asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what policy his Department has laid down with regard to priorities for the provision of aircraft designed to meet the special needs of Army airborne units in relation to the provision of aircraft types required for the equipment of other branches of the Royal Air Force.

In allocating the resources available for defence, my noble Friend has to strike a balance between the Services in the light of current strategic priorities. The needs of the Army airborne units are taken into account in arriving at the allocation.

Does that mean that priority is given to the aircraft required for Army airborne units over the normal needs of the R.A.F., because these units will be used in a priority operational rô1e should the circumstances require it?

I would not like to say that they are given priority over the R.A.F., but, as my hon. Friend knows, we have in fact taken a considerable step forward in the development of the Beverley to enable heavy equipment to be dropped for the Army. I think that the matter is well in hand.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will announce an in crease in the retired pay of the 359 officers still surviving on 20th January, 1953, who were given, in 1919, rates which were to vary with the cost of living, but which, in spite of the rise in that cost, have not been increased since they were anchored in 1935 at 9½ per cent. below the 1919 rates; and how many of the 359 have died since the Minister of Defence promised on 20th January, 1953, that their case would be most earnestly considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether, having regard to the inadequancy in present circumstances of the rates of pensions paid to retired officers of the Armed Forces, he will now rescind the order by which these were pegged at 9½ per cent. below the amount they had been in 1919.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will make a statement on the results of the further consideration being given to the retired officers' pay covered by the Stabilisation Order, 1935.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will make a statement on the retired pay of officers who suffered a 9½ per cent, cut in 1935.

asked the Parmentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what improvements he will make in the pay of ex-officers retired in 1919.

In answer to Question No. 2, the death of 23 of the 359 officers who were surviving on 29th January last has been reported since that date.

With permission, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will answer the general point in this Question and Questions Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 at the end of Questions.

Has my hon. Friend taken any steps to impress upon the Prime Minister the importance of these Questions?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will now take steps to ensure that no officer on retired pay receives less than the rates of the 1945 code.

I regret that I am unable to give the required undertaking.

What concession will the Prime Minister be announcing?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what it would cost to raise the retired pay of officers whose rates were stabilised at 9½ per cent. below the 1919 level to the level of retired pay awarded to officers who retired after 19th December, 1945.

The total cost is estimated at about £355,000 a year.

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Prime Minister to the fact that as such a small sum is involved, there would be acceptance on both sides of the House if he would agree to make this concession?

I have asked leave to reply to Questions 2 to 6 myself because the matter is not one which concerns the Ministry of Defence alone.

Her Majesty's Government have carefully considered whether, without departing from the principles which have hitherto governed pensions increase, they could grant some relief to those retired Service Officers whose pensions were affected by the operation of the sliding-scale which was in force after the First World War, and whose pensions were stabilised in 1935 at 9½ per cent. below the 1919 level. Although the stabilisation was favourable to those concerned, the cost of living has now for some years risen beyond the 1919 level and those affected have felt for a good many years past that they have cause for complaint.

The sliding-scale and the stabilisation affected not only retired officers of the Armed Forces but civilian Crown servants as well. Action to remedy the situation in their case would require legislation to amend the recent Pensions Increase Act. While the Government recognise the hardship which, in the light of later events, the pre-war stabilisation has created, they have, after much consideration, come to the conclusion that it would not be possible to treat this problem as a special case at a time when so many other demands are pressing.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply and the decision of the Government are wholly unacceptable to many hon. Members on both sides of the House, who will not rest content until the just grievance of these officers, which is stronger than that of any civilians, is redressed?

Is the Prime Minister aware that he is creating the impression that he wants to solve this problem by allowing this small and dwindling number of men to die out altogether, and so in that way the problem will be solved? In view of the very small amount of money involved, will he not reconsider this very deplorable position?

Answer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in all quarters of the House this is regarded as an outrageous decision, and one which must inevitably have repercussions on the Government, in that there are many hon. Members on this side of the House who are not prepared to see the Service Estimates go through without a Vote unless this matter is satisfactorily dealt with?

Answer.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how much it would cost to provide the suggested increase for these retired officers and also, since he mentioned the position of ex-Crown servants, how much it would cost to provide an increase in the civil pensions?

The cost for the officers would amount to £200,000 in a year and for the civil servants about the same amount.

Following upon that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not agree that the amount can hardly be regarded as substantial in view of the justification of the claim which is being made?

I think it remarkable that the right hon. Gentleman in the long years in which he and his—[Hon. Members: "That is no answer."]—colleagues were in office, if they felt so strongly on the matter, did not deal with it themselves.

That is not good enough.

Is the Prime Minister aware that his answer today will be regarded by those few old officers who still survive, despite the cut, as a betrayal of the trust they have previously held in him?

I was well aware that the answer I gave would not be received with satisfaction, and it was for that reason that I felt it ought not to be given by a Departmental Minister but by someone speaking with the considered authority of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister's case is that he cannot put right this injustice because there are so many other injustices which have to be put right. Is he aware, for example, that the pension of the totally disabled soldier today is three-quarters of what it was when we were in office, in 1946? Is it not the case that other injustices on parallel groups of he should put right this injustice and the men?

I am well aware of the very large number of hard and difficult cases which the economic movement of events since the war has brought into being all over our country.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

So the right hon. Gentleman is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman's friend now?

—if he would agree that the argument which he has adduced to justify this decision simply comes down to the old question of whether we are to give priority of attention to those who have served the country in time of war or whether we are to level them up with the civilian population, and that the majority of hon. Members in this House would prefer to see those who served their country in time of war properly rewarded as befits the service they have rendered? Would he bear in mind that his answer is thoroughly unsatisfactory, not only to the generation concerned, but also to those who come after them?

rose—

We cannot pursue this matter further at this stage.

On a point of order. For the third time, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Prime Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I, for one. shall seek an early opportunity to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I beg to ask leave to adjourn the House under Standing Order No. 9 on a matter of urgent public importance, namely.

"The statement made by the Prime Minister with regard to these ex-officers."

The hon. and learned Gentleman is technically late in proposing his Motion, because I was on my feet and I had called for the Bills to be presented. But in this case I do not want to stand on that technicality, though preserving its use for a future occasion. I would point out that the subject which has been raised is no new matter, and the House should seek another method of debating the issue if it sees fit. I cannot rule that this matter is within the terms of the Standing Order.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how many National Servicemen were due between 1st January, 1953, and 1st January, 1954, to carry out their part-time training with the Reserve forces following their period of two years with the Regular forces; how many of these performed these duties with the Army; how many with the Royal Air Force; and how many were not called on to perform any duties at all.

Some 382,000 National Service men in all three Services were due to train in 1953. About 8,000 will have been called on to train in the Navy, 285,000 in the Armyand 12,000 in the Royal Air Force. About 77,000 of those otherwise due to train in all three Services will not have been called on to train.

Does my hon. Friend not admit that this state of affairs indicates that the National Service Act is not working as was originally intended and that an unequal burden is being borne by those called up for the Army as opposed to those called up for the Air Force? Will he give an assurance that he will look into this very important matter?

The position is that in both the Royal Navy and the Army the vast majority of those due to receive part-time training do receive it. It is certainly true that a large number of men in the Royal Air Force do not receive part-time training. The matter is engaging the attention of my noble Friend at the present time.

If only 12,000 National Service men who have auxiliary forces liability are being trained out of probably more than 100,000, does this not show a very alarming state of affairs?

In fact the number due for call-up in the Royal Air Force this year was 83,500 and only 71,500 are not receiving training. I agree that the great majority in the Royal Air Force are at the moment escaping part-time service.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that there are 100,000 men in the Royal Air Force who have Reserve liability and that of that number only 8,000 have training?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what reports his Department has received of the flying object observed by two airmen over London or other parts of the United Kingdom and reported to him; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he has been able to identify the flying saucer object reported by one of the members of Anti-Aircraft Command.

On 3rd November two experimental meteorological balloons were observed at different times, one by two officers in a Royal Air Force aircraft and the other by a member of Anti-Aircraft Command. There was nothing peculiar about either of these occurrences.

Would my hon. Friend tell me whether a meteorological balloon will give a stronger echo on a radar echo-sounder than a large aircraft or some other solid object in the air, and, arising out of the reports which have been made to his Department, can he tell me what reports have been received from the Norwich Astronomical Society, which keeps a night watch on the sky and several of whose members on 6th October claimed to have seen a dome shaped object emitting light from the dome at the top of the object?

Meteorological balloons are fitted with a special device in order that they shall produce a large echo on a radar screen. I am afraid that I am not very closely in touch with the Norwich Astronomical Society.

Although the House will, no doubt, accept the explanation which the Parliamentary Secretary has given, which is not different to many other explanations regarding similar phenomena here and elsewhere, will he now take steps to warn the Royal Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Command when these balloons are in the sky so that these Services know what is happening and to prevent unnecessary alarm in other quarters?

The trouble arose because the two balloons were allowed to escape or were let off at an unusual time, but I hope we shall not have any more trouble like this.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this story about flying saucers is all "ballooney"?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman's appreciation is very nearly correct.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how many cases during the last 12 months have been reported to him in which officers in the Armed Forces have administered corporal punishment to the children of other ranks.

None, Sir.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary not been in touch with the Air Ministry about a recent case of a Royal Air Force station near Doncaster, where two sons of Service personnel were given a very good hiding by a corporal in the R.A.F. on the instructions of the station commander? Will the hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that action of this kind, in competition with magistrates and the police, is not officially authorised by the Service Departments?

It is certainly not officially authorised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the cost of maintaining a National Service man and a regular Royal Navy rating, airman and soldier at home and overseas, separate figures being given for each category.

I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the Official REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the rates of pay for British soldiers serving in Korea as members of the United Nations forces fall considerably below that of other members; that, as a result, it is not possible for them to take full advantage of leave in Japan; and if he will therefore consider reservation by the War Office of places of entertainment in Tokio so that these may be available free to men on leave who wish to go.

:I have examined this suggestion with sympathy. Although I well know the differing rates of pay, the cost of living in Tokio has been carefully gone into and our men should be able to afford, and, indeed, do take, a good leave in Japan. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I think that the hon. Lady may have night clubs in mind. Those on the spot do not favour this suggestion.

:In wishing to make quite clear that the night clubs in Tokio are not similar to those in this country—[Laughter]—that is an assumption—may I ask whether the Minister is aware that there is a genuine feeling among correspondents out there that the men are not able to take full advantage of their leave? Would the right hon. Gentleman be able to look into this matter once more?

Yes, Sir; I will certainly look into it. I understand the hon. Lady's various differentiations about night clubs and night places, but a good deal is arranged by the W.V.S. and other organisations with regard to that. Perhaps the hon. Lady will have a word with me on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement concerning the number of concert parties visiting British troops in Korea during the month of December; and how many times it should be possible for each man to see such a show.

Two concert parties will visit our troops in Korea during December. It is also hoped that a third party will go there from Australia towards the end of that month. Apart from men who may be on duty on the day of the party's visit, every man should be able to see each of the parties.

Without wishing to detract from the good services of the concert parties that will be going to Korea in December, may I ask whether the Secretary of State is aware that there are several disquieting reports about the way in which the War Office looks after this aspect of the matter? Would he feel able to consider the suggestion that either the War Office or the artistes themselves should compile a pool of names of people willing to go out to Korea to entertain the troops?

Thanks to Mr. Littler, Mr. Beaumont and others, leading authorities of the stage got together and gave us the names of stars. I understood that the quality had improved very much since that Committee was formed. It has done very good work indeed, and on the whole the standard of show lately has gone up.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Union Jack is not flown over the graves of British Service men in the British Zone of Germany.

The Union Jack is flown over the graves of British Service men in foreign countries only on ceremonial occasions. This is in accordance with the practice of the Imperial War Graves Commission for the past 30 years.

Is that carried out in Germany today?

So far as I know, that is carried out in all cemeteries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' cafes serving our troops in Korea close down at 6 p.m.; and, as this is too early for those coming off duty, if he will make arrangements for the closing hour to be altered.

The closing hour of all establishments operated by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in Korea is 9.30 p.m., apart from two road houses which close at 8 p.m. and two at 7 p.m.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that although this Question was put down in the belief that the statements contained in it were correct. I am very glad that the Minister's facts prove otherwise? Is he aware how very glad the troops are that the Salvation Army is to open cafes in Korea, as its work has been very much appreciated?

I can bear that out. I know that the work which the Salvation Army has done all over the world for the Army is much appreciated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disturbance caused to residents by the movement of guns and vehicles at all hours of the day and night and drill in the early hours of the morning, on a site next to Langham Parish Church, Norfolk; and if he will take steps to abate the nuisance.

As this village is centred within a number of anti-aircraft camps, there is unavoidably a good deal of Army activity in and around it and a certain amount of noise is inevitable when training is going on. I have, however, reminded those responsible of the need to avoid as far as possible disturbance to the residents.

Does the Secretary of State not agree that these people have exercised considerable patience, because this nuisance went on all during the war and has continued for eight years since? I hope that the Minister can settle this matter once and for all.

asked the Secretary of State for War when No. 22766735 Private R. W. Powell reported for Army service; what was his medical grade; on what grounds it has since been changed; how often he has reported to the medical officer; and, in view of all the circumstances, if he will give further consideration to the discharge of this soldier as being unsuitable for Army service.

This soldier reported for service on 5th February this year. He was then assessed as medically fit for full duties. In June, owing to a foot disability, his medical assessment was changed to "fit for base duties, worldwide." In September, owing to an eye condition, his employment was further restricted to base duties in temperate climates only. He has reported sick to his medical officer four times and has twice been examined by a specialist. I have carefully reviewed his case and am satisfied that this soldier's medical category is correct and that his duties are appropriate to his grading.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the physical condition of 22931249 Private Tinsley, 8S San Block, No. 1 Platoon, A Company, 1st Training Battalion, Blandford, Dorset, who has been accepted into the Armed Forces; how far this soldier performs military duties; and if he has considered the advice that this man's medical adviser has given that grave damage may ensue if the plate in this soldier's arm is disturbed as a result of a knock or bang.

Yes, Sir. This soldier, who joined last month, was found unfit to undergo normal training in the Army and is being employed on light duties. It has now been decided to bring him before a medical board with a view to discharge from the Army.

Does the Minister not think that this case indicates great inefficiency on the part of some Government Department in accepting a soldier of this low category into the Army, and that it does an injury to the person concerned, to his family, and is a waste of public money?

I have looked into this man's case. He had trouble in his shoulder, which was almost identical to what I had myself, and it is not easy to identify. It was found that it interfered with his duties even if they were light duties, and, therefore, he is going. But to make an immediate diagnosis of the extent of that injury is not easy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the man concerned told the doctor of this injury and he said, "Can you lift your arm up so far?" The man replied that he could, and the doctor said, "That will do."

I do not think that is so. I read this case carefully. The man said he had a plate in his arm which did not show up in his X-ray. It was felt that he had overstressed the extent of the damage, but events have proved that he is not fit for Army service and he is being discharged.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the case further examined to avoid a repetition of this sort of thing?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) on what evidence it was decided to post 22443865 Private Armour, 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, as illegally absent;

(2) what steps have been taken, and are being taken, to trace 22443865 Private Armour, S Company, 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who disappeared in Korea in May, 1952.

The evidence on which this action was taken was that Private Armour, who had been in the company of another soldier on the day of his absence, later failed to parade for sentry duty. There were no special reasons to explain his absence and he was at the time in a safe area. All possible inquiries have been and are being made.

Is the Minister aware that this lad had only a few months to serve, and that in a letter to his parents his commanding officer, after paying tribute to the boy's steadiness of character, said that in his opinion his absence was not voluntary? In view of that fact and the fact that another man of this battalion, who later became a prisoner of war, writing home at that time said that he had seen this lad's dead body, a story which he has now confirmed since here turned from the prisoner of war camp, will the right hon. Gentleman come to a definite conclusion about this boy's absence?

There has not been any confirmation about the dead body, and, indeed, the evidence on that has been very flimsy. As far as going absent is concerned, if a man is in a safe area and goes absent he is, ipso facto illegally absent until events prove where he has gone.

How long will this unsatisfactory position continue for this man's family, and particularly for his mother, before events compel the Secretary of State to change his mind?

I regret very much the uncertainty for the parents; I could not regret it more. But, if a man disappears into thin air without trace and with only one flimsiest rumour to go on, we can do nothing more than go on inquiring into the matter and try to find the answer.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the present building programme for the Territorial Army is the most economical that can be devised; and whether proposed Territorial Army centres are in every case designed to meet the essential needs of modern units.

New scales of accommodation were produced in 1950 and a number of centres have been built to these scales. It is therefore now possible to review them:this is being done and will soon be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will set up a committee to review the position of Territorial Associations in the structure of the national Army having special regard to the overlapping of responsibilities between them and the military authorities.

I hope to make a statement about this in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is authorised to sanction the preferment of a charge of cowardice against a soldier.

The authority for this purpose is the superior officer, normally a general officer, who has power to convene a court martial.

Is the Minister aware that the publicity which results from such a tribunal is offensive to a great many people? Does he think that to maintain the morale of the Army it is really necessary that such tribunals should be conducted, especially in public?

This offence is one for which a court martial may legally be convened. If those on the spot judge that a court martial is demanded and the convening officer agrees, I think that if a military offence is involved the court martial should go ahead, however distasteful it may be.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that 90,000 tins of meat were dumped into the sea, near Cuxhaven, by the British Army on or about 16th October; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. This tinned meat was found to be infected with bacteria. On medical advice all stocks of this meat were therefore condemned and destroyed.

Is not the position that this meat was found to be in this condition because it had been left in storage too long? Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that there was great ineptitude and inefficiency, and that it would have been better if the meat had been looked at and distributed to people who would have made good use of it?

No, Sir. A claim against the suppliers is now being pursued, and I hope as a result of it that there will be no loss of public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War the basis of selection for a potential officers' squad at the Guards Depot as a necessary preliminary for National Service men who wish to be commissioned into Foot Guards regiments.

As in all regiments where applicants greatly outnumber vacancies, selection is based on an interview and the efficiency shown during preliminary training.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it is efficiency that is the basis of the interview and not the old school tie.

There are a very large number of applicants. They want good officers and, by past and present results, they get them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that adequate facilities exist for training in the tactical handling of Army airborne units; and whether, in the event of their employment in an operational rôle, equipment of all the types necessary is satisfactory for this purpose.

Yes, Sir. I think that we get a fair share of the resources available. As regards existing equipment, this is satisfactory for use in operations with the Hastings and Valetta aircraft. When the Beverley is taken into use, new airborne equipment will be necessary and this is now being developed by my Department and the Air Ministry.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the Beverley aircraft is in all circumstances suitable for the operations which these units could be called upon to perform?

I think it will be the best aircraft of its kind for airborne operations not only in this country but, so far as I know, anywhere. I hope that as soon as possible we shall get a supply of these aircraft which I think will be a very great asset to our airborne forces.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the Beverley is likely to be available for training purposes for these units?

I know, but for various reasons I would rather not say.

Is my right hon. Friend really satisfied with his answer to the first part of the original Question in regard to the Parachute Brigade in the Canal Zone?

The Parachute Brigade in the Canal Zone has had a good deal of training, but it has been interfered with by operational moves. I do not think that one can expect them, with the various duties which the R.A.F. has got to do, to get as much jumping as one could wish, but on the whole I think they have done fairly well.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far it is the practice to handcuff National Service men through the streets of cities and on long train journeys when they are being escorted back to depots under arrest.

It is not the practice to handcuff prisoners. Exceptionally a prisoner may be handcuffed if, for example, he has already broken away from his escort and been recaptured.

Is the Minister aware that I have a case of a young man who left the Merchant Service and reported at the employment exchange. He was arrested and held for an escort, who marched him through the streets of Birmingham handcuffed without giving him the opportunity of seeing his parents or picking up his personal kit? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that if it is necessary to handcuff a man he should be taken in a private carriage and have the vehicle to himself instead of it being open to the public?

Normally if it is necessary to handcuff a prisoner that is done, but if the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars of that case I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what appointment is being offered to Lieut.-Colonel Carne, V.C.

His next appointment has yet to be decided.

In deciding this gallant officer's next appointment, will the circumstances of his conduct in Korea be very much taken into account?

Yes, Sir, I can give the right hon. Gentleman that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will employ troops in order to clear seaweed from the South Coast holiday resort beaches so that the breeding grounds for coelopa frigida and other flies may be exterminated.

No request has so far been made.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this new type of fly has now infested a 150-mile stretch of the beach, that they are now advancing on London, that they travel at the rate of eight miles a week, and at that rate they will be in the centre of London within three weeks? Will my right hon. Friend and the Government treat the matter as one of national importance, and will he co-operate by lending powerful flame throwers and troops for an experimental period?

I am informed that the rate of reproduction of coelopa frigida is much retarded in the winter. I am also informed that there is a reasonable chance in the case of high winds or gales that the seaweed will be washed away.

As there are later Questions on the Order Paper to the Minister of Housing and Local Government which are not likely to be reached, may I ask my right hon. Friend to impress upon the Government the necessity for co-ordinated action to be taken in this matter by the central Government as it is one of pressing importance and there is the possibility of an epidemic unless urgent action is taken?

If the right hon. Gentleman is considering lending soldiers to do this work, will he take particular care that the cost of this labour will not be lower than the wages paid to the civilians who normally would do such work?

They would only get the Army rate of pay.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that a large section of the population would much resent it if the Army were turned into a body of seaside scavengers?

If and when the authorities decide to move this seaweed and if they do not know where to dump it, will the military remember my garden?

asked the Secretary of State for War why the primary training of National Service men entering the Royal Army Pay Corps has to be completed in one month.

The National Service entrant to this Corps does not complete his basic training in one month. His basic military training is not, however, carried out continuously for six weeks, but is spread over a longer period because he begins technical training in his fifth week.

Will the Minister bear in mind that I have had information that the primary training in one unit has to be completed in a month, that at that place the men training are on duty from 5.45 a.m. until almost midnight, and does he not think that this is too much for a non-combatant unit, and will he take steps to see that it is regulated?

If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars, I will look into them, but I know of no unit in the Army where normally day-to-day duties start at 5.45 and end at midnight.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances 56 bags of Army mail, containing 250,000 letters, came to be delayed at Singapore; what was the earliest date of posting of these letters; and what steps he is taking to deal with those responsible for this delay and to prevent a similar occurrence in future.

I should like to say how very much I regret the anxiety and inconvenience which must have been caused. A full and immediate inquiry into the circumstances is being made and I do not wish to make a statement until I have all the facts.

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that the holding up of a quarter of a million letters in this way is a very serious matter, and in view of the importance which Service men and women serving overseas attach to receiving their mail, will he see that, if the inquiry should reflect upon any individual, the gravity of the matter is brought home to him?

From information I have had so far, I do not think it is as many as a quarter of a million, though it may well be a very large number. That does not alter the fact that I realise fully the grief, inconvenience and disappointment caused by an accident of this kind, which is the last thing I should wish to happen.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this Government is so expert—whether it is the War Office or the Post Office—in losing mails or getting things stolen and one thing and another? Why is it that we are subject to this persistent incompetence?

On the rather important matter of the subject of this Question, may I ask the Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a newspaper report in which it was stated that a sergeant had been arrested in this connection? Is there no officer who has direct responsibility who could take the charge concerned? Why should it be left to a sergeant to take the rap?

I should prefer not to go into the details until I have the full report. The matter is the responsibility of the Army Postal Services in conjunction with the civil authorities. The inquiry is now going on and it will be much more satisfactory if I make a full statement at a later stage.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far it is the policy of Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to bar a Service unit from buying goods from Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes because that unit gets other goods elsewhere; and whether he has any statement to make on a recent incident in Germany, particulars of which have been sent to him.

It is no part of the policy of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to bar a Service unit from buying goods from their establishments because the unit gets other goods elsewhere. N.A.A.F.I. have not been able to trace any instance in Germany where such a policy has been applied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has noted the decline in the export of pottery during 1952 and 1953, as compared with 1951; and what are the factors which may account for the decline.

Yes, Sir; but 1951 was a peak year when exports of domestic pottery reached a level almost double that of 1938 by weight and about seven times that of 1938 by value. The main factors accounting for the decline since 1951 have been the imposition of import restrictions abroad, increased foreign competition in overseas markets, and some reduction in consumer demand, but there has been some improvement in exports in the last few months compared with the same period in 1952.

On the point of increased competition from abroad by manufacturers in other countries, will the Minister bear in mind that the fuel costs in this industry form a high proportion of the overhead charges? Would he, therefore, use his influence with the Gas Board to see that gas supplied to this industry, which is now used in the main for firing, might be offered at a smaller charge than is at present entailed?

We are watching the position of this important export industry with the greatest attention, and I will take into consideration the point made by the hon. Gentleman.

Would the Minister also agree that the removal of controls has had a serious effect, and that the Government ought seriously to consider the question of leaving to free enterprise the ruin that will come as a result of that policy?

I think that this industry, as most others, is well content on the whole with the policies which Her Majesty's Government have initiated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about certain engineering contracts in Commonwealth and other countries recently awarded to foreign firms in competition with British firms; and what steps he will take to enable British firms to compete for such contracts upon an equal and fair basis.

I am aware that certain engineering contracts abroad have recently been awarded to foreign competitors. Circumstances differ from case to case, but the main cause appears to have been the ability of our competitors to quote lower prices. The Government will do all they can to ensure that our manufacturers compete on equal terms. But the decisive factor is our competitive power and the major responsibility rests upon everyone in industry to keep down costs and improve productivity.

Will the Minister tell the House if he can estimate to what extent the success of our foreign competitors has been due to Government subsidies, or others forms of special assistance, given to firms in those countries?

My hon. Friend will realise that it is extraordinarily difficult to get to the bottom of this. On the whole, we think that this influence has been exaggerated, but if my hon. Friend or anyone else has any definite evidence, we should like to have it. In the meantime, through O.E.E.C. and other inter-Governmental organisations, we are taking up the question of export incentives and quasi-subsidies, I think not without some encouraging progress.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the biggest single factor causing the loss of contracts, both in the Commonwealth and elsewhere, is the long delivery dates which many of our manufacturers quote in comparison with those of other countries, and that a further serious effect is caused by the fact that the Treasury in this country will not allow the same credit terms to some of these traders as are allowed by the treasuries of some other countries?

Again I say to the right hon. Gentleman that whilst I agree that delivery dates come into this, and have accounted in some cases for the loss of contracts, we should like to have definite evidence where that is the trouble. Even more important than long delivery dates is our failure in some cases to keep to the delivery dates that have been given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a big order for locomotives has been lost to Scotland and that there is great concern about India for the first time placing that order in other countries?

I agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said. We are concerned about the loss of that locomotive order also but, if he looks into it, I think he will find that the main reason, though not the only reason, was the substantial difference in prices.

Since the Minister gave as the main reason the ability of our foreign competitors to quote lower prices than we do, will he not inform his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the slash in food subsidies has deliberately pushed up food prices in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will extend until 31st December the prohibition of import of onions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the light of representations recently made to him, he is now able to postpone the date on which onion imports will be resumed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the expiry of the period of notice for objections to the waiver granted to Britain under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Her Majesty's Government will now announce without delay its policy in regard to tariffs for horticultural imports from the Continent, so that the home producer may be aware of the prospects when determining what crops to grow for the coming season.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to announce the decisions of Her Majesty's Government in regard to tariffs for certain horticultural products, including onions, early next week. He will, at the same time, deal with the question of import licensing arrangements for these products, and I would, therefore, ask my hon. and gallant Friends and the hon. Gentleman to await that announcement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is an ample supply of home-grown onions to last until the end of December?

We are aware that there are rather larger quantities of home-grown onions available now than there were last year.

As a supplementary to Question No. 50, may I ask whether the Ministry have had any talks about the lists with the National Farmers' Union branches in all the horticultural producing counties? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that our own horticultural producers are protected in this connection?

We have had many consultations, of course, and have been in the very closest touch for many months with the National Farmers' Union on the question of tariffs on horticultural products. I think that I can assure the hon. Member that what he has in mind is really one of our main objects.

Would my right hon. Friend have some inquiry made into what is going on at the port of Boston in Lincolnshire? According to my information, onions are coming into that port in anticipation of the ban being lifted on 1st December. Surely that must be wrong.

I will look into that point.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the step now being taken will not mean that another article of food goes up in price?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply has been made to the request of the Welsh Tourist Board that it should receive a direct grant.

The Welsh Tourist Board has appealed against the decision not to provide a direct grant, and has now been told that its request for financial assistance will be reconsidered when the survey of the Welsh tourist industry, which the British Travel and Holidays Association is undertaking at my request, has been completed.

While the amount of those grants may depend upon the result of the survey, would the Minister not agree with the principle that a direct grant is desirable? Would he also consult with the Minister for Welsh Affairs about the desirability of not making Welsh organisations appear subservient to British ones?

I can assure the hon. Lady straight away that that is no part of our object at all. As regards the first part of her supplementary question, the object of these grants is to attract overseas visitors to Britain, and therefore in general the planning of expenditure can best be carried out by the central organisation, the British Travel and Holiday Association. However, the point which she has raised generally will not be overlooked. We are anxious to encourage overseas visitors to visit the Principality in as great numbers as possible.

Is the Minister aware that that is no answer to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) as to whether the Minister for Welsh Affairs is being consulted? Surely that is what he is for. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the opinion on this subject of the Minister specially designated to protect Wales?

My right hon. and learned Friend has met the Welsh Tourist Board and has begun already to assert friendly pressure on me and my Department. We have been in very close touch on this matter.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether his Department is ready to succumb to such friendly pressure?

I can only tell my hon. Friend that whenever I have visited Wales I have had such a friendly reception that I have been wanting to go back there as early as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate how long it will be before a reply to the Welsh Tourist Board will be forthcoming?

I am hoping that the survey which I mentioned will be completed within three or four weeks. We shall have the result then and we shall consider it without any unnecessary delay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish particulars of the amount of titanium dioxide sold by the United Kingdom to Canada during the past 12 months; if he is aware of the concern felt by British manufacturers about the present shortage of this material; and what action he proposes to take.

I regret that the information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available since exports of titanium dioxide are not separately recorded in the trade statistics. To ensure as far as possible that the valuable market which has been built up in Canada should not be lost, we thought it right not to ask manufacturers to divert supplies to meet the temporary shortage at home, particularly since new plant is in the course of erection. In the meantime, however, it has been decided to allow sufficient dollar imports to meet all reasonable requirements.

Whilst I appreciate that my right hon. Friend cannot give exact figures, may I ask whether a matter of 7,000 tons would be about the correct figure? Secondly, does he appreciate that the purchase of titanium dioxide from Germany and other Continental sources would be approximately 300 per cent. in excess of current home supplies?

I am sorry that I cannot confirm whether my hon. Friend is right or wrong in the figures which he has just given, because I am unable to separate them from other statistics. But I would emphasise the temporary nature of this difficulty and how highly undesirable it would be to interrupt an increasing export business.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman emphasise the general importance of increased exports to Canada?

I could not agree more with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which Development Areas he is proposing to de-schedule.

My right hon. Friend has not yet decided to propose the removal of any Development Area from the First Schedule to the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman impress on his right hon. Friend that it would be premature at this stage, in the present difficult economic situation, to consider this matter at all?

If the hon. Member will study the provisions of Section 7 of the 1945 Act he will see what it is the duty of the President to do, but I would point out—as the hon. Member may already know—that no action can take place before the local authorities concerned have been consulted and that the approval of this House must be obtained.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman recognise that the position of most Development Areas is still extremely vulnerable, especially under present conditions? Will he give an assurance to the House that there will be no question of de-scheduling any areas until the President has produced the long promised White Paper on the question of development of the areas as a whole?

The right hon. Gentleman is in error in thinking that a White Paper has been promised and I would refer him to answers given on this subject last week. On the other question about taking into consideration all those matters which it is the duty of the President under the Act to take into consideration, I promise that will be done.

As a lover of the English language, will my hon. and learned Friend give his opinion of the word "de-scheduling"?

My hon. Friend will notice that I did not use that word.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the decision of the United States Government to give a subsidy on fruit imported into Britain; what steps are being taken to protect the home producer from this form of competition; and whether Her Majesty's Government will investigate the possibilities of bulk purchase of any surplus of horticultural commodities from abroad which may be in short supply here.

As my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food stated in a Press notice on 23rd October, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, we have made a bulk purchase of United States raisins. No arrangements are at present contemplated for the import of any other subsidised fruits from the United States. As regards the last part of the Question, the hon. Member will be aware that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to return the import of commodities to private hands as soon as possible.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that answer and noting that the Government have reverted to bulk purchase, may I ask whether, when they were discussing the question of a dollar subsidy per box of American pears, the matter was discussed with the Commonwealth Fruit Council, who denounced this method of selling? Will he protect our horticulturists from a recrudescence of dumping?

I should like to assure the hon. Member that every deal of this kind is considered very carefully from every possible angle.

Can the right hon. Member say how much the subsidy was in this case and whether it will be passed on to consumers in this country or retained by the Treasury?

I am afraid I am unable to answer either of those two questions without notice.

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that if fruits are imported from the American Continent prior consideration will be given to Canadian products as against those of the United States of America?

We are taking all the raisins that are on offer from the Commonwealth.

Am I to understand from the answer to my previous question that the Government have not made up their mind, or that the right hon. Gentleman does not know?

I think the answer is as I expressed it, that I am unable to answer those two questions without notice.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman tell the House frankly whether or not his Department knows that pears, according to the growers, are being imported into this country at a subsidy of a dollar a box?

If the hon. Member will put down a Question on that rather separate subject, I shall do my best to answer it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the future of the British Industries Fair.