asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when officers are transferred compulsorily from the R.A.S.C., Royal Corps of Signals or R.A.O.C. to the infantry, they lose the corps pay to which they were entitled before transfer.

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that every effort is made to avoid such transfers, if only because a trained officer in one of the corps mentioned has to be re-trained before he can be posted to an infantry unit. When it is necessary for military reasons to carry them out the officers concerned lose the corps pay which they previously earned on account of the employment of their specialist knowledge in the Corps. I regret this but any other course would clearly be unfair to other infantry officers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is a hardship on those officers who have made themselves efficient in one arm, to be transferred against their will to another arm, where the pay is not the same?

I certainly think that every possible course has its disadvantages and difficulties. I hope that the course that we have taken is the one which creates the least anomalies.

Is the Minister aware that when anti-aircraft officers were transferred from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Artillery they continued to draw their Engineers Corps pay?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the many complaints of the rifling of the kits of dead officers in the Mediterranean theatre of war when these kits have been packed for consignment to their relatives at home; and who is responsible for the care of such kits up to the time of their being loaded on board ship.

Yes, Sir. I am aware that such complaints have been made. The military authorities in the Mediterranean theatre are investigating the position.

Will the Minister urge upon the military authorities to take more drastic steps? Will he ask them to investigate the position and to deal effectively with those responsible?

Yes, Sir. I was aware of some of the steps which the military authorities were taking when I was out there. The real trouble in this matter is that there are not enough troops to provide the guards and police in the number necessary to ensure that this sort of thing does not happen.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the medals won by the late Sergeant A. J. Taber, of the 11th Hussars, have been sent to his father, whom he had not seen since the age of eight years, instead of to his mother who cared for and supported him and whose name he gave as his next-of-kin.

Medals and decorations are part of the estate of deceased soldiers. This soldier died intestate and in such cases the father, under the Regimental Debts Act, takes precedence of the mother as the person entitled to the estate. This legal position is not altered by the fact that the soldier gave his mother's name as that of his next-of-kin.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, where the parents are separated and one parent has had sole charge of the child since early youth, that parent should be regarded as the natural kin, especially in view of the very prevalent rumour that mothers do make some substantial contribution to the production of the child?

I am sure the hon. Lady would not have me break the law, and, without breaking the law, I do not know of anything that I can do about it.

Would the position have been altered if the soldier made his will in Army Book 64?

That was intended to be the sense of my answer. This trouble has arisen because the soldier died intestate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if the law is as he says, it is inconsistent with the spirit of the law as applied to civilians, because, under the Custody of Infants Act, 1925, it is laid down that, where there is a quarrel between husband and wife, in all cases affecting the children, the matter should not be regarded as one between husband and wife, but should be settled solely with regard to the interests of the children?

I am very grateful for that information, but the law as regards the soldier is as I have stated it.

Will it be possible for the notice of the soldier to be called to the law, so that in similar cases soldiers can take action?

We have repeatedly sent round instructions that the attention of soldiers proceeding overseas should be called to the extreme desirability of making a will in Army Book 64.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps it is proposed to take to control prices of food produced in occupied Italy and Sicily; and on what date the controls will start to operate.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for The High Peak (Mr. Molson) on 23rd November. The necessary proclamations were made shortly after our forces had landed. There is, however, an extensive black market and my hon. Friend will appreciate how difficult it is to enforce such controls in communities which for years have preferred to buy and sell in black markets to having recourse to tribunals and police to enforce their rights.

Will the Minister not institute proceedings to point out to our co-belligerents that we regard these practices as peculiarly nauseating?

I will do everything within the limits of what is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether recent divisional instructions that personnel whose inoculations or vaccination have not been, completed will not be granted leave, includes soldiers who have refused vaccination in accordance with Section 18, note 5, of the Army Act.

It may happen—particularly overseas—that smallpox has broken out in the parts of the country where troops spend their leave and, in the interests of the health of the others, it may then be necessary to stop men who have not been vaccinated, and who are therefore more liable to contract smallpox, from visiting those areas. But if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of where the instructions he refers to were issued I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the epidemic of malarial fever in Upper Egypt has spread to any troops stationed there; and what prophylactic measures it has been possible to take to deal with this.

The measures taken by the Army against malaria have on the whole proved successful and the recent epidemics have been confined to the civil population. The Army is helping the Egyptian Government in a number of ways.

Can the Minister say whether an investigation is to be made into the reasons for this severe and unusual epidemic, and the means of preventing it arising again?

I do not think that question falls to me. It is for the Egyptian Government to investigate those causes. If the hon. Member wants to know something of those causes, he should put a Question to the Foreign Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will now consider the grant of pre-natal allowances to the wives of junior officers, as in the case of the wives of other ranks.

This question will no doubt be raised in the discussions now proceeding on Service pay and allowances.

Would the Minister say how such anomalies are to be brought to the notice of that committee?

Is not the hon. and gallant Member one of the panel which is discussing the matter?—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider instituting a uniform rate of pay for cadets, commensurate with their standing and responsibilities as future officers.

This question is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many women offered their services to the Home Guard up to 31st December, 1943; and how many have resigned since that date.

It would be contrary to the usual practice in such cases to give figures but there were three times as many women nominated for service with the Home Guard at the end of December as at the end of June, 1943, and the number has continued to increase. I regret that the figures asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend in the second part of his Question are not available.

Is the Minister aware that, if the War Office took more sympathetic action towards these women, and provided them with adequate uniform and a better status, the volunteers would be greater and the resignations fewer?

I cannot believe that the absence of a uniform is the dominant consideration, when it is a question of these women giving of their best.

Is it against the law for women in the Home Guard to wear uniform, because, if so, many are doing it?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that Question down.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to secure the success of the "Salute the Soldier" Week, he will authorise military bands to escort marching troops throughout those cities and towns where the demonstrations are taking place.

Yes, Sir. A special instruction has been issued that bands shall give the calls of the "Salute the Soldier" campaign priority over their other engagements.

Is the Minister aware of the pleasurable shock which I have received on getting that sympathetic reply?

It shows, if I may say so without offence, how extremely unobservant the hon, and gallant Member is.

Do we understand that we are to march troops up and down, through the streets, and parade them, and do all that sort of thing, without consulting the men? Have they not enough duties imposed on them as it is? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh"]. Hon. Members may say "Oh" as much as they like, but that is the case.

This refers to regimental bands.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, more important than bands, would be a substantial increase in the soldiers' allowances?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise the grant of two free travel warrants to enable near relations to visit sick or wounded soldier relatives who, although not dangerously ill, are likely to be retained in hospital for an extended period after having returned from long periods of service overseas.

Wounded and sick soldiers from abroad are sent to hospitals as near their homes as possible. If they are dangerously ill their relatives are given free travel warrants to visit them. Otherwise the relatives pay single fare for a return ticket. These rules apply in the three Services and I regret that I am not in a position to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these soldiers, because of their service overseas, have not had the same opportunity of getting free travel warrants and leave as others serving at home; and, in view of their extended detention in hospitals over here, could he not stretch a point and give relatives an opportunity of travelling to see their sick or wounded men, free of cost?

If the soldiers are dangerously ill, free warrants are issued and If they are not dangerously ill, concession warrants are given. I should think that that is not bad treatment.

Can my right hon. Friend arrange to give tickets instead of warrants, in order to eliminate the queues at booking offices?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the Middle East contractor cinemas often exhibit to the troops very undesirable films; that they charge higher admission fees than is necessary and though rebates are made this makes the troops pay for their own welfare; and will he consider buying out the contractor cinemas and placing the whole of the film distribution for the troops in the hands of E.N.S.A.

The cinema shows given by the contractors in Egypt are undoubtedly inferior in quality to the shows given by E.N.S.A. though there is no evidence that they are otherwise undesirable. The prices charged for them are higher than E.N.S.A.'s. The possibility of acquiring the circuit of the principal contractor has been considered, but it is unlikely that he will sell at a price which could be called reasonable.

Will my right hon. Friend negotiate with the Treasury in the interests of the soldiers?

I am not going to ask anyone to pay blackmail to a cinema proprietor in Cairo.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it is not permitted for soldiers to use their free-travel vouchers to visit Luxor when members of the R.A.F. are so permitted; and will he take steps to abolish this anomaly.

My hon. Friend is, I think, misinformed. The free vouchers are granted for a journey to the nearest suitable leave centre and soldiers may go to Luxor if this is the nearest centre. I understand that similar rules apply to members of the R.A.F.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that when I was there that was not so?

This is not the first time that I have had a dispute with the hon. Lady on a question of fact.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is not the first time that I have been right and he has been wrong?

That is an additional cause for disagreement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow the hon. Lady to have the last word?

At any rate, the right hon. Gentleman has had the last word.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the future, soldiers will be allowed to wear a collar and tie in order to place them on terms of equality with the airmen.

Whatever the merits of a change of this kind may be, I do not think that this is a suitable time to consider it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a very real grievance?

I am aware of a lot of other considerations in connection with the immediate future.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to ensure that, when troops return from hot climates overseas, during the cold weather period, they are placed in billets rather than under canvas.

Instructions have already been issued to ensure that, wherever possible, troops who have just returned from overseas should be put into winter accommodation rather than into tents, and I am glad to say that in most cases it has been possible to avoid accommodating them in tents.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that reply will give considerable satisfaction in the many quarters where people, who have recently returned from hot climates, have been put under canvas?

I think I told my hon. Friend, in reply to a previous question, that the number of people concerned is only 1 per cent, of the whole, and moreover, some of these people who have returned from hot climates, have returned by way of the snow-clad mountains of Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider providing a choice of civilian clothing for women, as well as for men, on demobilisation from the Services; and if he will arrange an exhibition of the sample clothing.

The women in the Services present a somewhat different problem from that of the men. It is considered to be impossible, to provide an appropriate range of women's clothing of sufficient variety to satisfy feminine taste, and it has, accordingly, been decided in their case, to make an issue of coupons and cash, the cash grant to be based upon & fair retail price of a suitable outfit on the same general lines as that provided for the men.

Is the Minister aware that it would be of great help to thousands of Service women, if some well-designed clothes could be ready for them to choose from at the end of the war?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the proposals of the Lerwick Harbour Trust for the reconstruction of the fishing industry and the proposals sent to him from the local Labour Party for the rural reconstruction of Shetland; and what action he intends taking to deal with these reports.

The proposals of the harbour trustees have been referred to the Council on Industry, and are presently being considered by the Council's two Committees on Canning and on the White Fish Industry in Scotland, the further proposals to which my hon. Friend refers have not yet reached me, although I have seen references to them in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the composition of the special inquiry being made by the Scientific Advisory Committee into neo-natal mortality; whether the personnel conducting this inquiry will include scientists other than medical officers; whether it will have facilities to visit places in the British Isles and elsewhere; and whether it will be instructed to take into consideration latest developments into the U.S.A. and comparable areas with low infant mortality rates.

I have asked the Scientific Advisory Committee

"to consider the factors specially responsible for that part of infant mortality attributable to infections, with particular reference to the first month of life, and to suggest means for reducing mortality from this cause."

The personnel making this inquiry and the manner in which it should be conducted are for the Committee to decide, but I have no doubt that all relevant information, including experience and developments elsewhere, will be carefully weighed.

In view of the fact that the committee selected for the last inquiry into infant mortality was restricted to medical officers, will my right hon. Friend see to it that the next inquiry embraces a much wider field?

It is not quite correct to say that the previous inquiry was restricted to medical officers alone.

In view of the fact that asphyxia is one of the commonest causes of neo-natal deaths and is frequently brought on by chloroform and "twilight sleep," would the right hon. Gentleman impress upon his Advisory Committee that child birth, normally, is a natural phenomenon, and not an artificial condition or disease?

I should like to see that Question on the Paper.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman see to it that there are on that Committee wise, sensible and intelligent women, and not medical men, who do not know what well people look like?

The Noble Lady has, no doubt, been misinformed. There were several well qualified women on the Committee.

There were very few, comparatively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to publish the report on the design and layout of houses in Scotland.

This Report by the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee is being published by the Stationery Office on 24th March.

Could my right hon. Friend give us some indication of the kind of report it will be, and whether there is to be any Press or other publicity to popularise its sale?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1), if his Department indicated to the national coal-owners representatives, prior to district negotiations on the Porter anomalies, that the Government would not provide the money to meet any increase in wages above the Porter Award; and the dates and forms of such intimations;

(2), if any special steps were taken to inform any of the district coalowners that the Government would not provide the money for any offers of wages increases above the Porter Award after 7th February; and, if so, what was the nature of such steps.

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the reply I gave on 7th March to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Colegate). On 3rd February, 1944, a deputation representing the Min- ing Association was informed by my officials that no undertaking could be given that the cost of adjusting the so-called "anomalies" arising out of the Porter Award would be paid from the Coal Charges Account and on the morning of 4th February, 1944, I confirmed this statement to the President and Director of the Mining Association. I understand that district negotiations on these so-called "anomalies" took place after 4th February, 1944. The results of these negotiations were not communicated to me directly but reports as to their extent reached my Department and on the morning of 10th February a further intimation of the Government's attitude was made verbally by my officials to the Director of the Mining Association. I am informed that some district negotiations took place subsequently thereto. It is not customary to make direct communications to district colliery owners on matters which are considered between the Ministry and the national body acting on their behalf and no such communication was made on this occasion.

While thanking the Minister for that clarification, may I ask whether he is not aware that the coalowners, in negotiating their generous offers in the districts, at the expense of the Government, actually led the miners up the path and were responsible for the position which arose in South Wales last week?

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the fact that the offer made by the coalowners and put before the men, and then withdrawn, is very largely responsible for the unfortunate position in South Wales now; and what steps does he propose to take to avoid any such action being taken by coalowners in the future?

Is the Minister aware that this does not apply only to South Wales and that negotiations and offers were made in other parts of the coalfields?

Answer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has any estimate of the annual cost of the offer made by the coalowners in the districts to increase wages above the Porter minimum on the condition that the Government would allow the charge to fall upon the Coal Charges Fund.

I have not received particulars of all the offers made and therefore have no means of estimating the cost accurately. Such particulars as reached -me made it clear that the probable cost would have substantially exceeded the cost of implementing the minimum wage award, which is estimated to be about £5,000,000 per annum.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that statements have been made that the South Wales coal-owners offered an increased percentage in the region of 15 per cent., subject to the money being obtained from the Coal Charges Fund?

I did hear that, and if my hon. Friend will look at the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards), he will see what information I got. I repeat, and much more clearly, that the Government could not be responsible for this. It was on a statement of that character that that remark was made. I could not say what the figure would be, but it would be very considerably in excess of £5,000,000.

In that connection, what was the extent of the offer in Northumberland on the negotiations which took place, after the Minister's information to the Press?

Those figures have not been forwarded to me yet.

Is it not remarkable that the Ministry has no knowledge of what is actually going on as regards these negotiations? In reply to Questions the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has, more than once, said that these negotiations proceed, and that sometimes his Department gets information but cannot enforce it. Surely he ought to have the power to enforce it.

My hon. Friend ought to be well aware that my Ministry does not take part in wages negotiations, and that unless I get information from either side or both sides, I have no accurate information.

Are we to understand from that reply, that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is to keep a close watch on any future frame-ups between the Miners' Federation and the Mine-workers' Association?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the offer' made by the coalowners to the men was on those conditions? Do I understand clearly that the owners were told well beforehand that the money could not be recovered from the Coal Charges Fund?

The actual position was that the Government were asked to guarantee that any arrangements come to would be met out of the Coal Charges Fund, and I took the view that neither this Government, nor any other Government, could guarantee payments on an arrangement which they had not seen. I made it perfectly plain that under no circumstances could I possibly give any such guarantee.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider the advisability of taking over full control of those undertakings in the mining industry which have become necessitous under the Coal Charges Fund Order, 1942, in the national interest and for the maximum production of coal.

No, Sir, but the Group Production Directors who are now being appointed under my scheme for improved operational control, are being instructed to pay special attention to undertakings which receive financial assistance under the Necessitous Pits Scheme.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that there are 84 necessitous undertakings in the industry being subsidised by public money from the Coal Charges Fund? Is he not also aware that when a colliery becomes a necessitous undertaking, the incentive to produce the maximum amount of coal ceases to exist? In view of the fact that the man at the face is being offered a bonus, or an increase in piece Tate to produce the maximum amount of coal, should not something be done with the coalowners? What does the Minister propose to do?

I have indicated that the most important thing in any necessitous undertaking is supervision, and that, I hope, will be greatly improved and strengthened by the proposals now operating.

In view of the policy of appointing new Group Production Directors, which was announced three months ago, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why it has not been put into operation?

That is not so. In some areas, of course, the proposals are not in operation but I have to get the best available people. There is no reservoir, as my hon. Friend knows, from which we can draw.

If the industry were nationalised, would they not all become necessitous undertakings?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that Mr. Alfred Hall, a coalcutter, who worked at Roddymoor Colliery, County Durham, until owing to eye trouble he became unable to continue his employment, was later certified fit for light work but unable to get it; that he then became an air-raid warden, later joining the Navy and serving for three years; that the Admiralty have granted Mr. Hall his release to return to the mines, passing him Grade I, that the colliery say they have no pit room for him after 16 years of good service; and will he take steps to enable this man to produce coal which the country so much needs.

I am making inquiries and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures showing the percentage of piece-rate workers on coal as compared to other underground workers; and will he give separate figures for Lancashire.

I regret that this information is not at present available.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman try to get that in view of the increase?

I am already taking steps to get it. We have got rough information; I am taking steps to get the most detailed information possible.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the Regional Controllers issue a statement each month giving this information? Now the Minister says he has not got it.

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I can tell him now, approximately, what the figures are. For instance, we know that face workers approximate to pieceworkers, but there are some face workers who are not pieceworkers, and there are some pieceworkers who are not face workers.

Is it not a fact that the percentage of workers on piece rates is, approximately, about 25 per cent, of the total personnel?

If I repeat the Question again, soon, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman try to reply to it?

I believe one-third of the workers on the face are pieceworkers, but that is only approximate.

But they are not on piece rates.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power upon what basis the Government's policy for the erection of plant for producing oil from coal and synthetic fuel was settled; and will be issue a White Paper giving the full facts and a report of the consultations and negotiations that took place.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the Falmouth Committee, issued in 1938, which was an important element in determining the Government's pre-war policy in these matters. During the war the production and use of liquid products from coal carbonisation have been developed to the fullest possible extent.

On that important issue, has it not been proved that I.C.I, and I.G. Germany, and several other oil companies, arrived at an agreement with a view to allocating world markets? If so, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether any representatives of the I.C.I, will be responsible for advising the Government in connection with this matter?

I could not reply to that question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to ensure that those independent traders who are now in the Forces shall be given a fair chance of re-entry into the retail trade on demobilisation.

As I have previously stated, licences will be granted, as a matter of course, to ex-Servicemen on the Board of Trade's Register for Retail Traders, who wish to re-establish themselves in their former businesses after the war. As I have also stated, special steps have been taken, at my request, to bring the Register to the notice of men serving in His Majesty's Forces, both at home and overseas.

But can my right hon. Friend say whether these steps have been successful? All the persons concerned know their rights.

It is not my fault; I have taken every step open to me and I have no reason to doubt that the register is widely known.

Is there any discrimination between ex-Servicemen and small traders whose shops have been closed and who have been directed to munitions work? Why should they not have the same privileges as ex-Servicemen?

The Question I was asked had to do with men returning after demobilisation. It relates to ex-Servicemen but facilities are extended, under the register, to other small traders who have withdrawn during the war. There is no discrimination.

Would not demobilisation apply equally to those who have had their shops closed and who have been directed to other work under the Essential Work Order?

Yes, Sir, but there is no such discrimination as my hon. Friend apprehends. I have tried to make that clear in previous statements to the House. This register is for the benefit of all traders who have withdrawn owing to war conditions.

Will licences be granted exclusively under the supervision of the Board of Trade or will there be an independent body of experts and people of understanding which will be consulted?

We already have a system of committees, and my hon. Friend will no doubt be familiar with it. In general, these things are handled by the local price regulation committees, on which sit many people of understanding. It is not intended to disturb this arrangement.

Will my right hon. Friend do everything possible to assure, whether by machinery or by the spirit fortifying his conduct in this matter, to see that independent persons who wish to resume trade, whatever our views may be about that, should have the right to do so irrespective of the existence of the monopolistic undertakings?

Certainly. This plan is not designed to protect the monopolists at all. As I have already said, persons on this register, which has been drawn up by the Board of Trade, will be entitled to have licences as of course and as of right when they come back from the Forces.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that frequently there are on the local price regulation committees people who will be competing with those who want to resume trade? These people are not always the fairest-minded and will my right hon. Friend consider the appointment of an independent body rather than this system of one trader against another?

I cannot accept the statement that the local price regulation committees are not well-manned. They are doing their work exceedingly well. If you have persons drawn from various sections of the community a number will have a bias but I hope that one bias will balance another.

Are these committees empowered to refuse licences without assigning a reason?

No, Sir, they always assign reasons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a White Paper giving the number of pre-war German patents that we are using in this war and giving a full report of the consultations and negotiations that took place over the British loan to facilitate trade in 1937, 1938 and 1939.

In addition to enemy-owned patents now being used by Government Departments, licences have been granted, during the war, in respect of more than 1,000 German-owned patents for commercial purposes, and more than 1,000 others are probably toeing worked here under pre-war licences. I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind in the second part of his Question.

In regard to German patents, is it the Government's policy to see that not a penny should be allowed to go to German interests after this war? In view of the indictment which has been built up against the powerful interests connected with this matter is it the Government's intention to have a full public inquiry?

The payment of royalties is very simple. No royalties are being paid in respect of any enemy-owned patent being operated by the Government. With regard to private interests payments are made to the Custodian of Enemy Property and the disposition of these moneys will be determined in the peace treaties.

Will my right hon. Friend give an unequivocal answer to my Question? Is it the intention of the Government to allow one penny piece to be paid to any German or subsidiary interests after this war?

The Government have taken no decision which would lead to any such payments being made.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the responsible authorities in the Cabinet in order that an unequivocal statement can be made with regard to this matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that all public companies shall show in their published annual balance sheets, separ- ately, all payments and amounts reserved on account of taxation, including Excess Profits Tax.

I will bring this suggestion to the notice of Mr. Justice Cohen's Committee on Company Law Amendment.

In the meantime cannot the right hon. Gentleman ensure that public companies shall show these figures in their annual balance sheets?

I have no powers to prescribe any additional information being given. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have appointed a committee under a judge of the High Court. They are investigating the whole matter and I do not want to begin butting in until I get their Report. As I have said, I will draw then-attention to the suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the present regulations governing dealings in second-hand furniture tend to encourage an undue increase in the selling price of such goods at a time when they are in urgent demand; and if he will consider suitable amendment.

I hope soon to announce new arrangements for the control of these prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the widespread public dissatisfaction with the laundry industry and delays in deliveries causing hardships to housewives and their families; and what steps he proposes to remedy this state of affairs.

With a much reduced labour force, the laundries have to handle a greatly increased volume of work from the civilians and from the Fighting Services. In these circumstances, I regret that delays in deliveries are inevitable, but I am doing all I can, by spreading the Forces' work over as wide an area as possible, to maintain a satisfactory laundry service.

Could my right hon. Friend use his good offices with the laundries of this country in order to prevent our shirts being torn to pieces?

Is the light hon. Gentleman aware that the laundry industry is being crippled by the call-up?

If it were not for the call-up the war effort would be crippled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Corrigendum to the Emergency Powers (Defence) Apparel and Textiles (Utility Apparel-Overalls) Order, S.R. & O., No. 157, of 1944, represents a new decision or corrects a clerical error; and, if the latter, will he give an undertaking that there shall be no proceedings instituted in respect of alleged offences committed between 24th February, when the Order was placed in the Library of this House, and 8th March, when the Corrigendum slip was placed in the Library, so far as the particular item is concerned that was altered.

I am glad to be able to give my hon. and gallant Friend the assurance for which he asks. There is no new decision and the correct price is six and threepence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider allowing a reasonable number of clothing coupons to other ranks of the armed forces returning home after a substantial period of service overseas in order to enable them to replace garments, additional to service issue, which have been lost or become worn out during such service abroad.

I have made arrangements to enable members of the Forces to replace, up to a reasonable standard, civilian clothing which has been lost or destroyed. These arrangements apply to members of the Forces returning from overseas.

Would the concession include coupons to replace pyjamas?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that bodies for motor-lorries must now be made of such kinds of wood as are available rather than suitable and as this often results in a total weight of vehicle carrying an additional annual tax which continues for the life of the vehicle, he will consider levying taxation on such vehicles on a basis of maximum pay-load rather than on total unladen weight.

The taxation of goods vehicles by reference to carrying capacity gives rise to serious practical difficulties, and I fear that it would not be possible, at any rate in present conditions, to give effect to my hon. Friend's proposal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fact that wood suitable for body construction is not available necessarily entails using much heavier quantities of wood, and that is imposing hardship on those who build bodies for new lorries?

I believe the hon. and gallant Member is perfectly right in what he says about the effect of using alternative materials, but there would be very serious practical difficulties in making a change.

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman himself is giving his attention to the matter?

Yes, I have been giving it personal attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider setting up an inter-departmental committee, under independent chairmanship, to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the administration and practice of existing patent laws and the effect of taxation on royalties in retarding the inventive activities and expenditure on research, both by individuals and groups; to arrange in certain directions of national importance, for war and peace,, some State aid and encouragement for stimulating further industrial research; and to hear the suggestions of interested persons.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on 14th March. With regard to taxation, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Etherton) on 2nd November last. From these replies it will be seen that these matters are under consideration, as is also the general question of State aid and encouragement for research and invention.

Is it also intended to have a full inquiry into the pre-war arrangements and ramifications of the whole of the big monopolies of the country?

Perhaps that question should be put to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the policy of tax deduction under Pay-as-you-Earn, it is proposed to continue the issue of 3 per cent. Defence Bonds, third issue, upon which the interest is payable half-yearly without deduction of tax.

Yes, Sir. The introduction of the "Pay-as-you-Earn" scheme does not call for any alteration in the arrangement whereby interest on 3 per cent. Defence Bonds is payable without deduction of tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when disability benefits are received by a tax payer for a continuous period, exceeding 12 months under an insurance policy taken out to cover sickness or accident, it is the practice of the Inland Revenue Department to raise income tax assessments after that period, in full, and with out any deduction for expenses necessarily incurred by reason of the disability.