asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to appeals by football clubs for gifts of clothing coupons; and under what regulation it is permissible for the public to detach and for football clubs to use loose clothing coupons?

The Board of Trade, in response to representations made to them, agreed last autumn to entertain requests by football clubs through their national associations for permission to collect coupons from supporters for the maintenance of playing kit. The loose coupons collected are sent in to the Board and exchanged for negotiable vouchers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why manufacturers are no longer permitted to make extra outsize underwear for men; and, in view of the many persons affected, if he will take steps to remedy this?

There is no prohibition on the manufacture of extra outsize underwear, either utility or non-utility.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very satisfactory reply, I hope it will be possible to notify all manufacturers of the importance of what he has said as certain retailers are unable to supply this outsize underwear. Is he aware that notwithstanding rationing there will always be the fat kine and the lean kine and that I am glad to know that the policy of his Department is not to cater only for the long and lean kine?

We are very anxious to see that justice is done to all. If the hon. Gentleman has any further trouble, perhaps he will furnish me with some particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his consideration of Sir William McLintock's eight reports on the latter's investigations, under the Companies Act, into the circumstances in which investors have wholly lost approximately £3,000,000 which they were publicly invited to subscribe in the eight West Australian gold-mining companies known as the de Bernales Group; whether he has been advised that the promoters and directors have infringed the provisions of the Companies Act, the Larceny Act, the Forgery Act and the Common Law; and whether he proposes to take any further action?

Sir William McLintock's reports have been fully considered. Civil proceedings have been instituted by certain shareholders against the companies, the directors and other persons, and I am watching very closely the progress of those proceedings.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that these civil proceedings have been taken by shareholders who can afford to take them, and that there are many other shareholders who are not able to take these proceedings? In view of the strong indictment in the Sir William McLintock reports, will the Board of Trade, in the public interest, take some action?

I think we had better wait and see the result of the present proceedings. We are watching the matter very closely, and it may be that the present proceedings will reveal further evidence.

But if these civil proceedings do not end—I do not know whether they will or not—will my right hon. Friend take some action under criminal proceedings?

That is a hypothetical question. We are watching the proceedings very closely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give consideration to issuing licences to proprietors of small businesses who have closed down in consequence of the war so that they may have priority in reestablishing themselves after the war?

Yes, Sir. I shall be glad to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion in the light of the views of the Retail Trade Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the investigation into the affairs of Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, ordered in January, 1939, was suspended by his Department?

This complicated investigation was suspended in June, 1940, on representations from the inspector that it had become impracticable to proceed with it owing to the shortage of skilled staff and other circumstances arising from the war. The applicants were consulted and offered no objection.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now grant a licence to Strange, The Printer, Limited, of Eastbourne, for the purchase of a new punching machine, as it has been ascertained that a new machine is available and lying idle at the makers and as their present machine is over 30 years old and not sufficiently accurate to carry out corporation contracts on which they are engaged?

No. Sir. I am informed that there is sufficient punching machinery in Eastbourne to undertake the work required by the Corporation, and the machine now in the hands of the makers should, therefore, be used to meet some more urgent need.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider lending this firm this new machine until it is required for more urgent purposes? Otherwise they will not be in a position to carry on their business.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has already been in touch with my hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on this matter. There is a good deal of evidence in favour of having the machine used somewhere else where it is more urgently needed, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman cares to speak to me further about the matter, I shall be very glad. The case, however, is not very strong.

Have any of these punching machines been installed in the War Office?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient British films available to ensure that exhibitors are able to fulfil their quota requirements?

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that there are still sufficient British films available to enable exhibitors in general to satisfy their current quota obligations. The position is, however, becoming more difficult, and I have made an Order, reducing the exhibitors' quotas for both long and short British films by 2½ per cent. as from 1st October, 1942.

May we presume that steps are being taken to stimulate as far as possible production of these films?

We are anxious to do that as far as limited resources due to war conditions allow. Many films produced within the last four years may still be shown within the quota, and many of these are worth showing again.