asked the Minister of Food whether he has any further statement to make regarding the allocation of sweets off the ration to children to celebrate the Coronation of Her Majesty next June; and whether these arrangements will include allocations to organisers of bona fide children's street parties.

The arrangements provide for an allocation for every child, which would be available to any bona fide organisation intending to present Coronation souvenirs to children.

May I thank the Minister for that reply and ask him if I am to understand that, as does happen in London and other big towns, those who run the children's street parties will be able to make application for sweets off the ration to be given to the kiddies while they are having their tea in the streets?

In individual cases of that sort, the best thing would be for the organisers to get in touch with their local food office.

asked the Minister of Food when the Committee appointed to investigate conditions in slaughterhouses is likely to report.

As the Committee has only just started its inquiries, I cannot say.

Would it not be a good thing for the Minister to give them some guidance as to when they should get their task completed, because much anxiety is felt by many people interested in this subject?

It is an extremely important matter into which they are inquiring, and it is bound to take a little time. I would remind my hon. Friend that the last report took about eight months, but I will certainly get in touch with them.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the deplorable state of many of the Ministry's slaughterhouses, and will he push on with the longterm policy of building?

I entirely agree that there is room for a great deal of improvement. As the hon. Gentleman probably knows, before long there will be an exploration of the siting of these slaughterhouses, which, as he will appreciate, is a very important matter.

asked the Minister of Food when he proposes to erect a modern slaughterhouse in Scotland; and why none of those sites at present selected are in that country.

The present Government programme was a strictly limited emergency measure to provide additional slaughtering capacity in areas where facilities were exceptionally poor. We contemplate that any further new slaugherhouses will be built by local authorities or other bodies on the basis of a national siting plan to be drawn up in consultation with the interests concerned, as indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir) on 5th November.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend therefore take the view that in Scotland there are sufficient slaughterhouses—and sufficient efficient slaughterhouses?

No, I do not take that view at all—and that is why we are having a look at the matter on a national scale—but compared to some of the worst parts we have to deal with they are slightly better.

asked the Minister of Food when work will begin on the provision of new lairages at the Redruth slaughterhouse.

I understand that the construction of the new lairages is due to commence the week after next and to finish by the end of January.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to get the yard of the Redruth slaughterhouse properly paved at once in view of the anxiety of the urban district council over the bad state of the yard in wet weather.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that the conditions of the yard at this slaughterhouse are appalling and that if the R.S.P.C.A. instituted a prosecution now they would probably be successful?

There are two possibilities—complete paving or a pathway. I understand that there was a meeting yesterday between the authorities concerned in order to see what was the best thing to do.

Will the Minister inquire whether the urban district council does not agree with a paved pathway across the yard instead of paving the whole yard?

I will make inquiries and let the hon. Gentleman know.

asked the Minister of Food if he is yet in a position to announce his plans for maintaining an adequate supply of fish for British consumers at reasonable prices.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the threat to our fish supplies, he will consider the re-imposition of price controls.

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on 24th November, to which I have nothing to add at this stage.

As the nation's food supply is affected by the conflicting policies of four Ministries, Agriculture, Transport, Food and Fisheries, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman seek to have this matter raised at a national level so that there may be some continuity of policy with regard to the supply of this succulent food to the nation?

The hon. and learned Gentleman will realise that at the moment the White Fish Authority is conducting an investigation into the very important question of the distribution of fish.

Is the Minister aware that there has been undue delay and that the White Fish Authority has not done the job for which it was appointed? Will he seek to have the matter accelerated in the interest of the national food supply?

Is the Minister aware, in view of the high cost of meat and the dearth of meat supplies, of the exorbitant charges being made for fish? Is it not possible, even at this late date, to do something about the matter in view of the fact that the people in my city are unable to pay the price for the food to sustain them in their daily work?

I can only repeat what I said to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, that questions of distribution costs and other things are very important in regard to this commodity, and that is what the White Fish Authority are engaged in investigating now. On the question of price, the hon. Member will appreciate that the cost of catching fish has gone up enormously since the war.

Is it not true that the price of fish today is lower than it was a year ago?

I beg to give notice that owing to that very unsatisfactory statement I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

On a point of order. As this Question was taken with Question No. 32 which stands in my name, may I ask if it is not customary to allow an hon. Member who has put down a Question to ask a supplementary question?

I did not realise that the hon. Member had a question down.

Whilst appreciating that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman and the Minister of Agriculture are keeping watch on the position, may I ask the Minister whether he will at least consider the possibility of reimposing controls if the necessity should arise?

That is a very hypothetical question. The only thing that I would say is that it is not an easy thing to control.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied with the condition and quality of recent trial shipments of carcase meat imported from Northern Ireland; and if it is his intention to encourage the development of this trade in the future.

Yes, Sir. But no great expansion of this trade is possible with the limited slaughtering and chilling facilities available in Northern Ireland.

Is the Minister aware that the importation of meat in this form would reduce considerably the losses that normally occur in the transport of cattle on the hoof? Is he also aware that the killing of cattle and preparation of meat in this form would give much needed employment in Northern Ireland, especially in centres like Omagh and Strabane where the rate of unemployment is very high?

I should like to remind the hon. Member that the facilities which exist at the moment are not anything like sufficient for this trade on a large scale. There is also a very old traditional market in live cattle between Northern Ireland and this country, and one would hesitate a great deal before interfering with that.

asked the Minister of Food if the Government have reached a decision upon the distribution of eggs.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what steps he is taking to reform and reorganise the distribution of shell eggs;

asked the Minister of Food whether it is his intention to de-ration eggs before next February.

asked the Minister of Food if a decision on the egg control scheme has been reached.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what decision he has reached regarding the continuation of egg rationing;

asked the Minister of Food what changes he proposes to make in the present system of distributing eggs.

The Government have had under review the present arrangements for the distribution of eggs with particular attention to the maintenance of the principles of Part 1 of the Agriculture Act. 1947.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, although he may save £22 million in subsidies, this means that the housewife will receive less than ever before? Does he also realise that the price will rise to such an extent that old age pensioners will not be able to obtain any eggs at all?

I do not agree with the hon. Lady with regard to the price or with regard to eggs not being available. The fact of the matter is that at the moment the number of shell eggs available in this country is actually greater than the number before the war yet the number available in the shops is very much less. I am perfectly satisfied, after very careful investigation, that to continue a system of control which has broken down would not bring the eggs into the shops.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that this deplorable decision will cause anxiety not only among housewives and consumers but among farmers and those engaged in the trade? Why has he failed to carry out effective measures to bring the black market to an end? Why has he failed to relate the supplies of very expensive dollar imports of maize and other feedingstuffs to the actual number of eggs we get from these producers? Is not that the obvious way of dealing with this matter? Why has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not done that?

With regard to the right hon. Gentleman's first question, in which he asked why I had not done something about the black market, he has much more experience than I have had in this matter. Why did he not do something? I am doing the only thing possible. The only way to kill a black market is to have a free market.

What does the Minister propose to do about these priority classes of eggs and about maintaining guaranteed prices to egg producers? May I ask what his answer will be to the National Farmers' Union about the orderly market arrangements which they want? He has just discarded all that. Is he prepared to throw this open to a free market when eggs will be 8d., 10d., or even 1s., in the worst part of the year and ordinary householders will not be able to obtain eggs at all?

Nobody on earth can deal with a plan on the basis that the right hon. Gentleman is suggesting. He is exaggerating grossly. With regard to the National Farmers' Union, if he will do me the honour of reading my answer tomorrow he will see that negotiations are taking place on all these things as soon as this statement has been made.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his welcome statement and the salutary steps that he is taking to restore freedom to the egg trade, may I ask him whether he is able at this juncture to give an assurance with regard to the reduction of the exorbitant charge of £1,300,000 per annum which has resulted from this bureaucracy in the shell eggs industry in the last few years?

How long has it been a principle of government in this ancient democracy that, providing there are sufficient law breakers in the land, the law is abandoned? Is this not the most scandalous piece of class warfare that we have seen for a long time?

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give a categorical assurance that the price of an egg will not go up to 10d. within the next 12 months, as I forecast last week when I put that figure to him?

I certainly say that there is no reason why in ordinary times the price should be much up at all, and I should be very surprised indeed if they reached the figure which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has suggested.

Can we take it that while any producer will be free to sell direct to the consumer the Government guaranteed price will continue to be paid through the packing stations on eggs that are going into the shops, and will the Minister also give an assurance that he will do his utmost to get more imported eggs available in the shops during next winter?

The Government are responsible for the guarantee as laid down. As for imports, there is one thing with which I am satisfied. There is a much better indication from some of our suppliers, and I am satisfied that with a free market there will be much more coming in.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that it is a bad precedent for the Government to be blackmailed by the black market? Does he not concede that the only grounds for de-rationing are adequate supplies?

The difference between the hon. Gentleman and myself is that he believes in controls and I believe in supplies. He knows perfectly well that there is no alternative to what I have done.

On a point of order. Obviously this is a matter of very serious public importance and we cannot pursue it through Question and answer. Since neither the Leader of the House nor any senior representative of the Government Whips Office is present, may I ask the Minister of Food whether he is able to give an assurance now that we shall have an opportunity for a full debate on the whole of this question at the earliest possible moment?

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I cannot give such an assurance.

Mr. Speaker, are you aware that emerging from just behind your Chair is the Leader of the House? May we ask him the question?

I was not aware of that, but what I am aware of is that we cannot debate this matter now.

Since the Leader of the House has arrived, may I ask him the question that I put to the Minister of Food?

The right hon. Gentleman cannot ask a question on business arising out of these Questions on eggs. I understood from the Minister that these changes will take place some time in the spring. I have no doubt that an opportunity can be found to debate them.

asked the Minister of Food what is the time-span between shell eggs being laid and arriving in the hands of the consumers; and what steps he is taking to reduce the time-span and increase the freshness of shell eggs.

On average, something between two and two and a half weeks. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made earlier.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the statement which he has made today will undoubtedly lead within a measurable space of time to more, fresher and better eggs?

asked the Minister of Food (1) to give reasons for the unsatisfactory egg allocations to the public, in view of the fact that the fowl population increased from 63,484,000 in June, 1951, to 64,538,000 in June, 1952;

The numbers of fowls quoted by the hon. Member are for England and Wales, but the reduction in the number of eggs is for the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom fowl population figures for June, 1951, and June, 1952, were 90,067,000 and 89,822,000, respectively, but in the same period the numbers of adult birds, which provide the eggs, fell by more than 2 million. Some reduction in the number of eggs was therefore, to be expected.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the figures I have given were supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture in August, and as there has been a big increase in young birds which will be laying in October or November, should there not now be a big increase of eggs available to the public, and not less?

I think the hon. Gentleman did not quite catch the first part of my answer. The figures he quoted were for England and Wales, whereas it is the United Kingdom figures that matter from our point of view. There is an actual drop in the United Kingdom figures, although there is an increase in the English and Welsh figures.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say what the packing stations referred to in Question No. 13 are going to do between now and the spring when the present moribund system of egg control comes to an end?

We will carry on as before.

asked the Minister of Food how many prosecutions have been instituted by his Department for black market egg offences since 1st June; and with what result.

Between 1st June and 31st October, 1952, 170 persons were prosecuted for illegal transactions in eggs and 165 of these were convicted. Fines totalling £1,365 10s., with £260 costs, were imposed.

In view of the colossal scale on which the black market is being carried on, do these figures in themselves not show that the Minister, by his inactivity, is largely responsible for the position which he has now got to face? Is it not a fact that there should be more enforcement officers and not less? His inactivity has led to this state of affairs which is impossible.

I am satisfied that if the hon. Gentleman had his way there would be more enforcement officers than hens.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that the number of eggs depends on the amount of food which the hens get, and not on the number of hens?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that he could have avoided this black market by the rationing of feedingstuffs according to the number of eggs arriving at the packing stations? He promised to do so in March last year, and he also promised that he would have an inquiry and consult with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on this specific point.

As a matter of fact, about 60 per cent. of home-produced eggs come from general farms. I have looked at this matter very carefully and am satisfied that this action would have only very small results, if any at all.

In view of the unsatisfactory conspiracy, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that rationed bacon is being sold off the ration to non-registered customers in North London; and whether he will make a statement on the evidence supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North.

A few cases, including that mentioned by the hon. Member, have come to my notice and appropriate action is being taken. I am watching the position carefully and shall not hesitate to deal with such cases where I am satisfied there has been flagrant breach of the law. But I am hopeful that the difficulties of retailers incidental to the introduction of unrationed cooked gammon will prove to be temporary.

Bearing in mind the previous answer on eggs, may I ask whether the Minister is now going to say that if there is a big enough attempt on the part of the retailers to sell off the ration he is going to drop the rationing of bacon, and if there is a big enough crookedness among some of the retailers he is going to de-ration the whole of the foodstuffs?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many hotels, though admitting their intention to charge more in Coronation week, are refusing to say how much extra they are going to demand because they do not know what will be asked of them by food suppliers; and what action is contemplated to prevent undue rise in food prices at this time.

To the first part the answer is "No, Sir"; and to the second, "No undue rise is expected."

I cannot think where the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has been. Is he aware that I will give him the names of the hotels, and may I ask him whether he is also aware that these hotels have made bookings to their customers on condition that they will accept any increase in tariffs, and that they say that these increased tariffs will be due to the fact that food prices will go sky high next year? Would he agree that that sort of thing should be stopped?

There is no justification for saying that food prices will go sky high. The hon. Lady has no justification whatever for saying anything of the sort. As there is a great deal of competition amongst the suppliers of food, I just do not understand what those people are talking about.

asked the Minister of Food how many butchers' shops have opened with a minimum of 50 registered customers since the withdrawal of licensing in England and Wales.

Between 1st and 15th October, the latest date for which I have figures, 11 shops were opened and eight were closed.

In view of the very small number of shops that have opened since licensing was abolished, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say what is the difference between licensing and no licensing, bearing in mind that the butchers have to apply for a permit to buy meat from the Ministry?

It is only just another step towards greater freedom.

asked the Minister of Food the policy of his Department in regard to the issue of ration books to new applicants.

All new applicants who produce evidence that their application is genuine are given appropriate ration documents.

Are the appropriate rationing documents ration books or temporary ration cards? In one case an applicant who is becoming a permanent resident in this country has been told that she can only get a temporary ration card for three or four weeks?

I will send the hon. Gentleman details, but I think that if the lady is a permanent resident she is entitled to an ordinary ration book. It is those people who are just visiting who are very strictly limited

asked the Minister of Food what have been the weekly sales of home-cured cooked ham since it has been unrationed; what were the sales of imported tinned ham during the same period last year; what is the price of home-cured ham; and what was the price of the imported product.

Records of retail sales of home-produced cooked gammon and ham are not maintained. About 2,000 tons a week of gammon and ham of a net weight of about 1,300 tons have been delivered to the trade since 5th October for sale by retail, cooked, boneless and sliced at 8s. per lb. An average of 1,200 tons a week of canned ham and shoulder was imported in the same period last year when the retail price of canned ham was about 11s. per lb.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise the satisfaction that his reply will give throughout the country, and that this is further proof of the conscientious way in which he discharges the duties of his important office?

Does the Minister realise that since uncooked gammon went up from 5s. 9d. a lb. under his Administration—

It was 7s. 6d, under the hon. Gentleman's Administration.

Why cannot the Minister keep his own supporters properly informed? It is sheer ignorance to say that it was 7s. 6d. a lb. The hon. Member ought to know what he is talking about. Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the only reason why the sale of boiled cooked gammon has gone up is because millions of people cannot afford to buy uncooked gammon at 5s. 9d. a lb. now, and this enables those people with plenty of money to buy all the cooked ham that should have been going to ordinary people in their rations?

The hon. Gentleman seems to be saying that people cannot afford it at 4s. 9d., but they can at 8s.

asked the Minister of Food the cost, per lb, of producing butter in this country; and what are the distribution costs.

The practice of my Department, like that of the Milk Marketing Board before the war, is to charge milk used for butter making at a price which will equate the cost of home-produced and imported butter. On this basis the estimated cost of home-produced butter in the current financial year is 3s. 0¾d. per lb. If the milk were charged at its average cost in the butter-making season, the cost of the butter would be about 6s. 10d. per lb. The cost of distribution is 5¼d. per lb.

Does not the Minister think that since this food is sold at 2s. 6d. to the public more steps should be taken to make them aware of the true cost of food, since they will have to be told one day?

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

About 9 lb. and 12½ lb., respectively.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House what factors have caused this substantial fall in the butter ration and what are the prospects for the next 12 months?

The imports from Denmark fell—as the hon. Gentleman knows—through disease, and imports from Australia fell very considerably indeed owing to circumstances beyond the Government's control and of which the hon. Gentleman knows—a severe drought; but the prospects are better this year.

Will the Minister tell us what has happened to the Conservative theory that if only buyers were allowed to go out into the world and buy there would be plenty of food supplies available?

asked the Minister of Food whether he will remove present restrictions on the making of Cornish cream in plenty of time for the expected influx of visitors to West Cornwall during Coronation year.

I will certainly consider this.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that an announcement should be made in plenty of time so that adequate distribution may be made?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the closing of the Singleton and Cocking railway stations will affect adversely the sugar beet growers and other agriculturists in that neighbourhood; and whether, in view of this, he will reconsider the question of erecting a sugar beet factory at Chichester.

I understand that although the closing of the railway stations at Singleton and Cocking for goods traffic is being considered no decision has yet been reached.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend exercise his influence and ask the Railway Executive to make no final decision until it is possible to build a factory in that part of the south of England?

I am quite prepared to make representations, but the fact is that the total tonnage in this area is about 180,000 and that going through these two stations is only about 2,800.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider reducing the period necessary to keep a pig before killing from four months to three months.

I shall be reviewing these arrangements in the spring and will keep this possibility in mind then.

Is the Minister aware that the older the pig the fatter the pig and if he would have leaner pigs he would have better bacon, which would be a source of great satisfaction to all those who have middle-age spread?

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the continuing increase in pig numbers, he will review the need for retaining the registration and licensing procedure when a pig is kept for home consumption.

So long as supply considerations make it necessary that livestock for slaughter should be sold to my Department for the ration, killing for home consumption must be controlled by licence. A period of registration is required to prevent the buying of pigs for immediate slaughter.

As the number of pigs continues to increase will the Minister keep a very open mind on this question, because if he can solve this problem more pig meat will be produced?

Will the Minister resist this agitation until such time as there is enough meat available without rationing?

What the hon. Gentleman says is quite right. This is essential in order to maintain the ration. That is why I say I am prepared to look at this matter whenever I can.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that if he can decontrol the rationing of feedingstuffs he will do away with the necessity of having any licensing?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what acreage of land is held in Wales, under Regulation 52 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, by each of the Service Departments.

The Admiralty and Air Ministry do not exercise any training rights over land in Wales under Defence Regulation 52. The War Office exercise training rights over some 11,000 acres under this Regulation.

Can the Minister say whether the Admiralty and the Air Force exercise rights under any other Regulation to control land in Wales?

Yes, they exercise rights under Regulation 51.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence to make a statement on officers' pensions, as a result of his examination of facts placed before him on the inadequate payments payable at present.

I regret I am not in a position to add to the statement which I made on 19th November.

A very unsatisfactory answer. Will my hon. Friend kindly convey to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that many Members on both sides of the House think that in respect of pensions both for retired officers and for widows he is very unjust? Will my hon. Friend please see that the Chancellor is fully informed that some action should be taken before stronger representations are made against the continuation of the present scheme?

I will convey my hon. Friend's message to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the estimated annual reduction, through death, of the sum of £2,100,000 which he stated on 30th June would be the annual cost of raising the retired pay of officers who retired before 1st September, 1950, to the rates of those who retired on or after that date.

This question could only be answered by an actuarial assessment of the expectation of life of every retired officer concerned. The amount of work involved would not be justified.

Will my hon. Friend explain how the annual estimates of the totals payable in pensions are prepared if no estimate is made of the number of officers at each rate who will have died?

I think that if my hon. Friend reads his Question he will see that it involves an assessment over a number of years.

I am asking how the annual estimate is made.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the great feeling on this side of the House, and in some quarters on the other side of the House, on this matter, and will he assure the House that this question will be reviewed at an early date?

I am very well aware of the strong feeling that exists.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether it is the intention of the Government to increase the annual bounty from the present rate of £12 for men and women in the auxiliary branches of the forces where the requisite number of drills and attendance at annual camp are undertaken.

No change in the current rates of bounty in the Services is at present contemplated.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the Territorial Army has not increased at all in the last 12 months, and is it not desirable to make this service more attractive by offering better conditions, in particular a higher bounty?

Of course, it is very pleasant for everybody to have more money. The suggestion which the right hon. Gentleman made on the wireless is a very expensive one to implement, and I remind him of what he said in the House on the same subject a few years ago:

"I cannot convince myself that Territorial recruitment and interest in the Territorial Army is exclusively based on monetary considerations."—[OFFICIAL REPORT. 11th May, 1948; Vol. 450, c. 1949.]

Never mind what I said. I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary to address himself to the supplementary question that I put to him: namely, is he aware that the Territorial Army has not increased at all in the last 12 months? May I ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to say whether the Government will reconsider this matter in order to enable the Territorial force to be increased?

I am grateful to the Night hon. Gentleman for his suggestion, but I cannot give any guarantee that it will be done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what changes have been made in the operational language of the Services in order that it may conform with American practice; and by what agency these changes are made.

Common operational terms and definitions are being agreed by the standardisation and communications agencies of N.A.T.O. and also between our own military authorities and those of the United States. Under these arrangements we have adopted some American terms and they have adopted some of ours.

Are the other ranks represented on this Committee which is deciding upon the common terms that are to be used?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the number of recruits accepted into the armed forces from the Republic of Ireland at Northern Ireland recruiting centres; and who are his agents in the Republic of Ireland for this purpose.

Between April, 1949, and now, about 2,400 men and boys and 150 women who gave an address in the Republic of Ireland were accepted into the armed forces through the Belfast recruiting office. There are no recruiting agents for the Services in the Republic of Ireland.

In view of that answer, will the Minister explain bow these recruits come to arrive at the Border in, apparently, organised batches and are met there by an officer of the Services, who accompanies them to Belfast? Since these recruits are recruited into the Service by exaggerated promises of conditions and prospects in the Services, does the hon. Gentleman consider it is fair that they should be bound into the Services on arrival in Northern Ireland, as many of them are dissatisfied?

As I have said, there are no recruiting agents in the Republic of Ireland. As far as the conditions of service are concerned, I imagine that men from the Republic of Ireland would not join up unless they were satisfied.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that these recruits are largely the sons of the Loyalists who joined up in the last war as a protest against the cowardly neutrality of Eire?

Will the Minister ignore the remark made by the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Sir D. Savory) and state that during the war many thousands of Irishmen volunteered and that they were not only the sons of the Irishmen to whom the hon. Member has referred?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will publish the statement sent by Her Majesty's Government to the Secretariat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, giving particulars of the adjustments that have been made in the armament programme, following the review announced by him in July last.

No, Sir. The statement is not suitable for publication as it contains classified information. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making a statement on the defence production programme next Wednesday.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that the information asked for is of vital importance to the economic position of the country, and will he impress upon his right hon. Friend the necessity to give this House the very fullest information about the changes that have been made in the armaments programme?

I will convey the right hon. Member's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made, on behalf of the Government, any submissions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, not only on the subject of production, but on the subject of manpower? Will the right hon. Gentleman include in his statement next Wednesday some reference to that subject?

That is a different question.

It may be a different question, but surely, if submissions have been made to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on the question of armaments, some reference ought to be made to the subject of manpower.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will wait to hear the statement.