Mr John Davidson: I rise to support my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenģer) in his plea that we should get a definite statement from the War Office about those whom the Army are now discarding for various reasons. Without casting any imputations on the morale of the British Army I must say that I have found, in discussions with serving men, that there is a growing discontent among officers,...
Mr John Davidson: I take it that if I bring the case to the notice of my hon. and learned Friend, it will receive consideration. There is one other point I would like answered and that is whether there is, anything in the King's Regulations which would debar the War Office from giving such a case sympathetic consideration.
Mr John Davidson: I take it that under none of those headings is the War Office involved in any further financial expenditure?
Mr John Davidson: Drafted from all schools?
Mr John Davidson: Is the hon. Member aware that in ordinary elementary schools, with a great number of pupils and classes of 60 or 70, it is impossible to have a training corps of that kind?
Mr John Davidson: On the question of backward local authorities who refuse to supply meals to children, will the Government consider issuing a periodical black list of such authorities in order to spur on and inspire those in these authorities who are in favour of the Government's desire?
Mr John Davidson: Surely the hon. Gentleman will agree that wages play a very important part in any welfare arrangements for the future of the shipbuilding industry?
Mr John Davidson: Will my hon. Friend expatiate further on the point and point out that, while we had no preparations, and nothing at all, so to speak, we paid, with the consent of the party in the majority, handsome profits to munitions manufacturers for many years?
Mr John Davidson: It is some time since I had the temerity to address the House of Commons, particularly in a Scottish Debate, and I trust that my right hon. Friend will recognise that I am very definitely imbued with the idea of giving any assistance I can, however meagre it may be, to get the Scottish Office to recognise how ill this Bill has been received, not only by Members of o this House, but by local...
Mr John Davidson: The Lord Advocate has referred to the unlovable nature of the Bill and has assured us, to a certain extent, that something will be coming along soon with regard to financial provisions which will enable us to expend more on social welfare. Can he indicate exactly what form this new legislation will take?
Mr John Davidson: Surely it takes a prominent part in consultation.
Mr John Davidson: What does the hon. and gallant Gentleman mean by "the original scheme"? Does he mean the original scheme placed in this House by private organisations?
Mr John Davidson: They should get the Italian Embassy to speak for them.
Mr John Davidson: I want to ask for the Ministry's intervention with regard to girls when they have met with injuries during work on the land. These women had practically a guarantee that they would not have to do service abroad, but I would rather be a typist in the A.T.S. or the W.A.A.F. in Paris, than a Land Army girl in some of the far-away districts of this country, and in the North of Scotland. Those...
Mr John Davidson: Quite frankly, I do not think my hon. and learned Friend has answered the case. I listened very attentively to the hon. Member who brought up this subject on the Adjournment, and there were one or two points which struck me very much indeed. First I would ask whether, after Rose was removed from his command, there was a radical change in the training. It has been definitely stated that...
Mr John Davidson: Can the Financial Secretary say whether since D-Day this battalion has carried out its duties in an exemplary form, and distinguished itself equally with other battalions using different methods?
Mr John Davidson: I am interested in the hon. Gentleman's argument and I am always interested in understanding exactly what type of pressure is most successful on various Ministries. Was this telegram sent to him or as a Member of Parliament interested in road safety or as one interested in the motor industry?
Mr John Davidson: May I draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that the Motor Association themselves failed to send a reply within the three months which they were requested to do?
Mr John Davidson: It is perfectly clear to the majority of Members that my hon. Friend has answered adequately the arguments put forward by particular interests. There is an important housing Debate to follow in which Scottish Members are particularly interested——
Mr John Davidson: I did not rise to a point of Order. I rose to appeal to the Minister.
