asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has taken steps to check the accuracy of the German estimates of the sums of French securities, foodstuffs, including the greater part of the French wheat, potato, sugar and other crops, and cattle, which have been removed to Germany, as well as the greater part of motor-vehicles and other war supplies produced in France since the armistice, in view of the effect upon our blockade of Germany of such a spoliation of France?

I do not know what estimates my hon. Friend has in mind. The German authorities are not in the habit of revealing the extent of their depredations. Taking the rate of exchange at 176 francs to the pound sterling, the value of the industrial products removed by the Germans from France between the date of the armistice and the end of 1941 is approximately £200,000,000, while the value of foodstuffs so removed may be anything between £150,000,000 and £250,000,000. As regards securities, the information I have received is not sufficient to enable me to give a figure.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that all these various particulars, which were taken from German published returns, were set forth in a recent issue of the "Soviet War News," and would it not be advisable to get into touch with these things in the same way as I do, as it is very important that we should know what supplies have been taken?

We endeavour to keep check of all figures published from Germany. I will, however, consider the statistics to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will give the reasons for allowing the resumed American shipments of cotton, fuel, oil and food to North Africa at a time when General Rommel is being provided with food and other requirements from Tunisia?

The reasons for these shipments remain the same as those stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2nd July last. This matter is now under discussion with the United States Government. The shipments in question have consisted principally of sugar, coal, pitch and cotton piece goods, but no oil has been included except 20 tons of gasoline for United States Consular officers.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary really think, at the moment when the French battleship "Dunquerque" has been moved to Toulon, we should be providing facilities for the Vichy Government on lines of this kind? If we are going to allow anything through the blockade, would it not be better to send something to the starving peoples of Greece?

This matter is already under discussion with the United States Government, and I should prefer to add nothing at this moment to what I have stated.

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he can report any progress as regards the efforts being made by His Majesty's Government to secure the necessary safe conduct for the supply of a cargo-load of wheat for the relief of starvation in Greece; and whether he will give the latest information available as to the extent and seriousness of the suffering amongst the civilian population of Greece?

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what is now the position with regard to the help to the starving people in Greece?

A safe-conduct for the ship carrying a cargo of wheat to Greece has now been received from the German Government. We have not yet had a reply from the Italian Government, though i understand that their decision may be expected shortly. As regards the suffering amongst the Greek population, I made a very full statement to the House on 10th February, and I am afraid that subsequent information has only served to confirm what I then said.

May we take it that this ship will be followed by others, if the arrangements prove satisfactory?

My right hon. Friend who is now President of the Board of Trade announced last week that the Government are considering whether any further relief can be sent to Greece, and I hope that a statement will be made before long.

Have the German Government been asked to give any further concessions in regard to food ships to Greece? Does the concession relate to this particular ship only, because one ship will not go very tar in meeting the needs of the Greek people?

My answer refers to the safe conduct for a particular ship.

Has any assurance been received that the cargo will not be taken over by the Germans?

My right hon. Friend stated a fortnight ago that we had not received any general assurance, nor should we rely on one if we had.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary considered the danger to ourselves in continuing this otherwise quite good work?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is no medical library at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley; and whether he will take immediate steps to provide one?

A medical library already exists at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.

Is my hon. Friend aware the medical library is so out of date that 10 days ago the medical staff were unable to obtain the necessary medical references for a peculiarly difficult case?

I will inquire further into that particular point.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain local authorities have ordered their employees to resign from the Home Guard; and whether he can see his way to communicate with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Security with a view to securing the rescinding of this order, or, alternatively, whether he will put into effect the National Service Act and have those men directed back into the Home Guard?

I am aware that certain local authorities have advised some of their employees to resign from the Home Guard. The Ministry of Health has issued a circular to local authorities advising them as to the proper procedure to be followed in cases where it is thought that there may be a conflict between an employee's civil and Home Guard duties. The Ministry has, however, no statutory power to order local authorities to give effect to its advice in this matter. In deciding whether, in any particular area, the compulsory powers under the National Service Act should be applied, the operational effect of any abnormally large number of resignations would naturally be taken into account.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the adverse effect this is having on recruiting for the Home Guard? Is he further aware that managers in private firms are now saying, as local authorities do not do their duty by supporting the Home Guard, why should they?

I must make it clear that the War Office do not approve of this action, and have no power to enforce their views on local authorities.

Would it not be well to take such powers?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to give the House any further information as to action already taken, or to be taken, arising from the recommendations of the Beveridge Committee on skilled men in the Services?

I have nothing to add at present to the statement I made on this subject in the course of the Debate on the Army Estimates last week.

Having regard to the fact that the Reports have already been under consideration for nearly four months, will my hon. Friend give the House an undertaking that a decision will be reached without further delay?

I must make it clear to the House that in the case of the vast majority of the recommendations of the Beveridge Committee action has already been taken. There are only two outstanding questions: the question of general service enlistment and the question of the formation of a corps of mechanical engineers. In the first case action has already been taken on as large a scale as is possible in view of limitations of accommodation, and a decision will be taken in the very near future on the second question.

Have results come from action?

Yes, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is considerable anxiety on these points, and will he convey to those concerned that in war-time it is very necessary to draw a distinction between time and eternity?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the light of the Report of the Beveridge Committee and its criticisms, he will now reconsider the matter of the appointment of an Inspector-General of Man-power, for the purposes there indicated, and to stop the wastage which is the subject of that Report?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to him on 21st October last.

Will the Minister be good enough to look at the happy, complacent assurances which were given to me, when this matter was raised by me last October; and, in view of the lamentable disclosures in the Report of the Beveridge Committee, will he consider taking action on the lines suggested at that time?

If my hon. and gallant Friend had been in his place a little earlier, he would have heard what I said about the Report of the Beveridge Committee.

Is action going to be taken on the lines I suggested last October?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to extend the privilege now given to soldiers on leave from the Orkneys to personnel on leave from Northern Ireland by granting motor licence leave permits and petrol allowances?

I have been asked to reply. This proposal would involve increased petrol consumption, and I regret that I cannot see my way to give effect to it.

Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer draw a distinction between the Orkneys and some of the remote parts of Northern Ireland?

Yes, Sir. There are special conditions there.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused in Wolverhampton by the regulation that no civilian may be served with refreshments in the Forces canteen and social club, preventing soldiers from bringing wives or other friends; and will he modify this ruling?

In view of the limited accommodation, supplies, equipment and staff, it would not be possible to admit any further classes of persons to Service canteens and institutes, without seriously curtailing the amenities at present enjoyed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered a complaint by No. 4923563, Private G. Worship, forwarded by the hon. Member for the Tamworth Division, alleging that he had been denied facilities for obtaining redress in accordance with Section 43 of the Army Act; whether he is aware that Private Worship has been charged with making this complaint in a manner otherwise than in accordance with the said Section; and whether he will make a statement?

I am inquiring into this case and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Is this man still under arrest?

Not that I know of.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers have been appointed to the pigeon service; how many of these have had previous experience of pigeons; and how many were commissioned direct without service in the ranks?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the size of the Army Pigeon Service. All except one of the officers appointed have had experience of pigeons before being commissioned, and about half of them had previous service in the ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will review the system which authorises compulsory stoppages of pay from soldiers on account of barrack damages?

This system has recently been under review, as a result of which it has been decided to make certain modifications in the procedure.

What alteration has been suggested?

In the main what has been proposed is more prompt and frequent inspection and new and unproved methods of assessing damage.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the main improvement that is required is that there shall be fewer compulsory stoppages from soldiers' pay?

It is considered that this practice is necessary in order to avoid unwarranted expenditure of public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the fullest use is being made of the experience and ability of mobile cooks who have been called up into the Voluntary Aid Detachment in Scotland; and what steps are being taken to ensure that they are occupying positions commensurate with their technical qualifications.

I am not aware of any evidence to show that mobile Voluntary Aid Detachment cooks in Scotland are not in general being employed on duties appropriate to their experience and qualifications.

Is my hon. Friend aware that qualified cooks are unable to get promotion because no one will part with them?

The status of these cooks is being considered in connection with the general reorganisation of the Voluntary Aid Detachment.

The matter has been under consideration for eight months and is still being considered, like so many other matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War the substance of the lectures given by Free Ukrainians to British officers?

I have no knowledge of the lectures referred to, but if my hon. Friend will send me further particulars, I will make inquiries.

Is the Minister aware that the substance of the lectures is that Russia should be divorced from the Ukraine?

I have no details at all about these lectures, but I will make inquiries if I receive particulars of them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether General de Gaulle will be consulted by the War Office for his advice on the various methods of tank warfare?

General de Gaulle's advice will always be welcomed by the War Office, equally with the advice of other distinguished Allied officers.

When the hon. Gentleman says that it will be welcomed, may I ask whether he or anyone else in the War Office has invited consultations? Are we waiting until General de Gaulle offers his services?

A number of informal consultations have taken place between officers at the War Office and General de Gaulle on tank matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the rank and pay of officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service engaged in recruitment and teaching duties adequately reflects the tact and ability with which they discharge them?

Tact and ability vary with the individual, but I am satisfied generally that the rank and pay of these officers are appropriate to their duties and responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many ships are now engaged in carrying prisoner of war parcels from Lisbon to Marseilles; and what arrangements are being made for additional tonnage to clear the accumulation at Lisbon, owing to the accident which occurred to the steamship "Vega" on 26th December?

Hitherto there have been three ships engaged in carrying Red Cross parcels from Lisbon to Marseilles. One of these, the "Vega," is temporarily disabled, but it is hoped that this vessel will again be available in two or three weeks' time. In order to clear the accumulation of parcels at Lisbon, the British Red Cross Society have chartered two additional ships.

Were not these arrangements in train last Tuesday, when the Secretary of State for War made a very misleading statement al to the position regarding parcels? What was the reason which led the Red Cross two days later to issue an official statement contradicting the statement by the Secretary of State for War?

I am not aware of any statement contradicting the statement of the Secretary of State for War, which merely conveyed to the House the information he had received from the Chairman of the British Red Cross Society.

How was it that the situation in gard to parcels to prisoners of war completely changed in two days? On Thursday the Red Cross issued a statement in which they said that each prisoner would receive one parcel per week during February and March. Is my hon. Friend aware that relatives and friends of prisoners of war were frightened by the statement of the Secretary of State for War?

Does this not show that the liaison between the War Office and the Red Cross is by no means satisfactory, and cannot the arrangement be made at once for closer co-operation?

The relations between the War Office and the Red Cross are close and cordial.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are being made for the provision of food and clothing parcels for the British, Australian and Indian prisoners taken in Malaya and Singapore?

The consent of the Japanese Government is necessary before any parcel service to British prisoners in Japanese hands can be started. Active steps are being taken to secure this consent as quickly as possible.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that at a moment like this, when there are 60,000 or 70,000 new prisoners in the Far East, it is very wrong to change from one man to another, who cannot possibly have the foreign contacts or the business experience?

It is not for the Government to concern themselves with the internal staff arrangements of an independent voluntary body. There is no reason to suppose that the organisation will be detrimentally affected by the change that has been made.

Does my hon. Friend say that the relations between the Red Cross and the Government are so close when an important person who gave his services without pay to the Red Cross has to leave because he does not agree with the policy? Surely the Government ought to have something to say in the matter?

The Red Cross should have something to say also.

Do not Government realise that the House thinks it is a Government responsibility to look after these people?

Do the Government accept the responsibility?

No, Sir, the Government do not accept responsibility for the services provided by the British Red Cross.

Does the hon. Gentleman say that the Government absolve themselves from responsibility for the care of prisoners of war?

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the shortage of club leaders; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Holland with Boston (Lieutenant Butcher) on 21st January last, and to that given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service on 22nd January last, copies of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many grants have been made towards the salaries of the secretaries of the youth workers movement?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to youth service organisers employed by local education authorities. So far 81 authorities have notified the Board of appointments covering the employment of 99 organisers, but there are no doubt a number of such appointments of which my Department have not yet been notified. The approved expenditure of authorities on the employment of these officers is recognised for 50 per cent. grant under the Higher Education Grant Regulations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the decision not to permit the further export of parcels of food by individuals to British Forces serving abroad, he will consider making arrangements so that the same restrictions may apply to the sending of articles of food by individuals overseas to individuals in this country, in the interests of fair distribution and the saving of shipping space?

Yes, Sir; this question is now under review.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise the unfairness of a system which enables people with wealthy friends abroad to obtain extra food and prevents such gifts being sent to soldiers overseas?

Perhaps the hon. Member will look at my answer.

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he can state the size of M.A.P. Form 2077, Plant and Equipment Form No. 1; how many copies are sent to firms; and whether he is aware that in some cases the answer will occupy one line of type?

The form measures 16 inches by 13. The number of copies sent to firms varies; the most is six. It is true that the space is sometimes not fully used, but this is exceptional. The form is, however, shortly due for reprinting, and I propose to review both its size and the need for the number of copies at present used.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in connection with the fire which occurred in the French liner "Normandie," in New York harbour, any British subjects employed on the ship suffered death or injury; and whether His Majesty's Government will be represented in the investigation which will take place on the disaster to the vessel?

I have no reason to suppose that any British subjects were on board the 'Normandie" at the time of the fire. There was no British crew on the ship, which was entirely under U.S.A. control. If the hon. Member has any grounds for thinking a British subject suffered death or injury, I should be pleased to have inquiries made if he would give me particulars.

Will my hon. Friend answer the last part of the Question and say whether the British Government will be represented at the investigation?

In view of the fact that the vessel was entirely under United States control and there was no British crew, I see no reason why His Majesty's Government should be represented. If the hon. Member has any specific information on this matter, I shall be glad if he will let me have it.

asked the Minister of Pensions what progress has been made in the payment of the improved rates of pension already announced?

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that the issue to pensioners of the necessary authority for payment of the improved weekly rates was practically complete at the end of last week, only a few cases of special difficulty then remaining in hand. It is only right that I should pay a tribute to the members of my staff, whose strenuous efforts have made it possible to anticipate the date which I promised for the completion of this work, and I should like also to thank the staff of the Post Office for their ready co-operation. The date which I gave for quarterly pensions will be adhered to.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department for what specific duties it has recently been decided to establish a new unit known as the Directorate for Post-War Export Trade Development, in view of the fact that the war situation creates insurmountable difficulties in development work in regard to overseas trade; whether he will give the name of the director of this unit, his salary and his age; and why representations made by the staff side of his departmental Whitley Council, to the effect that it would be quite possible for the existing staff to perform all this work possible in present circumstances, were overruled?

As the hon. Member is aware, the name of the officer in question is Mr. Rodgers; his age is 35; his salary is at the rate of £1,000 a year, which is the same as he received from the Ministry of Information as Adviser on Overseas Planning before his transfer to my Department. He is employed in co-operation with the Export Industries of the United Kingdom upon an examination of the conditions affecting the prospects of this country's post-war export trade. With my knowledge and approval, the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council were informed that the Official Side, after careful consideration of their representations, did not share their views.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government pay compensation in respect of the loss by enemy action of evidences of title to any property or for any documents owned for the purpose of a business?

No, Sir. By the definition of "goods" in Section 95 these documents are specifically excluded from the provisions made by the War Damage Act with respect to war damage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the possibility of some notification being sent to the would-be recipients of unsolicited gift parcels from abroad that are seized on arrival in this country; and what happens to the contents of such parcels?

A notification is sent to the addressee whenever a gift parcel is detained under the import regulations. Parcels which are seized are handed over to an approved charitable organisation unless they contain perishables, when they are sold forthwith to prevent wastage.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the representations recently made to the Lord Privy Seal by Members of the House of Commons on questions affecting the Women's Services; and has he any statement to make?

Yes, Sir. The Government have considered those representations and have decided to set up a Committee with the following terms of reference: "To inquire into and report on amenities and welfare conditions in the three Women's Services and to make recommendations."

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept the assurance that this statement will give great satisfaction to all concerned, and will also give satisfaction as affording some indication that the Government are sometimes willing to listen to reasonable criticism? Will he tell the House approximately how soon the Committee may be expected to meet and whether, in view—[Hon. Members: "Speech."] May I not ask whether—

The hon. Lady's question is much too long.

asked the Prime Minister what extra Departmental duties are now being carried out by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?

A statement will be made later on this subject.

Will it be made by the Prime Minister in the course of the Debate to-day?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the 20 per cent. of the Excess Profits Tax will be returnable to the firm or individual paying that tax, or whether it will be payable to industry collectively according to need?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1941, which provide for repayment to the person who has paid the tax subject to the conditions that are in due course to be laid down by Parliament being satisfied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the prejudicial effect on trading due to company investments in State securities being regarded as a reduction of in relation to excess profits; and whether he will, in his coming legislation, consider the removal of this anomaly?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statements I made on this matter on 20th November and 2nd December last in reply to Questions put by my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery). I may perhaps call the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to the fact that it is now open to any company or other trader to purchase Tax Reserve Certificates which, in so far as they are accepted in payment of tax by the company or trader, carry interest and count as capital employed in the business for the purposes of Excess Profits Tax.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether there is any appeal against the decisions of the various purchasing Departments in fixing prices for war contracts; and whether he will reconsider this policy which may react unfairly on the firms concerned in regard to Excess Profits Tax and the postwar refund of 20 per cent.?

I am not sure that I follow precisely what my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. Contract terms, which include prices, are settled in negotiation between the purchasing Department and contractors on the basis that they should be fair and reasonable to both parties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (1) whether, in view of the fact that Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners received reimbursements to the extent of £358,000 from December, 1940, until 31st March, 1942, this firm is liable for Excess Profits Tax for the period in question;

I cannot furnish any information in reply to either of these Questions, for it would be contrary to the statutory obligations of secrecy to disclose any information regarding the tax liability of individual taxpayers.

While appropriating what the right hon. Gentleman had said, may I ask whether it is not a fact that the gentleman referred to in Question 48 has a partner occupying a position in a Government Department and that, in relation to Question 49, the firm mentioned has a partner holding a position connected with the distribution of contracts?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money he proposes to allocate during the present calendar year for the purpose of advertisements urging the public to lend their savings free of interest to the Government?

The interest-free loans which I receive are spontaneously made in a spirit of patriotism, which I desire to maintain, and therefore I do not propose to take the course my hon. Friend suggests.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why he continues to prop up this outworn monetary system by issuing loans with interest—really usury—and would it not be wiser to encourage people to lend their money interest free as they will certainly have to do under the new order when the present monetary system is abandoned?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that failure to keep proper account books and records of sales renders more possible black market and other tax-evading transactions to take place; and what steps he proposes to take to check such abuses?

My hon. Friend would appear to have in mind evasions of Purchase Tax, and of taxes upon profits. So far as Purchase Tax is concerned, all traders registered for Purchase Tax purposes are required to keep full and true accounts both of their purchases and of their sales of such goods as are chargeable with the tax, so that tax may be duly assessed. Failure to keep proper records involves liability to prosecution: and a number of persons have, in fact, been prosecuted under this provision. So far as the taxation of profits is concerned, I can only say that the taxation authorities may be relied upon to take every possible step to ensure that the true profits of a business are ascertained for purposes of assessment. I may remind my hon. Friend that the law provides for estimated assessments to be made, should the taxpayer's return be considered unsatisfactory, and that, on appeal against such an assessment the Commissioners hearing the appeal can call for such further evidence as they consider necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making some limit to the amounts that can be paid in cash, because people are alleged to be going about this country with attaché cases full of pound notes, conducting transactions in the black market?

I have already answered several Questions on that matter. It is very difficult indeed to think of any satisfactory arrangement which could be made which would not be open to evasion.

Abolish attaché cases.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to recognise the public spirit of those men and women who volunteered for service with the Armed Forces at the outbreak and during the early months of the war, and thus sacrificed the many advantages enjoyed by civilian workers, he will consider making the post-war credits scheme, recently announced, retrospective, so that in each case the 6d. per day will be credited to the individual from the date of his or her enlistment?

No, Sir. The Service credits run from the beginning of 1942, which is the time at which weekly wage-earners begin to pay the Income Tax of which a proportion will be made available to them as post-war credits.

Does not the Minister appreciate the unfairness of the position as between men who volunteered in September, 1939, and gave up their good wages and those who have not volunteered yet who are called up? Cannot something be done to remedy the injustice of that position?

The present arrangements with regard to Income Tax are in step with the Service position.

Is not the Minister aware that, in comparison with the rewards enjoyed by workers in industry, the recent increases to the lower ranks of the Services and the junior officers are entirely inadequate?

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he is aware that in the Government's decision relating to the transfer of statutory powers in regard to roads and town planning, there is lost to Wales the small amount of consideration extended to her when the Ministry of Health, through the Welsh Board of Health, exercised the statutory powers now forfeited to the Ministry of Works and Planning; and whether it is intended that the latter Ministry should make special provision for carrying out its statutory powers in Wales?

(Lord of the Treasury): My Noble Friend is anxious that the transfer shall not result in any loss of special consideration for Wales, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on future organisation.

Will my hon. Friend kindly tell the House for whom it is that he is actually replying?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, owing to black-out, the office hours of the inspector of taxes, Marylebone district, during the current month, are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and whether, to enable business people to keep appointments connected with Income Tax, longer hours will be arranged?

My hon. Friend is not correct if he assumes that duty at the office in question is restricted to the hours that he mentions. My information is that staff attend from 9 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. It is convenient that some part of these hours should be free of calls, if possible, but appointments are arranged to meet the convenience of the public, and I shall be glad to have particulars of any instance to the contrary.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to make it increasingly difficult for people to avoid their responsibilities so far as National Service is concerned, he will consider altering the present system of national registration so that all identity cards should include a photograph of the person to whom they relate together with details of his or her occupation and liability for national or military servcie?

The obstacles to the inclusion in all identity cards of the holder's photograph have been fully stated, in reply to previous Parliamentary questions, by my right hon. Friend and his predecessor. The other particulars mentioned are unsuitable for inclusion in a document of identity, and, so far as deemed necessary by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, would seem more appropriate in the certificates issued by his Department in the course of National Service administration. The national registration system has, however, been contributing to the enforcement of compulsory national service, ever since its institution, by other more appropriate and, we believe, more effective means.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give to the House about the negotiations with the United States Government on the subject of the terms and conditions upon which His Majesty's Government receive Lend-Lease supplies from the United State of America?

Yes, Sir. As the House will recollect, the Lend-Lease Act provides that the terms and conditions upon which any Government receives any aid authorised under the Act shall be those which the President of the United States deems satisfactory, and the benefit to the United States may be payment or repayment in kind or property or any other direct or indirect benefit which the President deems satisfactory

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House precisely what he means by the elimination of discriminatory treatment? Has Imperial preference been done away with altogether?

So far as the reduction of the United States tariffs and the elimination of Imperial preference arrangements are concerned, no commitments were undertaken by either party in advance of the discussions. We have undertaken to pursue jointly with the United States the general objective denned in the Charter.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the representatives of the Dominions were taken into consultation before this Agreement was made?

Yes, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state who has conducted the past negotiations and who will conduct future negotiations with the United States Government on this subject?

Negotiations are undertaken by members of the Government on behalf of the Government as a whole. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, of course, has been particularly concerned.

Is it contemplated that these arrangements will also be discussed with the Soviet Government and the Republic of China? If not, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there might be a tendency to regard them as rather one-sided?

That is a matter for consideration. The Noble Lord will realise that in the statement made it was laid down that an endeavour should be made to make agreements with other like minded Governments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Agreement affects other Allies of this country? Will they be fully consulted?

They will be consulted.