asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) if he will allow retailers to sell austerity garments without coupons and allow the coupons thus lost to be replaced by his department;

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies which I gave to Questions on this subject on Tuesday last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that stocks of utility garments are selling very well, and that non-utility kinds are likely to require a grand clearance sale at greatly reduced prices?

I do not know whether my hon. and gallant Friend was present last Tuesday, when various questions dealing with this matter were put and answered. I then indicated various means by which I was hoping to assist in cases where there was difficulty in disposing of these garments, although I consider in the light of information I have received, that the difficulties have been much exaggerated in some quarters.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider taking back less numbers than Too, otherwise small stocks will be left in the hands of small traders?

I do not understand that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action has been taken since he had consultations with representatives of the pottery industry at Stoke-on-Trent;

Since my consultations at Stoke-on-Trent, to which my hon. Friend refers, I have had further discussions in London with representatives of the pottery industry about their post-war problems and I am now awaiting their final report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the use of the process of voluntary liquidation, as in the case of the Powell Duffryn group of companies, to enable preference shares, which by their terms of issue are not within the redeemable category, to be paid off at par or replaced by ordinary shares; and whether he will take steps to safeguard holders against the sacrifice of their rights, or loss of capital, which may result from the use of this method.

I have noted this case, and I have brought it to the attention of Mr. Justice Cohen's Committee on Company Law Amendment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many small traders who have given up trading in the war, owing to the operation of war measures, are now on his register, and whether any of these on the register have been granted licences to resume trading.

Just over 11,000 names are now on the Register. In a few cases, such as discharged ex-Service men, licences have already been granted to persons on the Register. But, as the House knows, the object of the Register is to facilitate the return to their former businesses after the war, of persons who have had to close down during the war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the judgment given at Ilford County Court on 7th February under which £4 damages were awarded against a laundry for the loss of a bedspread, the laundry having offered compensation of 5s. 10d.; and if he will take steps to make an Order revising generally the customary limitation of liability to 20 times the charge for washing.

My attention has been drawn to this judgment. Since the Court allowed full compensation in this case, I see no reason for adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Does not this judgment suggest that the present trade practice is obsolete, and will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole matter, in justice to the public?

No, Sir. I see no need whatever for that. The judgment will simplify the position. The judgment is that this customary limitation is not legal and there does not need to be any Order.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that every customer of a laundry who suffers loss in this way must take proceedings before obtaining adequate compensation?

No, Sir, but the customer will be able to draw the attention of the laundry to the judgment, just as easily as he might draw the attention of the laundry to any Order that I might make.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the high prices which are being charged for second-hand electrical machinery and equipment; and does he propose to take any action in the matter.

If my hon. Friend will give me full particulars of any case he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the second-hand dealers double the prices of machinery of the same character; and will he take action, if I send him particulars?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars, I shall be glad to look into them to see what can be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider distributing the industrial 10 clothing coupons to wholesale confectioners, who are not at present entitled to them, while they are being issued to manufacturing confectioners, and practically all food trades have them.

No, Sir. I regret that, in view of the very limited supplies available, I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

As the retail wholesale grocers are getting these extra coupons, does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that wholesale confectioners are also entitled to them; and will he give the matter further consideration?

The line has to be drawn somewhere, and no doubt on either side of the line there are debatable cases, but I am advised on this matter by representatives of the trades unions and employers' association.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, following on the undertaking given to him by Mr. Rank not to acquire additional cinemas or studios without his prior consent, he has received similar undertakings from any other important film enterprises.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that the chief shareholders of the Associated British Picture Corporation have been good enough to give me an undertaking limiting the number of cinemas which the Corporation may acquire without the prior consent of the President of the Board of Trade. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the exchange of letters in which this undertaking is confirmed. I should like to thank those concerned for the public spirited manner in which they have responded to the Government's wishes in this matter.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that this is the most appropriate way of dealing with what must be something very much like a monopoly in this trade?

I think it is an exceedingly practical way. There is an inquiry going on at the moment by a sub-committee of the Films Council, at my request, into the whole matter. Meanwhile, it is a matter for congratulation that those concerned have agreed to give me the undertaking for which I have asked.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that this self-denying ordinance is not making it easier for foreign interests to acquire films in this country?

It is not making it easier for foreign interests. There is in the A.B.P.C., to which I have referred, a certain foreign holding, and, therefore, I think that my hon. Friend should be all the more pleased that I have this undertaking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that textile manufacturers are placing provisional orders for textile machinery for delivery after the war; if, in view of the shortage that will exist, he is considering a scheme of priorities, including priority between the home and oversea markets and the control of prices so long as textile machines are in short supply.

Yes, Sir. It is clear that an appropriate allocation, as between the home and export markets, will have to be made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, in any regulation he makes, he will do everything possible to encourage people to place postwar orders, in spite of the fact that they may have to be re-arranged later?

It depends upon stocks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult associations in Bradford before any steps are taken?

We are constantly in touch with the representatives of this industry which will be very important after the war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult them?

I am constantly doing that.

Is it not wise that manufacturers of textile machinery should have some knowledge of the volume of business they are likely to have at the end of the war; is not the placing of provisional orders, the proper way of dealing with it, and if not, Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate what it is?

We would all like to know with great exactitude the position at the end of the war, but, unfortunately, that is beyond human knowledge at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the acute shortage of carpets and the difficulty of bombed-out families and young married couples securing these; and whether he will consider arranging for the production of utility carpets with the utility furniture now available.

The production of carpets, for which the raw materials are mainly imported, has practically ceased since 1942 and most of the labour and factory space is now being used on direct war work. There is a limited output of linoleum and felt base and I have asked retailers to reserve supplies for holders of utility furniture buying permits.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that means that some survey of the available number of carpets is being undertaken? Could he not do that if it has not already been done; and could he not also explore the possibility of using substances other than jute and so on for carpets?

There would not be much to survey, because practically no carpets have been produced for two years. We are trying to make the best use we can of the substitutes to which I have referred. In addition to genuine linoleum, I am told various substitutes have been invented. We will do our best, but the point is that there are practically no carpets available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that supplies are sent where they are most required, especially to bombed-out areas?

Yes, I have in fact already given directions that, as far as possible, these supplies of substitute material shall go to areas where there has been heavy bombing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that speculators have bought up carpets and are storing them in warehouses; and has he any means of getting these stocks liberated for those who need carpets?

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars, I will see whether we can apply a little moral suasion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make about the damage to a private residence, the name of which he has been informed, caused by anti-tank guns; and whether he is satisfied that there was no deliberate destruction or carelessness on the part of the troops concerned.

This private residence is in the danger area of an anti-tank range used for firing at quickly moving targets. It is liable to be damaged by ricochets and it has therefore been requisitioned. The compensation due will be paid when the requisition is relinquished. As regards the last part of the Question I have no reason to believe that there has been deliberate destruction or carelessness on the part of the troops.

As this residence is the only residence in an enormous area of downland, would my right hon. Friend hold an inquiry to see whether there has been negligence or carelessness?

I have inquired into it, and I do not see that there is any reason to suppose that a formal inquiry will add anything to the information I already have.

It is by no means a rare case.

In view of the reply I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the continued pilfering of parcels despatched to the Forces overseas; and what steps are being taken to deal with it.

The question of pilfering is receiving very close attention in the War Department and if the hon. Member will send me particulars of any cases which have been brought to his notice they will be investigated.

Would my right hon. Friend consider substituting the word "theft" for "pilfering" in all documents?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 1st January last an A.T.S. company commander at an Army depot, the name of which has been supplied, seeing dust on top of the coal and coke, ordered a girl to take it into the ablutions and wash off the dust, and that two days later, following a protest about the incident, 40 girls were compelled to take every piece of coal and coke from the bins and wash each piece in the basins; and whether he will take severe measures in future against any misuse of authority of this sort.

This matter has been fully investigated. The barrack block in question was inspected by the A.T.S. company commander on 1st January, who found that the coal bins had been used as receptacles for all sorts of refuse. She considered the conditions were unhygienic and likely to be unhealthy for the auxiliaries. She and another officer therefore cleaned out one of the bins immediately to some extent. Most of the auxiliaries were then away for the weekend, but as soon as they returned the further cleaning necessary was undertaken by them all. This was, obviously, an unpleasant task, but in the circumstances I do not see that any other course could have been taken.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this was not a question of clearing out some bins, but that the girls were required to take each piece of coal separately and wash it in soap and water? Is he further aware that this Question—

The hon. Member is gibing information, not asking for it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Question was raised at no less than three meetings of the company, and that at the end the commanding officer apologised?

The information given by the hon. Member, while I am certain it is not done intentionally, conceals the fact that these bins were in fact used for something very like lavatories.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local branch of the Civil Service Clerical Association, and the staff side of the Whitley Council are thoroughly satisfied with the handling of this matter locally and are indignant that a distorted version of the incident was given to the Press?

I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend and I think it is entirely proper that the Daniel should come to judgment from the hon. Member's own side.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any minimum period during which men returned to home stations from abroad can be retained in this country.

Individuals return from overseas for a number of reasons and there is no hard and fast rule which covers all cases. In general, however, men returned to this country on medical or compassionate grounds stay here at least until their circumstances enable them to go abroad again and men returned on account of their long service overseas are usually kept here for at least six months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any system is in operation to ascertain how many men are passed into the Army At and subsequently discharged after a brief period of service; and, if so, whether he can state how many such cases have occurred during the last 12 months.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." 2443 other ranks who were in category A1 on enlistment were subsequently boarded out of the Army in the course of 1943 after serving in the Army for less than six months.

As that answer discloses a very unsatisfactory state of affairs has the Minister taken steps to discuss this matter with the Ministry of Labour, who are responsible for calling these men into the Army only for them to be discharged very quickly?

I have not discussed it personally but the two Departments have discussed it. I will, however, certainly see whether there is room for any further representation.

Is the Minister aware that when a man is passed Grade 1 and protests against that grading the same medical evidence goes before the board when he appeals against the decision? Should not that disgraceful state of affairs be eliminated?

I do not think the hon. Member is talking about the same kind of circumstances as the hon. Member opposite.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that despite promises previously given V cigarettes are still being issued to the troops in Italy; and whether the manufacture of V cigarettes has now ceased;

asked the Secretary of State for War how it came that the contract for V cigarettes for troops in the Middle East was placed with James Carlton, Limited, London; and what experience has this firm of manufacturing cigarettes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the name of the firm manufacturing the V brand of cigarettes supplied to the Fighting Services overseas; and what is paid by the Government for these cigarettes.

Arrangements have been made to supply cigarettes from this country to British troops in Italy and these cigarettes should be in issue instead of V cigarettes by the end of this month. The V cigarettes were supplied by the Indian authorities and, as far as I know, they were manufactured in India.

Is the Minister aware that as recently as 21st February these cigarettes were issued to men of the Fifth Army and to troops in India? Does he recognise that the trade does not countenance in any way the manner in which this order for cigarettes has been handled by the War Office?

As the order was handled by the India Office I do not know what the trade is talking about.

Has the Minister smoked any of these cigarettes himself?

Is the Minister aware that soldiers are just about breaking into riots about these cigarettes because they say they are made of horse-dung?

I am aware of nothing of the sort.

Well, the Minister is aware of it now because I have told him.

In spite of that, I think it is extremely unlikely but in any case, as I have said, a supply of cigarettes will arrive from this country and will be in issue at the end of this month. As regards the constitution of the cigarettes I understand that the material to which the hon. Member referred may, in fact, be Indian tobacco.

Would the Minister take an early opportunity of smoking some of these cigarettes?

Certainly not.

Will the Minister answer Question No. 41, which he undertook to do but seems to have inadvertently omitted from his original answer?

I have already tried to make it clear—perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not hear—that this is a matter for the India Office and that I understand that they are investigating it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it is the practice, in some cases, to march soldiers accused of military offences through the streets of Manchester wearing handcuffs and fastened to an escort; that this practice is open to strong criticism by both the public and overseas troops in this country; and whether, when these men have to be escorted from one place to another, they can be taken in a closed vehicle or some other fashion which does not attract public attention.

A prisoner's escort is responsible for preventing his escape and if the non-commissioned officer in charge has reason to fear that such an attempt will be made there is sometimes no alternative to using handcuffs. They are, however, used seldom and whenever possible transport is used to take such prisoners from place to place. At railway stations—which incidentally provide good opportunities to escape—prisoners have to walk a short distance, but if they are sensible and keep their sleeves down the handcuffs are unlikely to be noticed by the public. In case these general principles have not been observed in Manchester the attention of the local military authorities is being drawn to my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many nursing members of the V.A.D. have resigned since the implementation of the Elliott Report (Cmd. 6448); and what percentage of the original total nursing membership of the V.A.D. in military employment this figure represents.

592 nursing members of the V.A.D. have resigned since the implementation of the Elliot Report on 1st January. This is about 18 per cent. of the number serving before that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the issue of an Army Council Instruction or War Office letter embodying the circumstances in which a serving soldier or officer may be granted leave of absence from duty to appear before a committee for the selection of a candidate or prospective candidate for a Parliamentary election.

Commanding officers have sufficiently wide powers, in the matter of granting leave for private reasons, to cover leave for such attendance and I see no reason for issuing special instructions. The question whether, in a given case, an individual can be granted leave for the purpose depends on where he is stationed and the exigencies of the service at the time. Subject to these considerations, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 8th February, there is no reason why an officer or other rank should be refused leave to appear before a selection committee.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman gave the House an assurance that he wanted to make it specially easy for soldiers and officers to be granted leave for the purpose of appearing before a selection board, does he not think that it would be a very good idea to publish some sort of instruction? If he does not, there is absolutely nothing to indicate to commanding officers that that is his wish.

I have nothing to add to the answer I have already given.

Would the Minister issue an instruction to soldiers given leave for the purposes of contesting an election that they should know a little about politics?

That does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he intends to exempt agricultural workers, who will be working long hours during the forthcoming summer months, from Home Guard training.

I hope that it will be possible to issue the same instructions as have been issued in previous years.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the industrial worker, when he does 60 hours a week, is exempt from Home Guard duties? Could he not give the same definite ruling with regard to the agricultural worker?

The arrangements which have been made in previous years have worked perfectly well and to the entire satisfaction of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will extend to the officers in the Army Cadet Corps the same facilities for drawing motor car allowances as is granted to Home Guard officers who use their own motor cars to get to parades when other transport is not available.

I regret that I do not see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that his Department has commandeered the Scala Theatre which is now occupied by a leading company producing classical drama and which is the only one in the neighbourhood; why some other building could not have been taken over for the welfare of American troops; and whether, since action of this kind deprives both troops and public of legitimate entertainment, he will reinvestigate the whole facts with the object of reaching some other decision less damaging and disquieting to the entertainment industry as a whole.

The decision to requisition the Scala Theatre was taken only after a number of alternative premises had been considered, none of which, for various reasons, were available and suitable. The purpose for which the theatre is needed covers more than "welfare" and includes military training by means of lectures and the showing of films. I am going into this matter personally but pending a thorough reconsideration it has been found possible to delay the requisition until 1st April.

The right hon. Gentleman's reply is very indefinite. Is he aware that this production costs some thousands of pounds, that it has been advertised on posters and in the Press and that the advance booking goes far beyond the date on which the War Office intends to go into occupation?

I should have thought the promise I had given was pretty definite.

Has another theatre running comedies been considered as an alternative?

Nine other theatres were looked at. I cannot say which the hon. Member has in mind.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a five months' Shakespeare season began at this theatre, the very day before he requisitioned it? If he has to requisition a theatre will he not consider choosing Phyllis Dixey rather than Shakespeare for ejection?

When does my right hon. Friend hope to come to a further decision?

It would surely be unreasonable to ask that. At any rate, there is more than a month's stay of execution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take notice that in the opinion of this House the drama should have precedence over military requirements?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the only theatre producing Shakespeare? Would it not be to our educational advantage if a cinema were closed down instead?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will remove the restrictions by which the general officer commanding London district is required to be a Guards officer.

The suitability of the officer concerned is the deciding factor in making these appointments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that there is no such restriction, and that it would be possible for an officer of that greatest of all London regiments, The Royal Fusiliers, to be appointed?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that all ranks in the London district are proud to be commanded by a Guards officer?

If my hon. and gallant Friend wants to pursue the matter further, he should put down another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to prevent armoured and other military vehicles of excessive weight damaging ancient bridges in the United Kingdom.

Instructions were issued early in January drawing attention to the fact that all bridges likely to be used for military traffic are now marked with their road classification. All military vehicles are also marked in this way. The instruction also made it clear that the overloading of classified bridges will be treated as a breach of discipline.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he deems it impracticable to use powers which he already possesses to requisition theatres and other buildings for one day each week in certain areas where large numbers of British or Allied troops are centered, especially where morale of the Forces has become disturbed or where Sunday entertainment exclusively for the Forces is a proven urgent necessity; and will he reconsider this.

As I said to my hon. Friend last week, it would be inappropriate to use requisitioning powers, which were not granted specifically for this purpose, in face of the view hitherto taken by this House on this subject.

Does the Minister repudiate the suggestion which I have made to him that he already has powers, without varying anything, in regard to the wishes of this House, and has he not received a report from his welfare officer that there is desperate need in some areas already?

That is precisely the question which I have answered, and I think, whatever the powers may be, that it would be inappropriate to use them generally.

Is the Minister aware that all places of entertainment can give any performance, and any variety, they like, so long as there are no charges for admission?

I think I was aware of that fact.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the amount available from public funds for the establishment and maintenance of clubs for Service personnel is comparable to that available for clubs provided for transferred civilian workers.

The clubs for transferred civilian workers, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, meet a need which in the Army is met principally by regimental institutes and quiet rooms, for which accommodation and some other services are provided from public funds, and partly by canteens and similar activities financed by outside bodies. The two systems are so different that a fair financial comparison is impossible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why no explanatory memorandum was attached to the Emergency Powers (Defence) Finance Order (S.R. & O., No. 130, of 1944) having regard to its unintelligibility.

The Order is question is necessarily technical, and I share my hon. Friend's feeling that it makes difficult reading. I must, however, explain that an Order of this type has been in force, with changes of detail, since October, 1941. The re-issue, in the present form, was made necessary by the Agreement with the French Committee of National Liberation, of which I gave details in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) on 8th February, the date of the issue of the Order. In these circumstances, it was felt that an explanatory memorandum was unnecessary.

Having regard to the fact that the war correspondents will now be idle, cannot my right hon. Friend employ them to write these Statutory Rules and Orders?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a pledge was given to the House that where these Orders were not very intelligible explanatory memoranda would be given, and is it intended to free the other Departments from that pledge?

No, Sir; there is no intention of departing from any pledge. The primary purpose of an explanatory memorandum is to make an Order or Regulation intelligible to those who have to deal with it. In the view of the Government this Regulation is intelligible to those primarily concerned, and a memorandum would not have made it easier to understand.

It was not pellucidly clear.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the dates up to December, 1943, upon which the fiduciary issue has been increased, and by what amounts, since September, 1938; and the total subscribed through the National Savings Movement for the week in which each increase in the fiduciary issue took place.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.