asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, in Scotland, licences for coal for agricultural purposes such as threshing grain, and for dairy farms for sterilising bottles, utensils, etc., are only granted out of surplus coal; whether he is aware that in certain districts of Angus there is no surplus coal, so that these licences are, under present circumstances, useless; and whether he will review the situation with a view to giving the necessary priority for coal required for agricultural purposes?

Scottish agricultural requirements for large coal are met from the general allocations of house coal to local merchants, supplies being released on the production of a permit from the local fuel overseer. Where no surplus current supplies are available, these requirements are provided by the merchants from their stock. Such stocks are generally good in Angus at the present time, but there are a few districts where the release of agricultural coal against licence has been delayed owing to local shortage. Steps have been taken to rectify this.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the weekly output of coal at the Point of Ayr Colliery since it was taken over by the Government and the corresponding output in the equivalent number of weeks before the colliery was taken over?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry) on 10th June. As stated on that occasion, I am precluded from publishing figures relating to individual undertakings. I am happy, however, to inform my hon. Friend that output at the Point of Ayr Colliery in the 18 weeks since the imposition of control was considerably above that in the previous 18 weeks.

Is it not a fact that the men at Point of Ayr Colliery feel they are freer than ever they have been since the pit was sunk?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the names of certain properties of which he has been informed, that have been requisitioned for the possible use of the Petroleum Board and held empty now for many months; and whether he will have the position reviewed in the light of existing circumstances on the understanding that these properties, if released, would be used for other urgent public purposes such as maternity homes, etc.?

I am informed that there are no premises in the districts mentioned to me by my hon. Friend which are being retained empty for possible use by the Petroleum Board or oil companies associated with the Board. Certain premises which had been reserved were released last July and others at the end of December last.

While I thank the right hon. and gallant Member for his reply, will he make further inquiries into the case of the Bucklands Hotel, Wallingford, which the local authorities have asked for as a maternity home and which has been refused on the ground that it has been reserved for the Petroleum Board?

Yes, I will, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why permission is given for a petrol allowance to a lady, whose name has been supplied to him, to use a two-carburetter motor-car registered No. EPK 949, to travel daily from her home at Watford to her employment at Feltham instead of using the available public transport services; what amount of petrol is allowed her per month at present; and how much was allowed her prior to 1st March, 1943?

Allowances of petrol are granted to individuals on the basis of confidential statements. These statements contain information as to the applicant's business and, at times, as to his or her physical disabilities or private affairs. My hon. Friend will appreciate that I am therefore unable to make public the reasons for granting or refusing particular applications.

While thanking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him to look closely into this matter in its other aspects?

This case had been looked into before the hon. Member communicated with me.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of an impending stoppage of work at Roddymoor Pit, County Durham, due to the fact that four youths, who are surface workers at the pit, refuse to be compelled to work underground and may be prosecuted, even though there are four youths who have volunteered for this work; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware of the facts in this case, but my present information is that there is no stoppage impending at this colliery.

Is the Minister not aware of the fact that the miners' lodge have already decided that if a prosecution takes place, they will hand in 14 days' notice?

I do not understand that to be the position to-day. It was a few days ago.

I have the information in my pocket, and the Minister can have it at any time he wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a corps commander, whose name has been given him, frequently has two military policemen following his motor-car on motor-cycles to take the names of officers and men, for disciplinary action, who fail to salute his car; whether he approves this action; and whether, in view of the need to save man-power and petrol, he will put an end to this practice?

A commander is responsible for maintaining a high standard of discipline in his troops, and insistence on punctiliousness in saluting is one of the methods by which this high standard is achieved. Some of the troops in the case referred to in the Question had shown a lack of alertness by their failure to salute the corps commander's flag in accordance with orders, and in the circumstances the commander exercising his discretion adopted the measure referred to. On no occasion were the police taken on long journeys.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman really think that it is practicable to salute a flag on a rapidly moving car?

Yes, Sir.

Does my hon. and learned Friend not think that this is a very expensive way of maintaining discipline?

As a matter of fact, for the last six weeks the commander has been able to dispense with his escort.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the Army Agricultural Scheme, he is now in a position to make some pronouncement of the results achieved; and whether he can give an assurance, in view of the short time the scheme has been recognised on the establishment, that there is no unnecessary restriction or methods which retard progress, in view of the increasing importance of increased food production?

Whereas on 31st December, 1942, 9,727 acres were being cultivated under this scheme, the acreage has now risen to 13,000. In 1942, 40,000,000 potato and vegetable rations were grown and consumed by the Army. Many units have been self-supporting in potatoes and vegetables for over six months of the year and the value of freshly cut vegetables has been widely appreciated. In addition cereals, vegetables and fruit not needed for the standard ration have been grown and marketed. The further expansion of the scheme is subject to the very real limitations imposed by the restriction on the use of transport, by the increasing demands from many sides on the available agricultural machinery and by the fact, which my hon. Friend will appreciate, that soldiers must devote themselves in the first place to becoming efficient soldiers.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that, because this branch of the Service is an innovation, requests are very often refused on the ground that it is not on the establishment? Will he make quite sure that all branches of the War Office realise that this is an important branch of the Service and must be treated as such?

Yes, Sir.

When the change takes place, are steps always taken to ensure that vegetables planted are in fact gathered?

I do not know whether steps are always taken, but they should be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that allowances to officers' wives are paid to the husband, who can, and sometimes does, refuse to make any payment to the wife, who is thus left penniless; and whether he will investigate the working of this system with a view to a change in procedure?

I would refer the noble Lady to answers given to my hon. Friends the Members for Harrow (Mr. Norman Bower) and Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 21st October, 1942, and 16th February, 1943, of which I am sending her copies.

May I ask my hon., gallant and learned Friend whether this differentiation between officers and privates is not a survival from the last war and is not based on the theory that an officer is sure to be a good husband while a private is not so sure? Will he not have this antiquated procedure reconsidered?

There are many administrative difficulties in the way of changing the present rule, so far as officers serving to-day are concerned, but it may interest the House to know that officers commissioned hereafter will be entitled to agree to this family lodging allowance being paid direct to their wives.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to alter the rule forbidding married couples to serve in the same unit?

The considerations which led to this instruction still hold good, and I regret that there is little prospect that it will be changed.

Why is the Army stricter in this matter than other branches of the Services?

It is because, in the opinion of the military authorities, it is preferable to have the rule as it is to-day, namely, that a soldier and his wife may serve in the same locality, which, of course, does bring them closer to one another.

Does that apply to the Secretary of State for War?

Would "serving in the same locality" permit a husband and wife on an "ack-ack" site to serve on two different gun sites although actually in the same unit?

I would like to have notice of that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the refusal to allow Bombardier E. Joannides, a Cypriot, to hold a commission in the Army is due to political or racial objections as he is a man of proved ability and capacity of the standard required for commissioned rank?

My right hon. Friend examined this case personally before he wrote to my hon. Friend and satisfied himself that the decision that this man should not be commissioned was in the best interests of the Service.

Is it not realised that this kind of thing leaves the impression of a stigma upon this man, and creates a bad impression among a number of his friends who are anxious to serve this country well, but are discouraged by the treatment of their compatriot?

There should not be any question of stigma attaching to an individual who is not considered suitable to be a commissioned officer.

Is it not a fact that Members of this House have sons and brothers serving in the Army without commissions?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the coroner's verdict at the inquest on Mr. Arthur Chudley, of West Wickham, Kent, to the effect that death was occasioned by heart failure due to and following strain while engaged on military Home Guard duties; and whether, in the light of this fact, he will reconsider his recent refusal to institute medical examination of the Home Guard?

Yes, Sir, and I should like to take this opportunity to express my sympathy with the relatives of Corporal Chudley. He was an enthusiastic Home Guard and set the highest example to his comrades. I understand that before the exercise it was explained to the men that those should fall out who felt they were not equal to it or found in the course of it that the training was too hard. Much as I deplore the death of this Home Guard, I do not consider that the facts of the case show that the arrangements outlined in the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 1st June should be modified.

Now that the Home Guard are qualified for military death and disability pensions, what logical alternative is there to giving them proper and periodical medical examinations, together with grading for duties?

It would be extremely difficult to carry it out, having regard to the number of the Home Guard and to the number also of doctors available.

It is done in the National Fire Service.

Is not the presence of elderly men of doubtful fitness, however keen they may be, a source of weakness to the Home Guard?

I do not think there are many of them, but I would like to make it clear to the House that any Home Guard who may consider himself not quite fit is entitled to ask for a medical examination.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the hardship caused to men ordered to billet out when their fuel and light allowance is stopped regardless of the fact that no reduction is made in the rent they are called upon to pay; and whether he will restore such allowance in these cases?

I assume my hon. Friend refers to men who in the absence of public accommodation at their duty station are given lodging, fuel and light allowances. Such men while on leave, in hospital or on temporary duty elsewhere continue to receive lodging allowance in order to pay for a lodging they have to retain and pay for. This does not apply to fuel and light, and unless they are entitled to fuel and light allowances at a temporary duty station they are not paid these allowances

Would my hon. and learned Friend answer more particularly my Question which is concerned with those people who are ordered, not on leave but while on duty, to billet out and who do not find any reduction in their expenses during the summer but do in fact lose this allowance?

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. A soldier ordered to billet out and find his own accommodation does receive the allowance to which my hon. Friend refers in his Question. It is only when he is absent from that billet that he forfeits the fuel and light allowance. The way the matter should be dealt with would be for the landlord to take into consideration the saving of fuel and light when the soldier is not there.

Might I send all the necessary particulars to my hon. and learned Friend?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to put in force the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee on Voluntary Aid Detachments; and whether he will undertake not to put it into force until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of discussing the White Paper?

As my right hon. Friend stated in his reply to the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Miss Rathbone) on 8th June, he has waited to promulgate his decision to accept this Report, until he had learned whether it is the wish of the House to discuss it. He is not aware of any substantial demand to debate the Report, and he proposes to issue instructions shortly.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that those of us who took some part in the discussions leading to this matter are satisfied that this is a perfectly fair compromise which is accepted by the heads of the Service in question, and that we shall strongly resist on the Floor of the House any attempt to upset the arrangement?

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the great dissatisfaction that is being caused by the dismissal of Commandants of the V.A.D., and will he look into that personally?

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that that point is a cause of great unpopularity?

There is only a limited number of Commandants, not a very large number, and I am afraid that their interests will have to be subordinated to the general interest.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that it is not a case of the interests of the Commandants but of the interests of the V.A.D., and that these young women now have nobody to look after their interests as in the case of other Women's Services?

I think the House will agree that this scheme on consideration is a very satisfactory solution to a difficult problem.

asked the Secretary of State for War how the figure of 2,550 tanks lost by the Axis Powers in North Africa was arrived at; whether the count was made by his Department; and, if so, why no figure as to the number of German Tiger Mark VI. tanks is available?

The figure of 2,550 tanks lost by the Axis Powers in Africa is an estimate prepared in the War Office. It covers the period from the start of the campaign in Abyssinia, includes German and Italian tanks, and is based on reports received from time to time from theatre commanders. Details of the types of tanks captured or destroyed have not yet been received from North Africa, where the battle area has not yet been cleared.

Is my hon., gallant and learned Friend aware that the Tiger tank is a new type of tank and that only a small number of them were used in Tunisia? Surely it ought to be possible to tell us how many were captured?

It is true that only a small number of Tiger tanks were used, but they were used over a very large area.

But does not my hon., gallant and learned Friend know the number?

I do not know the number. I have just said that we are waiting for reports from Africa, and until those reports are received we cannot give the House the information.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that widows and relatives of officers killed on active service are receiving demands for the repayment of small amounts of pay and allowances overpaid to the dead man some months previously; and whether, in view of the distress caused by this procedure, he will give instructions that it is to cease?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that, in future, when any member of His Majesty's Forces is killed on active service and pay and allowances are continued owing to non-notification of death to the authorities, no application for a refund of such payment and allowances will, in any circumstances, be made to the next-of-kin?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will discontinue the practice of claiming small refunds of pay from the next-of-kin of officers and men killed in action?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the case of the death in action or by accident of a soldier of any rank, he is prepared to discontinue the present practice of making a subsequent claim for any over-payments and whether, in future, over-payments in such cases will be written off?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will rearrange the system of pay to officers so as to prevent cases of bereaved parents or wives being called upon to refund amounts credited to officers who have lost their lives in the service of the State?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to write-off automatically overpayment of pay and allowances for the month in cases where an officer or soldier is killed or has died while on active service?

I welcome this opportunity to give a brief outline of the practice of the War Office, which is also the practice of the Air Ministry, in these cases and so help to dispel any misunderstandings there may be. The War Office practice does not in general differ from the custom generally observed by persons with claims against the estates of deceased persons. No claim is however made by the War Office against the estate in the case of officers unless the amount exceeds £5. It has moreover recently been decided that in addition no claim is made when the estate is less than £2,000 and there are dependants or when the estate is less than £100 and there are no dependants. Special consideration has always been given to any circumstances of hardship. In the case of other ranks no claims at all are made.

Is it not a fact that an undertaking was given during the last war that this procedure would be discontinued owing to the distress caused by reopening these wounds after such a lapse of time? Does that undertaking no longer hold good?

I am afraid I have no knowledge of any such undertaking.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that however admirable the arrangements he has outlined would be in practice they are not being carried out, and that cases have occurred quite recently where dependants of men killed have received a demand for repayment a very few days after?

If my hon. Friend has knowledge of any particular case in which the regulations are not being carried out, I shall be glad if he will let me have it for investigation.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that these cases have already been quoted, and have these been investigated? Can he give an answer to the House now? There has been plenty of publicity. We would like an answer to-day.

I am afraid the hon. Lady will not get an answer to-day. She will have to wait until I have personally seen the cases to which she refers before I can personally investigate them.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman kindly turn up the files?

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman not reconsider the limit of £5, and would he not undertake that in future the War Office will show the same consideration to the relatives of deceased persons as an ordinary, decent, private citizen might be expected to do?

When do these new rules operate, of £2,000 and £100?

They operate now.

How great a sum is involved over the year in these small payments?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the use of the Scorpion mine destroyers was a success in the North African campaign; and why these machines had to be improvised in Egypt instead of being manufactured at home in quantities?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to add anything to the answers given to my hon. Friend on 13th April and to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 4th May.

Although I appreciate the desire for security, were not these Scorpion mine destroyers used in the last war, and therefore the Germans are presumably fully aware of the possibilities of these weapons? At any rate, may I ask whether the War Office are giving close consideration to this and other weapons in order to destroy minefields, which will probably be one of the main forms of defence against our troops?

I can certainly give that assurance.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that a mine-clearing tank of this type was offered to the War Office in 1939, and that many of the casualties at El Alamein and afterwards have been the result of the absence of these weapons?

As regards the first part of that question, I have no knowledge of it. As regards the second part, I would certainly not accept it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any telegraphic facilities to North Africa are available to relations of men serving in that territory?

A telegraph service known as the "Concession" service is available to and from North Africa for the benefit of British soldiers serving in that theatre and their next-of-kin resident in this country. Telegrams sent by this service must relate to essential business of an urgent and private nature and are limited to two in the outward direction and one homeward per month. This limitation has to be imposed as the telegrams are sent over Services operational channels. Full details are available at all Post Offices transacting telegraph business.

asked the Secretary of State for War the authority under which members of the Home Guard in factory units can be transferred compulsorily to anti-aircraft units?

A man enrolling in the Home Guard is enrolled in the force as a whole, and not for service with any particular unit. This, of course, is subject to the general conditions of service of a Home Guard, which prevent his being ordered to give whole-time service or to live away from his home before mustering.

Can my hon. and learned Friend assure me that men drafted to anti-aircraft units from factory units are being employed near their own homes?

As far as possible, yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that over 25,000 tons of paper were used by the Army last year and that this represents an increase over previous years; and, in view of the promises given in the past to reduce the amount of paper used, what steps he is taking to effect substantial economies in its use?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend in the second part of his Question has in mind the statements which have from time to time been made, as, for example, by my right hon. Friend in his Estimates speech, about the steps taken to reduce paper work and correspondence in the Army. While I have no doubt there will always be room for improvement, a great deal has been and is being achieved by a day-to-day watch on a vast mass of detail, and the efforts in this direction will by no means be relaxed. But improve- ment of organisation and methods with a view to a reduction of paper work does not necessarily mean that the total quantity of paper used for Army purposes will be reduced. With the increasing complexity of Army organisation and equipment there is, for example, a constant need at home and abroad for fresh technical and training manuals, and there is an increasing demand for paper for educational matter in the Army. These demands must necessarily be met.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that the War Office itself is the worst offender, through never writing on both sides of the paper, and is he prepared to take action?

Yes, Sir.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that it is the practice in the War Office and other Government Departments for highly-paid people to write out the letters by hand and to send them to other people to be typed? Would it not be a good thing to educate highly-placed people to dictate letters, in order to save time and paper?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether home leave is now being granted, when shipping is available, to troops who have served overseas for six years or more; and whether it is possible to include in this category men who had returned from overseas and been placed on the reserve only a few weeks before the outbreak of the present war?

Officers or soldiers who have served overseas for at least six continuous years are being brought back to the United Kingdom for posting to the Home Establishment. A break of up to six months at home is disregarded in assessing the number of years of continuous service.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give some account to the House of Commons of the arrangements and results of the hospital and medical services in Tunisia?

I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that nothing further can be done to secure the services of former members of the International Brigade for the different Armed Forces of the Crown?

In so far as they are British subjects, all who were born since 1st January, 1900, will by now have registered under the National Service Acts, and will have been dealt with by the Ministry of Labour. Unless they are unfit or in a reserved occupation, they are presumably in one or other of the Armed Forces. If they are over military age or aliens they are free to volunteer for service in the Army in the normal way.

Does that reply cover the whole question of the International Brigade?

How many former members of the International Brigade have been discharged under paragraph 390, XVIII (a) of King's Regulations?

I am afraid I could not say without notice.

Is there any reason why we should try to secure the safety of members of the International Brigade who are not British subjects, any more than of any other soldiers of fortune?

Have not these men been very useful in helping us to fight?

I think I ought to say that a considerable number of those who served in the International Brigade are serving satisfactorily in the British Army, and that, indeed, some of them have received commissions.

asked the Prime Minister whether consideration has been given to the need for the issue of chevrons to indicate service overseas, medals for service in big engagements, and some indication to signify that men or women have been wounded on service; and can he now make a statement on this matter, making it applicable to all services?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the North African campaign has now been carried to a successful conclusion, he will consider the issue of a medal to the men and women of the Fighting Forces and the Merchant Navy who have taken part in it?

The matter is under active consideration, and I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 9th June last to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Withington (Squadron-Leader Fleming).

Why is there delay in coming to a decision on this matter? My right hon. Friend will recognise that the matter has now been under the active consideration of the Cabinet for some considerable time.

I am sure my hon. Friend knows very well the difficulty of settling these things, with a war going on in various theatres. It is not an easy matter; my hon. Friend knows that well.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the steps suggested in the Question were all carried out in the last war, and that there is a growing demand that the services of our men and women should be recognised? Surely there is no difficulty about issuing chevrons for service overseas?

I am aware that it was done in the last war, but my hon. Friend will realise the great sense of injustice that may be caused if someone is left out.

Has my right hon. Friend observed the large number of American Forces in this country wearing distinctions? If it can be done by the Americans, why is there any difficulty in the way of its being done here?

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether the plans of demobilisation of the Armed Forces, after the war, will be based on the principle that priority of demobilisation will be given to men who have served the longest overseas?

As I stated in this House on 1st December last, the Government's plans for demobilisation are based in the main on the broad principle of discharge according to age and length of service, but, in accordance with the undertaking I gave on 22nd April, further consideration is being given to the suggestion that in applying this principle special weight should be given to service overseas.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend recognise also that there will be many cases in which the needs of the civil population will require others to be demobilised than those in these two categories?

I agree, and, of course, that has to be borne in mind.

asked the of the Exchequer whether he can make a more precise statement of the Government's attitude in connection with tax credits and Excess Profits Tax repayment after the war, in view of the uncertainty felt by a number of industrialists throughout the country and of the necessity for making provision for industrial development at the conclusion of hostilities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on this subject on 14th April in the Debate on the Budget Resolutions and to the further assurance which I gave on 10th June in answer to a Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bewdley (Major Conant).

Were not these assurances both vague and general, and what does my right hon. Friend mean when he says that the Government will repay as far as possible? Does he realise that industrialists really want to know whether they are td get anything at all?

I would direct my hon. Friend to the Statute.

These statements are both vague and general, and there is absolutely no sense in them at all, and people want to know where they stand.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the fact that repayment out of 20 per cent. of E.P.T. after the war is so hedged round by conditions that there is not the slightest hope of anybody receiving anything and cannot he make some relaxation?

No, Sir. There is no foundation for that statement. The provision is made that was desired by this House after full discussion.

It is somewhat unsatisfactory though.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make some general pronouncement regarding the methods which the Government propose to adopt in connection with the payment of gratuities to members of the Services at the conclusion of hostilities; and, in particular, whether it is proposed to make a lump-sum payment or extend this reward for the number of years served in each case over a period of years?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister gave the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 4th March, 1942.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he did not actually give any information as to the practical intentions of the Government and is it not time that members of the Services should be given some indication even of the broad principles of the Government's intentions?

I would ask my hon. Friend to look at the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister on that occasion.

It did not carry us very far.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the comparatively small proportion of old age and widows' pensions finance realised from individual as compared with Exchequer contributions and the inequity of requiring large fixed weekly payments from persons with widely different incomes, he will consider the abolition of individual contributions and provide the necessary funds from general taxation?

This matter could not be dealt with apart from the Beveridge plan. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on 16th February last, the general lines of development of the social services laid down in the Beveridge Report, which is framed on a contributory basis, are those that the Government would wish to follow.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the object of this Question is to ask the Government not to close their minds to any means of financing the Beveridge proposals against the day when the large individual contributions that are necessary will come to be realised by those who have to pay them?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right, hon. Gentleman still as enthusiastic as ever about the Beveridge plan?

Absolutely.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in considering this matter, to bear in mind his own very good example in dealing with the chattels scheme, when he did away with contributions and thus effected great economy and saving of money?

Yes, Sir, I note that, and I also note that my hon. Friend asks the Government to pursue the Beveridge plan.

How can the Government close their minds, seeing that their minds have never been opened?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the request from 2,500 workers of Harland and Wolffe's shipbuilding yard for Income Tax to be deducted as it is earned; and what answer he has returned to this request?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has finished his consideration of the many representations made to him that Income Tax should be deducted on current earnings; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the subject?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the adoption in the United States of America of the Pay-as-you-go method of collection of Income Tax, he has further considered establishing this, or some similar, method in this country as soon as possible, in view of the urgency of the matter and the general consensus of opinion in favour of its adoption; and has he any statement to make?