asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider taking steps to prevent the entrance into concentrated industries of new manufacturers until such time as concentrated firms have been enabled to re- start their plants and reorganise their pre-war activities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 3 of Command Paper 6258 of March, 1941, and also to the statement made in this House on 27th March, 1941, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production—who was then President of the Board of Trade—a copy of which I am sending him.

Is the Minister aware that he is now being asked to put a curb on private enterprise?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to make it illegal for manufacturers to offer a substitute for a rationed article unless it has first been approved by his Ministry?

I do not know what substitutes my hon. Friend has in mind, but, if he will let me have particulars, I will be glad to consider whether any action is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is by his direction that officials of his Department are requiring the public, when ordering new suits, to state the uses to which coat, waistcoat and hip pockets in trousers are to be applied; and whether he will leave these matters to the discretion of the wearers?

My hon. Friend has been misinformed. The present restrictions on the number of pockets are part of the regulations applied since May, 1942, in order to save material and labour. Where new suits are made with the permitted number of pockets, no inquiries as to the use of these are necessary, and none are made. Applications for additional pockets for special reasons are, however, sometimes made to my Department, and, before granting permission, it is the duty of my officers to satisfy themselves that the application is justified.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this sort of thing brings his Department into public ridicule?

No, Sir. I have told my hon. Friend that he is misinformed in making the statement for which he takes responsibility. I have read a certain weekly newspaper, not always uniformly truthful, from which I think he derives his information. That information is inaccurate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the full text of the Board of Trade's letter was published in that journal?

Yes, Sir, but the point I have been endeavouring to make clear is that such inquiries are made only in exceptional cases. The suggestion conveyed in this newspaper was that they are always made. I will give an illustration of the sort of exception that is made. Supposing that my hon. Friend were to lose his hearing, and wished to carry a deaf-aid on his person, it would be perfectly proper—and this often happens—for an application to be made to the Board of Trade for a special licence for an additional pocket in the waistcoat, to carry the instrument in. That is a perfectly good example.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of textile machinery rendered idle by war conditions and exported to foreign countries; the countries of destination; and whether he is considering the effects of this on post-war employment in the Lancashire cotton industry in particular?

There have been no exports of textile machinery rendered idle as a result of the concentration of the cotton industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by mine-workers in the purchase of alarm clocks, upon which they rely in the mornings; and, in view of the importance of absenteeism regarding the production of coal, whether he will take action to provide a supply of these clocks in mining areas?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on 19th January last, before the war nearly all our alarm clocks were imported. I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made, with the aid of my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister Resident in Washington for Supply, for limited supplies to be imported from North America. I am considering, in consultation with other Departments concerned and also with the Trades Union Congress, the best methods of distribution.

Will regard be had in the distribution of these clocks to industries where men start work at one or two o'clock in the morning?

Yes, Sir, it is quite clear that in some industries the need is greater than in others. It is in order to get the best distribution of supplies that I am having these consultations.

Have any supplies reached this country? Some months ago the right hon. Gentleman said that arrangements had then been made for imports of such clocks.

A first instalment of some 10,000 United States clocks is now on the way.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in many of these districts where the old-fashioned idea of the caller-up is not in existence at present, that makes the demand for alarm clocks greater?

Yes, Sir, I appreciate that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average price of six-valve wireless sets in Cairo and London, respectively?

I am informed that the average price, including Purchase Tax, of six-valve wireless sets in London is about £16. I have no information about the price of such sets in Cairo.

Would my right hon. Friend make the necessary investigations to see what price the troops are having to pay in Cairo? I believe it is something like 100 per cent. in excess of the English price.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I have no jurisdiction to fix prices in Cairo.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is available an adequate supply of matches; and what steps have been taken to ensure a fair distribution to householders?

Supplies of matches have been maintained at the present level for some time and are, I think, generally sufficient to meet requirements. Supplies to dealers are based on pre-war distribution, modified in accordance with movements of population.

What redress has a householder if the retailer he is registered with says that he cannot supply him?

He can go to another retailer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the question of making a supply of socks, shirts and pullovers available for the Home Guard; and, if this is not possible, will he consider an issue of extra coupons for the said articles?

Essential uniform, including battledress, greatcoat and boots, is already issued coupon-free by the War Office to Home Guards who are not compelled to purchase special shirts, socks or pullovers for military use. I regret, therefore, that in view of the increasing stringency of supplies, I cannot justify a coupon-free supply, or an issue of coupons for these articles.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, might I ask whether he is aware that in many cases lads in the Home Guard are using up their socks very quickly, and that this creates a great disturbance in the home in regard to the supply of socks?

I should be extremely glad to do anything to ease the position, but here, as elsewhere, I am up against a shortage of supplies. The Home Guard do get from the War Office their uniforms, coupon free, which is a great assistance to the household wardrobe.

Will the right hon. gentleman bear in mind that the boots which he mentioned as being coupon free are the very things which wear the socks out more quickly?

Will the right hon. Gentleman see what can be done about getting an issue of free socks?

I think hon. Members have been asked to try to keep Questions down to 10 lines, as far as possible. This one covers 12 lines.

This is one of the few Questions, Sir, which I think could not be put in shorter terms, to give the right hon. Gentleman a chance of answering it.

The proceedings of the court-martial have been carefully reviewed, and I am advised that the trial was conducted fairly according to law. I see no reason for reconsideration. The answer to the first five parts of my hon. Friend's Question is necessarily rather long, and I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

It is difficult to ask a Supplementary Question without knowing the full reply, but do I understand from the reply, to the extent my right hon. Friend has given it, that it is not his intention to reconsider this matter, bearing in mind the fact that this man, who served in the last war and volunteered for this war, has been dismissed with ignominy from the Army for the terrible crime of refusing to undergo a fourth medical examination when he had three times been passed category C?

It would be better if my hon. Friend would read the very much longer answer I am proposing to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards his first Supplementary Question the matter has received extremely careful consideration, not only by the General Officer Commanding of the Command, but by the Judge-Advocate-General and by the Army Council, and I personally see no reason for further reconsideration.

In view of the fact that some time ago the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill), before he was Prime Minister, had a Question down that took up half a page on the Order Paper, am I to understand, Mr. Speaker, that since then a recommendation has been made that Questions should be confined to a certain length, as I have not heard of that before?

It is important, in order to save paper and for other reasons, to limit the length of Questions as much as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War the date on which the billeting allowance for soldiers was fixed at 6d. per night?

This rate has been in force since the beginning of the last war.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since 1914 there has been a very great difference in the cost of the various items required in connection with billeting, and will he take steps to go into the matter and have it adjusted to an economic level?

I gather that there have been adjustments in the food part of the billeting allowance, and I will consider whether the rent allowance also needs re-consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether billeted soldiers still receive beer money as in Victorian times?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the rule to review, every three months, as in the case of other ranks, the sentences of officers who are imprisoned in a civil prison as the result of trial by military court-martial; and whether it is the practice to call up such individuals for military service upon their release after having served their sentence?

A sentence of imprisonment imposed on an officer is usually reviewed in the War Office within a few weeks of its promulgation and thereafter every six months from the beginning of the sentence. I am informed that the answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

In cases where the sentences were imposed for something akin to an indiscretion, will the right hon. Gentleman consider a further remission to enable these ex-officers to go and fight overseas?

The particular case to which the hon. Member refers—which is a case with which I am very familiar—was a great deal worse than an indiscretion.

Does the date of calling-up papers coincide with the date of release from prison?

I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what Defence of the Realm Regulation he has authorised the resumption of firing on the rifle range at Orford Barracks, Warrington, notwithstanding that such range has been condemned; and whether he is prepared to assume financial responsibility for injuries to civilians resident in the neighbourhood and for damage to property caused by the resumption of such firing?

The range is on War Department land, and no recourse to Defence Regulations is necessary for the Army to use it. It has always been considered safe by the competent military authorities, and no accident seems likely to occur either to civilian residents in the neighbourhood or to their property. I understand that children cannot now enter the danger area of the range while it is being used. But if injury or damage is done and if it is established that it is due to the negligence of military personnel on duty, a claim for compensation will be considered in the normal way. I much regret the inconvenience from noise caused to local inhabitants by firing on this range. Unfortunately the needs of training make it unavoidable. I hope, however, that it will be possible to restrict firing to certain fixed times and so limit the inconvenience as far as possible.

Can we really have a war without inconvenience?

asked the Secretary of State for War the percentage reduction in the staff of General Headquarters, Middle East Force, since the formation of Allied Group Headquarters?

I regret that the percentage is not readily available.

In view of the problem of man-power and the change in the military situation, is it not timely now to review the very considerable force of staff officers at Cairo?

This is a question which is continually under review.

If my right hon. Friend is not able to give the percentage, can he give, at any rate, the assurance that some reduction has taken place in the headquarters staff?

The process of adjusting the staff and the Forces in the Middle East to the military tasks which they are called upon to perform is one which is going on constantly.

Will the Secretary of State for War give an undertaking that the staff at Cairo is reviewed at an early date?

As I said, the review is constantly going on, and in fact papers relating to the question are on my table now.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to increase the supply of reading matter to troops fighting in Tunisia?

I regret that no shipping space could be allocated for books and magazines until the military stores and equipment vitally needed for operations in North Africa had been despatched. On 1st February over 100,000 books and over 10,000 magazines and journals were despatched. Since then consignments have been sent regularly at the rate of about 10,000 books and 9,500 magazines and journals a month. I hope, therefore, that the First Army will shortly have a good supply of reading matter. The Eighth Army is supplied with reading matter from the Middle East; 21,000 books and over 70,000 magazines and journals have for some time been despatched to the Middle East every month. I fully appreciate the need of the soldier for as much reading matter as possible and the supplies now being sent will be increased if shipping space is available and if sufficient books and magazines are forthcoming. I take this opportunity of expressing the Army's thanks to all those who have sent books and magazines for the use of the troops. The demand is as great as ever, and I am sure we may count on the continued help of the public in meeting it.

While appreciating the great work which has been done in this connection, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that in February there was a very great shortage of reading matter among the troops of the Eighth Army and that this plays a vital part in maintaining morale between battles?

I would not accept the view that it was the most vital part, although I agree it is a vital part. As I have said, conditions of shipping from time to time make for a certain inequality in the despatch of materials to the Middle East.

Will the Minister bear in mind the question of quality of reading matter as well as quantity?

That is in the hands of a body—I have forgotten its full designation—which pays particular attention to that sort of thing.

Will the Minister make application to the headquarters of the Communist Party so that instead of sending a good supply of reading matter he will be able to send a supply of good reading matter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider arranging for formal route marches to take place periodically through the nearest towns to military camps accompanied by military bands?

This is done whenever opportunities occur. But most route marching is done as part of the unit's operational training. The bandsmen are then employed on their operational duties, and no band accompanies the unit.

While I dislike harping on this subject, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this arrangement of bands accompanying troops who are in the public eye is good for the troops themselves and most invigorating for civilians?

I quite agree, but I should not put it down as the most important part of troops' training.

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that a great number of men who are working on munitions at night have to sleep in the day-time?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the uncertainty regarding the sudden imposition of a ban on access to protected areas within 10 miles of the coast will have a disastrous effect on the economic life of many places of residence and business, he will endeavour to arrange some system of notification which will at least enable those both inside and outside the areas in question to ascertain how they are likely to stand within the next 24 hours?

I much regret the effects these restrictions may have in the areas concerned, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the Army will endeavour to cause as little interference as possible with the normal life of the residents in those areas. The restrictions will be imposed for strictly military reasons, and although as much notice as possible will be given locally in each case, I regret that no guarantee can be given of the length of this notice.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer, and while nobody wishes to give information to the enemy, would he not agree that in order to save travel and disturbance to people generally there ought to be some method by which people can get to know whether a ban is on or not?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that quantities of ammunition, including hand grenades, have been stolen from Home Guard dumps in Manchester; and will he cause instructions to be issued to all Home Guard units to take greater care in the storage of arms and ammunition in the interest of public safety?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Home Guard munition dumps in the Manchester area have recently been broken into by children and bombs and hand grenades stolen causing great anxiety to parents and police authorities; and will he give instructions for better storage or a more adequate guard?

I have called for a report, and when I receive it will consider what further action is necessary. But clear instructions for the safeguarding of Home Guard ammunition stores have already been issued to Home Guard commanders.

Does that also apply to clothing and equipment?

I should think so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what representations have been made to him by welfare organisations regarding marriage of soldiers serving overseas and individuals resident in this country; and whether he can make any statement on this matter?

I have seen some representations on this subject that were made to the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Forces by the local advisory committee of a welfare organisation. These representations have received careful consideration, but I regret that it is not possible to make any statement on the matter at the moment.

Is the Minister taking any further action on those representations? Can he say whether he will be in a position to make a statement later?

It is not for me to make a statement. Mine is only one Department of those concerned in this matter.

Will the Minister answer the first part of my Supplementary Question? Is he taking action on those representations?

I have taken all the action which is appropriate to me for the time being.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers can be compelled to submit to a medical examination by female medical officers?

A soldier may be compelled to be medically examined whether the examination is carried out by a male or a female doctor.

Is the Minister aware that this is not a matter of amusement for a large number of soldiers who object to it? Is it compulsory for a soldier to undergo a routine medical inspection by a female medical officer when a male medical officer is available? Further, does this rule apply to officers as well as to other ranks?

Is the hon. Member desirous of having these sensitive men nursed by male nurses? Is it not in the interests of all that the best person available should do the job?

The Question I was asked was as to the legality of this and not as to its expediency. I have answered the Question as to the legality and not as to the expediency.

Mine was a perfectly legitimate Supplementary. I am asking the Minister whether it is legal when there is present a male medical officer who can conduct the examination?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in considering the appointment of Major-General Sir P. R. Laurie as Provost Marshal of Great Britain, he was aware that Sir Percy was chairman of the Divisional Conservative and Unionist Association for the area where he resides; and whether he can give an assurance that he is no longer actively engaged in party politics?

Sir Percy Laurie was appointed Provost Marshal in 1940. I understand that he ceased to be chairman of the Divisional Conservative and Unionist Association in 1939. There is, moreover, no record that he has since then been actively engaged in party politics.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the housing shortage in Clydebank is so great that men engaged on urgent war production are unable to house their families; and in view of the serious effect of this shortage on the health of the children, will he arrange for priority to be given to the housing needs of such families?

My right hon. Friend understands that the town council give special consideration to the claims of homeless war workers in the letting of any houses under their control and that they have come to an arrangement with the property owners under which a preference is given to such workers as respects the letting of privately owned houses. As the hon. Member has already been informed, my right hon. Friend is prepared in suitable cases to authorise the requisitioning of privately owned houses for war workers and their families. In addition, special arrangements have been made under which Clydebank workers who have lost their homes and are unable to obtain suitable accommodation in Clydebank may be found accommodation in Glasgow.

Is my hon. Friend aware that people in Clydebank are refusing to go into the slums of Glasgow?

I am aware that in some cases they have declined to go to the houses that have been requisitioned for them, but not in all cases of refusal have the properties been in slum areas.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is no surplus accommodation in Glasgow for anyone? People are crying out for houses and, in many parts, are living in horrible conditions.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the policy of transferring people to Glasgow is making the position terribly acute and that it is no solution for the people of Clydebank, as it only makes the position more intolerable? It is disgraceful.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the typical cases of hardship to the families of Service men and war workers resulting from the housing shortage in Clydebank, which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs; and whether he will take steps to relieve these and similar cases?

Inquiries are being made into the cases referred to by the hon. Member, and my right hon. Friend will communicate with him as soon as these inquiries have been completed.

Is it not the case that there are very many large houses around the area that could be taken over by the Secretary of State for Scotland and put to use to serve the needs of some of these families?

The Secretary of State has given full powers to the local authorities to requisition the houses which they consider to be desirable for the purpose of accommodating our people.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the services of the naturalist and crofter, Dr. Fraser Darling, are only to be available for visits and demonstrations to those crofters situated between Moidart, in Inverness-shire, and Kinlochbervie, in Sutherlandshire; and whether he will take steps for the crofters of Argyllshire also to benefit from Dr. Fraser Darling's visits and demonstrations?

Dr. Fraser Darling's appoinment is on a part-time basis only, and in view of this I am afraid it will not be possible for him to cover the wide territory suggested in the hon. Member's Question. It is hoped that through the medium of articles in the local Press Dr. Darling will be able to give advice to crofters outside the 100-mile long area in which he will presently operate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the request from the Scottish Association of Certified and Tuberculin-Tested Milk Producers, calling attention to the inadequate scientific research being made into the causes and treatment of diseases in dairy cattle, and asking that a Scottish research organisation should be set up; and what action he proposes to take?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has given consideration to the resolution recently sent to him by the Scottish Association of Certified and Tuberculin-tested Milk Producers concerning scientific research into the causes and probable cure of mastitis; and what action he is proposing to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has recently received the communication from the Association to which the hon. Members refer and is giving it careful consideration. In the meantime I should point out that research into cattle diseases, including mastitis, is being actively pursued with financial assistance from the Government under the general guidance of the Agricultural Research Council at various centres in Scotland and elsewhere. It is clearly desirable that investigations on these diseases, wherever they are carried out, should be closely co-ordinated, and this is ensured by the existing arrangements. In Scotland the Council work in association with the Scottish Board of Research in Veterinary Science, which includes in its membership eight Professors of the Science Faculties of Scottish Universities and six leading members of the veterinary profession in Scotland.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that those who are trying to provide disease-free milk should be given encouragement and that they are of opinion that the research is not sufficiently comprehensive, and would it not be a good thing to turn some fresh minds to this particular question?

My right hon. Friend is fully seized of the importance of this subject, which is constantly under review, but the hon. Lady will appreciate the difficulties of getting hold of the right people at this stage of the war.

Is my hon. Friend aware that of the four main diseases affecting dairy cattle, mastitis is the most deadly, and that the laboratory facilities existing in Scotland at the present time are quite inadequate to deal effectively with this disease, and will he not consider, in the interests of public health in Scotland, setting up the organisation that was suggested in the resolution to which the hon. Lady has referred?

I am fully aware of the importance of dealing with mastitis, which is a deadly scourge, but I must point out that there are great difficulties in increasing research facitilies in war-time, although we are doing all that we can.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he has found it necessary to take over the control of the Point of Ayr Collieries, Ffynnongroew, Flintshire?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what the reasons were for the issue of the Order to take over the Ffynnongroew Colliery, Flintshire, from the Point of Ayr Collieries, Limited; whether any criticisms had been made of its management; whether he is aware that it had the highest output per man of all the collieries in North Wales and the best safety record, and had been free from stoppages since the great coal strike of 1924; and whether his attention has been directed to the comments of Mr. Justice Singleton in giving judgment in the appeal against the vesting order?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of Mr. Justice Singleton's remarks on the imposition of control on the Point of Ayr Colliery, he will now remove this control?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been called to the comments made by the learned Judge in the case of Point of Ayr Collieries, Limited, versus Lloyd George and others; and whether he still intends to take over the control of the colliery?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Mr. Justice Singleton in the case of the Point of Ayr Collieries, Limited, versus Lloyd George and others; and what action he intends to take?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can make any statement as to the output and degree of efficiency of the Point of Ayr Colliery in Flintshire prior to taking over control of that undertaking; how its efficiency compared with other pits of the same character; what increase of efficiency there has been since it was taken over; and whether he can make a short statement as to the reason for this change of control?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the condition of affairs at the Point of Ayr Colliery which decided him to place this colliery under his own control?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the High Court Judge who tried the case of Point of Ayr Collieries, Limited, against Lloyd George and others, indicated in his judgment that in making a Control Order his Department appeared to have acted both lightly, unfairly and without good cause; what safeguards or rights of appeal are available in such an event; and what action he proposes to take?

The decision to take control of this undertaking, whose technical efficiency has never been in dispute, was only reached after the most careful consideration, lasting many months. There has been considerable friction, extending over several years, in the North Wales coalfield as a result of the refusal of the undertaking to agree to the request of the North Wales and Border Counties Mine Workers' Association to be allowed the same facilities on behalf of its members at this colliery as are allowed to the Association at all the other collieries in the district. My hon. Friends will appreciate that the co-operation of all engaged in the industry is vital to the war effort. Repeated attempts have been made to remove the causes of this friction by my Department. The North Wales Coal-owners' Association have also done everything in their power to assist; this resulted in the resignation of the Point of Ayr Collieries from the Coalowners' Association.

During my visit to the district last autumn, I realised that the situation was becoming worse, and I was seriously perturbed as to the effect it would have on production in the whole district. Since then I have kept in constant touch with my Regional Controller in the North Western area. His reports showed quite clearly that the situation was becoming steadily worse. I further received in the middle of January last a confidential report from Sir John Forster, who had been appointed, at my request, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to make an independent investigation. Sir John came to the conclusion that if the causes of the friction were not removed there might be trouble throughout the North Wales coalfield. Accordingly it became my duty to consider whether this situation might not seriously affect the production of coal. I decided that having regard to all the history of this matter there was no means of bringing the friction to an end, other than by taking control of the undertaking under Defence Regulation 55 (4). While I am willing at any time to consider removing the control, I must first be satisfied that the danger to the war effort, which led me to impose it, has been removed and will not recur. I am not so satisfied at present.

My attention has been called to the comments of Mr. Justice Singleton. I was advised that as the Courts had no jurisdiction to consider the reasonableness of my Order, and as my responsibility in this matter was to Parliament, and in particular to this House, it would not be correct, either legally or constitutionally, for evidence to be submitted to the Court as to my reasons for making this Order. A submission to this effect was made to Mr. Justice Singleton by the Solicitor-General and no evidence was therefore called on my behalf. The learned Judge decided the case in my favour, on the ground that I was the responsible person and that I had the right to make this Order. Mr. Justice Singleton's comments on my conduct were, therefore, made in the absence of any evidence on my behalf and it is, I think, right that I should add that the learned Judge made it clear that these comments were outside his province in the case.

Is it not a fact that the relationships between the employers and the employees have been most cordial at this colliery and that there has been no stoppage there since 1926, which is unique not only in the history of this region but in the history of pits throughout the whole country?

That has nothing to do with the point I made, which was that there are in this colliery a large number of men who belong to a union and who desire the same rights at this colliery as are available in every other colliery throughout the country. My only interest is to see that everybody is treated alike.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend really tell us specifically what was the reason for this action?

If my hon. Friend will read my answer to-morrow, he will find the reason there, and that is the only reason, and I have nothing to add to what I have said.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend tell us in what specific cases this colliery company has not provided facilities for the Miners' Federation?

I could not do that by means of question and answer, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I have given more attention to this matter than to any other single administrative item since I have been in the Department, I could give many instances where there have been both discourtesy and provocation.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend give us the percentage of the men concerned whom he referred to as a large number?

It is an increasing number, and I will say that at this moment it is over 50 per cent. of those engaged in colliery work.

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply, contrary to what has been stated, that the management of that pit had an opportunity of making representations to the Minister before he availed himself of this power?

They have had plenty of opportunity over a good many years, and I can assure my hon. Friend that of all the people concerned in this dispute no one knows the reason for this action better than does the colliery management.

Was not the Minister's action entirely contrary to the intention of the Regulation, even if it was within the legal limits?

No, Sir. The purpose of making this Regulation was to safeguard the safety of the Realm and to ensure that supplies were not endangered. I was satisfied, after the most careful consideration, that supplies would be endangered if some action was not taken.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will investigate the circumstances under which, owing to the action of the Barrow-in-Furness local authority in refusing the use of their ambulance to a Whitefields patient, petrol was wasted in a 200 miles journey, of which the full facts have been sent to him?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) on what authority he has issued the instruction for youths who work at pit tops to be directed to underground work in the mines;

(2) what rights of appeal a youth who works at a pit top has against a direction to proceed to underground working; and is the pit production committee consulted before such direction is issued;

(3) whether he will take into consideration the position of lads who are employed at pit tops and are compelled to proceed to underground in the mines with a view to giving them the same option of choice, between service with His Majesty's Forces or the mines, as is given to lads in other forms of employment?

In giving directions, under powers conferred upon him by Defence Regulation 58A to ensure the most efficient use of the man-power available in the coalmining industry, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service acts in close consultation with me. I have asked him to use his powers in appropriate cases to direct to underground employment surface workers between the ages of 18 and 25 at the date of registration, in order that men who are physically fit and whose work on the surface could be done by older or less fit men might relieve the serious shortage of underground workers. Pit Production Committees are not asked as a general rule to give advice on the cases appropriate for the receipt of directions, but those directed have in every case an opportunity of appeal to local Appeal Boards established by the Ministry of Labour and National Service. In view of the shortage of man-power in the underground occupations and in the age groups to which I have referred, I am not prepared to suggest to my right hon. Friend that such men should be free to choose between work underground or service in His Majesty's Forces.

In view of the fact that it has not been the general practice prior to the war, and in view of the terms of imprisonment to which young men have been sentenced and the great resentment that has been caused in mining areas, and of the danger of making criminals rather than miners, will not the Minister again consider the question?

I do not think I could do that. It is of the greatest urgency to get men to work underground, and I cannot see in these days, when people are sent all over the world, that any real hardship is suffered by people being asked to go underground.

Where lads have been attending technical colleges and training as craftsmen and engineers, is it not reasonable that they should be afforded the opportunity, if they wish it, to join the Royal Air Force, as many of them desire to do?

We shall need more of those very technicians. We have not a surplus at the moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that it is the intention of the Government eventually to restore to private enterprise undertakings which have been purchased by the State in the name of increased war production?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a procedure whereby, in cases where the shares of a firm are compulsorily acquired under war-time measures without the consent of the shareholders, they should be held in trust during the war and, after the war, offered to the former shareholders at a price fixed by a similar procedure to that whereby they were acquired?

I have been asked to reply. I am not clear precisely for what purpose my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) suggests the creation of a trust. Where shares are acquired to secure effective control of an undertaking they are transferred to the Treasury Solicitor and held by him on behalf of the Government. The disposal of the shares cannot be very well dis- sociated from the larger question of disposal of property and assets of various kinds acquired or created by the Government during the war. On this point, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth on 1st April (Sir A. Russell), the question is receiving preliminary study, but decisions as to the scope and method of such disposals will depend upon a variety of circumstances and considerations which cannot be fully assessed at the present time, including, of course, the possibility of changes in the nature and value of the assets while they have been in Government hands.

Is it not a fact that the trade unions have received from the Government a formal assurance as to the restitution of their proper rights after hostilities, and does not my right hon. Friend think that both equity and constitutional government demand that a similar assurance should be given to private enterprise?

I think the Prime Minister has covered a good deal of that in his reply.

Will my right hon. Friend give existing shareholders receipts for the shares when they are taken over, so that they will be able to put forward a claim for them subsequently?

I will consider that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the numerous pronouncements on reserve banking emanating from the United States of America, he will give an assurance that it is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to participate in the establishment of a world reserve bank; and whether he is now in a position to give some further indication of their proposed actions to ensure the necessary flow of credit to restore industry and commerce at the conclusion of hostilities?

I think my hon. Friend might find it convenient to await the publication of the White Paper, which will indicate the way in which this subject is being examined and which will be available to Members to-morrow.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise one central and vital fact that the only true solution of this prob- lem is the establishment of social and economic justice?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before this country is committed to any proposals for post-war stabilisation of currency, which the coming conference in the United States of America of finance ministers, or their representatives, of the United Nations might recommend, he will give this House an assurance that they will have an opportunity to debate the recommendations?

If it is the general desire of the House to have a Debate on this and other aspects of post-war monetary policy after the publication of the forthcoming White Paper, I have no doubt that such a proposal would receive careful consideration.

If we accept the American plan for currency stabilisation in full, will it not ultimately result in Britain losing her monetary freedom, and do the Government give it support?

I would ask my hon. Friend to see the American plan before making any criticisms.

Does the answer mean that the Debate is to take place in circumstances in which no commitments have been entered into?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the White Paper to-morrow, when he will see that question answered.

Is there any truth in the rumour that the Chancellor will increase the Income Tax?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his representatives at the conference called by the Secretary of the United States Treasury, will be authorised to submit to the conference for discussion the post-war currency proposals formulated by his advisers?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the White Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the names of those who will represent the Treasury at the conference to which the Secretary of State of the United States Treasury has invited them, together with representatives of the United Nations, to discuss currency stabilisation and other post-war monetary plans?

The present informal discussions with experts in the Departments of the United States Government are being conducted, in the ordinary course of business, by a responsible official of the Treasury, who is stationed in Washington. If arrangements are made for a more formal conference, His Majesty's Government will consider whether any additional representation is desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons resident in this country who are in receipt of an earned income from the United States of America are liable to American as well as British Income Tax, amounting in all to 13s. in the £; and whether, in view of the need to encourage by every possible means this type of importation of dollars, he will consider giving such persons a proportional rebate on their British tax to bring them into line with the rest of the British taxpayers?

The provisions of our law relating to relief from double taxation do not extend to earned income that may be subject to both United States Income Tax and United Kingdom Income Tax, but the United States tax would generally be allowed as a deduction in computing the income chargeable to United Kingdom tax. I am not clear as to the type of case which my hon. Friend has in mind, and I should be glad if he would furnish me with particulars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the practice of many professional men and women who sell their services or their work to the United States for dollar payments and so incur this double taxation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue an indexed list of all concessions of general interest made for Income Tax, Surtax and Excess Profits Tax purposes similar to his Department's recent publication on the Income Tax and Finance Acts, so that information as to these concessions may be readily available to the general public?

As my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, certain matters he refers to have already been the subject of announcement in Parliament, and various taxation pamphlets have also been issued. The Board of Inland Revenue have now under consideration how the work and collection of the Excess Profits Tax can be facilitated by further publicity.