asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make on the showing of films to troops stationed within two miles of a cinema?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that all branches of the Army now have their full quota of up-to-date cinemas and that satisfactory arrangements have been made with existing cinema proprietors whereby no irksome restrictions will prevent films being exhibited to the troops?

This matter has been considered with the trade interests in the last few days, and I hope that a satisfactory arrangement may be reached shortly. I am otherwise generally satisfied with the present arrangements for showing films to the troops.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state when a suitable opportunity will arise for putting a further question?

I cannot say anything more at the moment than that I hope that a satisfactory arrangement may be reached shortly. I do not know the exact date. I think it may be about ten days hence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make as to a war establishment for the Army Dental Corps; and to what extent the approval of such proposals will enhance the promotion prospects of other ranks?

War establishments for the Army Dental Corps will shortly be issued which will improve considerably the promotion prospects of other ranks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite the war establishment for the Army Dental Corps in order to put it on a business footing and to allay discontent?

I did not quite catch what the hon. Lady said, but I am under the impression that that was the Question I had answered.

asked the Secretary of State for War why six months have elapsed since the promise of King's commissions to officers of the Army Cadet Force without any being granted; and whether it is intended to grant any before the end of the war?

Instructions have now been issued which will enable commissions in the Army Cadet Force to be granted. I much regret that it was not possible to issue them sooner.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Auxiliary Territorial Service officers are being trained for staff appointments of an administrative nature?

Yes, Sir. A.T.S. officers have attended the School of Military Administration for some time and a special Staff College for A.T.S. officers was opened on 26th November.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that answer, may I ask whether he will consider recruiting women with university education or business experience, especially for this type of work, and so relieve men?

If the hon. Member means recruiting them specially without going through the ranks, I should want to have very careful notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement with regard to the payment of family allowances to widows with dependent children serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

Family allowances will in future be paid to widows in the who have dependent children. The rates of the allowances and the conditions under which they will be issued will in general be the same as for soldiers with motherless children. I understand that similar arrangements will be made in the Navy and in the Air Force.

May I take it that that is an earnest that other anomalies relating to this category of serving A.T.S. officers and other ranks will also be put right?

The hon. Lady may take the answer for exactly what it says.

Would it not have been better if the right hon. Gentleman had been fairer to women in the first place instead of having to be kicked into it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on a recent Sunday 200 members of the Home Guard travelled from North Middlesex to West Sussex, at a cost averaging 15s. per head, to undertake practice; that only 20 shots per head were fired; that the journey and practice lasted 12 hours; and whether, as well equipped ranges exist a few miles away in Hertfordshire, he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of the waste?

This case is now being looked into and I will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that quite a large number of members of the Home Guard are busily employed all through the week, and find themselves in the position of having to use up their leisure time on Sundays, chasing round doing things which they could very well do much nearer home?

That is precisely the obligation which the Home Guard take on, to give up some of their leisure in the service of the country. I quite agree that that time should not be wasted but used, but it is no good pretending that they are not called upon to give up some of their leisure.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in many cases of men discharged because of sickness they have to apply for public assistance; and whether he will consider continuing full Army pay in such cases until they are declared medically fit to resume employment?

A soldier suffering from a disability is discharged from the Army when he is found to be permanently unfit for further service, 28 days' furlough with full pay being given before discharge. Thereafter he will receive a disability award from the Ministry of Pensions if he is entitled to it. If he is not, he has the same rights for benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts as an insured civilian. I regret I am unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion to continue full Army pay beyond the 28 days' furlough.

In cases where soldiers have to seek public assistance, does not the right hon. Gentleman say that that is regrettable, and, if so, what steps are being taken to avoid that?

I agree that it is regrettable; it is regrettable that anyone should have to seek public assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Army Council Instruction, laying down the rates to be paid in cash to discharged soldiers in lieu of civilian clothing, has been cancelled?

It is not the usual practice to publish by Army Council Instruction the rates to be paid to discharged soldiers in lieu of provision of civil clothing. The rates are normally published in the Vocabulary of Clothing and Necessaries. The Army Council Instruction to which my hon. Friend refers was specially published because the Vocabulary became out of date. The Vocabulary has recently been brought up to date; as a consequence the necessity for the Army Council Instruction no longer exists.

Has there been any change in the amount to be paid to the discharged soldier for civilian clothing, namely, £2 16s. 5d.?

I think it is now 1s. or so less. There is another Question on that; I will give the figures in connection with it.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount granted to a discharged soldier if he does not have a War Office suit and overcoat, respectively?

asked the Secretary of State for War on what basis the grant for civilian clothing made to soldiers on discharge is calculated; whether it is the same for all soldiers; and whether any revision is made from time to time to meet changes in price levels?

The allowance payable to soldiers who, on discharge elect to make their own arrangements for provision of civilian clothing rather than receive an issue in kind from War Department sources is based on the cost to the Government of purchasing standard garments of civilian pattern. The same rates apply to all soldiers, but soldiers discharged on medical grounds between 1st October and 31st April are entitled to receive in addition a civilian overcoat or a cash allowance, which is calculated in the same way as the other allowance. They are revised periodically in the light of variations in the prices paid by the Ministry of Supply who buy for the Army. The current allowance is £2 15s. 10d. for a suit of clothing and £1 17s. 0d. for an overcoat.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider this allowance adequate, and can he give the date when the amount was fixed?

I should require notice about the second question. As regards the first, it is always open to take the clothing in kind.

Why has this allowance been reduced from £2 16s. 5d. to £2 15s. 10d.? The Army Council Instruction about which I questioned the right hon. Gentleman, and which has now been cancelled, laid it down that the soldier was to have £2 16s. 5d. Why has it been reduced?

Because it is revised periodically, in the fight of variations, by the Ministry of Supply.

In view of the concessions announced last week to men serving as commissioned officers, does not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has arrived when reconsideration should be given to it?

This is a case where a man can get clothes in kind, and a different case from the one to which the hon. Member refers, where the officer or embryo officer has to buy clothes himself from private sources.

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a young officer, whose name has been forwarded to him, was commissioned in the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, in January last, and given embarkation leave; that he overstayed his leave and communicated with his Department registering objection to serving overseas; that he was permitted to resign his commission and take work on a farm without any court-martial; and whether he will prevent in future this method of avoiding service?

I am aware of the facts referred to in the Question, and I deplore the action taken by this man. He will, however, not escape his liabilities for military service. He will now no doubt be called up in the usual way under the National Service Acts.

Has any inquiry been made into the matter as to why the officer has been let off?

Inquiry is being made into the suggestion that he overstayed his leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many courts of inquiry were held during the past six months?

Courts of inquiry may be assembled by an officer in command to assist in arriving at a correct conclusion on any subject. The reports of very many courts of inquiry therefore remain with the unit concerned, and my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is impossible for me to say how many courts of inquiry are held.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of these courts of inquiry are a pure farce and that much valuable time is wasted on them?

I dare say the hon. Member knows all about that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the school children in the counties of Fife, Clackmannan, Stirling, Renfrew and Lanark, and in the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, are now being supplied with a hot midday meal; and the percentages of children in the same areas being supplied with milk?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken towards remedying the serious situation arising out of the great scarcity of houses in Glasgow and, in particular, whether there have been any changes in housing policy, whether these have been indicated to the corporation of Glasgow and what is their nature?

I have at all times done my utmost to assist local authorities to procure labour and materials, subject of course to war-time necessities, for the

With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the figures required.

As the figures will show that there are some less progressive authorities, does my right hon. Friend mean to renew his technical propaganda?

Continual pressure is always being brought to bear upon authorities whose figures do not show well.

As many of us are interested in authorities beyond those mentioned in the Question, when will my right hon. Friend issue a fresh statement, comparable with the one issued last year, covering all the authorities in Scotland?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will consult with me on that. I do not know when the last census was taken.

Is the Corporation of Glasgow now taking adequate measures to deal with the situation?

Every local authority has had tremendous difficulties with labour and material. I am satisfied that they are doing their best.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will inquire into the whole circumstances surrounding the prosecution on the 19th October of a War Department policeman before Sheriff Hamilton, at Paisley sheriff court, charged with refusing to obey an order?

I have inquired into this matter. This policeman disobeyed an order by his superior to submit himself to search on entering a danger area. He was prosecuted, convicted and fined £5, with the alternative of 30 days imprisonment.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the observation was made during the trial that the police were committing perjury? Will he have an inquiry into the whole circumstances? The dispute is whether an order was given or not. I must press for an inquiry into all the circumstances.

There was a conflict of evidence between the policemen, which indicated that one or other of them had committed perjury. There was an inquiry in the ordinary course by the police but no sufficient evidence has been forthcoming to determine which committed perjury.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some of my constituents are involved in this? An inquiry was started, but the evidence was all the wrong way round, and, as a consequence, it was dropped. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman take a hand and see that an impartial inquiry is set up?

If the hon. Member has any further information to give me, so that I can extend the scope of the inquiry already instituted, I shall be very glad to do so. But all existing sources of information have been inquired into.

I will let the right hon. and learned Gentleman have the correspondence.

Is not this clearly a case for re-trial?

No. The point on which perjury was committed was not essential to a successful prosecution. The sheriff said so.

On a point of Order. The right hon. and learned Gentleman has introduced the name of the sheriff. In putting my Question to the Clerk at the Table, reference to the sheriff was specifically precluded, and I could not raise the matter. I appeal to you, Sir, to prevent Ministers introducing matters which Members cannot introduce.

I am afraid I did not hear what was said.

If perjury was committed on both sides—

I did not say that perjury was committed on both sides, but on one side or the other. Whichever side it was, there was evidence which in my judgment warranted a prosecution and a conviction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of aliens registered with the police in the Isle of Bute together with their nationality?

The total number is 109, of whom 39 are Belgians, 28 Poles, 15 Italians, 8 Dutch, 8 Norwegians, 6 Americans, 2 Russians, 1 Brazilian, 1 Swedish and 1 German.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House on whose instructions a number of Poles are being detained?

The figures I have given to the hon. Member are quite accurate, but if he has any further point to bring to my notice, I should be glad to consider it.

I am trying to indicate that more than 28 Poles are upon the Isle of Bute, and to ask on whose instructions they are there and why they are so detained.

That would not be a question for me to answer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to encourage the organisation by local authorities of the collection and distribution of blown timber to provide fuel in rural districts and thus to save coal transport?

In October, 1941, all local authorities were asked to arrange schemes on behalf of my Ministry for the collection and storage of derelict timber for use as domestic fuel in time of coal shortage. Blown timber as well as surplus wood from sawmills and felling operations is used for this purpose. Where we know that supplies of suitable wood are available, individual appeals have been made to the appropriate local authorities urging them to organise and operate schemes for the storage of wood fuel to supplement coal supplies particularly in rural areas, during times of transport difficulties. My hon. Friend will appreciate, however, that both the labour and the transport problems involved, particularly in the case of blown timber, are very difficult.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that there is a great deal of timber lying about in the country, and that the poorer members of the community are frightened to fetch it whereas in many cases landowners would be glad if they did so? Will he send out another circular through the local authorities to try and get that discrepancy removed?

Is it not a fact that the local authorities have already done a considerable amount in this regard?

They have collected a substantial tonnage. About 56 authorities have already collected, and I hope that there will shortly be another 23.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that the new arrangements made for distributing coal to small consumers is working satisfactorily?

An instruction has been sent to all coal merchants indicating the arrangements necessary to give effect to the pledge which I gave in the House on 1st October that the small consumer shall have priority of coal deliveries this winter. The arrangements are to be put into force on a gradual scale from now onwards, and are to be in complete operation during the 13 weeks commencing 28th December.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a shortage of coke usually goes with a shortage of coal?

There may be a shortage in some cases which my hon. Friend has in mind, but taking the country as a whole there is no shortage of coke.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in Glasgow and the West of Scotland his Direction does not apply with the same force because people there never had an opportunity of storing any coal?

The purpose of this scheme is to provide for those who have no storage capacity. The small man is the one who will get priority because he has no storage capacity.

Is the Minister aware that these people are not getting priority?

The scheme is not due to begin until 28th December.

Are they to go without coal until then?

That is an improper observation, for the hon. Gentleman must know that it is not true. People are not going without coal.

Is the Minister aware that already in the City of Glasgow there is an acute shortage in certain parts and the people cannot wait until 28th December?

Considering everyday consumption in Glasgow that really is not so, and their needs should be met.

What is the Minister doing to provide adequate labour to supply the coal?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will exhibit in the Tea Room, and keep up to date monthly, a graph showing how current coal production compares with the production of a year ago, both in total and per man employed underground?

I shall be glad to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion and to discuss it with him.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can give the reasons for the present fall in coal production in Lancashire; and whether a simliar reduction has occurred in other districts?

Although output in this district, as in many others, was low during the summer months, I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that the Lancashire and Cheshire coalfield is in fact increasing its output. In recent weeks production is higher than it has been at any time since early last year.

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that it has been reported in the Press that there is a decrease in production amounting to 7,000 tons a week throughout the country, although the increase in mine workers is 4,000?

The hon. Gentleman's Question was with regard to the present fall in Lancashire, but there is no present fall; it is going up. I think that what the hon. Gentleman has got it mixed up with is the comparison of the total production this year with that in the same period last year. While it has improved on the summer it is 7,000 tons a week below last year's production.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that there are still large stocks of gas coke in the hands of merchants or gas companies; and what steps he is taking to distribute them?

Stocks of coke at gas works are slightly lower than at this time last year while stocks at merchants' depots are higher than last year. My hon. Friend will appreciate that reserve stocks at gas works are necessary for domestic and industrial purposes and for making water gas in case of need. Stocks at merchants' depots are necessary in order to ensure supplies during the winter months to consumers without stocking space. In view of the generally satisfactory position of coke supplies I have made a number of arrangements to encourage the use of coke and to facilitate its delivery to consumers while the necessary transport remains available. In particular I have authorised domestic consumers to build up their stocks to four tons of coke during November and December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to say if, and when, utility wireless receiving sets are likely to be made available to the public?

Owing to the very heavy demand by the Fighting Services for radio equipment of all kinds, the production of wireless sets and components for the civil population has had to be severely curtailed. A considerable number of civilian sets are still in process of manufacture; and it is most economical to complete these before embarking on the production of a utility set.

Pending the time when utility sets are provided, will it be possible to facilitate the preparation and supply of repair parts, as many sets are going out of use because of the lack of valves and other parts?

I will go into that question, but already a considerable number of spares are available and are being put on the market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before deciding to close Messrs. Scott and Fife's weaving mill in Tayport, he con sidered fully the representations made to him on the matter by the Scottish Advisory Council for Industry, the Scottish Office, the Fife County Council and Tayport Town Council, as well as those of the hon. Member for East Fife; whether he is aware that one of the only two substantial work places in Tayport will thus be closed down; and whether, before closing these works, he will send a special investigator to Tayport to meet the parties concerned and review the local conditions?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend considered all the evidence on this case most carefully before reaching a final decision. As regards a further investigation on the spot, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on Thursday last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

As there are so many Supplementary Questions I want to put to that unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter to-day on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when and how the public will obtain utility furniture; and whether Purchase Tax will be payable?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date it is proposed to cease the manufacture of furniture other than utility furniture; whether the designs of such furniture have been decided; and whether the finished utility furniture will be available by the date when other furniture ceases to be made?

Utility furniture is now in production and will be on sale as from 1st January next. In present circumstances, owing to the scarcity of materials for furniture-making, it will be available only for persons with special needs, such as newly married couples setting up house for the first time, expectant mothers, growing families and those whose furniture has been destroyed by enemy action. Such persons will be able to apply for buying permits, under arrangements which my right hon. Friend will announce towards the end of this month. As from 1st November last, no further production of furniture, other than utility, can be begun, except under special licence; but other furniture in process of manufacture at that date may be completed up to the end of the year. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has agreed to submit for the approval of the House an Order exempting utility furniture from Purchase Tax.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman mentioned that this furniture would be made available to young married couples; what about old couples married for the first time?

I did not say young married couples but newly married couples.

Will the Board of Trade give special consideration to the small manufacturers in the production of this furniture for they are threatened with extinction? Will they get a fair share of the allotment to make this furniture?

We will give consideration to them, but the main considerations are location, labour supply, equipment and the general efficiency of the producers.

Is there any way in which the House can compliment the designers of this furniture because their efforts have been very successful?

The designers, I am sure, will note with gratitude my hon. Friend's remark.

What does the hon. and gallant Gentleman mean by "the end of this month"?

I suppose 31st December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information in connection with the inspector's visit to workshops in London where illegal suits of clothes were found; did the inspector have search warrants; and what is to be done about the matter?

If my hon. Friend will give me details of the particular case he has in mind, I shall be glad to have the matter investigated.

asked the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the preparations that his Department is making for the resumption of overseas trade at the cessation of hostilities?

As I indicated in my reply to a Supplementary Question put by my hon. Friend on 25th November, the problem of our post-war export trade is under active examination by a committee of business men and officials. That committee looks to the Department of Overseas Trade and its overseas services for much of the information which is necessary to enable the committee to formulate its recommendations to His Majesty's Government, on the preparations necessary for the resumption of export trade at the end of hostilities.

Is the Minister aware of the close contact between the Department of Overseas Trade and the United Kingdom Trading Corporation, and can he make some statement at an early date regarding plans and intentions, as a number of people in the country are very exercised about the activities of the United Kingdom Trading Corporation?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

As the main function of the hon. Gentleman's Department is to refuse licences for British exports, will he not consider making an alteration in the title of the Department?

That is the function of the Board of Trade.

Is the Department taking into account the needs of the Lancashire cotton export trade?

Yes, Sir, we have had elaborate discussions with the Lancashire cotton trade on the subject.

Does not the Corporation invariably work through trade channels, and try to keep existing policies in operation?

That is the policy of the Corporation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the great difficulty being experienced by civil servants returning to London, after a period of evacuation in the country, in obtaining accommodation within their means in the London area, he will authorise either an improvement in the subsistence rates allowed to them or, alternatively, the provision of hostel accommodation?

The subsistence rates to which my hon. Friend refers were recently agreed with the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council. Arrangements have also been made for certain of the staff to be accommodated in hostels. In these circumstances I do not consider that any further steps are necessary.

Does not the Minister realise that what the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council agreed to is the best they can extract from the right hon. Gentleman, and that if the best is not as good as they might have expected, ought not something to be done?

No, Sir, I could not accept that description of the views of the Staff Side.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now pre-pared to reopen the case of the age-barred officers, the civil servants, who, while otherwise qualified for establishment, have been denied establishment and pension rights on age grounds?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on this subject on 23rd June last.

May I give notice that I desire to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether property owners are allowed to claim a rebate on their Income Tax on the amount that they have paid for war damage?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the point to which his Question refers was dealt with in Section 84 of the War Damage Act, 1941. Under that Section no allowance is to be given for Income Tax purposes in respect of the contribution, or in respect of expenditure on making good war damage in so far as payment in respect of the damage is due under the Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of what I would like to tell him about this?

Perhaps the hon. Member had better speak to me privately.

Is it not correct that because there is no rebate on Income Tax in respect of the payment for War Damage Contribution it means that the property owner is suffering an imposition of 3s. in the pound instead of 2s.?

No, Sir. No doubt the hon. Member will recall that this matter was fully discussed on a previous occasion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Income Tax Deduction Form, Reference I.D.S., originally designed to provide space for the use of commercial houses in dealing with the deduction of tax from employees' remuneration has been so cut down in size that room is no longer allowed for the tax to be deducted, so that the firm must prepare other lists involving greater and unnecessary use of paper and labour; and will he reintroduce the original form?

My hon. Friend is, I think, referring to the omission from this form of the columns originally provided for the entry against each employee's name of the figures of tax deducted each week or each month. Experience during the first year of the working of the tax deduction scheme has shown that very few employers used these columns, and it was accordingly decided in the interests of economy to omit them in the revised form. For the benefit of those relatively few employers who desire to keep on an official form a detailed record of weekly or monthly deductions a new slip (No. 1 D.S. Record) is provided, and can be obtained free of charge on application to the Collector. I understand that the new arrangement meets the convenience of employers and has effected a very substantial economy in paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue he would expect to lose if occasional presents up to £1 in value from members of the Forces abroad were admitted into this country free of duty; and whether it is revenue considerations or administrative difficulties which prevent this concession to the Fighting Services?

There are not sufficient data on which to make the estimate asked for in the first part of the Question. With regard to the second part, the objections to the concession are primarily administrative.

Will my right hon. Friend make inquiries as to how the American Government, which makes a concession of this sort in spite of its strict Customs system, overcomes the administrative difficulties?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has taken, or will take, advantage of the visit to this country of the President of the Bank for International Settlements for the purpose of an interview regarding the interests of this country in the bank?

Yes, Sir. I saw this gentleman when he was passing through the country on a short, private visit and had a general talk with him.

Was not my right hon. Friend able to discuss with the President of the Bank whether any clearing facilities had been given for the large transactions in black market visas to pass through the Bank for International Settlements, to our detriment?

No, Sir, I do not recall that my conversation with him included that. It was a general confirmation of the statement which my hon. Friend will remember that I made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be now desirable that Mr. McKittrick, the President of the Bank, should have a talk to Members here so that we may learn some of the facts which the Chancellor never seems able to give?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are a number of plumbers, joiners, contractors, etc., who do repairs to their own premises which have suffered war damage and who get no recompense for their work; and will the War Damage Commission consider their case?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn (Sir R. Tasker) on 17th March last [OFFICIAL REPORT, Volume 378, column 1351]. The position is more fully described in paragraphs 30 to 32 inclusive of the Commission's "Practice Notes," of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to do nothing?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consider the answer which I have given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many registrations for exemption from Purchase Tax he has cancelled during the past 12 months upon the ground that the trader concerned is not using chargeable goods in substantial quantities as materials of his manufacturing business?

I regret that these particulars are not available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether by going to prison for 10 months in default of paying a fine of £13,000 imposed upon him at Bow Street, London, on 12th November, 1942, for failing to offer 35,821 United States dollars, £8,888, Harry Woodford Mellor, described as a farmer of Whitfield Barn Farm, Glossop, Derbyshire, has escaped financial penalty for his offence?

Yes, Sir, I understand that the magistrate, when imposing the fine, at the same time imposed a period of 10 months' imprisonment in default of payment of the fine. Since Mellor refused to pay any part of the fine, he was forthwith committed to prison in default of payment; and if he serves the full period of imprisonment, he will not be called upon to pay any part of the fine.

Does not my right hon. Friend think it very unsatisfactory that this man should be cancelling out a debt to the Treasury at the rate of £43 a day for every day that he spends in prison? Does he not think it necessary to check up on this man, who is a thoroughly bad lot and has been for many months past?

No, Sir, it would be most improper for me to make any comment on the decision of the court.