we brought the parties together as soon as the other matter was cleared out of the way, and I am hopeful that the board of inquiry will reach a satisfactory solution.

Is it not true that when the amount of meat in the market was reduced, something like 30 per cent. of the men were discharged and that when the meat was increased, the men, quite rightly, asked for the staff to be increased to do the job, or for increased payment and that the employers, taking the attitude which they usually do in these matters, did not give them either? When we are talking about this matter we should not overlook that it involves the employers too.

Those are some of the allegations made against one side or the other for which we found no real foundation, and we have appointed the committtee of inquiry to ascertain the real facts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects this inquiry to report? As the Minister of Food told us yesterday, the meat is there and its delivery is awaiting the report.

Judging by experience of similar committees of inquiry on matters of this kind, I should not be surprised if it reported to me immediately after it has ascertained the facts.

Is not the principal and most important fact that the Minister of Food has on many occasions promised the bonus to the people of London and that he is unable to deliver it on account of the action of the Smithfield porters who are holding a Minister of the Crown up to a greater degree of ridicule and contempt than would otherwise be the case?

As I have said before, I am not prepared to accept the view that all the blame is on the men.

It cannot be blamed on the Communists.

Why not?

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to a threatened dispute at the factory of Messrs. Mathew Harvey & Co., Walsall, arising from objections by shop stewards to the choice of daily newspapers by employees in the factory; and what action he is taking.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make regarding the industrial dispute at the works of Messrs. Harvey, Matthew and Co., Ltd., of Walsall; and what action he proposes to take.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. The name of the firm as given in my Question is the "News Chronicle" version, the correct name is as in the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall (Mr. W. Wells).

My inquiries into this story that appeared in the "Daily Mail" and the "News Chronicle" indicate that it is entirely without foundation. In fairness to the workers and the firm, I should add that my information is that the relationship between them is of a most harmonious character.

Was not this a most irresponsible and provocative attempt to discredit the trade unionists concerned with false evidence endangering industrial peace? Has my right hon. Friend any power to protect industry from this kind of misrepresentation for which no apology whatsoever has so far been made?

I do not know that I have any power to prevent the newspapers telling these stories, but I think it is regrettable that, although these newspapers have given front page notice to this allegation, they should not at least have had the decency to admit that they were wrong.

While I thank my hon. Friend for his statement, may I ask him if he is aware that these reports have caused great indignation in Walsall, and does he not consider that the whole episode throws a somewhat ironical light on the report of the Royal Commission that this country has the best Press in the world?

I can only say in answer to that question that it has caused a great deal of inconvenience, I know, to the firm and unpleasantness to the men of the union concerned. When they first saw the story, thinking it might be true, the firm at once got out an instruction to their people that such conduct could not be tolerated. They did not issue that instruction upon finding that not only had there been a mis-statement about the attitude of the men, but that one of the newspapers even reported the story that they had contacted the head office of the union that night, though nothing of that sort had taken place.

In fairness, will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that he can, from his own information, confirm that the statements reported in the "News Chronicle" were, in fact, made to the "News Chronicle" reporter by a representative of Messrs. Harvey, Matthew & Co., and that if there was ground for making an apology, that responsible newspaper would have made it? Will he confirm to the House that inquiries are still proceeding?

I am sorry, but it is not for me to express an opinion. A newspaper ought to accept responsibility for the statements it has made. When the firm notified that newspaper the same day that they had made a mistake, decency at least should have led them to publish a correction.

When the right hon. Gentleman refers to a mistake having been made, will he not confirm to the House that the statement which was reported in the "News Chronicle" was made by a representative of the firm and that it has not been denied that these statements were made to the "News Chronicle" reporter?

No such allegation has been made to me. As far as I understand it, the firm deny that anything of the sort has been done, and if the "News Chronicle" have such a story, why should they hide behind it? Why do they not make the statement?

In view of the last answer, can my right hon. Friend say if he has discovered what the actual source of the rumour was, and, if so, will it now be disclosed?

The firm say, and the men say, that they know nothing whatever about it and that nothing even of a colourable nature, could have given rise to such a statement. The whole thing is a malicious concoction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is right in making a statement like that in view of the fact that there is definite evidence that the information supplied to the "News Chronicle" came from a responsible member of the firm.

If there is any definite evidence, it is for the "News Chronicle" to produce it.

On that point of Order, Mr. Speaker, are we not now proceeding beyond the range of the Minister's responsibility? As I understand it, these are questions to the Minister of Labour arising out of the original dispute. With respect to you, Sir, and I ask your Ruling upon it, I submit that the recent supplementary questions and answers have really been in the nature of a court of inquiry upon the behaviour of two newspapers. Is that within the purview of responsibility of the Minister?

Further to that point of Order, may I advert—[HON. MEMBLRS: "No."]—to the point of Order I raised yesterday which, in my submission, is a point of vital importance in the protection of the rights of hon. Members of this House, and which I should have expected the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) to confirm. Yesterday my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall (Mr. W. Wells) stated, and it has now been confirmed by the Minister, that the whole story was—I quote his words, "a complete fabrication from beginning to end." Yet, Mr. Speaker, my hon. Friend was in the position that I was in, that if he put down any Question on the Order Paper asking the Minister to inquire into these allegations, he was Ruled as being out of Order and he was therefore told—I agree that these are the Rules—that he must accept the story which had been put in the newspaper. He has done so, and so has my hon. Friend the Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes).

Hon. Members are often in this difficulty, Mr. Speaker, and I would ask you whether you could not consider that there might be some slight extension of the Rules so that this matter could be raised from the beginning on a proper basis, namely, upon the fact that the allegation had been widely circularised, could have had adverse effects, and was untrue?

In regard to the first point of Order, I think the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) is correct. Our Questions are getting far beyond the responsibility of the Minister.

With regard to the second point of Order, the hon. Member for King's Norton (Mr. Blackburn) is either casting aspersions on the Rules of the House or on the bona fides of the hon. Members who have asked these Questions. One cannot have questions allowed which refer to allegations. I do not know where it would stop. One might search the columns of all the newspapers and find allegations, and what Minister is to be responsible for allegations in the newspapers? One must, therefore, take responsibility on oneself for asking a question, and I must Rule that there is no point of Order in what the hon. Member says.

Further to that point of Order, I only want to say this—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—that I had no desire to cast any aspersions on my hon. Friend, for whom I have the greatest admiration and, secondly, I only desired to draw attention to the fact that hon. Members are in this difficulty.

Both hon. Members, having accepted responsibility, were able to bring the matter before the House, which seemed to me quite satisfactory.

There are slanders on the Communist idea every day.

Referring to the original Question, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the decline in numbers of workers employed on house building in Scotland and the shortage of houses, what steps he is taking to retain and improve the supply of labour.

A steady flow of labour to housing contracts is being maintained, and I am satisfied that the size of the building labour force in Scotland will be adequate to meet the programme.

Is the Minister aware that if he is satisfied, nobody else is in Scotland?

Could the Minister say what steps he is taking to get the supply of plasterers in Scotland increased?

It is not a question of the supply of plasterers so much as the proper routine of their working and the need to "stagger" them because their next job is not ready.

asked the Minister of Labour what stage has been reached in the negotiations for the employment of Italian decorators in the pottery industry.

The National Joint Industrial Council for the pottery industry are considering this matter and are to discuss certain detailed points with my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the growing number of small apartment houses being offered now for sale at exorbitant prices; and since he has made it impossible for local authorities to requisition such houses for people in need, what further steps are contemplated to enable local authorities to deal with this situation.

Cases of small houses being sold are brought to my notice from time to time but I have no information that this is increasing to any great extent. I shall be glad to have any particulars which my hon. Friend can give me. As regards the rest of the Question, this matter is now in the hands of local authorities who have powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1949, to acquire and improve premises with Exchequer assistance.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these houses are not worth improving, that the prices asked are exorbitant, and that no local authority would be justified in paying these prices for houses that are not worth improving?

I think my hon. Friend will agree that if the houses are not worth improving, it is not worth the Government using State money to requisition them.

Apart from that, where the local authority has power, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of quite good houses have been empty for some time and are being offered for sale instead of being let to tenants, and would he direct the attention of the Glasgow authority again to this growing practice?

I should think that the Glasgow authority know the position but it is open to any citizen to bring that position to the notice of the Glasgow authority, who certainly know their powers.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the position, I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new permanent houses he expects to complete in Scotland by the end of 1949.

A total of 18,745 new permanent houses was completed in the first three quarters of this year. I am not prepared to make an estimate of the number likely to be completed in the last quarter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an estimate at least was made at the beginning of this year, and how far does he expect he will have realised that hopeful estimate of 26,000 to 28,000 houses by the end of this year?

Guesswork is as easy for the hon. Member as it is for me. The building trade is subject to many vicissitudes from weather and other things which nobody can foretell. It would simply be guesswork on my part to say what the weather would be between now and 1st January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the trading losses or profits for 1947 and 1948 on the four farms owned and run by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland at Dunragit, Wigtownshire.

The profit for the year ended 30th November, 1947, was £3,411, The 1948 results will be included in the accounts for 16 months to 31st March, 1949, which are now being prepared.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that information, and expressing the hope that this year will be equally good, may I ask him if it is the intention of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland to convert one of these four farms, namely, Kilfillan, into smallholdings?

That is another question and a matter for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will empower local authorities to make an additional contribution from their funds to school meals and so obviate the increase of a penny per meal falling on the parents.

The policy of the Government is that, apart from payments made by parents towards the cost of the food, full financial responsibility for the necessary cost of school meals should be borne by the Exchequer and not by the local authority. I do not regard the small increase in the charge as justifying any departure from that policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the proposed reductions in capital expenditure will affect rural housing, rural water supplies and rural roads.

As regards expenditure on housing, including rural housing, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on 1st November. As regards the public water programme, later starting dates will be fixed for certain new schemes, but no interference with existing schemes is contemplated. Expenditure on rural roads in the Highlands and Islands for which my Department is responsible will be maintained at its present level during 1950.

In view of these two Questions, has the Secretary of State for Scotland taken any steps to have the cuts discussed by the Scottish Grand Committee?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a comprehensive statement as to the effects on Scotland of the economies which the Government have proposed?

Hon. Gentlemen seem anxious to discover cuts in Scotland which have not taken place. The Government are not making what are called "slashing attacks" on Scotland; savings will be effected in Scotland which, as I explained last week, are being spread over a large number of the activities of the Government and in capital expenditure. It is not really possible to gather all these items into what is called "a comprehensive statement."

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind the tremendous leeway which the Highlands of Scotland have to make up—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear"]—and that further expenditure is necessary and desirable in the national interest?

I am sure the hon. Member could not have heard my reply, which stated that the Government are going ahead as fast as possible with the rural roads in Scotland and that no interference is taking place in that programme. The difficulty in the Highlands is that we can only do work for which the labour and materials are available.

Is my right hon. Friend as satisfied as his colleague the Minister of Labour that there is a sufficient labour force in Scotland to deal with the problem of building houses for the rural areas?

Does the answer of the Secretary of State mean that he cannot say where these economies are to fall and what effect they will have on Scotland?

The Government are effecting a certain saving in Scotland, in such a way as to interfere to the minimum extent with current progress. Each saving, therefore, is a matter of very great judgment and delicacy and not a matter which can be dealt with by figures thrown over at Question time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the annual production of potatoes, turnips and barley; and what plans he has to increase this production.

On the basis of current needs I shall be satisfied if the production of potatoes in Scotland continues at its present level. The production of turnips is a matter I can safely leave to the farmers themselves. I am hoping for an increase in the barley acreage, and have asked the agricultural executive committees to do all in their power to ensure this.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the acreage of oats in Scotland in 1939, 1943 and 1949, respectively; and what steps he is taking to maintain and increase the production of this unique Scottish product.

The acreage of oats in Scotland in these years was as follows: 1939, 777,000 acres; 1943, 1,011,000 acres; 1949, 931,000 acres.

Under the Government's agricultural expansion programme an increased acreage of this crop is looked for. I have recently asked agricultural executive committees to do all in their power to increase the acreage devoted to this crop, amongst others, and the assistance of the National Farmers' Union for Scotland has been enlisted.

Would the right hon. Gentleman continually bear in mind that the consumption of oats in this country is 8 lb. per head, whereas the consumption of wheat is 240 lb. per head, and that we can produce all our oats in Scotland but only half our wheat?

The hon. Member has called attention to the deficiency in dietary education, and no doubt his question will do something to improve the position.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make quite certain that no area in Scotland is allotted for the growing of groundnuts?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the reason for the delay in the re-opening of Bellahouston Park to the public.

The whole of the park has been returned to Glasgow Corporation except two small portions still held under requisition. It has not been possible to release one portion because of the presence of squatters in disused Army huts on the site. All but one of the families, however, have now been transferred elsewhere and as soon as other accommodation can be found for the remaining family I shall arrange to have the site released. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works is arranging to have the other portion, on which the palace of industry stands, cleared, and as soon as this has been effected the land will be derequisitioned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Works informed me in April, 1948, that he would make his part of the park available to the public of Glasgow by August, 1948, and in these circumstances will the Secretary of State take some urgent action with his right hon. Friend?

The hon. and gallant Member confirms what was said by Burns:

"The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft a-gley."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a meeting was held recently at Inverness between representatives of the Scottish Land and Property Federation, the branches and area branches of the National Farmers' Union and members of the Northern Pastoral Club to consider the serious curtailment of food and wool production which will result from the present and future operations of the Forestry Commission and the Hydro-Electric Board; and whether he will agree to receive a deputation from the former bodies which are prepared to submit evidence in support of their contention.

I have seen Press reports of the meeting referred to. The operations of the Forestry Commission and the Hydro-Electric Board are carried on with close regard to agricultural interests and I am satisfied that they will bring benefits to the Highlands out of all proportion to such losses of agricultural land as are involved. While I shall be glad to receive a deputation, or to consider written representations, about any individual projects that may be causing concern, it will be appreciated that in the case of hydro-electric development the Board's powers are defined in schemes approved by Parliament after the fullest opportunity for the making and consideration of objections.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the hydro-electric schemes which are to be postponed.

I am not at present in a position to add to the statement on this subject which I made on 1st November.

Is not the Minister aware that the statement he made on 1st November was simply that he was postponing certain schemes which had not yet been started, and can he not tell us what those schemes are?

I see no cause for alarm that we are postponing schemes which we have not yet started. No interference is being made in the schemes at present in operation, and postponement is one of the methods by which we are effecting a saving without really injuring the progress of the country.

Is the Minister aware that there is general doubt whether a scheme starts when the plans are approved, when the camps are made for the labourers or when the first sod is turned; and what schemes are affected?

My advice to those who are doing their work in these districts is to carry on doing their work until somebody interferes with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the cost of the service, he will consider introducing legislation to enable him to make grants to local authorities for the Meals on Wheels service to aged people.

This service is not a direct charge on local authorities although they are encouraged to subsidise voluntary organisations for such purposes. I have no evidence that authorities are finding this a heavy burden and I do not contemplate any early revision of the Exchequer grant to their funds.

Do I understand that local authorities in Scotland are already empowered to provide this service, and how many are doing so?

As my hon. Friend knows, I recently sent out a circular to local authorities asking them to use their good offices to encourage voluntary organisations to undertake assistance to old people and look after their welfare generally, including this particular service.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can now state the steps he proposes to take to assist war pensioners living in dollar and hard currency countries in view of devaluation.

The Government have decided in principle to help individual war pensioners resident in dollar and other hard currency countries who are experiencing severe hardship as the result of the recent fall in the value of sterling. Details of the necessary arrangements are being worked out.

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask if we can be told when this help for people who are in a very precarious position is likely to arrive?

The payment of help has already been authorised but as we have to work in these countries through the very valued help of their own local administrations it is a little too early for yet to say what type of cases come to hand.

Could not the Minister get into touch with the Foreign Office, who have already worked out a scheme for their staff abroad, to see whether the same methods could not be used in this matter?

That is a rather different matter; it is a question of the Civil Service staffs involved in those countries. In the present case, we have to find details of individuals and ascertain what kind of hardship they are suffering. We are collecting the information very rapidly.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will accept liability for the new cost for prescriptions, as was done before the National Health Act was passed, for chronically disabled ex-Service men suffering from duodenal and similar troubles due to war service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether prescription fees will be required from disabled ex-Service pensioners for treatment of the disability in respect of which the pension was awarded.

asked the Minister of Pensions what method will be adopted to ensure that war-pensioners who are receiving treatment for pensionable disability will be exempt from the charge which is to be made for prescriptions.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can give an assurance that the proposed charge for medicines prescribed under the National Health service will not adversely affect the rights to free medicine enjoyed before the National Health Service Act by disabled ex-Service men and women.

The pensions instruments ensure free treatment—including medicines and dressings—for war pensioners for their pensioned disabilities. I shall continue to discharge this obligation. Detailed arrangements will be announced when a change has been made in the existing provisions of the National Health Service.

While thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask if he will take special care to ensure that doctors and chemists, as well as ex-Service men, are made acquainted with this very valuable concession?

Until my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has made his regulations, it is hardly possible for me to say exactly how my obligations will be discharged.

Is it not a fact that the change in the law will have to be provided in the amending health Measure now going through another place? Will an opportunity be afforded to prevent the amendment barring these men, even for a short time?

I think it is too early to say precisely in what form we shall make the provision, but provision will be made in accordance with the Royal Warrant.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the change in respect of disabled men, whatever may be necessary, will coincide with the introduction of the restrictions?

Certainly, disabled men have never, during the last 30 years, failed to receive the free treatment and they will not fail now.

asked the Minister of Pensions what will be the cost to the taxpayer of the film which is being produced, dealing with the work of his Department.

About £8,500.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is appearing personally in this film and whether the script of the dialogue will be made available so that hon. Members can see whether it contains party propaganda or not?

The film has not yet been made. Whether I shall appear in it, I cannot say, but if the hon. Member, or any of his hon. Friends, wish to decide whether it contains party propaganda, I shall be most happy to extend an invitation to them to see the first showing.

How many films have been made for my right hon. Friend's Department?

Only one film was made by the Central Office of Information. That was some years ago when a film was made jointly for the Ministry of Pensions and the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men under the age of 19 have been posted to the Far East during the past six months; what is the minimum period of jungle training in Malaya they are given before being sent into action; and how many of these young soldiers have been rejected during the jungle training course.

During the six months prior to 30th September, 1949, some 1,600 National Service men who had been called up since 1st January, 1949, were posted to the Far East. Most of these men were under 19 years of age. In the same period a considrable number of National Service men called up during 1948 were also posted to the Far East, but I am unable to say how many of them were under 19.

As far as is possible, before being sent out on operations, reinforcements arriving in the Far East spend a suitable period in the Command, usually about four weeks, in order that they may become accustomed to the climate and trained in the jobs they are likely to do in jungle operations. No details are available of any rejections during jungle training.

Does the Minister really consider that this makes for an efficient use of manpower—only four weeks training for jungle fighting—or that it is worthy of Britain to send these half-trained lads to fight Communist guerrillas in Malaya?

We are advised by our people in the theatre that these men are very efficient.

May I put two points to my right hon. Friend? Is he aware that what is officially described as jungle training, is in fact very much like active participation in operations, and does he really consider that an 18 year old boy, after 16 weeks on Salisbury Plain and then four weeks in camp in Malaya, is adequately trained for this type of work?

It is the best we can do in present circumstances. We have gone into this matter very carefully and we are advised by the commander on the spot that it is working out very well on the whole.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to this House and to the world that these Malayan forces have fought magnificently and in accordance with the best traditions of the British Army?

I can certainly endorse what the noble Lord has said.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of male and female employees, respectively; the tonnage moved in per month and out per month, respectively and the number of ex-farm workers employed at the Central Ordnance Supply Depot at Westbury.

One hundred and fifty males and one female are employed at the Central Ordnance Sub-Depot at Westbury. The average monthly tonnage handled during the period July to September, 1949, was 920 tons in and 200 tons out. Five ex-farm workers are employed.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many copies of the Bureau of Current Affairs publication No. 87, entitled "This Dollar Problem," were purchased by his Department for distribution to military units and personnel; between what dates their distribution took place; and what was the cost to public funds.

Twelve thousand, six hundred and seventy-five copies of this publication were purchased by His Majesty's Stationery Office on behalf of my Department. Distribution began about 20th August and was completed by about 12th September, 1949. I understand that the cost to His Majesty's Stationery Office was £182. The cost of distribution cannot be isolated.

In view of the fact that distribution concluded only six days before devaluation took place, was any useful purpose served in circulating a document which proves conclusively, on page 15, that the present Government would never devalue the pound?

In the circumstances then prevailing, it was quite a legitimate point of view.

Does that answer mean—

We must get on with Questions. We have got to No. 36 in three-quarters of an hour. Mr. Skeffington Lodge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that part of the devastation caused by his Department in the Purbeck country in Dorset, comprises damage by shells to the roof of the fourteenth century church in the Tyneham Valley; and what action is proposed to prevent further destruction of this sort occurring in respect of other historic monuments in the area.

I am not aware that any damage has been caused to Tyneham Church by shells since 1945. It is unlikely that any further damage of this nature will be caused to the church since, although in the ricochet area, it is not in the firing area of the range. Every endeavour is being made to ensure that historical monuments within the range area do not come within the firing area.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any restitution was made in the case which he admits, or whether any form of compensation was forthcoming from his Department?

That is not for me to decide. If there is any question of de-requisitioning it is a matter for the Minister of Works.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether in the foreseeable future his Department will be able to return this highly fertile valley to food production?

I would not care to say anything about the foreseeable future.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps he is taking to safeguard as far as possible the natural beauty of the Purbeck country in which is established a tank gunnery range.

My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that the training facilities referred to have caused, or will cause, any serious injury to the natural beauty of the area in question. The point is however being watched.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will modify the scheme for assistance to officers and other ranks in renting accommodation where quarters are not available, so that the individual soldier may become the tenant instead of the War Office.

No, Sir. The scheme alluded to has been devised as a temporary measure for providing living accommodation in kind until sufficient married quarters become available.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the figures he gave recently of 70 officers and 10 other ranks having taken advantage of the scheme show that in fact it is not fulfilling the purpose for which it was designed? Is he aware that the fact that the War Department becomes a tenant is a great deterrent to landlords letting accommodation for occupation by military personnel?

The position has improved since I gave my last answer to my hon. Friend and the scheme is working out very well indeed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the average percentage of headquarters staff already saved by the economies recently announced; what further percentage will be saved in the current financial year; and whether he will give the same figures for saving in the War Office.

Between 1st April and 30th September, 1949, the number of persons employed in the War Office fell by 12.9 per cent. By 31st March, 1950, it is anticipated that there will be a further decrease of at least 5 per cent.

What about the headquarters staff, to which the Question refers, in addition to the War Office?

I assumed that when the hon. Member referred to headquarters staff he meant staff at headquarters, and gave an answer accordingly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are other headquarters and that the cuts, when they were announced, specifically referred to those?

I understand what the hon. Member is driving at and if he wants further information about the commands generally I will try to get it for him.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many married quarters are at present in course of construction in Colchester Barracks, including in his estimate the number of quarters which will be provided as the result of the rehabilitation of the obsolete quarters at present unoccupied.

One hundred and sixty-eight married quarters are in course of construction at Colchester, 68 being for officers and 100 for other ranks. In addition, 20 quarters are being provided for other ranks as the result of the rehabilitation of obsolete quarters at present unoccupied.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applications for married quarters are outstanding from warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men serving with units stationed at Colchester.

There are, at present, outstanding 126 applications for married quarters from warrant officers, noncommissioned officers and men at Colchester. Some 50 further applications will be added to the list on the arrival of a fresh unit in December.

asked the Secretary of State for War what increases have been awarded to pensions of retired British Army officers who were re-employed by the British Army during the war; and whether he will now arrange that the same increases are awarded to retired British Indian Army officers who were reemployed by the British Army during the war, and that the Government of the Dominion of India be asked to refund to the War Office the extra sums so payable.

The increases in the retired pay of British Army officers who were awarded service retired pay before 19th December, 1945, and who, after the date of retirement, rendered full time service in the Armed Forces during the war were explained in the answer given to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport) on 15th April, 1946. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this. I understand from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, that the reassessment of the retired pay of the British officers of the Indian Army, to which reference is made, is a matter for the Government of India and that my right hon. Friend is pressing them for a decision. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no power to act as the hon. Member suggests.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these men have not received the increased pensions to which they are obviously entitled because there has been a dispute between the Government of India and His Majesty's Government as to who is liable? Is he not further aware that as these men have been reemployed by the British Army they are the responsibility of His Majesty's Government here, in respect of any increase in pension?

I fully sympathise with the officers concerned, and I recognise the differentiation as being disagreeable to them, but this is a matter which can only be settled as a result of conversations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of India, and I suggest that if the hon. Member desires a further answer he should put down a Question to my right hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question of these pensions was raised when the Government of India Act was before the House and consideration of the matter was then promised by the Government? Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman's colleague is responsible, and that these discussions have not been brought to an end?

That is so. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations is pressing for a decision, as I have already said, but the matter is not entirely in his hands.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if the claim of the officers for this extra pension is acknowledged and if the dispute is merely as to who is responsible for payment, could not payment be made in anticipation of a settlement and has not the right hon. Gentleman power to make that settlement?

There can be no question of acknowledgment of the claims except by the party concerned. I am afraid that we cannot make any grant in anticipation of that.

Is there not a precedent for His Majesty's Government taking over responsibility for such cases where there is a dispute between His Majesty's Government here and the Government of India, for example, the precedent of the judges?

If the hon. Member cares to send me the reference, I will examine it.

asked the Secretary of State for War why home passages are not provided for the wives of soldiers who marry overseas unless nine months have elapsed since the date of the marriage.

Normally passages for wives between the United Kingdom and overseas stations are not provided unless it is anticipated that the family will be united for at least nine months in the overseas area. A similar qualifying period is laid down in the case of local marriages in order to prevent inequality of treatment.

Is not one of the results of this rule that men who intend to marry overseas, rush into marrying instead of waiting, as perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would like them to do?

If in the opinion of the hon. Member there are cases of hardship, perhaps he will send me particulars of them. I will certainly consider them with sympathy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for exemption from Purchase Tax have been received by his Department during this year in respect of new articles which have been developed since the present Purchase Tax provisions were finalised; and what is the average length of time taken to consider each application.

I am not aware of any applications in respect of articles which have originated since the Purchase Tax provisions were finalised in July. 1948. But if the hon. Member means applications in respect of new varieties of articles existing before then, there have been a number. They are not separately recorded and the time taken to consider them would depend upon the circumstances.

In view of the Chancellor's apparent lack of knowledge of this aspect of his Department's working, would he investigate the delay which is occurring in relieving from Purchase Tax instantaneous gas water heaters fired by bottled gas, and ask his Department to hurry up in the matter?

I am quite aware of the position in regard to that matter.

In view of the difficulty in understanding the technical terms used by the Chancellor, would he give serious consideration to publishing a glossary of Treasury terms?

If the noble Lord would read the Oxford English Dictionary, he would find them all there.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Purchase Tax on tallies and labels used on export goods is hampering the sale of British goods in overseas markets, and whether he will reconsider the Purchase Tax on these articles.

Though I hardly think that the incidence of the tax on any consignment can be any appreciable handicap on the export trade, I will consider this at the next review of the Purchase Tax.

Will the Chancellor also consider making an order under Section 29 of the Finance Act, 1940, giving an allowance for tax paid in respect of Purchase Tax on tallies?

I will certainly consider that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions are proceeding with the United States and Canadian Governments regarding payment in sterling for imports from these countries; and if he will make a statement.