asked the Secretary of State for Air why 147713 Corporal R. Houghton, due for release on 1st March, 1947, has not yet been demobilised.

Corporal Houghton was kept in Italy because he was needed as a witness at a court of inquiry. I am glad to tell my hon. Friend, however, that he left Italy for the United Kingdom two days ago and that he will shortly be released.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that it was necessary to delay the release of this corporal, who was one of 15 witnesses at a court of inquiry into an event which took place on 14th January last?

Yes, Sir. I have inquired into that, and I am satisfied it was necessary to keep them.

On a point of Order. Is not this one of those questions which, in your opinion, Mr. Speaker, might have been better asked by means of a letter to the Minister, rather than by taking up time and wasting money?

That is entirely for the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton).