asked the Minister of Food by how much the cost of rations for a family of four has risen since October, 1951; what action is being taken to reduce the cost of food; and when it is expected that this will be effective.

Rations for a week at present levels for a family of four, including one child under five years of age, now cost about 3s. 9d. more than they would have cost in October, 1951. On the basis of ration levels at October, 1951, the increase would be rather less.

As regards the other matters raised in the Question. I would refer the hon. Member to the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on 21st October.

But will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not answer that part of the Question that was not answered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which asks when it is expected that this will be effective—that is, when the cost of living will be reduced? Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman deny or denounce the figures in the "Financial Times" which show that from 24th October, 1951, until the end of August, 1952, for a family of four the increase was from 16s. 10d. to 22s. 2½d.—an increase of nearly 32 per cent.? Have not this Government a very miserable performance in keeping promises?

The figures I gave are the correct figures for the period about which the hon. Gentleman asks. So far as his other questions are concerned, he will observe that my right hon. Friend said that there were indications of a more stable basis, and if he would care to look at the cost-of-living index he will find that, even with the increase due to the increase in October, food is below what it was in July.

asked the Minister of Food what food prices have been reduced since 1st August, 1952; and in what foods price reductions can be expected in the next few months.

I hope we may have a more reasonable answer to this Question.

It depends upon what the hon. Gentleman means by "reasonable." I am not sure whether he means reasonable to him or to me.

Between 12th August and 14th October, the latest date for which the Interim Index information is available, there were reductions in the average prices of fruit and vegetables, canned ham and tea. As regards the second part of the Question, I would again refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's remarks.

Ought not the Government to be congratulated on having in one year checked the steep rise in the cost of living?

asked the Minister of Food if he will now conduct a survey into the increased prices of all grocery and household items released from control in order to ascertain accurately the real increase in the cost of living.

No, Sir. The Interim Index of Retail Prices already provides an accurate measure of the effect of price changes on the cost of living.

Is the Minister aware that the Interim Index of Retail Prices never gives details? It certainly does not give details of items which have been released from control, and the housewives are complaining that there are about 95 such items of food. The Interim Index does not reflect this position.

The hon. Lady ought to appreciate that the Index which we are using at present was put forward as a result of the very careful examination carried out by an advisory committee which was set up by the last Administration and first came into operation in January of this year. In passing, I would say that the hon. Lady and some of her hon. Friends are only too happy to use the Index if they think it is to their political advantage.

asked the Minister of Food the average weekly delivery of bacon pigs taken by his Department in May and September, 1952.

The number of pigs used for bacon production was about 73,000 a week in May and 77,000 a week in September.

asked the Minister of Food when he expects to receive the report from the White Fish Authority concerning the cost of fish distribution.

I understand that it will take the Authority some months to complete its investigations.

That is bad luck for the housewives. Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the consumers want an inquiry into the actual distribution and not only into the cost? Is he aware that in a small town like Grimsby, for example, telegraphing costs almost as much as in a town like Manchester, and that many of the big firms spend between £250 and £300 a week on telegrams, which adds to the cost of inflation? Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that that should be taken into account?

The cost of telegraphing is an important part in the sale of the fish, and becomes a very big item, as I know from the case of other towns with which I am acquainted. As regards distribution, the White Fish Authority is now looking into cost, which is important in distribution.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman really telling the women of this country that it is necessary to spend £300 a week on telegrams to find out if they want fish?

I think that is one of the things being investigated. I think the hon. Lady will find, when the investigation is published, that it is not quite so simple as she makes it out to be.

Is the right hon and gallant Gentleman aware that the White Fish Authority was set up to bring, quickly and effectively, order out of chaos in the white fish industry, and that there has been undue delay? What is he doing in the meantime to protect the fishermen and consumers of fish in this country?

The hon. and learned Gentleman will appreciate that a complete knowledge of the facts is an important prerequisite before action is taken, and it is the facts that the White Fish Authority is engaged on ascertaining at the moment.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that in Grimsby and Hull the number of port wholesalers is in the region of 1,000; and, as this adds considerably to the cost of fish in the shops, if the Government will take steps to introduce a minimum price at the ports and a maximum one at the shops between which the wholesalers, inland markets and retailers would need to operate.

The costs of distribution of fish are among the matters under examination by the White Fish Authority. The disadvantages and difficulties of price control on fish are a matter of hard experience, as the late Government no doubt discovered before they removed it.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the large number of wholesalers in most distributive trades influences the cost, and is he further aware that in my city of Coventry skilled workers are declared redundant? Is there any reason why surplus wholesalers should not also be declared redundant?

As the hon. Lady was told earlier on in Question time, this matter is now being investigated. It is quite useless to try to take action until we know the results of the investigation.

asked the Minister of Food on what date he received a telegram from the Agriculture Minister of Ontario Province offering 10 million lb. of Canadian cheese for Christmas; and what was the nature of his reply.

asked the Minister of Food what answer he has given to the offer made by Canada of 10 million lb. of top quality cheese which could be delivered to this country before Christmas; and if he will make a statement.

The offer was received on 6th November, and on the same day I sent the following reply:

"I very much wish I could accept your offer of Ontario cheese, but, as you know, our financial position does not permit this expenditure of dollars. I look forward to the time when we have built up our economic position and can turn to you again for this valuable food."

We are all very sorry indeed that we are not in the financial position to be able to get this cheese. Is the Minister aware of the fact that when the Labour Government were in office and these facts were put to the people the Opposition at that time kept pooh-poohing any idea that there were currency restrictions that stood in the way? Are we now to take it that after 12 months in office the Minister is just seeing the error of his ways during the last six or seven years?

I appreciate the fact that the hon. Gentleman says that his party are sorry at the position we are in, and we shall try to do something about it.

Is the Minister aware that cheese is a very valuable protein food, and in view of the increase in the wholesale prices, could he not spare the dollars for this very valuable food?

I cannot add anything to the last sentence of my telegram to Ontario, that when we are in a position to do so we shall be only too glad to buy it.

asked the Minister of Food, in view of the figures he gave in reply to a question on 20th October, and in view of the difficulty of increasing the cheese ration from non-dollar sources, if he will consider importing larger quantities of dried and tinned liquid milk products, preferably from Empire countries, so that a higher proportion of home-produced milk can be diverted to cheese making.

Dried and canned milk are mainly manufactured during the season when cheese factories are already working to capacity. Even if it were possible therefore to increase imports this would not release significant quantities of milk for the production of more cheese.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend not agree that any effort to increase our cheese ration from home-produced milk would be worthy of investigation? Could he not undertake to see if some improvement could be found?

I certainly would, but, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, at the moment they are working to full capacity, and he will realise that we are making a quite considerable amount more cheese than before the war.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of rationed cheese consumed per ration book for the period 31st October, 1951, to 31st October, 1952; and the corresponding amount for the period 31st October. 1950, to 31st October, 1951.

About 5¼ lb. and 7¾ lb., respectively.

In view of this marked difference, does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that all these imports are matters of priority and it is about time the Ministry of Food got a higher priority? Against this background there is no excuse for not taking Canadian cheese.

Would the Minister agree that the cheese we are having this year is being paid for out of our national earnings, whereas last year we had to pay for it out of reserves and the money we used was not earned?

Would the Minister not agree that there is a very important nutritional and health point of view in this matter? Will he not use the advice of his own committee and that of the Ministry of Health to bring pressure on the Treasury for a larger allocation of dollars so that we can have a little more cheese?

I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman that cheese has a very high nutritional value. I constantly look for opportunities to get particularly this type of commodity into the country.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now make a statement about the marketing of eggs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton) on 17th November.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend have in mind that in this country most of the people have grown up now and that it is a good thing for them to have the choice of whether they want to spend their money on eggs or football pools or cigarettes, and that if he will allow the law of supply and demand to operate he will, within a very short time, get more eggs at lower prices?

All that is borne in mind. I hope to make a statement very shortly.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will ensure that eggs are not de-rationed until adequate supplies are available.

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await a statement which I hope to be able to make shortly.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman actually contemplates the possibility of de-controlling the sale of eggs at the present time when adequate supplies are not available? If so, he will earn the approbrium of being the first Minister to put a 10d. egg on the market, which will be a very cruel depredation.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman had better still wait to hear what I have to say, but I rather gather that he is in favour of getting rid of controls.

When will the Minister and hon. Members and the public realise that controls are the cause of shortages, and that if we restrict consumption we restrict production? We cannot effectively ration eggs. They will always be sold on what is called the "black market"—and good luck to them.

asked the Minister of Food (1) the present cost per annum of the egg scheme;

(2) how many persons are employed in carrying on the egg scheme.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 30th October.

Is the Minister really convinced that this scheme is now necessary or serving a useful purpose?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement.

asked the Minister of Food the average estimated delay under the egg scheme from the time the eggs leave the farm until they are bought by the consumer.

Between 12 and 14 days, including the 10 days during which the eggs may be in the hands of the retailer or the wholesaler, or in transit.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say why, whenever I have asked a question recently on the subject of eggs, he has made a statement to the effect that I am in favour of de-controlling the sale of eggs? What authority has he for making that statement?

I was under the impression that the hon. and gallant Gentleman had said that.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now state the decisions reached by Her Majesty's Government here in consultation with Her Majesty's Government in Queensland, on the future of the Queensland-British Food Corporation; and what will be the total cost of this State farming venture falling on the British taxpayer.

My consultations with the Queensland Government, which involve a number of different aspects of the Corporation's affairs, are still in progress. Our joint decisions will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food the age of the latest complete sugar-beet extraction plant in a British sugar-beet factory.

As different pieces of plant and equipment in each factory have been installed at different dates, it is impossible to state the age of all the plant in any single factory.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that a great deal of work has been done on prototype machinery? Is he further aware that if we have factories equipped with new machinery, not only will it benefit the home consumers and produce more sugar, but we shall also be able to sell sugar-making machinery in the export market?

I appreciate that. I should like to point out that I think that our industry as a whole compares very favourably with the United States of America, for example. I understand that even in that country they are scrapping some of their plant in favour of what we have now got here.

asked the Minister of Food if he can now give details of the Argentine meat negotiations; when these talks are likely to be concluded; and what prospect there is of an increase in the amount and price of the basic meat ration resulting from these negotiations.

As the House knows, these negotiations cover a wide range of trade matters as well as meat. They are continuing in a friendly atmosphere. Considerable progress has been made, but before a final settlement can be reached a number of important issues have to be settled.

I should at the same time like to let the House know about our prospective supplies of meat this winter. As is normal at this season, supplies of home-killed meat are falling sharply. This will require some reduction in the ration. I propose to reduce it to 1s. 8d. on 30th November and am glad to say that, thanks to prospects of greatly improved supplies from Australia, I hope to be able to maintain it at this level through the winter irrespective of supplies from Argentina.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that all the housewives of this country will regret the latter part of his answer? Is he further aware that during the whole of these negotiations the Opposition have not in any way tried to embarrass the Government as the previous Opposition did when we were in power? Does he not think it is about time that the Government should try to get some settlement? Does he not think the houswives are entitled to have a decent ration, and will he not try to expedite these talks?

asked the Minister of Minister of Food what saving in manpower and in money has resulted to his Department from the de-rationing of tea.

About 375 staff by mid-November. The saving in salaries will be at the rate of about £135,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Food if he will introduce legislation to supplement the Food and Drugs Acts for the purpose of establishing a standard of hygiene in catering establishments.

I hope to do so as soon as Parliamentary business permits.

While appreciating the Minister's interest in this subject, may I ask him if it is possible for him to persuade his colleagues in the Government to let us have this important legislation by an early date?

As the hon. Gentleman appreciates, I shall do it as soon as I possibly can. In the meantime, we are keeping in close touch with the local authorities who are responsible for administering these Acts, and as to catering establishments, I hope that very shortly there will be published a handbook on hygiene which I hope will go to every local authority in the country.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that if the Opposition had not wasted several hours last night we might have got the Bill through?

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether due regard will be had in any proposed legislation, not only to the question of clean food and clean handling, but also to the safety of food with reference to possible additions of suspected chemicals?

Yes, I think every aspect will be considered. In fact, all the preparatory work has already been done.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the Bill is already drafted and could quite well be taken upstairs?

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the sugar beet factories in the north of England are unable to cope with beet supplies from the south, he will consider the erection of a new sugar beet factory in the south of England.

No beet grown in the south has ever been refused for lack of processing capacity, but in any event the need to limit capital investment at present prevents the building of another sugar beet factory.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this project, by increasing the production of sugar in this country, would be a prime dollar saver and would also improve the prospect of de-rationing of sugar?

The building of a sugar-beet factory is a very considerable capital venture. At the moment, in view of the capital investment position, we are using what capital is available for improving existing facilities.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that unless the South does get a sugar-beet factory in the early future the sugar-beet area in the South will go completely out of production, with very serious consequences to the sugar supplies of this country?

As I have said, the problem is that we are in a difficulty with regard to capital expenditure. The other difficulty is that it is not the South that is the only part of Britain which needs a sugar-beet factory.

asked the Minister of Food if he will issue licences to responsible local organisations to authorise the roasting of a whole ox as part of their celebrations during Coronation week.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in order to assist advanced planning, he will give an early indication whether he will permit the roasting of whole oxen as part of village Coronation celebrations.

This is one of a number of suggestions I am considering, and I shall make a statement in good time.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind, in considering this matter, that there is a very real request from many people in the country to celebrate the Coronation in this traditional way?

Will the Minister say how many coupons will have to be sacrificed from a 1s. 8d. ration to enable this sort of thing to take place?

That is one of the questions I am considering.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the loathing and disgust with which such an obscene exhibition is regarded by every decent citizen, and will he withhold such licences, either during the Coronation or at any other time, from local authorities and any other persons?

Since the 1s. 8d. worth of butcher meat would hardly cover a saucer, could the Minister give an indication of the cost of roasting an ox?

I think I will certainly have to have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the statement in the recent report of the Food and Agriculture Organisation that world food production only increased by 2 per cent. last year, and the world's need for more food has not yet begun to be met; and what estimate he has made of the effect of this situation on British food imports.

The increase of 2 per cent. relates to total agricultural production, excluding the U.S.S.R. Food production is estimated to have remained at the previous year's level. Food imports into this country must depend in the main on what our overseas earnings enable us to afford.

Since the 2 per cent. increase in the world production of food outside Russia is only about equal to the increase in the world population, can my right hon. and gallant Friend make it abundantly clear to the people of this country that there is a great danger that we shall not get as much food in the future as we have had in the past?

In view of these facts to which the Minister's attention has been called by one of his hon. Friends, does this not illustrate the irresponsibility of the promises which were made by some of his hon. Friends at the last Election?

I am not aware of what the right hon. Gentleman has in mind in that matter. No promises of any sort were made. In any case, if it comes to that, meat has been rather more plentiful and better than last year, and many other things are better so far as rationing is concerned. It is nothing whatever to do with that. As the right hon. Gentleman knows much better than I do, a lot of this is due to political disruption in parts of Asia and the East, which has had a tremendous repercussion on crops like rice, and so on.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman suggest that those who made these promises for the party opposite were not aware that the population of the world has been increasing faster than food production?

There were other things said at the last Election as well, such as the remarks about fingers on triggers. Many of the commodities referred to here do not come into the category of commodities which we wish to have in this country. Many of the great drops in food production in the world are in respect of commodities confined to the part of the world to which I have just referred.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of the stocks of feedingstuffs for animals at present held.

It would not be in the national interest to give this information.

Whilst appreciating the general policy of the Ministry not to reveal the amount of these stocks, does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that there is an exceptional circumstance in this case; that whereas last year we were importing 39 per cent. more than in 1950, during the last quarter we were importing 42 per cent. less? This is particularly relevant to our livestock problem, and the farmers should really know where they are.

I repeat exactly the words the hon. Gentleman himself used in reply to a similar Question some time ago: "I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said, except to say that stocks are higher than last year."

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that it is no good repeating what I said some time ago, when at that time imports were 39 per cent. higher than in the previous year, whereas now they are 42 per cent. less?

I am assuming that the hon. Gentleman had a good reason for the answer he gave, and therefore he must assume that I have, too.

Would not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that in view of the hon. Gentleman's previous position in the Ministry this Question is wholly irresponsible?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that there are sufficient stocks in the country to provide for the substantial increase in the number of livestock that may possibly arise?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there is a pool which we have been keeping up for some considerable time. That is the target we have fixed. It is not easy to say what the position would be in certain circumstances, but, as far as the pool is concerned, I am satisfied that we have enough material to keep it going.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, in Covent Garden on Saturday, 8th November, best cauliflowers dropped in price from 7d. to 3d. each and sprouts from 4d. to 2d. a lb., but that this fall was not reflected in many London shops which were charging at least 10d. for cauliflowers and 8d. a lb. for sprouts; and if, as retailers declare it is necessary to even out prices to take account of wastage and bad packing, he will hasten Government inquiries into schemes of better distribution.

I think the hon. Member has been misinformed. The price of cauliflower in Covent Garden appears to have been slightly higher on Saturday than on Friday, while the price of sprouts showed no change from one day to the other.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that his figures and mine must have come from different wholesalers in the market? Is he further aware that the greengrocers who are charging more for vegetables on Saturday mornings are now getting double profits because they pay less in the wholesale markets and charge more in the shops? Will the Government take a lead in condemning such practices?

I must repeat that I do not think the hon. Lady's figures are quite correct. I saw the article to which the hon. Lady referred in the "Daily Herald," which was headed "Veg Sharks Make Double Profit," and that was immediately answered by the retail fruit trade on that very day. That letter was not published in the "Daily Herald," but the hon. Lady's letter was published. I have made independent inquiries and they confirm what I said in my answer.

May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to accept the assurance that if my information was wrong I am sorry; but I made inquiries and I was informed that it was correct I will make further inquiries and write to the Minister on the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether a reply can now be given to the representations about the pensions of officers and officers' widows which were made on 21st July to the Minister of Defence by deputations from the Officers' Pension Society and the Officers' Association introduced by Members from both sides of the two Houses of Parliament.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he is now in a position to make a statement on the matters raised with the Minister of Defence on 21st July by the Parliamentary deputation on officers' retired pay and officers' widows' pensions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will now make a statement regarding the pensions of officers who retired prior to September, 1950.

The Government have given very careful consideration to the representations made to my noble Friend by the all-party deputation which he received on 21st July last. They have reluctantly concluded that the policy consistently followed by successive Governments in refusing to apply retrospectively improvements in the codes of retired pay and pensions of the Forces cannot be varied in the present case. They cannot therefore agree that the new rates of retired pay and pensions introduced with effect from 1st September, 1950, should be applied to personnel of the Forces who retired on retired pay or were discharged to pension before that date.

As regards awards to widows and dependants of officers and other ranks under what is known as the "ordinary" pensions scheme, the Government have under review the provisions of the current scheme, with full regard to the views expressed by the deputation. Considerable detailed investigation is involved. I hope to be able to inform the House of the progress we have made before it adjourns for the Christmas Recess.

As regards that blank negative about officers' pensions, is my hon. Friend aware that it costs officers who retired before 1st September, 1950, just as much to live as those who retired after that date, that the Prime Minister himself on 31st July expressed sympathy with their case, and that distress is being caused by the refusal to do anything for them. As regards widows' pensions, when he is reconsidering this matter—and it seems to take him a very long time—will he bear in mind that a captain's widow today is getting only £90 a year, which is very little more than she was getting 100 years ago?

With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, it is realised that times are hard for pensioners. We all feel sympathy with them; but this is a question of principle which has been reaffirmed by successive Governments. As my hon. Friend knows, there have been some modifications and very slight mitigations as a result of the Pensions Increase Bill. With regard to widows, I am certainly fully aware of the points he has made.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that these widows have been very badly treated for a long time, especially under the Socialist Government? I hope that he will do something to help them.

I certainly hope to be able to do so.

Why is there any need for a further review of these cases? Are not the facts fully known and were not they put to the Minister when he received a deputation? What is the reason for a further review of these well-known anomalies with regard to pensions? Why cannot the Government now say what they intend to do about them?

We are going to say before Christmas, but the hon. Gentleman will agree that this is a complicated matter and that all sorts of other considerations are involved in a matter of this kind.

Is the Minister aware that this answer will not do at all? This is a very grave matter, which affects the Government, and certainly we on this side of the House will not accept that answer. If he persists in this attitude there will be great trouble from all quarters of the House.

Does the Minister realise that his negative does not even take into account the simple fact that many of these officers are required to live on pensions which are less than they were when they were awarded 34 years ago?

Answer.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the very unsatisfactory reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if Her Majesty's Government will now reduce the period of National Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will take steps to reduce the period of compulsory service, having regard to the fact the two-year period was introduced subject to early review, and so fall into line with other Western European countries.

As I explained in the House on 6th November, the present period of National Service is necessary so long as the tasks to be performed by the Services remain broadly unchanged.

When the time comes to reconsider the period of National Service, will the hon. Gentleman consider whether the change in the character of the arms programme might not also be reflected in the personnel of the Armed Forces?

That consideration is, of course, always in mind, but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that these troops are mostly on cold war commitments where that consideration is not so important.

Will the Minister look very closely into this matter, because the young people who are going to be conscripted ought to be forewarned? I hope something is going to be done to reduce the period of service.

I can give no undertaking that steps are contemplated in the immediate future to reduce the period.

Will my hon. Friend take this opportunity of making it very clear that our present military commitments have in no way diminished from the commitments of the last Government, that there is no excuse for any reduction in military vigilance or preparedness, and that it is thoroughly irresponsible for ex-Ministers to suggest that there is any reason why the period of National Service should be reduced?

There has certainly been no reduction in commitments since the two-year period was introduced. In fact, there has been a slight increase in the commitments in the Middle East.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and, I believe I am right in saying, his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister have both expressed the view that the danger of war is receding? Has not the time come, therefore, to review the period of military service?

Certainly they have both expressed the view that our foreign affairs are in a better state than when the party opposite were in power. The improvement has only come about owing to the increased strength of the Western alliance.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what proposals will be submitted by Her Majesty's Government to the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for the purpose of establishing a common policy amongst the powers suporting the Organisation in the matter of the length of compulsory military service.

In discussions on the Annual Review, Her Majesty's Government will naturally support the view that the period of national service adopted by the various countries should be adequate to enable them to fulfil their obligations to N.A.T.O. In determining the actual period of service in any particular country account must, of course, be taken of that country's financial and economic position and of its commitments outside N.A.T.O.

How long will the Government tolerate a situation where other N.A.T.O. countries are reducing their period of military service and this country maintains the longest period of compulsory service of any of them? Why is it that the Government are tolerating a situation in which this country bears all the time the heaviest burden?

Other countries have two years service. [HON. MEMBERS: "Which countries?"] Greece and Turkey, for instance. Our views are perfectly well-known to the countries in N.A.T.O., and we have supported General Ridgway's contention that the period of service in E.D.C. ought to be two years. We are not likely to encourage our allies to greater efforts by reducing our own.

How many N.A.T.O. countries have reduced the period of service in the last 12 months?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he can now make a statement as to special Christmas parcel postal facilities for serving men and women overseas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will now make a statement regarding the latest date for posting Christmas parcels to our Forces in Korea.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what special arrangements are being made regarding Christmas parcel post for service personnel fighting in Korea and Malaya.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what arrangements are being made this year for post-free Christmas gift parcels to the troops in Korea, Malaya and the Middle East.

As in 1950 and 1951, one Christmas parcel of not more than 3 lb. in weight will be accepted for conveyance by air, free of postage, to each member of our Forces in Korea and Japan, and to men sent to Malaya after 6th November, (which is the last date for posting parcels to that country by surface route). Under this scheme parcels may be handed in at post offices for despatch to Korea and Japan between 24th November and 8th December and for despatch to Malaya between 24th November and 13th December (all dates inclusive).

I will circulate full particulars of the scheme, which will start on 24th November, in the OFFICIAL REPORT. They will also be available at Post Offices.

No special facilities are being arranged for other overseas stations.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Can he say why nothing can be done for the men in Germany and the Middle East?

They are in a different position, first, because the last posting date is much later and, second, because the charges are so much less. The charges are very high over the great distances to the Far East, and such charges do not apply in Germany.

Could the hon. Gentleman say what the cost of this extremely valuable scheme is, and how much more it would cost to extend it to the Middle East?

The cost of the scheme announced, if used to the full, would be approximately £58,000. I cannot give the other figure without notice.

Will my hon. Friend put the details of the N.A.A.F.I. parcel scheme in the Library so that people can send parcels by that scheme and thereby save the Exchequer a considerable amount of air freight money?

I will certainly look into that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, in view of the fact that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation troops are to be substituted for a British garrison in Bermuda after two and a half centuries, if he will inform the House from what country, or countries, these troops are to be drawn; and for what reason the existing garrison in this British Colony is to be replaced by troops other than British.

The British garrison, which is being withdrawn because the men are required elsewhere, will not be replaced by N.A.T.O. troops. There are adequate local forces for the defence of the Colony, which is the responsibility in the first instance of the Colony itself. The responsibility of N.A.T.O. for the overall defence of Bermuda, which lies in the area of the Supreme Commander, Atlantic, remains unchanged.

Is the Minister aware that I put this Question down to be answered by the Prime Minister? As the Prime Minister is here, and as this is likely to be a very important question, which concerns a very old British Colony, it would have been very welcome if the answer could have come from him. Is he also aware that large sections of the Press, including the Tory Press, have stated categorically that the defence of Bermuda is going to be the responsibility of N.A.T.O. Since when have British Colonies been taken out of the hands of the British people and handed over to the generosity of N.A.T.O.?

No Colony has been taken out of the hands of the British people.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will consider allowing those boys who join the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force or the Air Training Corps, to count their three years' service from 15 to 18 towards shortening by six months their period of National Service.

No, Sir.

Will the Minister make an inquiry to confirm whether it is true that these boys who have done this service are indeed far superior to those who have had no previous experience before being called up for National Service?

The whole point of the cadet scheme is to have young men who are keen and efficient in the Services.

In that case would not the Minister consider giving them some slight advantage in their period of National Service in order to encourage them to do their three years' service with a cadet force?

I do not think that would be in the national interest. The advantages which these young men get is that they automatically become officer and N.C.O. material. They get an advantage both in the services and in their cadet days, and it seems to me that it would be wrong to encourage people to go into a cadet force on the basis that as a result they would not have to do their full period of National Service. That would break down the universality of the National Service scheme and would be unlikely to attract the best recruits.

Would my hon. Friend look at this again? Would it not indeed encourage more young men to join the Services through Regular engagements?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how many National Service men have now been killed and wounded in Korea.

Up till the 8th November, 177 National Service men serving in the Army had been reported killed or died of wounds and 655 wounded. No casualties have been suffered by National Service men serving in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Is the Minister aware that last week's casualty list included a Scots soldier who was only called up in October, 1951? Is he aware of the public indignation at these men being sent out there to be murdered?

Rubbish.