asked the Minister of Pensions why rent allowances, payable to widows of Service men who have lost their lives on war service, are withdrawn if these widows take in boarders.

The fact that a widow takes in boarders does not necessarily exclude her from receiving a rent allowance. Where, however, she has two or more boarders and thus obtains appreciable rent relief it is the practice to take into consideration their contributions.

Is not this rather silly in view of the housing shortage which is oppressing everybody at the present time? Surely it is in the interest of the Government to encourage people to take in the maximum number of boarders? Has the hon. Gentleman made any representations in that direction?

We think that the present arrangement is not ungenerous. but we are looking at it again.

Is it not preferable for widows who are really hard up to take in boarders than to have to go to the National Assistance Board?

How long has this practice continued? Can I have an answer?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Pensions to give further consideration to the request of the British Legion for an increase of war widows' pensions, because a large number of elderly war widows are finding it impossible to exist on a pension of 35s. a week.

The question of increasing the basic rates of these and other war pensions has recently been considered by the Government, and I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement on the subject made by the Chancellor in his Budget speech.

Is the Minister aware that the statement of the Chancellor was very disappointing and that in the recent debate in the House there was widespread sympathy on both sides for these widows? Cannot the matter be re-examined, as real hardship is being incurred by these people?

Not in the existing financial circumstances.

To what extent have these people benefited?

There have been increases in the rental allowances for widows.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the concern felt by the British Legion for a number of war widows who were married after their husbands suffered disablement and whose husbands subsequently died of their war disabilities, but who are not eligible for pension because death took place prior to 3rd September, 1939; and whether he will again look at the possibility of bringing such war widows under the Royal Warrant.

The Government have recently gone very carefully into this matter, but they regret that they are unable to give further retrospective effect to the provision introduced in 1946.

Can my hon. Friend advance some reason for this decision, because this is an obvious anomaly and there cannot be many people involved?

There are considerable difficulties. This matter has recently been fully discussed by the Ministry's Central Advisory Committee and the difficulties explained to the Committee, which is representative of most of the ex-Service organisations in the country.

Will the Minister make it clear that he is not calling in aid the Central Advisory Committee in his defence of this matter, because that would be a most awkward precedent in view of the secrecy of its proceedings?

No, Sir. I simply stated that the matter had been discussed with them and the difficulties explained to them.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman tell the House what are these difficulties?

Not by question and answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions what would be the additional cost to the Exchequer of granting to all other ranks the same rate of disability pension as is now paid to warrant officers, first class.

Approximately £10½ million per annum.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether or not the Government are in favour of the principle of granting equal compensation to people who have suffered similar disabilities?

There is no proposal at the moment for equal compensation. The ex-Service men's organisations are themselves not unanimous on the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions what proportion of disabled pensioners are at present receiving special allowances.

About 41,000 disablement pensioners, or nearly 6 per cent., are receiving one or more of the four main supplementary allowances, namely, for unemployability, constant attendance, comforts and lowered standard of occupation. About 41,500 allowances for wear and tear of clothing are also in payment.

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that life has become extremely hard for the other 94 per cent. Fortunately most of them are in employment, but they enjoy a very little increase of pension over pre-war pensions when the cost of living was much lower.

The great majority of war pensioners are fortunately in employment and the pensions and allowances for their wives and children are tax-free additions to their wages. I think that it is a very good commentary on the general state of the nation that only 6 per cent. of ex-Service men need these allowances.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can now make a further statement on raising the motor car allowance for the disabled.

My right hon. Friend has decided to increase to £52 10s. per annum the allowance towards maintenance and running expenses paid to those war pensioners to whom my Department has supplied motor cars. The increased allowance will take effect from 10th April, 1951, and application will not be necessary.

Thank you, Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that the Exhibition, "Tomorrow," at Lansbury, Poplar, is not proving as successful as it ought to be owing to the lack of publicity and lack of special transport from the South Bank Exhibition by road, rail and river; and whether he will take the necessary action to popularise this Festival of Britain Exhibition.

It is true that this Exhibition is not proving as popular as was hoped. In all the official Press advertising undertaken by the Festival Office, the Exhibition has had equal prominence with other Festival attractions.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is satisfied that the transport facilities are adequate. The river bus service, which serves the South Bank Exhibition site and the Festival Pleasure Gardens, regularly calls at the West India Dock Pier, and a regular bus service runs past the pier to within a very short distance of the Exhibition.

I should welcome any help in popularising this extremely valuable Exhibition, which, I agree, deserves much more public support.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether or not this particular Exhibition is being advertised at the South Bank Exhibition and the Festival Gardens; and, secondly, can he say whether or not any of the Royal Family have, as yet, visited the Poplar Exhibition—if not, will he make suggestions to the appropriate quarters?

I am not sure whether the second half of the question is in order, but I think that the answer is "No." With regard to the first part, I am afraid that I shall have to find out. I think it is quite certain that it is advertised; but I will look into it.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the direction notices to this Exhibition are really effective? It is a very fine Exhibition, but the complaint I get from people is that it is hard to find because there are not sufficient directional notices.

I will look at that. I have been down there myself and I had no difficulty finding it.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has answered that part of this Question which relates to transport facilities, is it to be assumed in future that Questions to Ministers about transport will be answered provided that Members do not commit the error of putting them down to the Minister of Transport?

I should not have thought so. I merely thought it appropriate to give the House as much information as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many have attended this Exhibition and, in relation to the second part of the supplementary question by the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. A. Lewis), whether it is not a fact that the members of the Royal Family are grossly overworked?

Obviously, I cannot pursue that.

Surely it has been long held in this House that no one may bring into debates or discussions, or introduce by way of questions and answers, the position of the Royal Family? I would ask for a Ruling on this matter, Mr. Speaker.

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman. The first question I regret, and the second one I regret all the more.

May I say to the House that what I did was through lack of knowledge, and that if I have done anything wrong I withdraw and apologise for it.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is intended to increase the amount of publicity at present given to the South Bank Exhibition with a view to increasing the attendances during the remaining period for which it is to be open.

No, Sir. The news value of the South Bank Exhibition has tended to over-shadow the merits and attractions of some of the other Festival Exhibitions, like the Exhibition of Science and Books at South Kensington and the Exhibition of Architecture at Lansbury, Poplar.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient publicity has been given generally to the Exhibition in the United States, in view of the fact that there has been a disappointing number of visitors from that part of the world?

I think it has, but the others are not so successful, because there are not so many lights and attractions and people do not go to them quite so easily.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will arrange with the South Bank Exhibition authorities that where advance block bookings are made on behalf of organised parties, and where such arrangements have to be cancelled unavoidably, money for the tickets may be refunded, providing the tickets are returned before the date on which they are valid.

One of the conditions of sale printed on the South Bank Exhibition advance tickets is that no money will be refunded. This is normal practice. I think the rule must continue to apply to organised parties as well as to individual purchasers. But every rule has its exceptions, and the Festival Office are prepared to consider applications for refunds in cases of special difficulty or hardship.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why it has been decided not to fly the Welsh flag at the South Bank Exhibition; whether he is aware of the indignation caused by this decision; whether he has consulted the Welsh Festival Committee; and what action he proposes to take.

Only the Union Jack and the Festival flag are flying on the flagstaffs at the South Bank Exhibition. There is, however, a display of flags outside the Lion and Unicorn Pavillion; this consists of the Union Jack and its flag components. I understand that as a gesture to the Welsh Choir, which was giving a performance in the Royal Festival Hall on 19th May, the Welsh flag was added to this display. Although I am advised that it is heraldically inappropriate, this step was so much appreciated that it has now been decided to include the Welsh flag permanently.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered flying the Red flag in order to help the fellow travellers on the other side of the House to find their way to Morrison's Folly?

I had not thought of that, but now that the hon. Gentleman has suggested it I will put it to the Festival authorities.

Would the right hon. Gentleman see that amid all the illuminations on the South Bank the Union Jack is in future illuminated and spotlighted at night?

I thought that it was, but I will have another look at it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give an undertaking that soldiers arriving in Malaya from the United Kingdom shall receive not less than six weeks' training before commencing active operations in the jungle.

It is the policy of the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Land Forces, that reinforcements should not be sent on operations before they have been in the Command four weeks for acclimatisation and for training in the tasks they are likely to perform in jungle operations. The Commander-in-Chief has been asked to investigate the desirability of increasing the length of training of reinforcements in Malaya. He has, however, advised against it.

Does the Secretary of State recall that some 10 weeks ago the Under-Secretary of State informed the House that he would look into this matter? Does he not think he ought to have informed the House without a Question having to be put down to get further information?

No, Sir. The matter has been looked into and, as I have just said, the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Land Forces, has been consulted in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War why National Service men in British Army of the Rhine are not allowed the free travel vouchers for local leave which are granted to Regular soldiers, in addition to the two United Kingdom vouchers.

Leave rules for Regular soldiers and National Service men in Germany are on a different basis. Regular soldiers who are entitled to a total of three free warrants a year may take local leave in addition to up to two home leaves a year. National Service men do not receive local leave in addition to home leave. Under current rules they may, however, take local leave together with free travel warrants within the four authorised for their whole-time service if they are not entitled to home leave, or if they do not wish to come home.

That is rather an involved statement which I find difficult to absorb. Could it be made clear to the National Service man that he is entitled to two home leaves and a free voucher, but not to one free leave voucher in addition?

I will gladly try to make the position clear. We are not denying that there is an advantage to the Regular.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the recent draft of the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, who embarked for overseas service, had not had embarkation leave before their departure.

None, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I can give him the name of at least one Service man who has not had any? Is he further aware that as a result of the intervention of my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) and myself 17 men were removed from a draft at the very last moment, and are being flown out now, because they had no leave at all during their military service?

I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will give me the name of the soldier who was denied embarkation leave, because I am advised there is no such case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it a personal matter to look into these cases?

indicated assent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many days of embarkation leave these troops have had and if all get exactly the same amount?

No, Sir. This was a draft which was sent out as a matter of some urgency owing to the losses suffered by the Gloucestershire Regiment and some of them had shortened periods of embarkation leave. It varied in each case.

Can the right hon. Gentlemen say was the minimum amount of leave these men had?

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has in hand to improve the amenities for the troops of the Middle East Land Forces in the Canal Zone.

Amenities in the Suez Canal Zone have been improved. Some further improvements are being carried out locally from public and non-public welfare funds. In the case of Middle East Land Forces, grants from such funds have amounted to some £18,000 in the last 12 months. Some £600,000 is being spent in the current year in providing additional married quarters and making improvements to single accommodation and communal establishments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that every possible speed is made particularly with the provision of better temporary married quarters, and will he ensure, in spite of the many pressing problems with which his Department is confronted at the present time, that the needs of the M.E.L.F. are not forgotten?

I quite agree with the hon. Gentleman. This is one of the most difficult problems which face us, but the figures show that active steps are being taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the end of the war there was a very considerable semiofficial welfare fund called "The Canal Area Welfare Fund"? Is it still in existence?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army intelligence personnel are employed on service in Korea.

Thirty-eight.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it has been found necessary for 21046748 Frank Leonard Clark, who lives at Cudham, Kent, to go to Dover, some 65 miles away, for his medical examination on 14th June, and then to proceed, on 11th August, to New-quay, some 290 miles away, for his 14 days' Z Reserve training; to what extent this is general practice; and, in view of the deteriorating economic situation, if he will make more economical arrangements in the interests of the taxpayer.

Wherever other factors have allowed, Class Z reservists have been posted to Territorial Army units near their homes in the hope that some will undertake voluntary engagements with these units. Mr. Clark is posted to the Inns of Court Regiment, which is the nearest Territorial Army unit of his Corps. He must therefore train with that unit, although its place of training for this year is Newquay. With regard to his medical examination, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, who asked me to thank the hon. Member for drawing his attention to this case, that the instruction to Mr. Clark to report to Dover for medical examination was issued in error; he will be examined at Lewisham which, I am told, meets his convenience.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the taxpayers of Britain are fed up with this groundnut mentality?

The hon. Gentleman has mentioned "the deteriorating economic situation."

Hear, hear.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication of the depths to which the country would have sunk economically if the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) and his Friends—if any—

That is not a question asking for information.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men over 40 years of age are being called as Z reservists this year; and what is the percentage of the total.

Approximately 4,000, or about 2 per cent. of the total, being recalled.

In consideration of the fact that 1,250,000 National Service men have been trained since 1945, why is it necessary to call up any man over the age of 40?

Because this is a specialised call-up. For example, in the case of Anti-Aircraft Command certain individuals of that age—they are only 2 per cent. of the total—are extremely valuable because they are experienced in the technical functions for which they are needed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department has any intention of compensating Class Z reservists called-up for 15 days' training, who are self-employed, for the financial loss which this further call for National Service will involve.

No. Sir. Self-employed men may apply for exemption from recall on grounds of exceptional financial hardship, but if the appeal is not allowed no compensation can be authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps can be taken to see that Z reservists recalled for 15 days' training are engaged on military training suited to their qualifications and experience and not engaged throughout as mess waiters, as in the case of A.694827 Gunner J. B. Lindsay.

War Office instructions provide that no distinction should be made between Z reservists and others in the allocation of essential administrative duties. These are, however, kept to an absolute minimum except where the individual's normal employment is as cook, driver, clerk, etc. The maximum use is to be made of civilians as mess, cookhouse and sanitary orderlies and a special increment of civilians is authorised to assist units in carrying out these instructions.

Will the Secretary of State bear in mind that these Z reservists have been called to the Colours often at grave loss to individuals and serious dislocation to industry? Will he not have regard to the desirability, to say the least of it, of these men being so employed that their readiness for battle is improved and their time not wasted as mess waiters?

I cannot agree that there is waste of time in Z reservist camps. From my personal experience I think that the administrative duties have been kept to a very low limit indeed.

In view of the fact that my right hon. Friend told the House earlier this afternoon that this call-up is a specialised one, is he seeking to tell us that the 15 days is spent in mess waiting?

Answer.

I will give my hon. Friend, if he likes, details of what happened in this case. The man was called up as a driver, three drivers were allotted to this unit, and only two vehicles were available. [Laughter.] That man, who was from this walk of life in civilian life, was so employed in the mess and I cannot regard that case as a scandal.

Is waiting in the mess an administrative duty?

Is the Secretary of State aware that that is a complete contradiction of what he told the House in a recent debate when he said that the object of this call-up was to create teams? Will he say what sort of team a mess waiter is in?

I have told the House exactly how this arose, and I see nothing, to be ashamed of.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now given further consideration to the possible advantages of forming something in the nature of a foreign legion as part of the regular British Forces.

This matter has been most carefully considered, but the position remains as stated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 19th September, 1950.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many men who fought with us during the war who, for one reason or another, find it difficult or impossible to join their own national forces and would be ready to give loyal and useful service as members of the armed Forces of this country?

We debated this matter on a recent Private Member's Day. There is a great deal to be said on both sides. I cannot enter into a debate on the subject now.

Would it not be possible to use some of the 90,000 Polish veterans, the finest soldiers in this world?

Oh.

The Royal Ulster Rifles might take exception to the hon. Gentleman's statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider what the Royal Air Force has done in this direction with the Assyrian levies in Iraq? Is there not some possibility that similar troops may be raised now?

I should not like to exclude the possibility of raising further forces from Colonies and dependent areas. In fact, I think I have indicated that there are real possibilities in that.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the Treasury questionnaire on the cost of living used to determine whether or not a local overseas allowance should be granted to His Majesty's forces overseas:

(2) what are the specific items of expenditure on which decisions concerning the granting of local overseas allowances are based.

I will, with permission, answer Questions Nos. 20 and 29 together.

On a point of order. May I ask for information, Mr. Speaker? An hon. Member may have two Questions down and not agree that they are the same type of Question. Am I in order in asking whether I may protest against the suggestion of the Minister that both should be answered together?

Yes, the hon. Member is in order. She may get the same answer to each Question, but I cannot help that.

Even so, may I have them taken separately, Mr. Speaker?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would care to hear the answer first? The answer is: I presume that my hon. Friend has in mind the questionnaire issued by the Service Departments. It is a very long document, but I am arranging for two copies to be placed in the Library of the House. The assessment of local overseas allowances takes into account expenditure on toilet requisites, haircutting, postage, newspapers, stationery, drinks, cigarettes, transport, recreational activities, civilian clothing, laundry and shoe repairs, outside meals, holidays and, in the case of personnel accompanied by their families, expenditure on food and household maintenance.

My right hon. Friend has been good enough to give me a copy of this questionnaire. Might I ask him if, in addition to the facts he has already stated, it does not include practically every conceivable phase of living, except that obtaining in Korea, under items such as cinemas, restaurant prices, club membership and so on? Would my right hon. Friend not agree that there should be either a different form of questionnaire or a different form of overseas allowances for men serving in places like Korea, where conditions have never been harder?

The local overseas allowance, as my hon. Friend has suggested, is given in respect of the higher cost of living over this very wide field. It is true that in Korea there is very little a soldier can spend his money on, except at the N.A.A.F.I. A comparison of N.A.A.F.I. prices in Korea has been given in the House on several occasions in the past, and I do not think that N.A.A.F.I. prices in Korea, taking one item with another, compare badly with the prices in this country.

Is the Secretary of State aware that what it boils down to, so far as the troops in Korea are concerned, is that they find themselves paying higher N.A.A.F.I. prices because there is not a super-cinema in Korea which will justify a higher allowance?

I cannot agree that they are paying higher N.A.A.F.I. prices. I should have thought that the prices already given to the House, taking into account important factors like cigarettes. are not higher.

Is it not a fact that last week-end the Secretary of State for War was advocating on Labour platforms a higher Socialist society? Will he instead look after the conditions of British troops?

I do not think that the two occupations are incompatible in any way.

Then make them compatible.

Was it the Treasury questionnaire which the Commander-in-Chief in Korea was asked to answer when he specially wrote to the Minister about a further overseas allowance in Korea, or was it a special questionnaire sent by the Secretary of State for War himself?

No, Sir. He had this questionnaire in front of him, and we asked him to give his opinion on the matter. He did so in a telegram.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I sent him some weeks back a whole list of N.A.A.F.I. prices which were far in excess of those being charged here? Will he look at it and let me have a reply?

I did give a reply to my hon. Friend in the House. It is in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a list of comparative N.A.A.F.I. prices. Although some are higher, some are considerably lower.

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations there have been from officers commanding units in Korea to higher authority for the issue of overseas allowances to men fighting in Korea.

So far as I am aware, no such representations have been made.

Is the Minister aware that I have received many representations from junior officers who are finding it extremely difficult to live? Will he please see that this is implemented?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me have any representations that he has received.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the specific items of expenditure on which decisions concerning the granting of local overseas allowances are based.

I have already given my hon. Friend a full list of these items in answer to Question No. 20. It is a long list, and it will appear in the Library. She will see that practically all the items of personal expenditure are taken into account.

I persisted in asking for a separate answer so that I might have your permission, Mr. Speaker, to ask a further supplementary question. Does the Secretary of State for War realise that in the N.A.A.F.I. lists which were published in HANSARD on 27th February at column 1912 there were 19 articles and that for those 19 articles the man in Korea paid 1s. 7d. less; in other words ld. less for each article. Presumably that was why he was not qualified for a local overseas allowance. In making a comparison between the hardships experienced by men stationed in Hong Kong and men stationed in Korea, will he adopt some other basis for determining allowances for the men stationed in Korea?

That raises the question of another form of allowance—a campaign allowance, campaign pay, danger money, or something of that sort—and that is another question. It raises a very important issue of principle, and there are grave objections to that course.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman get a much better view of this matter if he were to send a few copies of the questionnaire out to Korea to be filled up by the troops, whose clarity of expression is well-known?

Does not the whole difficulty in this matter arise from the persistent refusal of the Government to recognise the fact that we are fighting a war in Korea and, in consequence, our men are treated there worse than in any other war?

It is precisely because the tradition of the British Army is against special campaign pay, though there have been instances of it, and against special rewards for being on active service, that the question of principle I mentioned just now arises.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Territorial Officers recalled for their fortnight's training receive railway warrants for third-class travel only, when serving officers are expected to travel first-class.

Territorial officers proceeding to camp are normally entitled to first-class travel. If the hon. Member will let me have details of the case he has in mind, I will look into it.

I have here a letter from one who was sent a third-class voucher. What more does the right hon. Gentleman want?

asked the Secretary of State for War what other semi-automatic or automatic rifles, whether in prototype or in production, were considered for use by the British Army when the 280 rifle was decided upon; of what bore they are; and how these rifles compare in weight, ease of production and efficiency with the 280 rifle.

The War Department is fully aware of all small arms production and development being carried out by North Atlantic Treaty Nations. Before reaching the decision to adopt a rifle of the new calibre for the British Army, all this information was taken into account. I cannot give details of developments and research in other countries, but I am satisfied that the rifle and ammunition which we are now adopting are in every way the best available.

Does not the ri9lit hon. Gentleman think that there would he a certain advantage from the point of view of both Army morale and the interests of the country in giving a little more information about these matters?

I think that at the appropriate time it is quite possible to give a little more information, but I understood from the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition that we were to debate the matter in the House.

Will my right hon. Friend make available a specimen of the new rifle so that hon. Members may examine it?

Is not one of the objects of the North Atlantic Treaty to make our weapons and equipment similar to those of our Allies in the Commonwealth and elsewhere? Why has this great step been taken in the opposite direction?

There is no doubt that standardisation is most valuable and desirable, but it should not be all one way. We consider that we are producing a rifle which will perhaps be generally admitted to be the best that has ever been produced. Why should not other people standardise on our rifle?

The supplementary question did not arise out of the main Question. The Question merely asked what semi-automatic or automatic rifles were considered. General considerations are not in order.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the gallantry shown by the Gloucestershire Regiment in Korea, he will consider some special recognition of their services there.

Yes, Sir.

Does not the Minister realise that every camp-follower in Korea will get the normal United Nations medal? Does he not think that our gallant troops there deserve some special recognition?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman's Question referred to the Gloucestershire Regiment. In that respect we are considering special recognition.

When the right hon. Gentleman considers any special recognition, will he remember that the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, together with the Gloucesters, held forward positions in the Brigade area on the day the Gloucesters suffered so many casualties and that, although they were luckier than the Gloucesters, the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers shared the heat and burden of the day?

I appreciate the hon. Member's statement. At first sight everyone was anxious to give special recognition to the Gloucestershire Regiment. There are, of course, other formations that have performed with the utmost gallantry in Korea, and a balance has to be kept.

How soon will the right hon. Gentleman be able to announce the form that this recognition will take?

We have had a recommendation from the Honours and Awards Committee. The matter has to go before His Majesty before anything can be done. I trust that we shall not have any undue delay.

In view of the importance of that statement, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he could have uttered it earlier?

asked the Secretary of State for War why officers fighting in Korea are called upon to pay Purchase Tax for battle dress.

It is normal for officers to pay Purchase Tax on battle dress. The outfit allowances which officers receive and the tax free element in their pay for the upkeep of uniform cover Purchase Tax on all items of uniform in the authorised scales, including battle dress.

Surely the Minister does not suggest that an officer who may be crawling through barbed wire in Korea can be classed in the same category in this matter as an officer who is in this country? Does he not agree that officers who are on active service should get their uniforms free of Purchase Tax?

If there was a case, I think it would have to be made out for an increased allowance, but it can be considered.

Is not battle dress a utility garment? Surely Purchase Tax should not have to be paid on it?

I should want notice of that question. I think it is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Is it not the duty of the Minister to think out these things for himself?

Surely Purchase Tax is not paid on exported articles? Are not these battle dresses exported?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the footpath leading from Dreghorn Loan, Colinton, to the Pentlands has been closed to the public; and whether he will make a statement.

This footpath passes over War Department land and is not a public right of way, but for some years the War Department have allowed the public to use it. Recently persons using the footpath have trespassed on the adjoining land, looted and damaged War Department property and interrupted firing on the ranges. It has therefore been closed to the public. The War Department are taking up with the local authority and the Public Rights of Way Association the possibility of reopening the footpath with appropriate safeguards.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to amend Clause 8 of the form of attestation used in the case of voluntary enlistment so as to make clear that the right of discharge by purchase within three months of attestation is in abeyance.

No, Sir. This ban is only a temporary measure. The recruiting staff are, however, being instructed to ensure that the attention of volunteers is drawn to the fact that discharge by purchase is at present in abeyance.

In view of the last part of that answer, does the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the absence of any such explanation the conditions on the form are somewhat misleading? Will he reconsider any individual cases in which the warning was not given and in which there is some chance that the man was misled?

If the hon. Gentleman has an individual case in mind. I will consider it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider simplifying the whole of the attestation form, which, to my certain knowledge over the last 40 years, is very involved and is difficult for a young recruit to understand?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise the danger of giving this information orally? Would it not be better to give the man a printed slip bearing the warning so that it could be proved that the man had been warned?

That is certainly worth considering.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action His Majesty's Government has taken to clarify the position of German civilians performing transport and other duties with British Divisions in Germany, with a view to ensuring that they will be available for active service in the event of hostilities in that theatre.

German civilians employed by the British Army in Germany have the right, as civilians, to withdraw their services after giving the appropriate period of notice. Measures to deal with the situation which would arise in the event of hostilities in Western Europe have been prepared, but it would not be in the public interest for me to give details.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say definitely whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to try to secure the continued services of these German civilians in the event of hostilities; if so, whether the measures to which he refers have been drawn up in agreement with the German Government whose co-operation would obviously be necessary?

I should not like to go into this complicated and somewhat delicate question in answer to Questions, but certainly there is no suggestion of dismissing these men on the outbreak of hostilities.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that, until this matter is clarified, the state of readiness of our divisions in Germany remains in doubt?

I discussed this matter on a recent visit to Germany with the headquarters authorities of British Rhine Army, and I was satisfied with the preparations they were making.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it must be very unsatisfactory for these Divisions, which are supposed to be in a high state of readiness, to be utterly dependent on German civilians? Could he not look into this question very urgently?

The question has been looked into and very careful work is being done at the headquarters of British Rhine Army on it. But there are grave objections to, for example, the replacement of all this civilian labour by British Army labour. That would be a retrograde movement in the proportion between teeth and tail. Therefore, it is not a simple matter.

Will the Minister say how long it would take to put these plans into operation, because time is most important in Germany?

I cannot be drawn into that.

The right hon. Gentleman ought to know.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise the issue of space-heating units to British Forces in Korea before next winter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to prevent a repetition of the serious shortage of space-heating equipment for British troops in Korea in the event of another winter campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made to provide space-heaters for men fighting in Korea during the winter months.

The most suitable space-heater for use in Korea has proved to be the Yukon stove, an American product. We have now arranged with the United States authorities that they will provide a sufficient number of these stoves for all British troops in Korea in time for next winter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has applied this to the whole of the British Army, because this problem will occur wherever British soldiers are called upon to fight in snow-bound conditions?

That is a much wider question.

It is an important one.

It is an important question, but I cannot answer it without notice. I can say that we have discussed in the War Office this question of space-heating because, undoubtedly, experience in the Korean War has shown its importance.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in view of the fact that presumably these space-heating units require the expenditure of dollars, he has made any attempt to get them manufactured in England?

Of course we have considered that.

asked the Secretary of State for War what payments are now being made to wives of officers and other ranks who have been reported missing during operations in Korea.

Provided that marriage allowance was in issue at the date of the casualty, the wives of officers reported missing receive marriage allowance plus two-sevenths of the officer's pay; the wives of other ranks continue to receive the marriage allowance and allotments in issue at the date of the casualty. The period during which these payments may continue is limited at present to 52 weeks from the date on which the relatives are notified of the casualty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the payment of only two-sevenths of the pay in addition to the marriage allowance is causing considerable hardship amongst a number of the wives of officers who are missing, who have still to bear the expense of educating children, for which probably their husbands made special allowance out of their pay? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this scale of allowances in order to prevent that hardship in the future?

I see that there may be difficulties in Korea in view of the long periods in which the officer or man is missing and we do not know whether he has been killed or is a prisoner of war. If the hon. Member will give me examples, I should he glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what housing provision he makes for the wives of soldiers who are occupying married quarters if their husbands die or are killed on active service.

The provision of housing for the widows of deceased soldiers is the responsibility of the local authorities. Such widows are, however, permitted to remain in married quarters for a reasonable period while they are endeavouring to secure civilian accommodation.

Is the Minister aware that the fact that these people are in Army accommodation precludes them from getting on to local housing lists and that they have no claims whatever to go on those lists, with the result that the chances of their getting housing are, therefore, nil?

No, that is not the position. It is true that it would be quite possible, but unreasonable, immediately to evict these widows, but that is never done. Long periods of notice are given, and no final eviction action is taken before the cases come personally to me.

Without in any way interfering with the affairs of local authorities, will the Minister see whether the War Office could not inform the local authorities that certain married families are requiring civil accommodation, in order to try to encourage the local authorities provide it?

We keep in close touch with the local authorities.

If it is the responsibility of local authorities to provide this accommodation, are they permitted to build additional houses for that purpose, or are they limited to the number which has already been settled?

asked the Secretary of State for War what reduction has taken place in the cost of commodities in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes canteens in Korea during the past two weeks.

The cost prices for a large number of commodities have been steadily rising during the past two or three months and continue to do so. It has therefore been impossible to reduce prices. But the Board of Management have decided to defer any increases for the time being.

In view of the fact that my right hon. Friend finds it impossible to alter the overseas rate, could he not make some offer of subsidy for this department in order that prices shall be lower?

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that N.A.A.F.I. have just published their annual accounts showing huge profits, and would he not suggest that they give some of those huge profits back in the way of subsidies?

It is not suggested that N.A.A.F.I. profits go to private shareholders or anything of that sort. As my hon. Friend knows, they are all used for Army purposes and amenities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the sentences of the courts-martial in the case of the soldiers who recently escaped from Maryhill Barracks have yet been confirmed.