Currency Offences (Prosecutions)
51.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the numbers and particulars of all persons summoned by the Treasury for currency offences; and the amounts of fines and punishment in each case.
Thirty-six people have been prosecuted this year for illegal foreign currency deals or similar offences. They were all convicted, and fines totalling £85,304 were imposed. In one case three months imprisonment was also imposed. Other cases are pending.
Could the Chancellor tell the House how many of those charged were miners, engineers or bricklayers?
Not without rather complicated research, but my hon. Friend may make as good a guess as anybody else.
Could the Chancellor give any hope of a lightening of these restrictions so that bona fide travel can be undertaken?
For bona fide travellers, and for all bona fide Britishers who are not out to cheat their country, there are proper facilities now. I take the most severe view of all these law-breakers running away with our scarce foreign exchange resources at a time of great difficulty.
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that this number of 36 represents only an infinitesimal fraction of the number of people who have been abroad?
This represents prosecutions which have succeeded.
Yes, I know.
Other cases are pending, as I have already said. I am sorry to say that this habit of cheating on foreign exchange abroad is pretty prevalent.
Can the Chancellor say that every case which is prosecutable has been undertaken; and if, not, on what basis are the cases selected?
On the evidence we have as to whether the prosecution will succeed. So far, we have not got around to catching the lot.
Natural History Museum (Directorship)
52.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the increased importance of modern developments in the natural history sciences in their bearing upon public health, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and general culture, he will take steps to ensure that the emoluments of the Director of the Natural History Museum, the chief national centre of such sciences, shall be not less than those of the Director of the National Physical Laboratory.
The salary of this post was increased to £2,000, as from 1st January, 1946, in agreement with the Trustees. This figure seems reasonable in relation to the salaries of comparable posts, including that of the Director of the National Physical Laboratory.
53.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the disquiet among British naturalists regarding the directorship of the Natural History Museum, he will suggest to the Trustees of the British Museum the desirability of their consulting with the Councils of the Zoological, Linnean and Royal Entomological Societies, as being the three most important natural history societies, regarding any contemplated appointment to this post.
I will certainly pass on the hon. Member's suggestion to the Trustees.
Bank Advances (Agriculturists)
54 and 55.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has any figures to show the approximate total amount in aggregate which was lent by Barclays, National Provincial, Midland, Westminster and Martins Banks to agriculturists at 31st December, 1946, and 1st June, 1947.
(2) whether he will make the necessary arrangements for publishing, in the aggregate, at the end of each month the amount outstanding by way of indebtedness from agricultural producers to the clearing banks; and whether, at the same time, he will state the approximate number of agricultural borrowers to which the sum in the aggregate is related.I would refer the hon. Member to the figures given in the Analysis of Bank Advances in the Monthly Digest of Statistics.
Is the Chancellor aware that there is a very substantial overdraft in advance of £50 million, and that the small farmers are totally devoid of working capital? Why are the banks charging 5 per cent. on these overdrafts? Will the right hon. Gentleman give a reply, because this is hindering the production of food at a time when we are short of food?
Far from hindering, we are very anxious to promote in every way the production of food. The hon. Member has asked for certain figures. He will find some interesting figures and information—I will not read it, because it has been pub lished—in the Monthly Digest.
I am fully conversant with them. I want the House to know them.
Hon. Members can read them too.
Will the Chancellor give an assurance that he will continue the existing policy of credit expansion in the agricultural industry, and not repeat the disastrous policy of the Tory Government in the early '30's.
Imputations of that sort are really quite unnecessary in supplementary questions. Both sides are too fond of them.
Sterling Area
56.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what countries have notified their intention of leaving the sterling area.
I would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to await the statement which I shall be making after Questions.
Farthings (Minting)
57.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the fact that the farthing has now no monetary value, he has considered its abolition in commercial transactions and ceasing to mint it.
The farthing has monetary value, and should, therefore, continue to be minted.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether farthings are still being minted, and if so, what happens to them?
They are still being minted at the rate of 13½ million a year. As that is the demand made by the banks on the Mint, we can only assume that they are needed. I would remind the hon. Member that farthings are still needed in the purchase of a number of commodities, such as milk and bread
Bureau Of Current Affairs (Paper Supplies)
58.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much paper the Bureau of Current Affairs received from Government sources on or after its transfer from official control.
One hundred and twenty thousand sheets, some partly printed with background maps, were handed over at the time of transfer on the understanding that these would be replaced.
Have they been replaced?
I am making inquiries about that, and I will let the hon. Member know as soon as I have the information.
Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will resist these mealy-mouthed attempts to attack the Bureau and curtail free speech?
Temporary Civil Servants (Transfers)
59.
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why temporary civil servants are being dismissed by the Ministries of Transport, Pensions and Supply, while the Ministry of National Insurance is engaged in recruiting new staff from outside the Civil Service; and whether, with a view to making the best use of available man power both in industry and the Civil Service, he will revise the present procedure so as to allow temporary civil servants who become redundant in one department to transfer to another, without loss of status or emoluments, before any new entrants are taken on.
The procedure followed is that Departments discharging staff inform the Ministry of Labour local offices, and should advise the redundant staff of the opportunity to register for further Government employment. Those selected within three months for reemployment reckon their previous service as continuous for the purpose of pay and conditions.
60
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the desirability of establishing an inter-departmental committee to consider and recommend a just and equitable scheme, which will provide for the orderly transfer of temporary civil servants who have become redundant in their own de- partments, but whose services may be of value in other Departments which are, at present, understaffed.
A Ministry of Labour and National Service machinery already exists for this purpose.
Is my right hon. Friend aware that when these temporary civil servants, many of Whom have done six to ten years' satisfactory service in their Department, go to the Ministry of Labour to make use of this machinery, they have to start at the bottom? Would it not be much better if some arrangement were made for orderly transfers from Departments?
If my hon. Friend will let me have any cases which have come to his notice, I shall be glad to look into them. The situation is that if they are re-employed within three months, they carry on in the Service, and the ten years' service he mentioned would be continuous.
Police Duties (Ascot Races)
63.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps were taken by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolitan area to safeguard the lives of children at busy roads and crossings when numbers of police were withdrawn from such duties during the days of the Ascot races.
No police were withdrawn from duties in connection with the safety of school children for the purpose of the Ascot races.
Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how it was the police in Acton informed the local schools that they would have to make their own provisions at crossings, because the police were to be taken off their normal duties?
The police officer who made such a statement was singularly devoid of the gift of prophecy.
Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that in the future, as in the past, every citizen will receive the protection of the police without distinction of class or age?
As far as the number of the police will allow.
64.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police, and from which divisions of the Metropolitan area, were withdrawn from their normal duties during the days of the Ascot races.
A small number of detective officers were sent to Ascot, and two inspectors, two sergeants and 16 constables of T. Division were engaged inside their own division in dealing with the Ascot traffic.
May I ask whether there has been any increase in Communist activities during their absence?
Had these officers the gift of prophecy at Ascot?
Only detectives were sent to Ascot, and their job was to ascertain those who were prophesying a quick run for the bookmakers.
Prostitution, West End (Inquiry)
65.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the police evidence in the recent case at the Old Bailey, resulting in the conviction of a Maltese, called Messina, for unlawful wounding, to the effect that Messina was closely associated with prostitutes in the West End of London, and that the case had arisen out of a dispute between rival gangs engaged in the white slave trade, he will appoint a commission to make inquiries into the existence of organized vice in London with a view to its suppression.
I do not think that the appointment of a commission of inquiry would be of assistance in this matter. It is a criminal offence knowingly to live on the earnings of prostitution, and the police exercise all possible vigilance with a view to the suppression of activities of this kind. An inquiry would not help the police because their difficulties arise from the fact that though they may have good reason to suspect such activities, they are sometimes unable to obtain evidence upon which criminal proceedings could be based.
Is it not possible to appoint a commission which could call for bank accounts and other evidence to prove the existence of organised vice? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Messina brothers are supposed to have made about £500,000 out of this vice, that they own a firm of West End estate agents and shares in an important restaurant, and have no less than 20 girls working for them? Is he further aware that one of the girls averaged £3,000 a year during the war?
I have seen some information in regard to the other activities of these people. I do not think a commission which could be appointed to inquire into these matters could call for the bank accounts of people other than those who had been convicted of the offence. I do not think one can appoint a Royal Commission to hold a roving inquiry into bank balances, much as I should like to do so in regard to some people.
Is the Home Secretary aware that the Act—I think it is called the Tribunal Evidence Act—exists, under which the activities of Mr. J. H. Thomas in connection with the Budget were investigated, and that it gives power to call for all books and documents?
There must be some grounds for calling for a particular book or document. If we had sufficient evidence to justify calling for such a book or document under the Act mentioned, I suspect that we should have sufficient evidence to prosecute under the existing law.
Is the Home Secretary satisfied that the punishment for such an offence is sufficient, in view of the fact that this man, after serving three years will come out and live on the illegal gains of this immoral life?
The question of the punishment inflicted is a matter for the courts. The full penalty was not imposed in this case, and one must imagine that the judge —I think it was the Common Serjeant-presiding at the trial thought that he had inflicted an appropriate penalty for the offence.
Is the Home Secretary aware that Maltese residents deplore the emphasis placed on the country of origin of these wretched men? Is he aware that a large number of decent citizens of Malta consider that they are prejudiced by this undue emphasis?
On a point of Order. Am I not right in saying that no decision of a court can be criticised? Is not the previous supplementary question a criticism of the courts?
It is not criticism of the court, but of the sentence.
In regard to the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Mr. Callaghan), I think it is regrettable that undue emphasis should be placed, in certain quarters, on the fact that these men happened to have been Maltese. I hope that it will not be taken as a reflection on those of Maltese origin residing in this country.
Whatever the merits of a Commission, would not the Home Secretary recognise that it shows a very unsatisfactory state of the enforcement of the law that this man was brought to trial on a charge of unlawful wounding and not on a charge of living on immoral earnings, which he had been practising so successfully for so long?
That was the case on which we obtained the evidence on which a prosecution could be based. The figures given in the Press with regard to what he made out of prostitution, by no means agree with the facts as known to the police.
On a point of Order. Do I understand, Mr. Speaker, your Ruling to be that it is possible to discuss by way of Question and answer or in Debate a sentence given by a judge in a court of law investigation?
Certainly, I think it is.? That has always been the case. Hon. Members can always protest where they consider there has been too heavy or too lenient a sentence.
Is it not a fact that there is an appeal pending in this case?
That is my point.
If there is an appeal then the matter is sub judice.
Can the Home Secretary say whether there are any powers exist- ing at present which would allow him to impound or confiscate the bank balances of people found guilty of such offences, and, if not, is it his intention to ask for such powers?
I would like notice of that question.
Approved Schools (Detention)
66.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of young persons, male and female, respectively, detained in approved schools at the last convenient date, and what proportion of these have not committed any offence but are detained as in need of care and protection.
On 31st May, 1947, 8,467 boys and 1,750 girls were detained in approved schools. No detailed analysis of these figures is readily available; but it will no doubt serve the hon. and gallant Members' purpose if I say that of the 4,044 boys and 950 girls admitted to approved schools during 1946, 470 boys and 598 girls were sent there for reasons other than the commission of an offence.
Would the Home Secretary make it clear that in the latter category of boys and girls no stigma whatever attaches to them for having been sent to an approved school, owing to their very bad home life?
I think that I can give that assurance.
Can my right hon. Friend say whether the figures which he has given are in excess of the accommodation for these young persons, and, if they are, what provision is being made for the excess?
I would like notice of that question.
Can my right hon. Friend say that if one of these boys or girls who had not committed an offence absconds from an approved school, he or she is then considered to have committed an offence?
I would rather like to have notice of that question.
Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that although he has assured us, in answer to a previous question, that there is no stigma attached to boys and girls sent to an approved school who have committed no offence, the fact of their presence in an approved school does in itself constitute a stigma, and will he take the earliest steps to see that they are put in more suitable places?
I hope that as accommodation becomes more readily available it may be possible to have a better classification of these children.
Anderson Shelters (Dismantling)
67.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what powers local authorities are compelling householders to dismantle and make available for collection Anderson shelters, many of which have been concreted into the ground.
Local authorities have no power of compulsion in the matter but, in order to accelerate the recovery of shelters and so increase steel supply with the minimum expenditure of labour they have been recommended to invite householders to dismantle their shelters in readiness for collection. My attention has been drawn to a particular case, which my hon. Friend perhaps has in mind, where the local authority has exceeded the advice given by my Department. I am in communication with the authority on the matter.
Is my right hon. Friend aware that at least one local authority has stated that a medical certificate must be produced stating that there is infirmity before this work may be excused?
I think that is the authority which I have in mind, and I have communicated with them.
Greyhound Racing (Mid-Week Ban)
68.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will be prepared to relax the ban on mid week greyhound racing where meetings will not start until after 6 p.m.
No, Sir.
Can the Home Secretary explain why it is that of all the forms of public entertainment and sport, greyhound racing is the only one singled out for discrimination?
No, Sir, it is not the only one singled out for discrimination. The only iscrimination exercised in this case is that it is the one form of sport about which legislation was required.
I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again on the Adjournment.
Fire Appliances, Southgate
69.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the removal of fire appliances from Southgate is causing anxiety; and whether he will inquire into the matter.
I shall, of course, be prepared to consider any representations which may be made to me on behalf of the Borough of Southgate, but I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that in present circumstances it is necessary to make all possible economies in manpower which are consistent with efficiency.
Is the Home Secretary aware that in Southgate there are 70,000 people, and the very nature of the constituency means that two or three minutes are of essential importance in preventing fires from becoming conflagrations; and further will the Home Secretary say that, as these fire appliances have now been removed, he will arrange to have a test as to whether or not there is delay, which may bring about very disastrous consequences?
Before the fire appliances were withdrawn, every effort was made— and I believe successfully—to ensure that appliances from adjoining neighbourhoods would be readily available if required.
Child Adoption (Report)
70.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to carry out the recommendations of the Gamon Committee on child adoption, including the placing of adopted children in the same position as others regarding the succession to property.
The report of this unofficial Committee, which was set up by a number of voluntary bodies interested in adoption, has been sent to me. The contents of the report will be taken into consideration when there is opportunity for amending legislation, but I am not able to hold out hope of legislation in the near future.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of adopted children are at present suffering from certain disabilities, and if the recommendations of the Gamon Committee were adopted, these would be removed; and as the matter is not highly controversial would he consider, when he has considered the report, introducing legislation in another place?
I cannot hold out any hope of legislation, and these matters, unfortunately, are not as non-controversial as the hon. Member believes.
Foreign Nationals (British-Born Wives)
71.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is prepared to introduce in the near future legislation whereby the British-born wives of Polish and other foreign nationals may retain their British nationality.
As the hon. Member will be aware, a Conference of Experts from countries of the Commonwealth met in February last to discuss nationality matters of general interest. It is proposed shortly to circulate to the Governments of the countries represented the text of a Bill based on the report of that conference, and this text will include provisions to carry out the policy of the Government already announced in regard to British-born women. In the meantime, I am not in a position to make a statement as to the date when the legislation contemplated can be introduced.
European Reconstruction (Anglo-French Decision)
(by Private Notice} asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the outcome of the Paris Conference.
I should like to give to the House the text of the following communiqué agreed by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and by Monsieur Bidault, which is being released this afternoon in Paris and in London:
"The British and French Governments have reached the following decision in order to give prompt effect to the suggestion made by Mr. Marshall in his speech at Harvard University on 5th June that Europe should take the initiative in the work of reconstruction.
For this purpose it is essential to draw up as quickly as possible a programme covering Europe's resources and Europe's needs. A temporary organisation needs to be set up to bring together the data on which such a programme will be based.
The British and French Governments have therefore decided to invite all European States (with the temporary exception of Spain) who desire to participate in framing a reply to Mr. Marshall's suggestion to collaborate with them in setting up this organisation, whose task will be to draw up a programme of European reconstruction, in which the resources and needs of each country will be co-ordinated in such manner as each freely decides.
This offer to participate in the work of the organisation will be open to all European States."
Will the temporary organisation which it is proposed to set up keep in close consultation with the European Economic Organisation so that the door may be left open for the cooperation of all European States?
I am not anxious to add to the communique or to say any more than that His Majesty's Government will not depart from the unswerving loyalty which they have offered to all United Nations organisations.
Can the right hon Gentleman say whether he contemplates at any point in the future the inclusion of Spain? He has referred in his statement to the fact that as a temporary exception she will not be brought into the scheme for the reconstruction of Europe.
In view of the tact that no other country suffered greater devastation in the war and that no country is more in need of friendship, friendly aid and co-operation than the Soviet Union, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some further evidence of the reasons why there was a breakdown at Paris, and particularly can he tell us what Mr. Marshall meant the other day when he said that aid for Europe would not be tolerated for political objects? Who is to decide what is a political object?
Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the difficulties which may arise in connection with the European Economic Commission if States which are not themselves prepared to accept the Marshall offer, take part in the discussions as members of that Commission?
On a point of Order. As a Member of this House who has put a legitimate and temperate question, am I not as much entitled to an answer as the deputy-Leader of the Opposition or any other Member?
The deputy-Leader of the Opposition did not ask me any question, and I did not reply to the hon. Gentleman because I thought the reply was obvious. My right hon. Friend and M. Bidault are not disputing the claims which the hon. Gentleman makes for Soviet Russia, but they have gone to almost endless lengths and have incurred substantial delay to meet the claims of the Soviet Union.
Import Programme (Figures)
(by Private Notice} asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could give the House the figures relating to his statement on Monday on the import programme.
Yes, Sir. I am, with permission, arranging for those figures to be circulated today and also in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The figures are as follow:
Imports
1. The Economic Survey for 1947 (Cmd. 7046) set out the pattern to which the importing Government Departments were working for the calendar year 1947:
Year 1947 £ million (f.o.b.) | |
Food and supplies for agriculture | 725 |
Raw materials and supplies for industry | 525 |
Machinery and equipment (including ships) | 60 |
Petroleum products | 55 |
Tobacco | 50 |
Consumer goods | 35 |
Film remittances | 18 |
1,468 |
2. The provisional import programme for the year mid-1947 to mid-1948, after allowing for the cuts announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 30th June. is:
Mid-1947 to Mid-1948 £ million(f.o.b.) | |
Food and supplies for agriculture | 840 |
Raw material and supplies for industry | 640 |
Machinery and equipment (including ships) | 55* |
Petroleum products (including requirements of coal/oil conversion) | 80 |
Tobacco | 40 |
Consumer goods. | 30 |
Film remittances | I5† |
1,700 | |
* This represents some increase for machinery over the Economic Survey figures for 1947. | |
†Excluding possible effect of film import duty. |
3. There is no significant change in the total volume of imports for the year mid-1947 to mid-1948 compared with that provided in the Economic Survey for the calendar year 1947; some items are increased and others decreased.
4. The major change is in prices. The Board of Trade index of import prices (which for various reasons tends to underestimate the rise) has moved as follows:
1938 = 100 | ||||
June, 1946 | … | … | … | 203 |
September, 1946 | … | … | 208 | |
December, 1946. | … | … | … | 219 |
March, 1947 | … | … | … | 229 |
May, 1947 | … | … | … | 241 |
Exports
5. The Economic Survey set a target of 140 per cent. of 1938 export volume to be reached by the end of 1947. The
volume of exports has been moving as follows:
… | … | … | 1938 = 100 | |
1946: | … | … | … | |
3rd Quarter | … | … | … | 104 |
4th Quarter | … | … | … | 111 |
1947: | … | … | … | |
1st Quartet | … | … | … | 100½ |
April | … | … | … | 98 |
May | … | … | … | 104 |
The target of 140 per cent. will not now be reached by the end of 1947, but the Government is planning on the basis of reaching it by the middle of 1948.
6. This would provide U.K. exports in the year mid-1947 to mid-1948 of £1,300-£1,350 million, compared with the present rate of about £1,100 million a year.
7. To achieve this target will require a steady expansion of exports of all kinds. and in particular a growth of textile exports by the spring of 1948 to a volume at least 20 per cent. above that reached so far this year. The achievement of this target must also, of course, depend upon a reasonably free access to overseas markets.