HC Deb 31 January 1956 vol 548 cc743-6
27. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men drafted to the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment and the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment. to bring each battalion to full strength before proceeding to Cyprus.

Mr. Head

None, Sir.

28. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War the percentage of National Service men serving in the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, and the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment when these battalions proceeded to Cyprus; and what was the percentage of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiments qualified as jumpers.

Mr. Head

The percentage of National Service men in these battalions was 46, 63, 60, 17 and 16 respectively. About 97 per cent. of the other ranks in each of the parachute battalions are qualified jumpers.

Mr. Nicholson rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Wigg—Question No. 29.

Mr. Nicholson

Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Nicholson.

Mr. Nicholson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that aspersions were cast the other day on the reputation of two of the regiments mentioned in this Question, and will he please take the first opportunity which presents itself to state that those aspersions are without foundation?

Mr. Wigg

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In order that the rules of the House may have some semblance of fairness, may I point out that you had called Question No. 29?

Mr. Speaker

I called Question No. 29 because I did not observe the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson) rise to ask a supplementary question. When he did ask it, I did not hear him, so I will now call Question No. 29.

Mr. Nicholson

With respect, Mr. Speaker, you did call my name distinctly.

Mr. Speaker

I called the hon. Member to ask his supplementary question, but I did not hear it. We had better pass on to Question No. 29.

Mr. Head

I might say, in answer to my hon. Friend, that I think the reputation of these regiments will stand comparison—

Mr. Wigg

On a point of order. [Interruption.]Hon. Gentlemen can shout as much as they like. Mr. Speaker, may I ask you to keep to the rules of the House —you called Question No. 29.

Captain Pilkington

Further to that point of order. Surely the Minister has the right to answer my hon. Friend.

Mr. Speaker

I could not hear the supplementary question, so I did not know whether the right hon. Gentleman was going to answer it or not.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order. The hon. Member for Farnham was asking a question about the reputation of one of the regiments concerned—[HON. MEMBERS: "Two."]—but as there is nothing in the Question relating to the reputation or character of title regiment, was not that supplementary question completely irrelevant?

Mr. Speaker

I do not know. I did not hear enough of it to gather the point. Mr. Wigg—Question No. 29.

29. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War the periods the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment and the 1st and 3rd Battalions Parachute Regiment served in the United Kingdom before proceeding to Cyprus; and whether he will take a statement.

Mr. Head

Fourteen months, two years and three months, 19 months and 18 months respectively.

Mr. Nicholson

May I ask the same supplementary question as I previously asked, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

Will the hon. Member for Farnham please repeat his supplementary question?

Mr. Nicholson

Is not the Minister aware that a few days ago aspersions were cast on the reputation of two of the regiments mentioned in this Question? Will he please take the first opportunity that presents itself to state that these aspersions are without foundation?

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I really do not see how that supplementary question arises out of this Question. It is not right that aspersions should be made but, on the other hand, we must have some regard to the Question which is before the House.

An Hon. Member

What is the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) afraid of?

Mr. Wigg

I only want the House to keep to its own rules of order; that is all.

36. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War his estimate of the weekly cost of keeping British soldiers in Cyprus.

Mr. Head

About £200,000.

Mr. Hughes

When the Chancellor of the Exchequer is calling for economy, is not this an enormous expenditure of public money?

Mr. Head

If the hon. Member's suggestions about our general policy were carried to their full consequence, I think that he would find he would have very little freedom in which to ask supplementary questions.