asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent orders for modern machinery to replace obsolete plant in coal pits are being licensed?

The supply of modern mining machinery to replace obsolete plant is at present governed by the availability of new equipment. Subject to this, licences are being issued by my Ministry to enable all such demands to be met, and it is hoped that the position will gradually improve.

Can the Minister say what priority this machinery and its replacements are getting?

A very high priority, and I think there will be a very great improvement in about three months' time.

Will the machines which have been installed at various collieries belong to the colliery companies, or will the State, which has been responsible for putting them in, still have some control over them, after the war?

In some cases, where they are financially able to do so, colliery companies will purchase the machinery themselves. In other cases they will be assisted. The State will be adequately remunerated and safeguarded at the end of the war.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, whether he is aware that, by the direction or with the approval of the Ministry, users of electricity in London are being required to instal separate meters for lighting, heating and cooking at considerable cost and with no object, seeing that a rationing scheme is not to be introduced; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

I am aware that some consumers of electricity in London have insisted on changing over from a two-part tariff and that, as a result, separate meters and separate wiring have become necessary in some cases. In present circumstances, it is clearly contrary to the national interest that materials and labour should be used for this work of separate wiring and installing separate meters. Accordingly, the Electricity Commissioners are urging upon the undertakings the necessity of offering consumers a suitable alternative form of tariff which would obviate the necessity for separating the wiring and installing additional meters. If my hon. Friend knows of any case where an electricity undertaking is still pressing upon consumers a tariff which will involve separate wiring and installation of separate meters, I shall be very glad to ask the Electricity Commissioners to investigate the case.

Are these alterations due to the recent Order of the Ministry forbidding electricity undertakings in future to charge the minimum quarterly charge authorised by their Acts or Orders in the case of any saving of current below the minimum charge?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, whether he has considered the suggestion of the Controller for Lancashire of closing some pits in order to concentrate production in others; and what decision has been reached?

In accordance with the policy laid down in the White Paper, the Fuel and Power Controller in the North-West Region is preparing schemes for concentration and, in one particular case, a colliery is shortly to be closed.

When collieries like this are being closed, will they still be kept under repair so that they may be reopened if necessity arises?

I think that is so.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that expert technicians and mining engineers are sufficiently represented on the Regional Coal Boards; whether the original proposal that their representation would be approximately equal to that of the employees and employers has been carried out; and whether he is satisfied that every effort is now being made to develop and apply the most scientific methods to coal production in this country?

There was no indication in the White Paper on Coal that there should be equality of representation, as suggested in the second part of my hon. Friend's Question. I am, however, satisfied that the technical knowledge represented on the Regional Coal Boards is sufficient for their purpose. My Regional Controllers, who are in operational control of the industry, have adequate technical advice at their disposal, and the answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what salary the manager of the Clifton Colliery is now being paid; what amount of money has been paid to the debenture and other shareholders; and whether any of the arrears have been paid off?

The manager of the Clifton Colliery is paid a salary of £840 per annum plus £65 per annum for expenses. In addition to the manager there is a general manager, Mr. Dixon, who is paid £1,500 per annum. The debenture on the undertaking has been redeemed at a total capital cost of £31,132, and in addition interest on the debenture has been paid for the period during which arrears of interest had accumulated, namely 2¼ years at a rate of 4 per cent. per annum. No payment has yet been made to the ordinary shareholders.

Is the manager in question getting better pay now than he was before the colliery was taken over?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution passed by East Wemyss miners at a public meeting on 22nd November, 1942, and sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife; and what steps he is prepared to take to meet their demand for 30 extra clothing coupons instead of 10?

The whole question of further concessions to workers in the heavier industries is at present under discussion with the General Council of the Trades Union Congress.

Is the Minister not aware of the terrific wear and tear on miners' clothes, and will he not see whether it is possible to make this concession?

I always have taken and I always shall take into consideration to the utmost what we can do for workers, of whom miners are, of course, one very important section, whose daily work entails heavy wear and tear on their clothes. It is for that special reason that the General Council and the trade unions specially concerned are advising me now as to how to meet the situation.

Are not agricultural workers also sufferers from very considerable wear and tear?

Yes, Sir, and there are many others.

What about ship workers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has been reached on the question of granting State credit and/or guarantees for the reopening of business in due course by small shopkeepers who, through absence on service or through economic causes due to the war, have been compelled to shut their establishments?

The question of granting State credit to small shopkeepers after the war is part of the wider problem of post-war financial assistance to many sections of the community, on which no decision can yet be taken. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) on Tuesday last, I am now compiling a register to facilitate any post-war control of the opening and re-opening of shops that may be found necessary, with fairness to those retailers who have been forced to close during the war.

Will the Minister again reconsider this important point, because a very large number of small shopkeepers are economically crippled through no fault of their own? The mere inclusion of their names in a register will not restore their businesses. Will he give consideration to the present needs of thousands of these people?

There is no decision calling to be reconsidered. What I have said is that no decision can yet be taken for financial assistance to one particular section of the community after the war.

Is not the Minister aware that there is a precedent for shopkeepers' claims being considered, particularly after the last war?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution of the Scottish Co-operative Women's Guild, Section VII, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, demanding the issue of household coupons to cover the purchase of essential household linen; and what steps he is prepared to take to meet this demand?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider instituting a book of household coupons for the replacement of household effects to be made up from the clothing coupons of the household affected, each book to hold a maximum of 12 coupons per six-monthly period?

As I have previously explained to the House, the only essential household goods subject to coupon are towels and tea-cloths. In view of the great and increasing stringency of supplies, I regret that I cannot issue extra coupons for these articles. The proposal for special ration books for household goods would not, I am afraid, be administratively practicable, but, apart from this, the additional labour involved in producing and distributing such books could not be justified.

Will not the Minister consider issuing separate coupons for domestic facilities apart from personal coupons, in order to ensure a fair system of rationing of various kinds of goods among different people in the homes?

I have considered this matter very carefully, and I am afraid there are great administrative difficulties to that particular form of procedure. The more helpful way, which I have told the House I am pursuing, is to get an increase in the output of towels, and as that proceeds I hope that we shall get over the difficulties that now confront us.

Will the Minister always bear in mind the very severe strain on housewives in these matters, and will he and his Department not use imagination in trying to solve these problems?

I am afraid that imagination alone will not produce an increased supply. We must produce it by other means.

Is the Minister aware of the very high prices now being charged for tablecloths?

That is another question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the activities of the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation and its subsidiaries; and to what extent this corporation is acting, directly or indirectly, or as agent for His Majesty's Government?

Yes, Sir. This organisation, which was set up by His Majesty's Government in April, 1940, is doing most valuable work in many parts of the world. The Corporation, with its subsidiaries, acts, for the most part, as agent for one Department or another of His Majesty's Government; but it also gives assistance to private traders.

Will the Minister give an assurance that at the termination of hostilities this organisation will cease to exist and to function?

No, Sir.

Seeing that this organisation was set up in the first place to trade in a part of the world which has now been completely overrun, has it not been necessary to save its face by inventing new jobs for it?

No, Sir, that is a complete misunderstanding of the position. It is true that, in the earlier stages, this body was of very great help in pre-emptive activities in countries which have since been overrun by the enemy, but many new duties have since developed, and this body is discharging them very effectively.

Ought its present activities properly to be described as commercial?

Yes, Sir, I think so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make inquiries into the circumstances under which action was taken to requisition premises, of the location of which he has been informed, despite the fact that at the time of requisitioning, the premises in question were being used for the repair of motor-vehicles?

No, Sir. No further inquiries are necessary. I have explained the circumstances of this case in letters to my hon. Friend the Member for Hereford (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas) in whose constituency the premises in question are situated. Before I issued an authority to acquire these premises, I consulted my noble Friend the Minister of War Transport, who is responsible for the maintenance of adequate and efficient facilities for the repair of motor vehicles. He agreed that the premises should be made available for other purposes, and they have, therefore, been allocated by my Department to the Ministry of Supply to meet urgent storage requirements.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the terms of the letter addressed by the Regional Transport Commissioner to the owner of the premises in question, and does he think it proper that letters should be written by a Civil servant in such terms of discourtesy?

I have not that letter before me. Perhaps my hon. Friend would like to send me a copy, but on the merits of the case I am fully satisfied in the circumstances.

Can the merits of the case be judged by the man who wrote an impertinent letter?

I do not accept that it was impertinent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no opportunity was given for any selection from ex-Service men or others when a recent appointment was made by the North Midland Regional Factory Premises Controller?

The Ministry of Labour, through whom appointments of this kind are made, were notified of the vacancy in question. In view of the urgency of filling the post and the difficulties of recruitment in the Nottingham area, my Department suggested, as a possible candidate, a person resident in Nottingham who had been recommended by the Regional Factory Controller. As my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. W. Brown) was informed on 17th December, this person applied for the post through the Ministry of Labour, was appointed on probation and is carrying out his duties satisfactorily.

Is it not the case that this man was a lodger in the premises of the Factory Premises Controller, that he arranged the appointment, and that after the appointment was arranged it was registered by the Ministry of Labour? Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire again into this rather disgraceful case?

I do not think that the facts are as stated by my hon. Friend.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries as to whether they are?

Yes, Sir, and a Question on the subject was put to the Minister of Labour, who has already given the hon. Member the assurance that he would look into it as far as he was concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that even in a somewhat case-hardened Civil Service this particular appointment is regarded as one of the worst cases of nepotism and patronage which has yet occurred, even in his Department, and will he go into this personally and invoke my assistance if necessary?

I am much obliged for the offer, and will consider it if necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept a similar offer on the same terms from me?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship imposed on the deaf by the shortage of batteries which are essential parts of hearing appliances; and what steps he is taking to relieve this shortage?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Spearman) on 17th December, a copy of which I am sending him. Supplies of hearing-aid batteries are now reported by the manufacturers as reasonably satisfactory, except for one low tension type, the shortage of which is due to urgent Service requirements. I have impressed on those concerned the importance of increasing production, and I hope that there will be an early improvement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to appoint a committee to develop a policy for the rehabilitation of our industrial markets after the war?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Dr. Russell Thomas) on 25th November last, of which I am sending him a copy.

Was not that reply perfectly negative in its character, and is my right hon. Friend aware of the considerable anxiety which is felt that the Government are not paying sufficient attention to this important subject?

No, Sir, the reply states that a Committee such as my hon. and gallant Friend desires to see set up is, in fact, functioning, and was set up in December, 1941.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that cycle-lamp batteries are at present unobtainable in the West-Midland district; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to meet essential civilian needs?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on Tuesday last. Following recent complaints of shortages, I have arranged with the manufacturers for increased supplies to be sent to many parts of the country, including a number of places in the West Midlands.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 8th December he promised substantially increased supplies of these batteries? We are still without them in Birmingham. Are we to get any batteries before the light nights come?

I think that if my hon. Friend will look at the answer I gave last week, he will see that we are pressing the matter very vigorously.

That repeats the reply the Minister gave on 8th December, yet we have not any batteries in our district.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the inquest on Corporal Helen Mary MacRae, Auxiliary Territorial Service, whose death was caused or accelerated through a fall from a stretcher, which was being carried by four Army stretcher-bearers, three of whom were admitted to be inexperienced in their work; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made to find out why at this stage of the war there are inexperienced stretcher-bearers?

I have carefully considered the facts connected with the death of Corporal MacRae. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sincere regret. It is, however, clear from the inquest and from the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry which was held that her death was due to the condition she was in when she was removed to hospital and not to her fall from the stretcher, which, according to medical opinion, could not have done more than accelerate her death by a few minutes. Corporal MacRae was taken ill and removed in the middle of the night. She was living in billets. As there were no qualified stretcher-bearers available and in view of the urgency of the case, the medical officer called upon four men from a nearby unit to carry the stretcher. It was unfortunate that Army stretcher-bearers were not available, but it is clearly impossible to have teams of stretcher-bearers on call everywhere for emergencies of this nature. In view of these facts, I trust that my hon. Friend will agree with me that no further inquiry is needed.

Is my hon. and learned Friend satisfied that there are in the Auxiliary Territorial Service sufficient trained personnel in field ambulance and field service work to deal with these matters, and that there is no excuse why in any large town there should not be at least two fully trained stretcher bearers for every accident case; and if that is not the case, will he see that that is put right?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of training a sufficient number of stretcher bearers receives constant attention, and in fact training is going on all the time, but I would not like to commit myself to the view that there is a sufficient number at the moment so far as the A.T.S. are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the unnecessary damage to valuable agricultural land caused during recent Army exercises in south-east Kent, involving the straying of livestock and a set-back to food production; and whether he will immediately issue an instruction to Army commanders-as to the need for enforcing strict orders to ensure the more careful driving of Army vehicles, especially tanks, and particularly the closing of field and other gates to prevent the straying of sheep and cattle?

Instructions in writing have been issued to all units which emphasise the necessity of avoiding all possible damage to agricultural interests. Troops must, however, learn to make the best use of land over which they are manoeuvring and in areas used for intensive battle training some damage and dislocation of agricultural life cannot, unfortunately, be avoided if the training is to be realistic and valuable. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any wanton damage which has come to his notice, I will gladly have the points looked into in detail.

Have the Army done as much damage as the foxhunters?

asked the Secretary of State for War what is to be regarded as the invasion warning in areas where there are either no church bells or where church bells cannot be heard ringing?

Where such arrangements are considered necessary it is the responsibility of the local military commander, in consultation with the regional commissioner, to improvise a suitable alternative warning signal.

In view of the fact that in the area from which I come, which is in a dangerous position, you cannot hear church bells, will the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us what kind of signal is given to these people, and, if it is suitable for them, why cannot it be instituted all over the country and the church bells rung for purposes for which they were intended?

As I have indicated, it is for the local military commander to make arrangements with the Regional Commissioner. If my hon. Friend can provide me with details which show that in any particular district no arrangements have been made, I will gladly look into them.

That is not my point. It this signal is suitable in one area, why cannot it be made universal and applicable to every area? It is just stupidity on the part of the War Office.

No one has been able to think of a suitable general alternative to the ringing of church bells.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman tell me of any area where proper arrangements have been made?

I think I am entitled to ask my hon. Friend whether he will give me particulars of any area where suitable arrangements have not been made.

Yes, the area in which I live.

asked the Secretary of State for War, to what extent the pay and allowances of senior non-commissioned officers and warrant officers exceed those of junior officers after the latter have made provision for necessary expenditure on uniform upkeep, laundry, boot repairs and other items which, in the case of other ranks, is borne by Army funds; and whether he will give the respective figures after making these allowances?

My hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty of defining precisely the amounts spent by junior officers on the objects named. Such amounts must vary with individual officers and different circumstances. On the other hand, the cash value of the emoluments received in kind by the non-commissioned officer is, as my hon. Friend will recollect, a matter of some controversy. In these circumstances I do not think that the comparison can usefully be made.

Is not my hon. and learned Friend aware from his own personal experience that there is a considerable discrepancy in the net emoluments between the senior non-commissioned officers and the junior officers, and does not that militate against recruitment of officers from the senior non-commissioned ranks?

I cannot accept the statement that there is a considerable discrepancy, and where there is any discrepancy it depends upon the value that one may assess in relation to the payments in kind made to non-commissioned officers.

If my hon. and learned Friend finds difficulty in getting the estimate of these figures from all the departments of the War Office, will he come and ask me, because I can give them to him?

Would not the difficulty be avoided by issuing to junior officers the same facilities with regard to boots and laundry as in fact are received by non-commissioned officers and warrant officers?

asked the Secretary of State for War why officers are not permitted to draw the same rations as other ranks; and whether the supper element of 2½d. a day can be granted to officers as in the case of other ranks?

The cash allowance of 2½d., which is not a supper element, is given to other ranks in money instead of kind with a view to enabling the unit to introduce more variety in the ration. Similar provision is, however, not made for officers whose practice it has always been to contribute towards their messing from their pay.

Does not that answer indicate that officers are not receiving the same rations either in cash or in kind as the men, and why should that be in wartime?

The explanation is that which is contained in the latter part of my original answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether steps will now be taken for the further improvement of the air mail letter service between this country and the Middle East?

I am as anxious as my hon. Friend that the air mail letter service between this country and the Middle East should be as good as possible, and the arrangements for the transmission of the mails are constantly under review with a view to improving them.

Will my hon. and learned Friend consider an approach to the Air Ministry to allocate one or more aeroplanes permanently to this service?

An approach has already been made to the Air Ministry with a view to effecting an improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are special short university courses for prospective candidates for commissions in the Army similar to those offered in the Royal Air Force; and, if so, what is the number of officer-cadets already accepted for them?

Yes, Sir. About 2,000 have so far been accepted, and it is expected that a further 690 or so will be accepted for the course which starts in April.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many copies of the bulletin concerning the Beveridge Report, issued by the "Army Bureau of Current Affairs," were not returned after its withdrawal; and whether copies of it are to be made available for inspection by Members of this House?

Complete figures are not yet available. Copies are being placed in the Library.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that owing to the conditions laid down by the Inland Revenue authorities for the acceptance of Tax Reserve Certificates in settlement of Excess Profits Tax, those concerns who are able to agree their liability within the six months' period cannot use the certificates for that liability except by surrendering 1 per cent. interest; and whether he will consider altering the conditions?

My hon. Friend's Question seems to be based on a misunderstanding. For the purposes of Tax Reserve Certificates the Excess Profits Tax for any chargeable accounting period is deemed to be due, not when it becomes payable by virtue of Section 21, Finance (No. 2) Act, 1939, but at the expiration of six months after the end of the chargeable accounting period for which the tax is charged. Provided that the date on which the tax is deemed to be due is not less than two months and not more than two years from the date of the Tax Reserve Certificate tendered, interest at the rate of 1 per cent. per annum is allowed for each complete month from the date of the Certificate to the date six months after the end of the chargeable accounting period (not to the date on which the Certificate is tendered or accepted). I would refer my hon. Friend to the Treasury Leaflet explaining Tax Reserve Certificates and their use which is obtainable from any banker. I am sending him a copy for his information.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that it does not react against those companies which are able to agree their Excess Profits liability within the six months period?

My hon. Friend had better put that question on the Order Paper. It goes a little bit beyond this Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the Bank of England is closed on each 1st January and consequently it is not possible for purchasers of Tax Reserve Certificates to obtain more than 23 months' interest, he will amend the prospectus so as to provide that interest shall be calculated daily instead of for each complete month?

No, Sir. I fear that my hon. Friend's proposal would require additional time and labour in the handling of these certificates which would be unjustifiable in present conditions.

Was it not the intention that these certificates should run for a maximum life of two years, and in those circumstances, why should purchasers who are prepared to hold for two years lose one month's interest?

It is always difficult, of course, to say what intentions are, but this matter was clearly defined in the prospectus.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the imposition of the Purchase Tax, he will give favourable consideration to the granting of some concessions to small shopkeepers and other traders who may have such articles as calendars and similar seasonable goods left over which become unsaleable, and on which Purchase Tax has been paid; and whether he will take into consideration losses in connection with breakages and transport of goods, on which Purchase Tax has been paid, and which is not now recoverable by the trader?

No, Sir. These are ordinary trading risks which exist whether the goods carry Purchase Tax or not.

Will not my right hon. Friend ponder over this matter again and give some concession to these very small traders who are already very heavily hit as a result of the war? A concession would be very welcome, and I do not think it would hurt my right hon. Friend to give it.

I am afraid this does not arise out of the Question, which concerns the Purchase Tax.

Is it not most unfair that these small traders should not only be driven out of business, but have to bear this additional liability of the Purchase Tax? The right hon. Gentleman gets them both ways. Surely, some concession ought to be given to them.

Not in this particular case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has any statement to make on the Government's policy in relation to old age and widows' pensions;

(2) whether he has considered the copy sent to him by the hon. Member for Dumbarton of the resolutions passed by the conference convened by the Lanarkshire County Council, fully representative of the labour, trade union and co-operative movements, demanding priority for old age and widows' pension legislation, etc.; and what action he proposes to take to meet these demands?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on increased old age pensions and the demands of the Old Age Pensioners' Association for a basic pension of £1 10s. per week with the complete abolition of the means test?

I am not at present in a position to add to the reply which I gave on 10th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend-on-Sea (Mr. Channon). [OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th December, 1942; cols. 1707–8, Vol. 385.]

Were we not led to believe before the Recess that the Chancellor was going to take energetic steps to deal with the position of old age pensioners and to get rid of the means test as it affects them? Was there not some story in the Press that something like that was likely to happen?

No, Sir. No doubt the hon. Gentleman has in mind the undertaking that was given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and which was followed up in the King's Speech. The Government are engaged on that matter now.

Surely, the Government have had time to consider this and to give something definite, as it is a serious matter as far as the old folk, the veterans of industry, are concerned?

Yes, Sir, the matter is quite definite. The undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will be carried out by the Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an approximate date when the Government will be prepared to state their policy in this matter?

Is it not usual that when a definite promise of legislation is made in the King's Speech, the proposed legislation should follow almost immediately, and although it is now two months since the King's Speech, there has been no word about this legislation?

The undertaking was given that my right hon. Friend would introduce it during this Session. That will be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the grievance felt by a large number of motor car users who are only able to use their motor cars, owing to Government restrictions, for a fraction of the time they were previously in use, in that they are still obliged to pay the same licence duty as when their motor cars were regularly in use; and whether the licence duty payable on motor cars will be proportionately reduced?

The complaints that have reached my Department on this subject are few. I could not, particularly in present financial circumstances, depart from the principle that the amount of the licence duty payable on a motor vehicle does not depend upon the extent to which it is used.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that what was previously the practice has no relation to existing circumstances, when the use of cars is restricted and many people have three gallons of petrol for the whole month, and yet at the same time have to pay the existing very heavy licence duty for the car?

I am afraid my attention must be devoted to retaining taxation and not to reducing it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many parcels to the United Kingdom from His Majesty's Forces in the Middle East during 1942 were refused by the recipients owing to inability to pay the Customs duties; and whether he will relax the Customs regulations in respect of such parcels?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. In reply to the second part, I am looking into the matter and hope to be able to announce a decision shortly.

Will my right hon. Friend be prepared to announce his decision within three weeks, and can he explain why it has taken two and a half years of warfare to consider this rather modest concession to our soldiers serving in the Middle East?

I hope to be able to make the announcement very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the amount of Savings in 1942 compares with the increase in wages paid during that year over the amount of those paid in 1938?

I regret that figures for 1942 are not yet available, but I shall consider their publication in connection with my next Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases companies have been required to pay, in respect of part of their profits, such amounts of United Kingdom Excess Profits Tax and Income Tax that, after including Dominion Income Tax and allowing for Dominion Income Tax relief, aggregate taxation exceeded 100 per cent. on such part of the profits?

As I explained in answer to my hon. Friend's Question on this subject of 19th January, the incidence of the Excess Profits Tax has to be judged by reference to the relation between the total tax payable and the total excess profit. The tax is charged upon the total excess profit and not upon any particular part of it, and I cannot therefore furnish the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

Be that as it may, does not my right hon. Friend agree that in these cases there is evidently a deterrent to production?

Yes, Sir, but other aspects have to be considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the loss to the Revenue if the incomes of married couple were assessed separately for the purpose of Income Tax while joint assessment was retained for the purpose of Surtax; and to what extent would this loss be reduced if separate assessments were confined to couples whose joint income did not exceed £1,000?

I am not sure exactly what my right hon. Friend has in mind. If married couples were for Income Tax but not for Surtax purposes treated entirely as single persons, so that husband and wife each become entitled to the single personal allowance of £80, and to have the first £165 of his or her taxable income charged at the reduced rate of 6s. 6d., there would be not a loss but a net gain to the Exchequer of between £50,000,000 and £100,000,000, practically the whole of which would come from married couples with joint incomes of less than £1,000. This is due to the fact that in a large number of cases, the husband alone has income, and their treatment as single persons would result in an increase in the tax payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a full statement of the Government's post-war economic policy?