asked the Prime Minister when the White Paper on the demands of the Service Departments of land for training and defence purposes, which he promised on 25th February, 1947, will be issued.

The issue of this White Paper has been held up to enable the requirements of the Service Departments to be reviewed in the light of the recent decisions affecting the size of the Armed Forces. Considerable progress has been made on this review and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister hopes the publication of the White Paper will not be much further delayed.

Is the Lord President aware that the delay of five and a half months is holding up and hampering agricultural production, and would he take steps to prevent squabbles between different Government Departments from delaying the publication of this White Paper?

This is a matter upon which, from its very nature, there is bound to be argument between Government Departments. We are doing our best to reconcile them and to arrive at a wise decision. We hope that there will not be any undue delay.