asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many soldiers were recruited for the various Scottish regiments in November;

(2) how many recruits enlisted in November in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Highland Light Infantry, as compared with November, 1956.

I regret that these figures are not yet available.

Surely there is something wrong with the War Office when it cannot count the number of soldiers who offer to join?

I think that the hon. Gentleman will not have to wait very long for these figures to be available. I shall certainly endeavour to see that he gets them; I will send them to him during the Recess.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the November recruiting figures will be published at the earliest possible opportunity?

Yes, they will be published at the normal time.

Does the Minister agree that the little dispute about kilts or trews is likely to militate against recruiting in Scotland?

I do not think that it will bring about what I would call any significant change.