asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many working days have been lost during December and January owing to lack of transport wagons; and will he consider the stacking of coal near the collieries instead of playing the pits when there are not sufficient wagons to take the coal away.

The total number of man-shifts lost owing to transport difficulties and want of wagons during the eight weeks ended 29th January, 1944, was 200,600, representing roughly one-third of a working day for the country as a whole. Facilities have been provided at or near collieries in the main coalfield areas for stacking coal in conditions of transport difficulty. In most cases, however, wagons are required for transporting coal to these sites and where difficulties arise from a shortage of railway wagons at collieries, some loss of coal production is unavoidable.

Would it be possible to stack coal on the surface without using any transport at all? My knowledge of the colliery working is that, adjoining the collieries, there are plenty of places for stacking coal which would be of great help in times of stress such as we are passing through now. As it is, shifts are wasted and no coal is got.

That has been done, and is being developed in places where it is possible, but my hon. Friend will agree with me, that, taking the country as a whole, the question of stacking any appreciable quantity of coal at the colliery surface, is an extremely difficult one, and there must be some method of transport for moving the coal.

How is it that it can be done in peace time, when coal is stacked for a purpose, and yet cannot be done in wartime? Is the transport of this coal really necessary, when there is plenty of room about the collieries for stacking?

My hon. Friend will agree that, in the vast majority of cases, it is impossible without wagons to do any stacking at all. This is one of the difficulties which arise at the present time.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make an attempt to get something definite done?

I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is being made at the present time to improve the stacking facilities. I am fully aware of the need for doing so.

Is the Minister aware that in peace time it is not uncommon for 250,000 tons of coal to be stacked at the collieries, and that by stacking they are able to keep the pits working?

As my hon. Friend knows, there are, in his district, very good facilities even to-day for the stacking of a large tonnage. But in peace time wagons were available in order to do the stacking. I am aware that, in many parts, especially in the Midland districts, it was done in peace time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, as warmth ranks almost as high in importance as food in the case of elderly people and young children, he will devise a system in the coming months ensuring priority of small supplies of coal to those who, through years or infirmity, need this with special urgency.

I would refer by hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rochester (Captain Plugge) on 15th February. I would add that local fuel overseers have power to give priority to premises which are without fuel and to provide increased allowances in cases of exceptional hardship.

Is the Minister aware that although the fuel overseer in many cases is approached, he has not the power to enforce the provision of coal as far as the distributor is concerned; and is he also aware that many young children are going without warmth because there is no proper rationing system of coal, electricity and gas in this country?

I am sure that my hon. Friend will realise that the last part of his question has nothing whatever to do with it. If there was a rationing system, the situation would be no better. The fact is that where there is hardship, the local fuel overseer has the power to take action. If my hon. Friend has a case in which nothing has happened, will he please let me know?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the name of the firm of accountants employed by his Ministry to check any claims made against the Coal Charges Order Fund; and whether these claims are checked at the collieries or on information supplied by the colliery owners concerned.

There is no single firm of accountants employed by the Ministry to audit payments made out of the Coal Charges Account. The work of verifying the amount of the coal charge and the examination of claims against the Coal Charges Account (other than claims for grants to necessitous undertakings) is carried out under my instructions and the general supervision of my officers by the independent accountants appointed under the wages agreements. The work is carried out by the staff of the independent accountants at the collieries and their reports on the audit are submitted to and dealt with by my officers. Claims made by necessitous undertakings are examined by accountants especially appointed for the purpose.

Is the Minister aware of the statement which was made recently by the coal owners that these claims against the Coal Charges Order Fund were checked by independent accountants employed by the Ministry; and am I to take it from the answer that has been given, that these claims are checked by the employers' accountants, and then sent on to the Ministry for payment?

Auditors of the coal owners do the work, but they are helped in that work by auditors on the men's side, and with regard to the necessitous undertakings, the final arbitrator is the Ministry itself.

Do not drawings from this Fund for guaranteed wages under the Essential Work Order count as proceeds and thus diminish the amount otherwise available as price allowances, so that there is no additional charge on the Fund?

I believe that is so.

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

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that his Department is supplying to Mr. Wilmer, a coal merchant in Swindon, coal so dirty that in some cases householders in Swindon are receiving 25 per cent. slate and stone in their deliveries; and what steps he is taking to remedy this state of affairs.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." The merchant named has made no complaint to my Department, nor has he, according to my information, received mare than a few isolated and minor complaints from his customers. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in reply to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson) on 18th February.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a great deal of stone and slate in the supplies of coal to the households of my constituents—I have here an example of the sort of stuff that is being supplied—and that 25 per cent. of this kind of stuff is given in some cases?

My hon. Friend asked me a question about a Mr. Wilmer. All I can say is that Mr. Wilmer has been interrogated; and he has no idea of how this Question arose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that when discussions were initiated in the districts for the settlement of anomalies arising out of the Porter Award the men's side of the Joint National Negotiating Committee stipulated that the cost must come out of the Coal Charges Order Fund, he will state what information was given by him to both sides regarding the source from which the money required was to be provided.

On the 3rd February, 1944, without prior consultation with my Department, the Joint National Negotiating Committee agreed that the anomalies arising out of the Porter Award should be adjusted by the two sides of the industry in each district, provided the cost of such adjustment was met from the Coal Charges Account. Later the same day representatives of the Mining Association informed my officials of this agreement and were at once told that no undertaking could be given that the cost of such adjustment would be paid from the Coal Charges Account and that important issues were being raised which would require consultation between me and my colleagues. On the following day, I myself saw representatives of the Mining Association and confirmed this statement of my officials, and also intimated that I was not prepared, without consulting my colleagues, even to agree that any sums paid in order to implement the Porter Award itself, quite apart from the adjustment of anomalies, would be refunded from the Coal Charges Account. The Mineworkers' Federation on the 4th February, 1944, was informed verbally of the answer given by my official on the previous day to the Mining Association, and I understand that, before any district negotiations took place, the Mineworkers' Federation made it clear to its district officials that any agreements which might be reached as to the adjustment of anomalies would be subject to His Majesty's Government agreeing that the cost thereof should be met from the Coal Charges Account.

Is it not clear by now that the anomalies cannot be adjusted by the existing methods; and what does my right hon. and gallant Friend propose to do in order to clear away the complications that are causing disturbances all through the coalfields?

My hon. Friend had better await the result of the meeting to-morrow.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has had several meetings and there has been a great deal of negotiation going on, and yet there is more trouble breaking out. What is to be done about it?

There has been no negotiation on this at all; the first meeting is being held to-morrow.

Would not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that the time has come for some bold imaginative step which will clear away these difficulties and allow the mining industry to get on with its job?

I shall be glad to have the suggestions of my hon. Friend.

I shall be delighted to give them.

Is it not the fact that the situation in the coalfields has been well-known to the War Cabinet for the last four years; and does not the real responsibility lie with the War Cabinet?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction in Edinburgh in regard to the inadequate supplies and poor quality of leather and rubber available for repairing children's footwear; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement on this subject.

The best leather must be reserved for the Services, but I am glad to say that both the quality and quantity of material for civilian repairs have recently improved. I have called for a special report on supplies of repair material in Edinburgh.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask him to bear in mind that in respect of this I was informed by two shoe repairers in my constituency only yesterday that supplies are still hopelessly inadequate and of bad quality?

When this question was placed upon the Paper, I called for an immediate interim report to be obtained from my Edinburgh officers, and this showed that, with one exception, leather merchants in Edinburgh say they have been able to get their quotas without difficulty, and the quality of the leather being received is good. I am, however, looking into the matter further.

I was referring to repairers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a large number of tobacco packets are found, upon being weighed, not to contain the weight of tobacco specified; and if he will take measures to see that tobacco packers give the public the full weight.

No, Sir. Although the restriction on wrappings increases the risk of evaporation, very few complaints of short weight have been received.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that investigations in my constituency show that on the average there is a shortage of 3 drachms on every ounce packet and that one firm alone packs over 30,000 ounce packets per day? If these average 3 drachms short, it represents 90,000 drachms or about 3 cwts. of tobacco—enough to supply 5,625 ounce packets. Does the Minister not think, as the price of tobacco is mostly due to duty, the Government have a special responsibility to see that the proper weight is given?

I would like to check over all that arithmetic when I read it in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, in view of the high prices now being charged for handbags for women, he will consider producing a utility handbag of standard pattern at a reasonable price.

I will consider this possibility, but, in the present shortage of leather, any such handbag would have to be made of some other material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will revise the classification of the schedule of investments, at present compulsory in the balance sheet of insurance companies, so that these companies may be enabled to prepare balance sheets giving a clearer picture of the nature of their investments.

The balance sheet prescribed in the third Schedule to the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, already requires investments to be classified under 17 separate sub-heads. It is open to companies to supplement the information so provided if they desire, but I have no power to alter the statutory requirements.

Would my right hon. Friend agree to remit this rather complicated question to Mr. Justice Cohen's Committee on the Companies Act?

Yes, Sir, I shall be glad to ask them to look at it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet been able to arrange for 11057595, Sapper L. V. Moody, to be examined by a specialist, as recommended by his private doctor and by an Army psychiatrist; and whether, in view of the long delay in this matter, he is satisfied that the medical and administrative arrangements of the Army are adequate to their present duties.

Yes, Sir. This man was examined by a specialist last Tuesday. Two earlier appointments were made for him to see a specialist but on the first occasion owing to the rush of Christmas mail and on the second occasion owing to his posting to another unit the letters notifying the appointments did not reach his unit in time for him to see the specialist. This is regrettable but I do not think my hon. Friend would be justified in drawing any conclusions from this about the medical and administrative arrangements in the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War why troops serving in the Middle East are compelled to pay for use of Government transport when proceeding to places of entertainment and what charges are usually made.

The provision of transport to places of entertainment is normally an amenity towards the cost of which the soldier can be properly asked to contribute. The charges are moreover very modest. They are ¼d. a mile for each man, with a maximum of 6d. for each occasion. But in theatres of operations and in other neighbouring areas where conditions for the troops are similar these charges are usually waived and, as far as I am aware, these charges are in fact waived throughout the Middle East Command except in areas with reasonable amenities close at home, such as Cairo and Alexandria.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many applications from officers and other ranks he has received in response to his call for volunteers for Regular commissions and Regular engagements in the post-war Army; and how many have been accepted by him.

Up to 26th February, 3,940 applications for Regular commissions from officers holding emergency commissions had reached the War Office. 1,219 applicants have been found suitable for Regular commissions but their final acceptance will depend on the requirements of the Army for officers. Over 30,000 men have enlisted or re-enlisted on Regular engagements since the beginning of the war.

In the case of the 1,200 who have been accepted, may I take it that they will now be granted Regular commissions and will not have to wait until after the war?

I shall be very grateful if the hon. Member will put that question down. The answer is not without complications.

When these men put in for Regular commissions, are they given any advantage over those who have not?

In what way?

In the way of promotions and things of that kind.

Certainly not.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when supplies are available, he will have copies of "SEAC," the daily newspaper published in Calcutta for the South-Eastern Asia Command, placed in the Library for the information of Members.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of complaints amongst British troops in the forward areas of Italy regarding the shortage of radio sets; and what arrangements he is making to remedy such deficiencies.

A considerable number of wireless sets is already in Italy. Additional sets will reach Italy from the Middle East and this country shortly and further supplies will follow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the indignation which prevails amongst our troops in Italy at the disappearance of packages from home containing cigarettes and tobacco; and whether he will cause a full inquiry to be made into this matter.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) on 22nd February this question is receiving very close attention in the War Department. War-time conditions greatly increase opportunities for this particularly mean type of theft, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that everything possible is being and will be done to check it.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons why considerable delays occur in the delivery of mails to personnel in hospitals in Italy.

When a man is admitted to hospital he may inform his correspondents of his new address. A special card is provided for the purpose. If he cannot do this the hospital lets his unit know where he is and the unit re-directs his letters. This should work smoothly but my hon. Friend will appreciate that enemy action and moves of the unit or the man may upset these arrangements in individual cases and delays may occur. In order to ensure that delay is avoided wherever possible I am having the attention of the military authorities in Italy drawn to the substance of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the indignation caused, in cases of which he has been informed, by his Department taking troops out of their billets and putting them under canvas; and what steps he is taking to re-billet these troops for the rest of the winter.

Every effort is made to avoid accommodating troops under canvas but as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware the pressure on existing accommodation is in general very severe and it is not always possible to avoid it. But I am glad to say that only about 1 per cent. of British troops are at present so accommodated. The cases referred to by my hon. Friend are being investigated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these troops have returned to this country from a hot climate, and that to put them under canvas in cold weather is very severe, whereas troops who have been put in billets ought to carry out their training under cold conditions?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of most of the facts about this, and the only thing I can say is, that to know all would, I think, be to pardon all.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider paying into a suspense account the pay and allowances due in respect of the wives and children of serving soldiers and officers who are civilian internees of the Japanese Government.

I assume the hon. Member refers to the payment of family lodging allowance for officers and family allowance for other ranks in cases where the families are interned by the Japanese. The arrangements in force were described in a reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Petersfield (Sir G. Jeffreys) on 25th January. I need hardly add that the payment of the allowance continues if they can be applied to the maintenance of the families, for example, if they are in this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that in cases where these sums cannot be applied to the use of the family, there is every prospect of the soldier or officer needing to use them when he returns; and is there any reason why the Government should make a profit out of his private affliction?

I do not accept that description of the facts at all. This is a case with a very long history behind it. I am prepared to discuss it with my hon. Friend, but there is another side to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties that senior officers in the Army have had over a period of years in obtaining sympathetic co-operation from the civil side of the War Office administration; and will he consider, in the interests of the Army, of so reorganising his Department that financial decisions within the Department are taken by men who have had active experience of modern Service life.

I cannot for one moment accept the suggestion contained in this Question. From my own knowledge and experience I can say without hesitation that it is quite contrary to the facts. A spirit of collaboration and good will exists, and is recognised by military and civilian staff alike to exist, throughout the office.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that a great deal of the dissatisfaction against the War Office arises as a result of its present lack of internal organisation?

I can only repeat my original answer. My hon. Friend is quite mistaken in supposing that there is a lack of internal organisation. There is extremely good organisation.

Is it not a fact that a high official of the Civil Service is now attached to every Army Command?

Certainly to every Command in this country and to some of those abroad, although I am not quite sure whether to all Commands abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether women crews on London anti-aircraft gun teams are kept on the stations indefinitely, or whether there is a change of station after a period; and, if so, what the period is.

The A.T.S. component of an anti-aircraft battery is an integral part of such a battery and could not be moved by itself without seriously impairing the efficiency of the unit. These units are not stationed anywhere for a specific period but the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, who is naturally concerned with the well-being and efficiency of the troops under his command, can carry out such moves as he considers desirable. Moreover, the war establishment of a mixed anti-aircraft unit allows sufficient reliefs and no member of the A.T.S. need be on duty for two nights running.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of the Army authorities in Italy to furnish supplies to adult virile male Italians who decline, when requested, to do any work to assist our troops.

No, Sir. I am not aware of any such practice.

Is a virile Italian an Italian who is as strong as a bull?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Abbey of Monte Cassino is now occupied by Allied troops.

No, Sir.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what military advantage has accrued from the bombing and shelling of this ancient shrine?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will consider permitting regular soldiers who were enlisted before 1925 and have served for a substantial period of time overseas in this war to elect to be posted to home establishment;

(2) after what period of service overseas in this war regular soldiers, who have served overseas before this war, may claim to be posted to a home establishment.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 22nd February to my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker). Regular soldiers are in this respect subject to the same rules as the rest of the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent the absence of a British tank equal in gun-power to the German "Tiger" has had a deleterious effect on the fighting at the bridgehead; and what steps he proposes to take to repair this defect.

I do not accept the implication contained in the Question, but it would certainly not be in the public interest to give any information about the weapons used in operations which are still in progress, and still less about weapons we may use in the future.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representation from people on the spot that a tank equal to the "Tiger" or "Ferdinand" is really very necessary?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to avoid unnecessary labour in the preparation of educational material for the Services, he will consider pooling the efforts of those engaged in preparing such materials so that, for example, the pamphlets prepared by the Army Education Corps for the "British Way and Purpose" series and by A.B.C.A. can, except where exclusively relevant to the Army, be made available to the responsible officers and group leaders of Civil Defence and of the N.F.S. and through the appropriate organisations for factory and other civilian workers.

The booklets prepared by the Army authorities are intended for the soldier but, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, they are also used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. I am advised that a somewhat different variant would be required for the Civil Defence Services and other civilians. The several Departments concerned will receive copies of these booklets and may of course reproduce any articles which they consider helpful to their work.

Does the "British Way and Purpose" differ as explained to the Armed Forces and to civilians? Considering what admirable material there is in it could it not be more widely used for civilians?

There are a great many points in common with the Armed Forces and civilians. I am advised that special variants are desirable in each case, but I am assured that no great waste of time and labour is caused by catering for these different tastes.

Is the British way and purpose for the people of this country that which was defined by the Home Secretary on Saturday?

I have not had an opportunity of reading my right hon. Friend's speech.

With your permisson, Mr. Speaker, I should like to read the answer which I should have given to Question 43 if it had been called, because it is a matter of some interest.

On a point of Order. I just want to get clear on this procedure. The Minister has said that although the Question has not been called, he wants to read the answer, because it is important. Will a Member whose Question has not, been called, be allowed to put that Question at the finish, in the same circumstances? Can a Member approach you, and have this procedure the other way round?

No, I could not allow a Member, who had not been here in person to ask his Question, to do so later, simply because he thought his own Question important. It is a matter within the discretion of the Minister concerned, subject to my consent.

If he satisfied you of its importance, could he not put it?

This Question relates to the supply of clothing to soldiers on demobilisation, and the reason for my asking permission to give the answer now, which I would have given had the Question been asked, will be quite clear when I have given that answer. The answer is: This matter is not yet sufficiently advanced for a comprehensive statement to be made. I feel, however, that it may interest Members of Parliament to see a demonstration of the clothing which will be issued on demobilisation, and of the method of issuing it. I am therefore making arrangements for this demonstration to be held at Olympia next Tuesday, 14th March, between the hours of 10 and 12 and 3 and 6. I should be obliged if Members who wish to go would get in touch with my private office.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the explanation, may I ask what is the actual obstruction between the War Office and the Treasury as to the ratio of money allowed to be spent by the War Office on equipping demobilised soldiers on discharge?

There is no obstruction on anybody's part. The scheme is in complete working order. As I say, I am not in a position to make a final and comprehensive statement, but I suggest that the hon. Member should go to the demonstration. He will then see for himself.

I shall be delighted.

Is the Minister aware that there is a case in which a man was discharged without any civilian clothing, and that he cannot get a job because he has only his uniform, and is therefore refused unemployment benefit because he cannot take a job offered?

That must be a very special case and I am quite prepared to look into it, if the hon. Member will send me particulars of it. It is not in accordance with the normal practice.

Cannot a suit be exhibited in the House? Is the journey to Olympia really necessary?

Would it not be helpful if the Minister would put on one of these suits?

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the rate of civilian wage that was taken in August, 1942, in making the comparison in Cmd. 6385 between Army pay and civilian wages; and whether he has obtained any comparative figure of current civilian wages.

I think my hon. Friend will find that no comparison such as is suggested in the first part of his Question was, in fact, made. As to the second part of his Question, figures of civilian wages are published from time to time in the Ministry of Labour Gazette but in the Government's view no valid comparison can be made between such wages and the emoluments of soldiers.

asked the Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to implement the promised investigation into Army pay and allowances; what will be the constitution of the group to be invited to discuss the problem; and have any invitations yet been extended.

No, Sir. I have no new statement to make. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House suggested last week that the same kind of informal discussion which took place in 1942 might be repeated. Arrangements to give effect to this undertaking, subject to the reservation set forth by my right hon. Friend, will be made through the usual channels.

In addition to the orthodox representatives of parties who will take part in these conversations, will my hon. Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Kendall) be called in on behalf of the Independants?

I think I had better leave the arrangements to be made through the usual channels.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that the question of an increase in basic pay will also be considered by this informal committee?

My hon. and gallant Friend must study carefully the record in the OFFICIAL REPORT of what my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the discussions will embrace all three Services?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any means whereby I can find myself sailing through the usual channels?

The hon. Gentleman is in a unique position. I can only suggest recourse through the usual channels.

Are we to take it that all that happened last Thursday has had no effect on the mind of the Leader of the House, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and that we are still restricted to the narrow terms of what the Leader of the House said on that occasion?

I have already given an answer to the Question that was asked and I am not prepared to submit myself to interrogation as to my mental state.

Is it not the case that the Leader of the House, while making no commitment, accepted the view of the House that basic pay should be considered?

My right hon. Friend's remarks are on record but I certainly do not think it at all likely that a fundamental change will be made in basic rates of pay.

I do not ask for any commitment. All I am asking is whether it is the intention of the Government to permit those who speak for bodies or individuals to raise their points about basic pay. It would be absurd to ask for any commitment but my right hon. Friend has said that these matters would not be ruled out from consultation.

Nothing that I have ever heard of prevents any Member of Parliament discussing any topic in an interview which is amicably arranged.

If there is a general consensus of opinion that the question of basic pay should be considered by the Government may we understand that it will not be ignored?

All kinds of matters are constantly being considered by the Government. They have a great responsibility. There are very large issues which may have to be considered on such subjects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the fact that the continual pressure that has had to be exercised by the House of Commons in order to obtain financial concessions sions for the Services and their families has created a widespread feeling that their interests from a financial point of view are less well protected than those in civilian life, he will give an assurance that in future, when increases of wages and bonuses are awarded to civil servants or the industrial community to meet increases in the cost of living, an automatic equivalent increase will accrue to members of the Services.

No, Sir. I cannot accept the premises on which the hon. Lady's Question is based. As has been pointed out on many occasions, there are many factors which tend to vitiate any comparison between civilian salaries or wages and the remuneration of members of the Services; and, in particular, the fact that so much is provided for members of the Services in kind would rule out any plan for an automatic equivalent increase as suggested in the last part of the Question.

Is it not a fact that the cost of living affects the dependants of the Servicemen in identically the same way as the civilian population? Cannot this question be considered by the committee which will be investigating the pay of the Services?

It is the sort of question that might be raised.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether he is aware that the net marriage allowance for a wife paid to commanders and lieutenant-commanders is less than that paid to an able seaman; and if he will take steps to remedy the position of these officers;

(2) the total cost of officers' marriage allowance; what amount of this cost is borne by the officers themselves due to having their basic rate of pay reduced by 2s. a day in the case of lieutenant-commanders and above and up to 1s. 8d. a day in the case of commissioned warrant officers according to their seniority;

(3) whether he is aware that in the case of a lieutenant with a wife and two children, under the revised marriage allowance, when he is promoted to lieutenant-commander he loses 3s. net a day, 1s. on account of the children's allowance and 2s. a day due to his basic rate of pay being reduced by that amount as his contribution towards paying for the marriage allowance scheme; and if he will take steps to have this hardship remedied.

As the answer is a long one, I will, if my hon. and gallant Friend agrees, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, under the revised rate, all officers of the ranks of lieutenant-commander and up to and including captain, receive in marriage allowance a net 4s. a week less than an able seaman; and does he consider that that state of affairs should continue?

I cannot accept the accuracy of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, but perhaps he will await my reply, which is very full and will be available to him as soon as Question Time is over.

Will not my hon. Friend accept the statement that, owing to the marriage allowance scheme, these officers have had their pay cut by 25. a day, and that, therefore, my statement is correct?

I am afraid that I must again ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await my reply. I deal with that very point in it.

Can we take it for granted that the hon. Gentleman will not inform the hon. and gallant Member that there is a danger of inflation if these allowances are increased?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that the Government continues to be committed to the British currency declaration, of July, 1933; and will he give an undertaking that no material change will be made in the terms of the declaration without this House being consulted.

As stated by my predecessor on 11th March, 1943, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend, the British Empire Currency Declaration of July, 1933, could not, without material modification, be regarded as applicable to the facts of the present ime. In reply to the second part of the Question, I have on several occasions stated that no decisions in regard to post-war monetary policy will be reached without full discussion in this House.

Are we to understand from that reply that the currency declaration is only suspended?

The House is to understand exactly what I said.

Are we to understand that there has not already been a merging of minds in America on this matter?

That is not in the Queston.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if we are still committed to the Tripartite Agreement of September, 1936, since France, one of the parties to the agreement, capitulated.

The so-called "Tripartite Agreement" of September, 1936, took the form of parallel statements issued simultaneously by His Majesty's Government, the United States Government, and the French Government. In the British statement H.M. Government pointed out that they must in their policy towards international monetary relations take into full account the requirements of internal prosperity of the countries of the Empire. The statement then re-affirmed the purpose of H.M. Government to continue the policy previously pursued

"one constant object of which is to maintain the greatest equilibrium in the system of international exchanges and to avoid to the utmost extent the creation of any disturbance of that system by British monetary action."

The statement went on to express the conviction of H.M. Government that

"the continuation of this twofold policy will serve the general purpose which all Governments should pursue."

I think the above principles hold good in the circumstances of the present time and they will continue to govern our policy.

Is it not a fact that under this tripartite agreement the United States deliberately kept the dollar undervalued at the expense of British exports? In these conditions should the agreement not be terminated?

That is the sort of question that ought to be seen on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether consideration will be given to priority in liquidation to those holding National Savings Certificates if an undertaking to use the proceeds in the purchase of a newly-built house accompanies such application to repay.

No, Sir. Any holder of National Savings Certificates who is over seven years of age has a right to encash his certificates at any time, with the single exception that certificates of the £1 issue are not encashable within 90 days of the date of purchase. There can be no question of qualifying these encashment rights. It would be out of the question for the State to dishonour its loans by making their repayment subject to conditions not provided in the terms on which the loans were issued to the public.

If the replacement of these savings certificates should, in fact, cause inflation, do the Government intend to take no action at all; and would it not be in the interest of the country for these people to spend the money in providing homes for themselves?

That is a hypothetical question. The Government intend to stand strictly by their obligations.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply apply not merely to war certificates specified in the Question but to all Government loans?

It applies generally. The terms on which loans have been raised will he adhered to.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the feeling in the country for an increase in the basic rate of old age pensions; and if provision will be made for it in the forthcoming Financial Statement; the Budget, in April.

I am aware of the feeling to which the hon. Member refers but, as the House has already been informed, the whole matter of old age pensions is under consideration as part of the Beveridge Report and I cannot anticipate the conclusions which will be reached.

If there is no change in the forthcoming Budget Statement, there will be a fight on the question when the time comes.

Is there any estimate of the number of the people concerned, who are in employment and earning handsome wages?

It would be difficult to say offhand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the new financial commitments incurred since the outbreak of war, he will consider the publication of a future normal Budget, similar to that issued by his predecessor a quarter of a century ago, so that the House and the country may be able to consider objectively any future legislation involving large expenditure.

At an appropriate time I shall be glad to give the House all the estimates I can of our probable revenue and expenditure after the war. At the moment it would be premature for me to attempt to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, with a view to not impeding the plastic industry and assisting our export trade, removing the tax on the raw materials used in the process of manufacture.

Yes, Sir. This question shall receive due consideration. It is a complex problem; and I do not expect that it will be possible to reach an early decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware that children of from five to 11 years of age have to walk three miles, wet or fine, from Muirshearlich to Banavie school along an exposed road; and in view of the fact that no drying accommodation for clothing is available at that school will he institute an omnibus service to take children to and from school;

(2) if he is aware that the school at Banavie is over 100 years old and that the lavatory accommodation there is insanitary and not up to modem standards; and if he will take steps to see that this and other defects in the school buildings are thoroughly remedied.

Inverness-shire Education Authority do not normally accept responsibility for the conveyance of children residing, as the Muirshearlich children do, at a distance of less than three miles from the nearest school. The authority have, however, endeavoured to arrange for a bus service for children attending Banavie School from Muirshearlich, but I am informed that no local contractor is able to provide a service. The education authority were prepared in 1939 to build a new school at Banavie, but unfortunately the outbreak of war prevented the scheme from being carried out. The Scottish Education Department are in correspondence with the Education Authority regarding conditions at the school, and while I do not think that large expenditure on the existing buildings would be justified at this stage, the Department will give favourable consideration to any proposals which will effect a temporary improvement.

Will the Department urge on authorities that this temporary improvement should be made in view of the bad conditions that exist?

That is implied in my answer.

Is the excuse given by the education authority that a contractor cannot be found considered sufficient to allow the authority to contract out of their obligation to convey the children to school?

I am afraid I did not follow my hon. Friend's Question. The point is that the local authority have been unable to secure local contractors to provide a service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what complaints he has received showing the resentment felt in the N.F.S. as a result of criticisms reflecting upon the quality and efficiency of the service in Dundee; and what action he is taking to allay this resentment and to restore public confidence in the N.F.S. in that city.

My attention has been directed to Press reports of a statement made by a member of the Lord Provost's Committee of the Corporation of Dundee reflecting upon the quality of the Fire Service personnel, and I have received representations showing that resentment has been aroused in the service as a result. My inspectors and I have every confidence in the general efficiency of the National Fire Service in Scotland and I hope that this assurance will remove any misapprehension resulting from the statement referred to in the Question.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to any instance in which any branch of the N.F.S. has failed to carry out its duties efficiently?

No, Sir.