asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that American woollen and worsted manufacturers may now buy and use wool without limit, whereas British users of wool are strictly limited and controlled; and, as British woollen and worsted manufacturers in some markets are in competition with them, whether he will now allow some relaxation in the restrictions upon the use of wool in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) in view of the possibility that in international post-war trade Britain's role will be producer of high-class goods and as, for our woollen and worsted cloth, the United States has been one our best markets, will he consider whether consistent with the war policy, it would be possible to allow a moderate export of goods to the United States?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 2nd November, His Majesty's Government consider it necessary to give priority to the essential needs of the home market and of the Empire. The total quantity of wool piece goods available for export is barely sufficient to meet minimum Empire requirements, and I am afraid that no relaxation of the restrictions on export to the United States or Latin America is possible at present.

Is my right hon. Friend fully seized with the importance of maintaining the Yorkshire woollen trade in the post-war years?

Yes, Sir. I have had a number of consultations with those concerned with the woollen and worsted industry, and we are well aware of its importance, but the immediate question is that our own people and the Empire must come first.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that he is pushing this question of restrictions too far and murdering the export trade? If he is so anxious to help the Empire, why does he refuse a licence to export to our oldest Colony, Newfoundland?

I am not restricting the export trade more than the conditions of labour and material necessitate. The bottleneck in the export trade is one of labour rather than of material, and I say that we should export to members of the family in the Empire before we export to other people when things are short.

In the right hon. Gentleman's consideration of this matter will he bear in mind that if we are to have the highest quality of these goods, we must pay attention to the Scottish woollen industry?

We al ways have a special thought for Scotland in our minds, and there are some special arrangements with regard to it.

If, as the right hon. Gentleman says, he is looking after the interests of the Empire, why does he refuse to grant a licence to export to Newfoundland?

That is a particular point, and if my hon. Friend will put a Question down, I will be glad to answer it.

If the bottleneck is labour, will the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing the woollen manufacturers of Northern Ireland, where labour is surplus, to provide a greater export?

We shall be glad to look into that too.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information in connection with seven men and three women, who were charged with having 620,519 coupons and offences relating to the supply or acquisition of cloth, silk and suitings; whether he is aware that one of the accused, a Manchester shipper, was with the Board of Trade; whether he has seen the statement made by Mr. Justice Cassels; how the coupons were obtained; and what action he intends taking about this matter?

On 9th December, following investigations by my officers in collaboration with the police, seven men and three women were convicted at Manchester for offences against the Consumer Rationing Order. No coupons were obtained. The offences arose from the diversion to the home market, and mostly to black marketeers, of cloth issued coupon-free for purposes of export. The sentences imposed amounted in the aggregate to more than 19 years' imprisonment, and to nearly £10,000 in fines and costs. None of the accused has ever been in the employment of the Board of Trade. I have read a report of the remarks made by Mr. Justice Cassels in passing sentence. I have removed one of the accused, a Manchester shipper, from the register of exporters under the Consumer Rationing Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the exorbitant prices being charged for toys; and whether he has any statement to make?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, I made an Order last April, limiting the margins of profit which manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers may charge for toys and indoor games, and, in addition, fixing an over-riding maximum retail price of 24s. 5d. (including Purchase Tax). I hope that members of the public will report to their local price regulation committee any cases where they think they have been overcharged.

May I report to the right hon. Gentleman that I paid 2s. 11d. for these two pieces of wood stuck together, and does he think that that is a suitable price under his Price Control Order?

I am surprised at the simplicity of my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if I had not paid 2s. 11d. for this or some similar article, my child would have no toys at all?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he now has any statement to make regarding the issue of supplementary clothing coupons to agricultural and industrial workers for the present rationing period?

Yes, Sir. As I informed the House on 3rd August, the industrial supplements will be continued at the same level in this rationing period as in the last. The 10 supplementary coupons, for which 12,500,000 workers are eligible, will be available from to-morrow at the local offices of the Ministry of Labour, from which full details can be obtained. Other special arrangements, on the lines of those made last year, will also continue in force during this period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the licensing of retail shops after the war?

In agreement with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food I am replying on his behalf as well as my own.

Will these arrangements be carried out by legislation or by Order in Council? What will be the position of those who are not on the register?

As to the exact legal authority for these arrangements in the transitional period, I cannot give an answer, but the Government will ask the House at an appropriate moment to make suitable provisions to enable these arrangements to have the force of law during the period I have indicated. With regard to the register, I would once more like to ask all hon. Members to give the utmost publicity to it, particularly in view of the statement I have made, which adds to its importance. Every trader who gets on to the register will be entitled to return to his business after the cessation of hostilities in Europe. On the other hand, those who do not get on to the register will have to be looked at a second time, but I hope that as many as possible will get on to the register.

Is it intended to give any priority to ex-Service men under this scheme?

Yes, Sir. I have already tried to make it clear that, first, ex-Service men who are on the register will have priority, and, second, disabled persons, including but not wholly including ex-Service men, who were not in retail trade before the war will have an opportunity of entering. That will be worked out in consultation with the Minister of Labour. It would not be desirable for too many disabled ex-Service men with no previous experience of retail trade to push in, as they did after the last war, with very unfortunate results. On the other hand, it is our duty to see that these men are fairly treated.

In dealing with the problem of issuing licences to enter retail trade after the war, is it intended that the determination will rest exclusively with the Food Ministry, or will local authorities be asked to advise Government Departments?

I am speaking here for the Board of Trade and not for the Ministry of Food. So far as the Board of Trade is concerned, we shall keep in being the existing machinery, whereby we have local committees with a wide representation who advise us on these licensing questions.

What about a person who has not been registered who wants to trade where there is a need to satisfy the public? Will such a person be able to be registered if no one else in that area is desiring registration?

I am not sure that my hon. Friend has quite appreciated what the register does. The register records the names of persons who were in non-food retail trade before the war. What I have said is that every person who is on the register will be entitled to return to the same place and the same kind of business. Persons not on the register who desire to open a shop will be able to apply for a licence through the existing machinery, and these licences will, I anticipate, be given in larger numbers as the shortage of goods, which is the fundamental reason for the whole of this arrangement, abates.

May I ask whether facilities exist for including Service men overseas on the register?

We are continually publicising the register. It is no good the hon. Member shaking his head. There have been frequent references to it in the Press, and there have been references on the radio, and I invite my hon. Friend and all other hon. Members to do their bit in publicising it in their own constituencies.

rose—

We cannot spend all the time on this Question.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether in addition to a long-term housing policy the Government are also preparing plans for a short-term policy of temporary housing; and, if so, what industries are being called upon for assistance in this work?

Yes, Sir. Plans for temporary housing are now being worked out, and, as soon as conclusions are reached on the issues of policy involved, all the interests concerned will be consulted.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what industries are being called in specially to assist?

I cannot say until we have got the details of these plans, but all the industries concerned will be called into consultation.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman mean the building industries? My question applies specially to industries outside the building industry?

It is obvious that for temporary housing industries outside the building industry may be concerned, and so far as they are they will be consulted.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many shops in the Metropolitan area have vacant rooms above them; and what action he proposes to take to enable local authorities to have that accommodation renovated and adapted for domestic occupation, especially in those cases where the shops are now empty?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. and learned Friend has recently delegated to clerks of local authorities power to requisition buildings, including shops, for domestic occupation, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the circular on the subject.

Can the hon. Lady say how many of these premises have been acquired, seeing that there are a large number in the suburbs of London?

I cannot give the hon. Member that information without notice.

Can the hon. Lady say why action was not taken before the fifth year of the war?

Earlier in the war it was not necessary to requisition shops and houses for the purpose my hon. Friend has in mind except in particular districts.

These are the districts we are talking about.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the Secretary of State for War has dozens of buildings empty he will not occupy?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any approximate estimate of the number of unsatisfied applications for housing accommodation that have been made to local authorities in the Metropolitan police area during the past two years; also of the number of dwelling-rooms in the area now occupied for military purposes; also of the number of houses now damaged that could be made habitable and the number that should be built; and what consultations have taken place respecting the provision at the earhest possible date of temporary structures as dwellings?

The reply to the first two parts of the Question is "No, Sir," but my right hon. and learned Friend has already received from 67 of the 95 local authorities in the London Region programmes for the erection of 21,500 houses as a first instalment. The number of houses damaged and still uninhabitable is approximately 38,000 but in many cases their repair at the present time would entail excessive demands on labour and materials. On the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day by my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio, to the Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery).

Cannot the hon. Lady easily secure the information asked for in the first part of the Question, and further, will she take all steps possible to see that premises now occupied by the military are evacuated at the earliest possible date, as quite a number of these premises were previously tenanted?

There are many premises that are being used by the military and by various bodies that have to be accommodated and the matter has been looked into to see what further arrangements could be made. But the hon. Member will realise that certain people have to be housed in certain districts so that the accommodation they occupy cannot immediately be released.

asked the Secretary of State for War why one-fifth of Army Form B55, which is the billeting notice in current use for soldiers, is devoted to the billeting of horses; and when a horse was last billeted?

As long as there are horses in the Army the Army must be able, if necessary, to billet them. The provisions for horses take only it lines on the normal billeting form. If these were removed a special form would have to be printed and issued to all those who might need them. Horses are billeted when occasion arises but without making extensive local inquiries I could not say when was the last occasion.

Is it really necessary to have all these details on the form? For instance, is it necessary to say that the manure remains the property of the War Department?

I daresay this form is an interesting survival, like many other things. I know too that there are mule companies, and I always understood that a mule is at any rate equal to half a horse.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Army Form B55 includes details of the pre-war scale of meals required by the Army Act for billeted soldiers; and when an Army billeting notice, appropriate to war conditions, will be devised?

The billeting form naturally quotes the provisions of the Army Act under which it is issued. But it explains that in practice, the quantities of nationally rationed articles of food (e.g., meat, bacon) supplied will be limited to those allowed by the soldier's ration card, and that the balance necessary to give a reasonable standard of feeding may be made up by other foodstuffs. Suitable substitutes may be provided for any other items of the scale which may be unobtainable or prohibitive in price. This seems to me the most appropriate way of meeting war conditions.

Could not all this out-of-date verbiage be cut out after four years of war and information which he really requires be given to the householder?

The form states the legal position, and I think it is much simpler, instead of printing an entirely new form, to stick on this temporary qualification of the legal position.

asked the Secretary of State for War why an officer, of whose name he has been informed, who served in the last war and gave up his farm in South Africa to serve in this one, has been called upon to resign his commission upon an adverse report from his commanding officer which the sub-district commander, in forwarding it, described as neither justified nor fair to the officer concerned; and why the request of the officer for a personal interview with a member of the Army Council in accordance with King's Regulations has not yet been granted?

In reply to the first part of the Question, both the Commanding Officer and the Sub-District Commander recommended the removal of this officer from the appointment he held at the time when he was being reported on. The Army Council in the light of these and other reports they had received on this officer, decided that he must be reverted to unemployment and called upon to resign his commission in the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. As regards the second part of the Question, this officer's request for an interview at the War Office was received on 27th November. It is not always possible to arrange an interview at very short notice. He was, however, interviewed on 11th December by the Deputy Adjutant-General.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the other reports which he now refers to were known to the officer and whether the officer has had any opportunity of putting his side of the case in regard to them?

I have not the slightest doubt about that, because an adverse report must be seen by the officer concerned and be initialled by him.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the distribution of ribbons for the 1939–43 Star and the Africa Star, he is aware that many officers and men who fought in North Africa and are now in this country and in some cases recovering from wounds, have not yet received their award; and whether he will expedite distribution in such cases?

Officers and men who fought in North Africa are candidates for the Africa Star. Adequate stocks of ribbon for this Star are available at home and abroad, and I am not aware that its distribution has been held up in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the troops who fought with great gallantry and inadequate resources in the Eighth Army between September, 1941, and October, 1942, are deprived of the right to receive the clasp of the Africa Star?

The Eighth Army Clasp has been instituted specially to commemorate the great drive which started at El Alamein on 23rd October, 1942, and ended with the expulsion of the enemy from Africa. Those who left the Eighth Army before 23rd October, 1942, did not take part in this drive and so, I regret, do not qualify for the clasp.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Eighth Army did exist before General Montgomery took it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give immediate reconsideration to the omission to award any clasp or emblem to those troops who took part in great victories in Africa prior to the formation of the Eighth Army?

My right hon. Friend will have an opportunity of raising this question in the forthcoming Debate on these matters.

Does that answer mean that no change will take place, desirable and just though it may be, until we have had a further Debate on this matter?

If my right hon. Friend will look at the answer given by the Prime Minister, he will see what the position is.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great dissatisfaction among people who have done gallant work and are entitled to consideration?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that personal baggage belonging to badly-wounded repatriated prisoners and carried on the "Empress of Russia" to Leith in October, has not yet been delivered; and whether he will take action in the matter?

A number of those repatriated from Germany had to be transferred in Gothenburg from one ship to another, and some then became separated from their baggage. Many of these articles were not labelled, and it has taken some time to find their owners. I am glad to say that the owners of all but 16 of over 300 originally unidentified packages have now been traced.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) on whose instructions a non-commissioned officer was instructed to interrogate the maidservants at a block of flats, the name of which has been given him, for the purpose of inquiring what tradesmen and what other persons visited the resident;

The order to obtain this information was issued by the competent military authority. I have personally satisfied myself that it was necessary for military reasons to obtain it and also to carry out certain work at these premises.

Since the work has not yet been carried out and since the right hon. Gentleman's Department has been in possession of the premises for seven weeks, is it not about time that his Department became a little more efficient?

The hon. Member knows a great deal, but he does not know everything about this matter.

As I took the precaution to examine one of these flats this morning and found that no proper work had been clone, that it was in a filthy condition and not provided with blackout material, what is the use of saying that I do not know all about it?

I am quite fair to the hon. Member in saying that he does not know all about it, and I am extremely anxious that he should not.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any plans for making the post-war Army a means of providing training and general education for soldiers; and possibly, under conditions approved by the trade unions, utilising the military for carrying out public works, especially the provision of houses?

I am not clear whether in speaking of the post-war Army the hon. Member means the Army as it will be after the defeat of Germany and before that of Japan or whether he means the Army as it will be after the defeat of both. If he means the second I think that it is too soon to have definite plans in the sense he suggests, but I can definitely say that a great deal of study on these and many other points is going on. If, however, he means the former I must make it quite clear that the over-riding purpose of the Army will be the defeat of Japan at the earliest possible moment. Subject to that I can assure him that the needs of the Army by way of training and education are being and will be a matter of prime concern to the Army Council. Nor will possibilities such as that referred to in the second part of the Question be overlooked.

On account of the great complexity and the immense importance of this question, I beg leave to give notice that I will raise it on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now come to a decision regarding the pension rights of widows whose husbands have been killed while temporarily holding an unpaid higher rank?

I regret I have nothing to add to my previous replies to my hon. and gallant Friend.

While admitting the justice of the analysis in regard to this matter in the communication which my right hon. Friend has been good enough to send to me, I would ask whether it would not be possible for some form of discretion to be exercised in favour of officers who have been killed during the probationary period?

That is a matter which requires more time to deal with than is possible within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether members of the Pioneer Corps and the R.E.'s, who were called to certain docks in the week ended 6th November last, in the course of a dockers' strike, to unload certain cargoes, received any extra pay for the work; whether any of the men were injured; and whether any special recognition was given to the non-commissioned officers who volunteered to operate the cranes?

I much regret that five men were injured while doing this vital work. They were on military duty, and the answer to the first and third parts of my hon. Friend's Question is "No, Sir."

Is it not a fact that some of these non-commissioned officers volunteered for the work, although they had no previous experience of it, and that some of them were injured? Does my right hon. Friend think it is right that they should be treated less favourably than the highly-trained section of the population who understand those working conditions?

I think it is the business of the Army to do anything they are asked to do which is essential to the war effort, and particularly the military part of it. The unloading of those stores was an integral part of the military effort.

Will not my right hon. Friend reconsider his attitude in this particular instance, in view of the very useful service that was rendered?

I am very well aware that the Army renders extremely useful service in this direction and in a great many others. That does not alter the fact that the men were detailed to do it as a military duty.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to safeguard the books evacuated from the Naples Library to Zuni and other Italian villages now in the occupation of British troops?

I have at present no information about the action taken by the Army in this matter. As I mentioned in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Arthur Duckworth) last week, the War Office Adviser on Fine Arts, Archives and Monuments is now visiting Italy and Sicily. He will no doubt bring back information about this, and I will then communicate with my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend make some inquiry about this matter?

I do not know how I can better make inquiries than by sending a man out to see on the spot.

I presume that the right hon. Gentleman could send out inquiries to the officer responsible on the spot. Does my right hon. Friend pay any attention to Parliamentary Questions?

I do not see what more I can do than to send a man out to inquire on the spot. I am asked if I will make inquiries, and I reply that I have sent someone out to make inquiries on the spot. What more can I do?

asked the Secretary of State for War what claims for compensation for permanent loss of income can be paid to owners of destroyed property, in view of the fact that the Claims Commission are unable to meet any compensation for consequential damage that will result from the application of Defence Regulation 52?

As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is there any compensation for people in those circumstances?

I should be extremely grateful if my right hon. Friend would look at the answer. It is a long answer, and it is couched, in part, in extremely technical and legal language, and I would rather have notice of any conundrums on this particular subject

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the criticism by the Director of Army Welfare of the lack of assistance given by British women in India to Army welfare; and what steps he is taking to improve the welfare facilities for British troops serving in that country?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." The second part of the hon. Member's Question is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India, and in this connection I would refer him to the reply given to him on 2nd November by the Deputy Prime Minister. The Director of Army Welfare has been to India to study the problems on the spot, and his experience will be available to help in improving the welfare arrangements in India in future.

Was the Director of Army Welfare sent out on the express instructions of the War Office? Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hundreds of thousands of British soldiers are serving in India for whom he himself is responsible, and will he cease this business of passing it on to the Secretary of State for India?

If my hon. Friend will look at the answer by the Deputy Prime Minister, he will see that I have no intention of passing the buck to anybody or to evade my own responsibility. The Director of Army Welfare was sent out there on our initiative.

Was a detailed report submitted to the right hon. Gentleman by the Director of Army Welfare before this interview was given, or to the Secretary of State for India?

I cannot say. I must have notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the relatives of officers and men who were casualties in the fighting at Leros have yet been notified?

All the casualties at Leros which have been reported to this country have been notified to the next-of-kin, but, judging from the figures at my disposal, not all the casualties that occurred, anyhow in the way of missing personnel, have yet been reported to the War Office. Action had already been taken to expedite the notification of casualties from the Middle East and I hope that particulars of any outstanding casualties will shortly be received.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what the total was?

I think I answered that question previously.

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations he has received by or on behalf of commanding officers, welfare officers and others associated with the Army in connection with the banning of Sunday performances for the troops; whether he has taken any steps to ascertain the feeling of officers and the ranks on this matter; and whether any restrictions are imposed on the presentation of plays or of entertainments in costume when given in military camps?

I am aware that action has been taken to stop proposed entertainments for the troops on Sundays outside military camps which would infringe the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932. The amendment of the Act has been frequently considered by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply he received on 8th December. There is no restriction on the presentations of plays or entertainments in costume inside military camps.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that practically every soldier to whom I have spoken feels that it is absurd to discriminate in this way between costume shows inside a camp and outside? What steps is he taking to see that those who fight on Sundays should also have the recreation they desire on Sundays?

As I understand it, this remedy is within the discretion of the House, and in 1941 the House rejected a proposal on the subject.

Would it not be advisable to give the House of Commons, many of whose Members have an undue fear of the Sabbatarians, a lead in the matter?

The Home Secretary in 1941 did give a lead, and it was rejected.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the whole question of the common informer?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the Question, regarding the ascertainment of welfare officers and others regarding this matter?

I hardly need to ascertain. I have not the slightest doubt that the vast majority of these troops regard this procedure as ridiculous.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the surgical staff in hospitals in the C.M.F. is sufficient to deal with the casualties; and whether he is aware that at one hospital in the C.M.F. there are or were only one or two surgical specialists who were responsible for over 2,000 beds, out of which there was an average of 900 surgical cases?

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," with the general qualification that owing to the universal shortage of doctors the Army cannot have as many doctors as it would like, and with the particular qualification that when Armies move across the sea, as in the case of our Forces which invaded Sicily and Italy, hospitals must necessarily be closed during the voyage and until they are established on the other side. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir," and I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would forward me particulars.

I have such information, which I will gladly give to the right hon. Gentleman.

Thank you.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average time spent in hospital by a soldier suffering from venereal disease in the C.M.F.; and are adequate facilities provided in forward areas for the immediate treatment of these cases so that they do not become resistant to treatment owing to constant re-evacuation and spasmodic treatment?

A soldier who has to be sent to a hospital suffering from venereal disease spends on the average 22 days there. But adequate facilities are normally available in the forward area for cases which do not require specialist treatment in hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many complaints he has received that our Forces in Italy are still wearing the khaki drill in use in North Africa, which is unfitted for the climate now being experienced in Italy; and whether any steps are being taken to equip these troops with more suitable clothing?

The local distribution of winter clothing was timed to begin in the middle of October, and, as far as I know, all troops in Italy are now in their winter clothing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the Question, as to how many complaints he has received?

I have heard of one or two, and that is all. They probably relate to the period before the middle of October, which I have referred to as the crucial date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will move for the appointment of a Select Committee to report upon the conditions under which ex-Service men and women should be employed in the Civil Service after the war?

No, Sir. It would be premature at present to make any announcement about the employment in the Civil Service after the war of able-bodied ex-Service men and women.

Will the Deputy Prime Minister bear in mind the disputes and recriminations which arose out of this matter after the last war, and is it not very desirable that difficulties of this sort should be avoided if possible after the present war?

Yes, Sir. The Government are fully aware of that, and this matter is being fully investigated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps are being taken to provide more rapid promotion for minor grades in the Civil Service, including those graded as temporary; whether he has considered representations on this matter from the staff organisations concerned and what was his reply?

I have had no representations on this matter, and I am not aware that any action is called for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have made any change in their attitude to the danger of inflation; whether he is aware that rises in many prices and costs are constituting a threat to the purchasing power of our currency; and whether the Government propose to take any further steps towards avoiding serious inflation?

While some prices and costs may have risen further in recent months, the prices of necessaries, as measured by the cost-of-living index, have remained stable. No new threat to the purchasing power of the £ can be said to have arisen, and I do not think the situation requires any new steps to be taken by the Government. But the dangers of inflation are no less present than before, and it is certainly necessary that the various anti-inflationary policies hitherto followed should continue to be rigorously applied.

Is it not a fact that inflation is the only possible way out of the financial tangle in which we have involved ourselves?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the action of Carreras, Limited, in giving their employees six weeks' wages as a Christmas bonus; whether such a bonus is chargeable against Excess Profits Tax; and whether, in view of the desire expressed from time to time that companies should limit their dividends to the pre-war figure in order to avoid any tendency towards inflation, he will emphasise the undesirability of paying bonuses in the form of wages on similar grounds?

I cannot furnish information regarding the liability to tax of a particular taxpayer and am not, therefore, in a position to say how the particular bonus to which my hon. Friend refers would be treated for the purposes of the Excess Profits Tax. I can only say that the law contains special provisions in Section 32 of the Finance Act, 1940, regarding the allowance for Excess Profits Tax purposes of payments in respect of services and the application of these provisions in any particular case is a matter to be determined by the assessing and appeal authorities by reference to the circumstances of the case. In reply to the last part of the Question, I doubt if any useful general comparison can be drawn with the policy of limiting dividends, and I think the matter can safely be left to the judgment of those concerned.

Is not the disbursement of large sums of money to be spent at Christmas or any other time absolutely inconsistent with the whole anti-inflation policy of the Government?

Is not a firm to be encouraged to treat its employees generously, especially at Christmas time, even though it be in war-time?

Would it be in Order for the right hon. Gentleman to suggest to this company that they issue Savings Certificates instead of issuing money wages?

I do not think that would really make much difference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all good employers in the country do give a bonus at Christmas time?

I am aware that it is a very usual practice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal has been exported to Italy and Sicily since the Allied invasion, to the nearest convenient date?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Major Petherick on 12th October.

To what extent do Italians in the occupied territory depend on British sources of supply; and how does their coal ration compare with ours in this country?

All I can say is that the overwhelmingly greater part of the coal sent to these territories is used for operational purposes. I do not think that my hon. and gallant Friend would compare the standards in this country with those in occupied territories.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of coal is still wastefully consumed whole; and in what countries this is illegal?