asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now revise the arrangements for the employment of disabled workers so as to compel the less essential industries to take a higher percentage than they are required to do at present.

The Disabled Persons (Employment) Act does not empower me to fix a special percentage for an industry on the ground that it is less essential than others.

Will not the Minister agree that it is important that we should utilise every man and woman in this country in our industrial effort, and that some industries are in a much better position to employ disabled men and women than others?

Yes, Sir, that is correct. It is not a question of the essentiality of the industry, but of the statutory power to make such changes in an industry which has distinctive characteristics as regards suitability for disabled persons.

asked the Minister of Labour the location of the proposed disabled persons' factory at Whitehaven; when will building operations commence; how many disabled persons are likely to be employed; and when will such employment commence.

A site in Whitehaven is being considered by the Disabled Persons' Employment Corporations; but negotiations are still in progress. When a site is acquired building will be started as soon as possible on a factory to take 50 disabled persons. I cannot at this stage give a date for employment to commence.

Is it possible to utilise some of the hostels that are near Whitehaven and train these men now so that they will be ready when the factories are ready?

I understand that those hostels have been carefully examined and have not been found suitable.

asked the Minister of Labour the position of the disabled persons' factory at Cleator Moor; when will the factory be in a position to employ disabled men and how many; when were the alterations commenced; and why is it taking so long for these to be completed.

I am informed that the adaptations to the factory at Cleator Moor have now been completed and that it is hoped to start working the week after next. Fifty disabled persons will be employed when the factory is in full production. Possession of three hutments was obtained in May and the necessary alterations were put in hand and completed as expeditiously as circumstances permitted.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied with the results of the Government's training schemes for the building trades; and what percentage of trainees have obtained employment in the trades for which they have been trained.

Yes, Sir; 90.5 per cent. of all building trade trainees have found employment in their trade and action to place the remainder continues.

Has not some difficulty arisen in respect of trained bricklayers, joiners and electricians, and if that is so, in view of the great demand for houses, would it not be good policy to discuss the difficulties with the trade unions responsible for them?

That step has already been taken some little time ago and we have every prospect and hope of overcoming the difficulty.

Will the Minister say whether, in the course of training, the advantages of payment by results is preached?

No, Sir, not so far as the Ministry is concerned. Our task is to see that the men are adequately trained.

asked the Minister of Labour which regional boards, their district or local committees, have completed schemes for the working of staggered hours in industry; and if any completed scheme allows for normal working hours in such firms as use privately-owned plant.

I understand that while considerable progress has been made, no schemes have yet been completed.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider issuing a regulation declaring all unofficial strikes to be illegal for the next six months or until the economic and financial crisis in which the country is now involved is over.

No regulation is necessary as these strikes are already illegal.

If these strikes are illegal, why are they allowed?

They happen before we can prevent them.

Should the Minister not first make regulations about the parasites who live on unearned income and are on a permanent unofficial strike?

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us in how many unofficial strikes has legal action been taken against the leaders or anyone taking part in such strikes?

I cannot give a definite answer without notice, but I cannot recall any.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the action which can be taken against these men who start unofficial strikes?

Circumstances in these cases are examined, but sometimes it is found that by taking precipitate action we might extend the trouble.

asked the Minister of Labour under what authority a trade union or branch of a trade union disqualify men who have refused to strike unofficially from participating in any voluntary fund and retain sums already paid by such men into the fund.

The position depends upon the rules of the unions, over which I have no control.

Is it not the case that the Minister has to shut his eyes and do nothing about the grossest victimisation of individuals who refuse to take part in unofficial strikes and who have their voluntary rights prejudiced by their comrades in the union?

I have had no examples of that kind given to me, and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any, I shall be glad to look at them, but so far as I know no trade union, as a trade union, has acted in such a way. I am under the impression that some branches improperly brought pressure to bear, and in those cases the head office of the union promptly took action to the contrary. I know of no rules to permit of such action being taken, and we should consider such action, if taken, most improper.

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's reply, and according to my information it is 100 per cent. correct, but the fact remains that the union's action, which coincides with the Minister's reply, is unable to be effective.

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman would be good enough to give me particulars, I will promise to make a full investigation.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest available figures of unemployment, giving males and females, in the Stornoway employment exchange area; what percentage the total is of the insurable population; and whether he has any estimate of the numbers which are not likely to be employment again because of age or other disabilities.

At 14th July the numbers of insured unemployed registered at Stornoway employment exchange were 1,094 males and 35 females. The total of 1,129 represented 21 per cent. of the estimated total number of insured persons in the area at July, 1946. I have no knowledge of any persons on the Stornoway register not likely to be employable again because of age or other disabilities

asked the Minister of Labour the number of coal- mine workers over the age of 60 and 65 years, who have signed on at the employment exchanges in the North-West area, between 1st January and 30th June, 1947.

As this information was not separately recorded, I regret that it is not now available. However at 17th June there were only 78 unemployed colliery workers aged 18 and over in the North-West region.

Is the Minister aware that the policy now being pursued by the National Coal Board in the North-West area is causing men, who are quite prepared to continue their work in the pits, to leave, and is he further aware that from 1st January to 30th June, 1947, 267 men of the age of 65 were dismissed from employment in the pits? Is he further aware that 63 men between 60 and 65 have also been dismissed, and in view of the dire need for manpower in the mining industry, will he use his good offices to prevent this policy from being further pursued?

I was not aware of the statement of facts given by my hon. Friend, but I promise I will look into them and see what we can do to correct anything that is wrong.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my own constituency this difficulty has been going on and I have had constant complaints of able-bodied men of 65 who are not allowed to work in the coalmines at a time when appeals are made for more coal, and will my right hon. Friend make a most urgent and speedy investigation?

Quite definitely. Would my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. Hale) and my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) be good enough to send me particulars of the places to which they refer, so that I can check up?

Will the Minister bear in mind that there are jobs underground which can be done by older men not necessarily at the coal face, and will he see that these men are employed?

Is the Minister aware that this information has been supplied to us through the medium of the Miners' Federation and that his Department ought to be aware of what is going on?

I will look up the point, but there is a Coal Board and whether this information is in their hands, I do not know. I cannot do more than promise to look into the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for the International Exhibition on Town Planning, representing 13 European countries and already shown in England, to be made available for Scottish interests.

I have already had this matter under consideration in consultation with the Scottish Committee of the Arts Council of Great Britain and interested local authorities, and I am hopeful of being able to arrange for the exhibition to be shown in Scotland in the spring of next year on its return from the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated population of Scotland on the latest ascertainable date; and what are the populations of the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, respectively, on the same date.

The estimated total population of Scotland at 30th June, 1947, was 5,138,700; of Edinburgh, 485,700; of Glasgow. 1,108,500, and of Aberdeen, 187,800.

In view of the growth in population in the last ten years, can my right hon. Friend account for the increase?

Is it not an admirable advance that English Members are beginning to learn something about Scotland?

is it not the case that the invasion of Englishmen has now increased from .01 per cent. to 3 per cent. of the population of Scotland?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Wool Controller for Scotland acts as chairman of the tribunal to which appeal is made against the orders of the Wool Control

The tribunals to which the hon. Member refers are set up in each area, of which Scotland is one, for dealing with appeals from farmers who consider that their wool has been undervalued on a requisition. Each tribunal consists of an equal number of authorised merchants and producers, and the chairman is the chief executive officer of the Wool Control in this area. This procedure is common to all areas and has operated satisfactorily throughout the period of wool control. In these circumstances there has been no departure from it on the transfer to the Agricultural Ministers of the responsibility for requisitioning the 1947 home wool clip.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is quite wrong for a decision which has been given by one particular individual to be referred to a board of which that same individual is chairman, and will he do something about it?

I will certainly look into the matter, but I am not prepared to admit that it is altogether wrong because the appeal tribunals are in fact only advisory committees, and the final decision rests not with them, but with the Wool Control acting on behalf of the responsible Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts, to date, have been placed in connection with the schemes of the Hydro-Electric Board; and, of these, how many have been placed with Scottish firms

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the information is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the workmen employed on the schemes of the Hydro-Electric Board in Scotland are of Scottish nationality.

No detailed records are kept of the nationality of the men employed on the schemes of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, but it is estimated that, apart from prisoners of war, about 90 per cent. are Scotsmen. So far as possible the men employed are recruited from the local employment exchanges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make an announcement regarding the appointment of the chairmen of the Regional Hospital Boards.

I would refer the hon Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kelvingrove (Mr. J. Williams) on 15th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the fatal accident which occurred at Strathblane, Stirlingshire, when a shepherd and an Ayrshire cow were killed by coming in contact with an electrically live barbed-wire fence; if proper investigation is being made into the matter; and what steps are being taken to prevent such fatalities.

I have been asked to reply. This fatal accident will be the subject of a Fatal Accidents Inquiry under the Fatal Accidents Inquiries (Scotland) Act, 1895. At that inquiry the cause of death and the circumstances of the accident will be fully and publicly investigated by the sheriff.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what alternative accommodation he is providing for the tenants who are being removed from their present domiciles at Rutland House, in the Tradeston Division of Glasgow.

All the 17 families at Rutland House and 13 additional families at Crookston Camp were transferred to hutted accommodation in a former anti-aircraft camp at Garscadden on 31st July. The families co-operated in the transfer and on the whole the accommodation at Garscadden is better than that which they formerly occupied.

Can my hon. Friend say if reasonable transport facilities to and from their work are available to the families concerned?

I should not like to say that in every case. Some of the men think it is rather far, but on the whole the families concerned have taken it very well. May I add that while transferring them we had buses to transport them and arranged for the fuel and food authorities to visit the camp, and that the whole operation took only nine hours. The families expressed the view that the Government Department acted in a humane and kindly fashion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the Government's intentions for the implementation of the recommendations in the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee's Report, Modernising Our Homes.

The Government have given careful consideration to the question of the improvement of existing houses, in relation to the housing programme. They remain of opinion that for the present the most urgent need is to concentrate on the building of new houses as much labour and materials as can be made available. They intend, however, to include in their housing programme provision for the improvement of existing houses in Scotland and to make available financial assistance to local authorities in town and country for approved proposals (whether carried out by the local authority or by other persons) in order to secure work of a good standard and accommodation at approved rents. Proposals will be worked out in detail in consultation with the Associations of Local Authorities and legislation will be introduced so that facilities may be available as soon as the situation in regard to labour and materials justifies this expansion of the programme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman telling the House at last that this is all the Government intend to do in substitution of the Rural Housing Act?

No, Sir, the Government are doing many things with particular relation to the development and improvement of agriculture in both Scotland and England, and this is only one of the steps that we are taking in the right direction.

Will the Minister see that first priority is given to the modernisation or improvement of rural housing in Scotland?

All I can say is that we will give the fullest consideration to the requirements of the rural areas.

My supplementary question had nothing to do with agriculture, as the right hon. Gentleman must have understood, although his reply referred to it; I asked whether or not this is the first instance in which the Government have made any reference whatever to the attempt to attack the rural housing problem or to replace the Rural Housing Act which has been abrogated?

No, Sir, the hon. and gallant Member is entirely wrong.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a decision has been arrived at regarding the proposed bridge to link North Uist, Grimsby and Benbecula; what the cost will be; what percentage and sum of the total cost will be borne by the Scottish Departments; what the cost of Portnaguran Pier, Isle of Lewis; will be; what the assistance available from the Scottish Departments will be; and when construction is to begin.

The proposal to bridge the North Ford is being considered by the Minister of Transport and myself, but no decision has yet been reached. I am not in a position to give an up-to-date estimate of the cost of this project, but in 1944 the county council estimated the cost at £100,000. As regards Portnaguran Harbour, I offered last year to make a grant of £24,000 towards the cost of a scheme estimated to cost £32,000. The county council have since suggested amendments to the plans which would increase this cost and the matter is now being further discussed with their engineers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has in mind measures for meeting in future the needs of Scotland in the matter of agricultural drainage.

Yes, Sir, I have had this matter under consideration. In view of the importance to Scottish agriculture of adequate land drainage, I have appointed an independent Committee with the following terms of reference:

"To review the operation of drainage schemes carried out in Scotland under the Agriculture Act, 1937, the Land Drainage (Scotland) Acts, the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Acts, and emergency war-time powers; to examine the extent to which further large-scale drainage work is necessary and desirable in the interests of efficient agriculture; and to advise what legislative or other provision should be made to enable such further work to be carried out."

Would the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that not only large-scale agricultural drainage schemes are to be considered by this committee, since smaller ones are equally important in their way, and in my own case I have been trying for seven years to get one field drained which has been impossible so far because of the lack of labour.

None of these questions will be ruled out of consideration so far as the Committee is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the corporation for the setting up of the new town at East Kilbride does not include any residential representation; and if he will remedy this omission.

In making appointments to the East Kilbride development corporation, I was anxious to secure the services of persons with wide experience in a variety of fields. While the corporation as now appointed does not include a resident of East Kilbride, I am satisfied that, in compliance with the alternative statutory requirement, it includes persons having special knowledge of local conditions there.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a suspicion in the minds of local residents that the interpretation of the right hon. Gentleman's wish to have people of wide experience is confined almost entirely to well-known, notorious and lifelong Socialists?

I am sorry if there is any suspicion of that kind in the minds of the people of East Kilbride. If the suspicion is there, it is not justified.

Could I ask my right hon. Friend whether the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) resides in his constituency; and whether there is any suspicion in the minds of the people of East Renfrew that they are not adequately represented?

That is obviously another question, Mr. Speaker. It was answered at the last General Election and the same answer will be given at the next Election. Arising from the reply given by the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he wishes to inform the House that the overwhelming majority of members of the new corporation have not, all their adult days, been notoriously associated with and voting for the Socialists?

In setting up the corporation, I made up my mind that, irrespective of politics, I would get the best individuals I could to fill the posts.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider amending the regulations whereby a woman who has divorced her husband and is receiving alimony is not entitled to a widow's pension should that husband marry again and die before her.

I regret that I see no grounds on which to amend the existing regulations on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

Does not the Minister feel that it is a grievous injustice to the first wife which is very much in the minds of many women in the country at the moment? Is there any reason why it should not be remedied?

I do not recognise that this is a grevious injustice. The parties have been separated and there are no family ties. They are legally individual, single persons. We do provide a pension for the legitimate widow of a disabled pensioner. We provide both parties with the children's allowance, but I do not think we can extend our scheme to cover incidental relationships or past relationships of this kind.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in cases of ulceration or tuberculosis where, on revision, disability is re-assessed as below 20 per cent. and a period is put to the responsibility of his Department, there is any provision whereby a disabled person who has suffered a relapse can claim either further financial assistance or medical treatment.

Yes, Sir, where there is a substantial deterioration of a condition due to war service the assessment can be reviewed and there is no time-limit for the provision of treatment.

Is the Minister aware that that is not fully realised by the disabled persons concerned or by their organisations? Will he try to give the fullest publicity to the statement he has just made?

I can only say that very wide publicity has been given to the provision in the instructions which we widely circulated. There were special instructions for individuals and their organisations, as well as the trade unions.

If I give the Minister the details of organisations which are in doubt about this matter, will he see that they receive the necessary information?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many appeals have been submitted during the six months ended 30th June to the independent appeal tribunals; and how many of such appeals have been accepted.

During the six months ended 30th June, about 9,300 entitlement appeals were sent to the tribunals. I could not without considerable labour say how many of these appeals were heard during the period in question or with what result. 14,480 appeals were actually dealt with by the tribunals during the period. 2,860 were allowed, 4,660 disallowed, 5,130 adjourned and 1,830 struck out. Of the last figure, 1,130 were struck out at my Department's request because after further review entitlement had been admitted.

In view of that answer, would the hon. Gentleman agree that it was a very wise move on the part of the Conservative Coalition Government to introduce this Measure?

asked the Secretary of State for War if German prisoners of war who wish to remain permanently in this country may, on release, be first allowed a brief visit to their homes.

It would not be practicable to grant prisoners of war leave to Germany before their release. My hon. Friend will appreciate that after their release my Department is no longer responsible for their administration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if prisoners of war detained at Ruthin Camp 38 have facilities to attend Mass at the Roman Catholic chapel in the neighbourhood.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the death through carelessness, at Malton, of Kurt Bollinghaus who was, in contravention of the medical instructions issued, left under a certain treatment for three hours longer than he should have been; and whether he will have those responsible for this death removed from positions of responsibility in relation to German prisoners of war.

A military court of inquiry is being held and I cannot anticipate its findings. I should, however, like to take this opportunity of pointing out that camp hospitals are staffed by German medical personnel under the charge of a German medical officer.

In view of the fact that I have received a letter from a constituent who is convinced that we tortured this man to death, will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the details will be made public about this unfortunate accident?

I regret very much the allegation in the Question. Obviously, I have to await the result of the court of inquiry. My hon. Friend will note that the camp hospitals are staffed by German medical personnel, under the charge of a German medical officer.

I hope my right hon. Friend will not continue the misunderstanding. I am only conveying information. I am given to understand that I have misrepresented the case. That is not so. I received this information, which has been sent to my right hon. Friend, but unfortunately some people do talk, and a false impression gets abroad.

Is not a Member of Parliament able, on his own responsibility, to deny a fantastic and ridiculous charge like that? If not, he is not fit to be in the House.

I appreciate the point of view of my hon. Friend. In view of the statement which he has made, I hope that he will give me the fullest evidence that he has and I will certainly go into it.

Is there to be any recompense for the poor distracted parents of this man? Will my right hon. Friend bear that aspect of the matter in mind?

Will not my right hon. Friend see that in future English doctors are in charge of these unfortunate people?

No, Sir, certainly not. German medical officers are specially retained under the Hague Convention for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that the accommodation and, in particular, married quarters at Shorncliffe for noncommissioned ranks in transit from overseas are adequate and sanitary; whether rations are immediately available; and if proper arrangements are made to enable pay and allowances to be drawn.

On the assumption that the hon. and learned Member is referring to the transit camp housed in the Royal Pavilion Hotel. Folkestone, yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that personnel coming home from overseas disembark at various ports, such as Shorncliffe? Has he any information in regard to the quarters there?

No, Sir. I cannot give any further reply unless the hon. and learned Gentleman will give me more details of what he wants me to investigate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to fix any target number or percentage of recruits to be obtained from the Civil Service for the T.A.

No, Sir. It is not proposed to fix a target or quota for any particular profession or occupation. Every encouragement will be given to civil servants to join the Territorial Army, subject to the need to ensure the retention of sufficient trained officials to maintain essential services in war-time.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the total number of the 20,000 recruits for the T.A. up to the end of June were obtained from the Civil Service.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

In view of this answer and the right hon. Gentleman's answer to the previous Question, will he bear in mind that many organisations are having considerable difficulty in getting under way after the war, and will he, therefore, do everything he can to encourage civil servants to join the Territorial Army, as every extra man from the Civil Service will ease the situation very considerably?

Certainly, but within the limits of the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's first Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an officer in the R.A.M.C., particulars of whom have been sent to him, who did most of his service abroad and was due for Class A release in June, 1946, has been given a Regular commission, binding him perhaps for 21 years without his consent and against his wishes; and if, as this officer is being penalised in his future civil career, he will have urgent inquiries made so that the officer's release can be effected quickly to enable him to take the university course in public health and obtain the grant in connection with this which has been secured if release be granted.

I am aware that this officer has since claimed that he did not wish to be granted a Regular commission. The matter is being investigated and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Can the Minister inform the House if it is customary that a man who is being granted a commission should sign a document indicating the period of service and other conditions attaching to the commission?

I do not know whether it is customary, but I am investigating that aspect of the question. I must say that I am surprised that this officer has only found out that he was granted a Regular commission against his wish six months after it was granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue a sweet ration card to Army personnel which would enable them to purchase their sweet ration in civilian shops, as soldiers are unable to get adequate variety in N.A.A.F.I. canteens.

Arrangements are under consideration for personnel on the lodging list to buy their sweet ration in civilian shops, but I regret that it is not possible to adopt my hon. Friend's proposal for other personnel. It is necessary for troops generally to obtain their sweet ration through N.A.A.F.I., as civilian arrangements are not easily adapted to Service demands and furthermore, distribution to ordinary retailers would be upset by moves of units. In any case I am not prepared to accept the suggestion contained in the last part of the Question.

Would my right hon. Friend look into the kind of sweets that the N.A.A.F.I. supply? I think he will find that my allegation is well founded.

Yes, Sir, I am prepared to do that, and if my hon. Friend can give me any information in that respect, I should welcome it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much hard currency has been obtained so far during 1947 as a result of the Government's effort to attract tourist traffic.

No reliable estimate can yet be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the import-export gap, he will reduce the maximum currency allowance for Britons travelling abroad.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await tomorrow's Debate, when a statement on this subject will be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Treasury policy of encouraging our invisible export trade will be frustrated if this proposal is accepted?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the anomaly created and the hardships imposed upon a soldier, unable to get barrack accommodation, who has to pay Income Tax on the lodging allowance of 2s. 6d. a day; and if he will consider making some allowance to mitigate what soldiers consider to be a decided grievance.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to his question on the subject on 11th July.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that 2s. 6d. a day for lodging allowance when a soldier, through no fault of his own, cannot get barrack accommodation, is really inadequate if he has to pay Income Tax on top?

If my hon. Friend will look up Command Paper No. 6750 of March, 1946, the whole matter is there set out very fully. What we have aimed to do, and what the House accepted at the time as a reasonable thing to do, was to try to bring the soldier into the same general position as the civilian with regard to both standard payments and Income Tax liability. This is one instance of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether civil servants have to pay Income Tax on their lodging allowance?

I will certainly look into that.

If the soldiers are worse treated——

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a Question, I will give him the answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the fall in the value of Government stocks is continuing upon a substantial scale; and what steps he proposes to take to reassure both existing holders and potential purchasers as to the stability of such securities.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 15th July.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether he considers that at present levels Government securities are a safe buy?

I might indicate a private opinion, but I think it would be a mistake to make it official.

Does my right non. Friend not agree that this recession followed immediately on rumours of a Coalition Government and that when Tory hopes are dispelled tomorrow, a recovery may be confidently anticipated?

Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer state whether there is any alteration in his cheap money policy or whether, taking the long view, it remains unaltered?

We shall have a Debate which will no doubt cover a lot of matters and I had better not give snap answers to such questions as that of the hon. Gentleman.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are firms of stockbrokers who have been advising their clients to sell their, securities and put the money on deposit in the bank? Is that not a contributory cause to what is going on in the City?

I have no doubt that a lot of advice has been given by a lot of stockbrokers and other people to a lot of clients and others, and no doubt it has been discordant in some respects because some advise one thing and some another, but that is not my official affair.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a number of ex-Service men have paid Stamp Duty on articles of clerkship out of their gratuities; whether, in view of the decision to remit this duty, he will refund the amount so paid by ex-Service men between VE-Day and the date of the remission of the duty; and what would be the cost of this concession to the Treasury.

The Finance Act authorises a refund where the duty became payable on or after 6th April last and there is no power to go beyond this. Figures are not available to show the cost of the concession suggested by the hon. and learned Member.

As the cost would obviously be very small, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be a gracious act to take power to make the refund?

We had long discussions—I forget whether the hon. and learned Member took part, but perhaps he did—on this matter when the Finance Bill was going through its final stages, and I did date back the allowance. The original proposal was to make it date from the passage of the Finance Bill. I dated it back, in response to requests from different parts of the Committee, to the Budget date. We went into it very fully. The Finance Act is now law and I cannot change it.

Does not my right hon. Friend recall that when we had the discussions on the matter on the Finance Bill, the suggestion was apparently made in some parts of the House that the Minister of Labour might consider whether the point involved could not best be covered by his Department? Has my right hon. Friend had any consultations with his right hon. Friend on that point?

I remember the suggestion being made, and we can certainly look into it. I cannot say more.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he accounts for the drawing of £74,441,000 from the dollar funds announced on 30th July; does he anticipate that withdrawals will continue at this rate; and how long does he calculate it will be before the U.S. Loan is exhausted.

I hope to deal with these matters in some detail in the Debate which opens tomorrow.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer satisfied that there is no possibility of leakage through the sterling area?

I would rather deal with this in a comprehensive way. I shall not seek to evade such questions as this, but it would be more convenient to the House if I dealt with the matter in the course of my speech.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he adheres to the answer he gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. D. Marshall) saying that:

There has been no substantial change in the drain during the fortnight since 15th July. …"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th July, 1947; Vol. 441, c. 257.]

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is about the third occasion on which he has given this answer that he is not going to give information to the House until the Debate tomorrow? Could he say when he will speak in that Debate? It is important that the House of Commons should have as much information as possible on which to base its contribution.

That will depend upon when you are kind enough, Mr. Speaker, to allow me to speak, but the answer which I have given is the formally correct answer. I hope that influences may be brought to bear to enable you, Sir, to catch my eye—[Laughter]—to enable me to catch your eye at a comparatively early stage.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not highly improper that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should suggest that he hopes that influences will be brought to bear upon you? Would it not have been better if he had said that he proposes to try to catch your eye at a certain time?

I noticed that he withdrew the first suggestion very quickly.

Would it not be better if the right hon. Gentleman told us what time, so that we could be here?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the income from interest on the Soviet Loan Agreement of 1941; and what would be the effect of the Soviet proposal to reduce the interest rate to ½ per cent.

At present slightly over £1 million a year. After April, 1951, it falls sharply. The Soviet proposal would mean a loss of about £4 million over the whole period of repayment.

In view of the fact that this country lost a trade agreement that would have given us one million tons of grain, does my right hon. Friend think that this obstacle could not be overcome by another attempt to negotiate?

In the course of the recent trade discussions, there were a number of different points involved, and we did not feel that, on balance, we were able to accept the Soviet position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will furnish details of the sterling balances held in this country by the State and nationals of every country on 15th July, 1946, and at the end of the week ending 26th July;

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the sterling balances, with details, held in London by the Governments and nationals of each country or State outside Great Britain on 15th July, 1947, and on 2nd August, 1947.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the sterling balances held in London on 15th July, 1946, and on 25th July, 1947, respectively.

The collection of these figures, which involves securing and collating information from a large number of different sources, can only, in practice, be done at quarterly intervals.

If the Chancellor cannot give us any details now, can he at any rate give the House an assurance that there is no cause for apprehension in this connection?

I would hope not, but I would again prefer to deal with this matter in the course of the Debate.

That, again, is my point. Is it not possible for the Chancellor to give an approximation to the House so that the House may have an opportunity of making a considered contribution to the Debate tomorrow? Does the Chancellor realise the position of the House of Commons in this matter, where information will be given by the Government, very late in the Debate perhaps, and the House will not have an opportunity of considering it as it should do, having regard to the serious position we are in?

We will do our best to meet the convenience of the House as a whole in this matter, but the form of the Questions that I am asked—and I am seeking to give a direct answer to the Questions on the Paper—is such that, as between two dates both very close together and so very recent, it is really not possible to give figures such as are desired, because it involves collection from literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different sources, from great numbers of banks all over the world, and so on.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a detailed statement outlining the withdrawal in part or whole of food subsidies since January, 1946; and whether he will indicate to the House any proposed revision or removal of such subsidies contemplated by His Majesty's Government for the remainder of the current financial year.

As I explained in my Budget statement, I estimate this year an increase over last year's in the total of food subsidies. Changes in the selling prices of particular subsidised foods will, in accordance with the usual practice, continue to be announced from time to time by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food.

In view of the discrimination such a policy must tend to impose on working-class purses, would not the Chancellor seek to obtain the equivalent of these subsidies from increased taxation on distribution of profits, on Surtax and Death Duties, etc.?

That is very wide of the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the interpretation put by His Majesty's Government upon Article V 3 (a) of the Articles of the International Monetary Fund in relation to the liabilities they have assumed under Article XIX.

Article XIX is concerned with the explanation of terms, and does not impose liabilities. I am, therefore, at a loss to understand the hon. and gallant Member's Question.

Would the Chancellor state whether all sterling contributed to the International Monetary Fund is convertible under Article XIX? Is it not a fact that under Article V 3 (a) that liability need not be assumed unless it be the policy of His Majesty's Government so to do?

These are really very technical questions to deal with by way of supplementary question and answer. I am most anxious not to give any misleading replies to the hon. and gallant Member. I have given my answer to his Question on the Paper, and I would prefer not to be drawn into technical replies without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of gold now held in Norway and Czechoslovakia to the credit of the Bank of England under the payments agreements made with those countries.

None, Sir.

But can the Chancellor say how this is, in view of the fact that we have very favourable balances with both these countries on trading accounts and, under the payments agreements, gold should be laid aside under these conditions?

Each of these agreements provides that the other country may in certain circumstances obtain sterling against gold set aside in our favour, but these circumstances have not arisen in their case.