asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that John Mathieson, 135, Cumberland Street, Glasgow, was knocked down, on the night of 16th March, and removed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary in an ambulance called by the police; that subsequently his sister called at the police office and was told no accident could be traced; that next day she reported the matter to central police, again being informed that no trace could he found; that the brother came home after a week in Glasgow Royal Infirmary; and, as he had his identity card in his possession, what steps he proposes to take to see that similar incidents do not occur again.

I am aware of the accident which led to the admission on 21st March of the injured party to Glasgow Royal Infirmary by St. Andrew's ambulance which had been called to the scene by a member of the public. Police headquarters did not have a report of the accident at the time of the sister's enquiry. When a report was received she was through an error not informed as they understood that Mr. Matheson was not being detained in the Infirmary. The police and hospital authorities have both expressed regret to Miss Matheson for the distress and annoyance caused her and have taken steps to prevent a similar occurrence in future.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the police knew within a comparatively short time of the accident? Why was this man's sister first of all not informed of the accident that night or the next day and kept running about for a whole week before anyone notified the deputy chief constable?

There was a most unfortunate chapter of accidents but Mrs. Mathieson has been good enough to say that she accepts the apologies which have been tendered.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that in these matters, with these police, there is a feeling that if a case happens to be in Gorbals, or a working class district, the same attention is not given to it as if it was among the well-to-do? Will he take steps to see that one district is no less well treated than another?

I am very sorry to hear that. I have no means of knowing whether the statement is justified or not, but I will pass on my hon. Friend's representation to the proper authority.

Would it not be advisable also for the authorities of the infirmary to examine an incomer's identity card so they could know the where abouts of the victim?

I will certainly consider that suggestion. I understand that steps have already been taken to ensure that a similar unfortunate occurrence shall not recur.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to introduce a Bill to implement the recommendations contained in the First Report of the Local Government and Public Health Consolidation (Scotland) Committee.

The Report and the draft Bill prepared by the Committee were both referred on publication to the three local authority associations for their consideration. The views of two of the Associations on many important points have recently been received and I hope to receive the views of the third Association very shortly. Some of these observations may require further and detailed discussion with the local authority representatives and I am therefore not at present in a position to make any statement as to legislation.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention when the Bill is ready to refer it to the Scottish Grand Committee?

I should not like to pledge myself off hand. The report is a most elaborate document as it stands, but I should think it would be highly desirable to have it discussed in the Scottish Grand Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 1,000 houses authorised 12 months ago have now been completed; and if there are any upon which actual construction has not commenced.

Four of the houses have been completed, and 870 are under construction including 220 which have been roofed over. It has been found impossible to secure reasonable tender prices so far for almost all the remaining 126.

Can my right hon. Friend offer any explanation for the very slow rate of construction in those which have been started? What does he intend to do about the 250 for which he has been able to receive tenders?

Not 250. The figure I gave was 126. The difficulty of course is that some of the tenders were for extraordinarily high prices. One series came in for £1,815 per house. Obviously that is a ramp and I do not propose to lend my assistance to it. We have done everything we can to secure more reasonable tenders and more reasonable tenders are being secured in some cases.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that a rate of progress of four houses completed in 12 months can be looked upon as desirable?

Most certainly not, but the labour position is very difficult indeed.

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that since the houses were authorised it is up to the Ministry of Labour having given the authorisation to make available the labour required for the job?

The question of labour priority ought of course to be addressed elsewhere. The point of the Question is the number that have not yet been started and I have answered that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not seriously face the question of prosecuting those who are trying to make a ramp out of an urgent need?

It is very difficult by question and answer to explain what may have been the reasons for £1,815 tenders, but one of the reasons given is the difficulty of securing labour, and the contractors are obviously trying to cover themselves in that regard.

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether consumers with cellar accommodation will be encouraged later in the summer to build up a reasonable stock fox next winter and so avoid the strain on the railways when the general demand for coal increases.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many mineworkers have applied for release from the Forces to take up work in the mines; and how many have been allowed to go.

As the reply is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 23rd September last, it is the Government's intention to raise the manpower of the coalmining industry to 720,000 at the earliest practicable date. To this end men are being directed to Government coalmining training centres at the highest rate which circumstances permit.

When does the Minister expect to catch up to the requirements?

It was hoped to get up to the figure of 720,000 by the end of October next.

How many of these youths are trained?

I think roughly 10,400 have passed through the first stage and about 4,200 are still in the first stage.

Is the number equal to requirements?

Up to now the number is very much what we anticipated.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the country's coal resources have been, or are being, surveyed during this war.

Yes, Sir. The country's coal resources are being surveyed by the Fuel Research Organisation and the Geological Survey of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in co-operation with the Coal Commission and my Department. A survey of the quality of the coal in the various seams being worked was begun some years ago by the Fuel Research Organisation and had reached an advanced stage before the war. The information so obtained is now being used in a survey of the reserves to ascertain the quantities available of different qualities of coal.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, (1) how many officials in the Dominions Office are charged specifically with the duty of sending material about the United Kingdom war effort to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Eire, respectively;

(2) how many officials have been appointed by the Dominions Office in each of the Dominions in order to explain the United Kingdom war effort.

The Ministry of Information is the Department responsible for preparing publicity material about the United Kingdom war effort for British Commonwealth countries overseas. It has from the beginning been the agreed practice that the Ministry of Information should not maintain a staff in the Dominions. In the Dominions Office there are two officers dealing with this work. In addition there are seven officers, exclusive of clerical and typing staff, attached to the offices of the United Kingdom High Commissioners in the Dominions and the office of the United Kingdom Representative to Eire. The numbers are: in Canada 3; in Australia 1; in the Union of. South Africa 2; in Eire 1. In the oversea Dominions the United Kingdom authorities receive assistance from respective Dominion Departments of Information in presenting the common war effort just as the Ministry of Information co-operates with the Dominion authorities in this country.

Would not my hon. Friend agree, in view of the great importance of keeping the Dominions as fully informed as possible, and in view of the great difficulty caused by the inevitable breakdown of ordinary correspondence, visits and so on, that these figures should he increased?

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the last part of the answer. These matters are always under consideration, but I will certainly draw the attention of my noble Friend to his point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds proof of need is demanded from persons applying for replacement of lost clothing coupons.

No proof of need is required when coupons are lost owing to circumstances entirely outside the loser's control, such as burglary, fire or bombing. But supplies are too short to permit replacement of coupons lost in other cases, unless the loser would otherwise suffer real hardship.

I appreciate that one has to be careful with coupons, but they belong to the owner by right; is the Minister within his rights, therefore, in depriving people of essential commodities?

Unfortunately, coupons which are lost are still in circulation in many cases, and to replace coupons lost or alleged to be lost would encourage claims for losses and create intolerable coupon inflation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date of expiration of the clothing coupons available before 1st February, 1944.

I have no intention at present of fixing any date of expiration for any clothing coupons issued after the first rationing period, 1941–42.

As the Minister says that he has no intention at present of fixing a date of expiration can we take it that the coupons will last indefinitely, because many people are saving them for a much needed new suit in future and it would be hard lines if they found their coupons were out of date?

It is my desire that the public should postpone, as far as is reasonably possible, the use of their coupons, and, therefore, I have no incentive to cancel them.

Will they be punished for postponing their use?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider reducing, or abolishing altogether, coupon requirements in the case of wooden-sole clogs in children's sizes, thus helping to ensure that all persons of tender age are adequately shod to protect their feet in all weathers.

No, Sir. Most children's clogs are already pointed at two coupons as against three for children's leather shoes, and the production is a very small percentage of the total supply of children's footwear.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the poor quality of children's leather footwear now on sale; what representations he has received on this matter from local authorities, education committees, teachers' organisations or any other bodies; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that children's footwear of a reliable wearing quality is made available in retail shops throughout the country in the near future.

I am glad to say that in the last few months the quality of children's footwear has been much improved and the number of complaints has substantially declined. I am taking, and shall continue to take, all possible steps to secure further improvement; but my hon. Friend will realize that the shortage of material and labour sets severe limits to what can be done.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether, in view of what he has said and also of his answer to Question No. 18, he will be good enough to look into this matter again?

I look at it very constantly. I am keeping it very closely under observation, and the action which I have reported to the House several times, including the requirement that all manufacturers should stamp their identification marks on footwear, is, I think, producing results. The number of complaints received at the Board of Trade has fallen from 218 in October last, to 76 in February, and to only 61 in March.

May I add to the number of complaints by sending to the right hon. Gentleman details of a pair of shoes which came to pieces the very first time they were worn?

I would rather that my hon. Friend sent me, not the details, but the shoes.

Will my right hon. Friend consider reducing the number of coupons, as many more shoes have to be bought, owing to the lower quality?

No, Sir, I cannot reduce the number of coupons until there are larger supplies to carry the lower coupon values.

Will my right hon. Friend pay special attention to the representation that has been made to him by educational authorities?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the suit entered by the Anti-Trust Division of the Department of Commerce in Washington against certain match manufacturers, including match manufacturers in the United Kingdom; and whether he will take steps to make available in the Library any documents relating to the case.

My attention has been drawn to this suit and I have just received a copy of the complaint from Washington. I shall be glad to place a copy in the Library as soon as it can be copied.

Are there any spare copies?

I have only had one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to say when it will be possible to release enough jute to enable a small number of carpets to be made and thus keep the trade in being and ready for the turnover to peacetime employment.

Jute is required for many essential war and civilian purposes, and I regret that, so long as the present shortage and uncertainty about future supplies continue, it is not possible to make any allocation for carpets. I am anxious that the manufacture of carpets shall be resumed as soon as material is available, and my hon. Friend can rest assured that I shall do my best to obtain jute for the industry as soon as supplies permit.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the great anxiety that exists regarding employment in the carpet industry in the event of an early peace, in view of the fact that it is not being carried on at the present time; and has he in mind the possibility of substitutes being used, such as cotton or flax?

My hon. Friend and I had a talk about this the other day, and he knows that I am very sympathetic with the case he put, but all the carpet manufacturers are working on direct war work. There is also difficulty about substitutes. He and I have gone into that, and if there are any suggestions that can be made about substitutes I will carefully consider them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a certain amount of unemployment in the industry now?

I think that the Minister of Labour can deal with that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any information with regard to the 30,000 used coupons that were missed; if he has considered the statement made by Detective-Sergeant Taylor at the Old Street Police Court; and what action was taken in the matter.

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the charge against George Hurst at Old Street Police Court. This man was charged with making a statement which he knew to be false, in furnishing information under the Consumer Rationing Order. The case is still sub judice and I cannot, therefore, make any further statement at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Works with a view to securing an adequate supply of utility furniture for emergency factory-made houses to be erected under Government direction to meet early post-war housing demands.

Yes, Sir. I am keeping in close touch with my Noble Friend the Minister of Works in this matter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that furniture has risen in price by 20o per cent. since the war, and that unless an adequate supply is forthcoming at prices people can afford to pay, the new houses will be of no avail?

That is another point. The cost of utility furniture is strictly controlled. My Noble Friend the Minister of Works is assisting me over the supply of utility furniture. The admirable house which he has erected contains a large quantity of built-in metal furniture, and this saves both wood and the need for movable wooden furniture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences were issued in 1943 for the export to the U.S.A. of works of art and articles more than 75 years old.

3,093 such licences were issued in 1943.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the decrease which took place between 1941 and 1942 has not been maintained, and will he take urgent steps to see that the figures are reduced this year?

No, Sir; I am satisfied that these arrangements are administered properly. I invited my Noble Friend a year ago to give me evidence to the contrary and he has not yet done so.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the total value?

Not without notice.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if his attention has been directed to the action taken by the U.S.A. economic administration which liberates their export trade from certain restrictions and allows permits to be applied for to cover the export of electrical and other machinery, tools, cutlery, etc., and that metals, industrial processes, etc., are now being released in preparation for post-war development; and what action is he taking to safeguard British post-war exports.

I am aware that the United States Foreign Economic Administration has recently made some simplifications in its export control machinery, but this does not necessarily mean that more materials or finished goods are being released for export. Arrangements have been made through the Combined Boards in Washington for the exchange of information between the United Kingdom and United States Governments regarding changes in their war-time production controls. As I have previously stated, every effort will be made to increase British exports, as soon as circumstances permit.

Does that mean that just as we have complete unanimity in the military field in regard to the conduct of the war among the United Nations, machinery has been built up so that we can have the same unanimity in regard to trade?

We are working in very close harmony with the United States Government through these Combined Boards.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, who are the largest shareholders in the Investors Specialised Fixed Trust, Limited, Investors General Fixed Trust, Investors Gas and Electric Trust and the Investors Gold Share Trust; what companies in America and Germany are or were involved in the trusts; was Mr. Liechtenstein connected with the trusts; if so, what is his nationality; is he satisfied that these trusts act in the best interests of our country; and, if not, what action it is intended to take.

Investors Specialised Fixed Trust Limited changed its name in 1936 to Fifteen Moorgate Unit Trusts Limited and again in 1942 to Moorgate Unit Trust Managers Limited. I assume that this is the company my hon. Friend has in mind. According to the last annual return, 58 per cent. of the shares are held by Dawnay, Day, and Company Limited, 36 per cent. by National Group of Fixed Trusts Limited and 5 per cent. by Gresham Street Nominees Limited.

The other trusts mentioned are Unit Trust Schemes managed by the Moorgate Unit Trust Managers Limited and, therefore, they have no shareholders. I have no information which suggests that any American or German companies are, or have been, involved in Moorgate Unit Trust Managers Limited, nor am I aware that any person or company in Liechtenstein, or any person of that name, is connected with the trusts. I would remind my hon. Friend that statutory requirements with regard to Unit Trusts imposed by the Prevention of Fraud (Investment) Act, 1939, will operate as from the middle of July next.

Is it not a fact that these companies exert a powerful influence in large industrial concerns in this country and that they have a large amount of capital invested in those concerns? If so, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the best interests of the nation are being served by combinations and trusts of this kind?

I think the unit trust is a very indirect method of exercising industrial influence—exceedingly indirect and not very potent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that multiple and other large retail concerns are buying up or taking on lease many shop sites which might otherwise be available for independent traders returning from the Forces and desiring to start in business again; and what steps does he propose to take to prevent this and to ensure to those now in the Forces a fair chance of re-entry into retail trade.

Anyone can buy or lease a shop site, but, as I have already stated, the licensing of retail traders will be continued for some time after the cessation of hostilities in Europe, and will be operated so as to give priority to ex-Service men and others who wish to resume their former businesses.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that although multiple shops and big stores can carry on in spite of staffing difficulties, the small man who is called up loses his whole business?

The call-up is not a matter for my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare when he will be in a position to make a statement regarding the export of ball-bearings from Sweden to Axis Europe.

I cannot yet say when I shall be in a position to make a further statement on this matter.

In view of the urgent importance of this matter, will my hon. Friend take steps to press the Swedish Government in every way possible?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare if he has made any estimate of the financial exactions made by Germany on occupied countries up to date; the occupation costs and other impositions; the value of goods that countries have been compelled to send to Germany; and the calculated value of food and loot carried off by the Germans.

My Department estimates that, taking the Mark at 13½ to the £ the total amount of war indemnities and other financial exactions, including the accumulated clearing balances, has reached a figure of approximately £5,800,000,000 in France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Czechoslovakia and Serbia. I have no very recent information regarding occupation costs and clearing balances in Poland, and in Greece the frequent changes in the rate of exchange between the mark and the drachma, combined with the inflation of the latter currency, make it impossible to arrive at a satisfactory estimate. Both in Poland and in Occupied Russia direct financial exactions have been of much less importance than the drain on native resources represented by loot, direct seizure of industrial enterprises and agricultural property, and destruction of property. I am afraid it is not possible to estimate the total of all these exactions or to give the information asked for in the second and third parts of the Question.

Is the Minister aware that, since I put a similar Question to him in November last, the exactions of Germany upon occupied countries have gone up from £3,000,000,000 to 5,000,000,000, and that they still go on?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether the additional vitamins, for which permission has been given by the Allied authorities, are now reaching the civilian sufferers in the countries occupied by Germany; and whether any addition can now be made to the range of vitamins which are authorised to be sent through the agency of the International Red Cross.

The first consignment of Vitamin D preparations, which is the gift of the British Red Cross Society and the Dominions Red Cross Societies, is now on its way to Geneva. As regards the second part of the Question I have nothing to add to my previous statements on this subject.

Have any representations been received from any of the Allied Governments requesting further supplies of this nature?

I do not recall any such requests. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put the question down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he has any statement to make regarding the continuation of the statutory black list after the armistice in Europe.

It is not possible at the present time to predict precisely when it may prove to be possible and expedient to withdraw the published lists. His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States do not consider the Statutory and Proclaimed Lists as appropriate parts of the type of normal peace-time trade policies, which they hope eventually will be established. It is recognised, however, that there will inevitably be a transition period from war to peace-time conditions. In view of the total character of the present conflict and its vast impact upon commerce it will necessarily take time to effect adjustments of economic warfare controls following the cessation of hostilities. Such adjustments will be carried out with due regard to specific circumstances. The problem of eliminating economic warfare controls and in particular the Statutory and Proclaimed Lists is believed in general to be capable of prompt solution in regions far removed from the scene of conflict. The elimination of such controls may be expected to be slower with respect to areas adjacent to the scene of conflict and particularly with respect to nationals of, or residents in, neutral countries who have engaged actively in equipping or servicing the military machine of the enemy—which the Allied Governments are determined to destroy—or who have rendered other important aid to the enemy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare what check has been established at the Spanish ports or otherwise to secure that only the agreed tonnage of wolfram is exported from Spain to Germany.

We are fully aware of the danger that the enemy may attempt to smuggle out of Spain quantities of wolfram in excess of the amounts permitted under our recent agreement with the Spanish Government, Although for obvious reasons it is not desirable to go into details I can assure my hon. Friend that we are doing everything possible to detect such attempts and to ensure that they do not succeed.

Would my hon. Friend indicate what form of machinery he has created in Spain or in other quarters, in order to keep some check on the export of wolfram?

That is precisely the type of detail that ought not to be given to the House.

Has my hon. Friend any reason whatever to suppose that the Spanish Government will not keep their word?

Past experience.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider giving a longer period of pay and allowances to men and their families after discharge in order to obviate the extreme hardships caused before many men reestablish themselves in civilian life.

Soldiers discharged from the Army, other than those who are invalided, are normally given 14 days' furlough with full pay and allowances. Soldiers invalided out of the Army are given 28 days' furlough before discharge. All soldiers are credited on discharge with National Health and Unemployment Insurance contributions in respect of their Army service and become eligible for benefit subject to the usual statutory conditions.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of men are without pension, are not entitled to National Health Insurance, and are in the humiliating position of having to ask the poor law authorities to help them?

The most suitable time to consider this question—and I think it will probably be automatically solved—is when the question of gratuities generally on discharge is settled. I gave an answer on that point about a fortnight ago.

In the meantime, a large number of families are in very great need, including a number in my district.

I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will let me have those specific cases so that I can have a look at them.

asked the Secretary of State for War which Service canteen and hostel organisations, other than N.A.A.F.I., are subsidised by his Department; and what is the amount of assistance in each case.

In certain cases where canteens or hostels are provided by voluntary organisations at the specific request of the military authorities the War Department provides or pays for the necessary accommodation. In other cases certain running expenses are also borne by the Department in return for which the hostels may be used by the military authorities free of charge for billeting troops. About £150,000 was spent in this way from public funds during the past financial year, but I regret that further details are not readily available. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the organisations concerned.

On what conditions are special requests of this kind made?

I do not entirely understand the hon. Member's question. These are specific requests made by the military authorities, where canteens and hostels are specially needed in and near places such as railway stations. They have nothing to do with the ordinary N.A.A.F.I. canteens in units.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is prepared to grant transfer facilities to officers and noncommissioned officers in the A.T.S. who are offered positions, after application, in the women's section of the police force.

I regret that no A.T.S. auxiliaries can be spared by the Army at the present time.

If I were to submit an individual case of a member of the A.T.S. who has already served for two years in the Metropolitan Police, would it receive favourable consideration?

Not at the present time, for very obvious reasons. Later on I might be able to give a more accommodating answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with an hon. Member of this House, whose name I shall be glad to give him, who has 25 members of the A.T.S. billeted in his house, with nothing to do?

I shall be very glad to investigate that case. I saw that report.

Yes, Sir. Moreover, Formation commanders may discard any equipment they consider unsuitable for the operations in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that in the event of nominated women in the Home Guard coming within enemy action or being captured by the enemy they are afforded sufficient evidence of their belligerency by the wearing of their plastic badge and the certificate that they are authorised to follow the Armed Forces of the Crown and thus be able to claim the protection afforded under Article 81 of the International Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war.

Yes, Sir.

Having determined the degree of belligerency of these women, is it not possible to issue them with some kind of protection, such as tin hats and uniform?

I thought the purport of my answer was that the protection they already have is sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in regarding the policy of exchanging personnel from this country for personnel who have served for a substantial period in the Middle East, he is satisfied that as many such exchanges as possible in the circumstances are being effected.

I can certainly assure the hon. and gallant Member that the pianist is doing his best.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say approximately the numbers—of course only in percentages—of such exchanges so far effected?

I certainly could not give them without notice, and I doubt very much whether it would be in the public interest to give them at all.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that No. 7672041, Private Ronald Pegg, R.A.P.C., was recalled to the Army on 29th April; that this will entail the closing down of his business, as every effort to find a manager has failed; and, as the closing down of this business will cause serious inconvenience in the neighbourhood and as Private Pegg is a C category man, will be consider granting him release from the Army.

This case has been very carefully considered. It undoubtedly has elements of hardship, but, having regard to the fact that there are many others like it, I regret that it is impossible to grant this man any further release.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with the head-on collision between an Army lorry and an omnibus on the main Ashford-Maidstone road; and how many soldiers were injured.

I understand that the lorry was a Canadian Army lorry, and that two Canadian soldiers were slightly injured.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that a retired civil servant, if re-employed as an officer in the Army, can continue to draw his civil pension in addition to his Army pay; and whether retired Army officers, when re-employed, will in future be similarly treated and permitted to draw the whole of their retired pay in addition to the pay of their rank or appointment;

(2) whether he has considered the case of retired officers who have been reemployed since 1939, and who will not be eligible for any increase of retired pay or gratuity in respect of their service whilst so re-employed; and whether, in future, such officers will be allowed to count their called-up service for the purpose of calculating retired pay or gratuity.

I regret that I cannot see my way to accepting either of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestions. A civil servant normally retires on a pension only for reasons of health or on reaching the age of 6o. In neither case is he likely to be employed as an Army officer, and I do not think there have, in fact, been more than two such cases in the course of the war.

Is there any reason why these officers should not be allowed to draw retired pay which they have already earned, and which people in another Service are allowed to draw?

If my hon, and gallant Friend is referring to civil servants who are re-employed as civil servants, he is under a misapprehension. There are limitations on the amount of pension which they can draw on re-employment. Re-employed Army officers are given a very definite increase in their current pay in consequence of their not drawing retired pay.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of these officers have been recalled after being away for a very few weeks, so that their service is practically continuous, and, having regard to the fact that they are put to considerable expense in being called back in that way, should not the remaining years of service be added when calculating pension?

As I have explained, they are given a very considerable addition to their current emoluments in lieu.

asked the Secretary of State for War what type of clothing is being issued to soldiers declared unfit for further Army service; and if he is considering complaints that these men are receiving the early type of utility civilian suits and not the later.

Standard austerity suits are at present being issued, but, as soon as supplies are available of the suits which will be issued to men discharged on the termination of hostilities, they will be issued instead. I am not aware of the complaints to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the complaint, if I send him a copy of the complaint which I have seen, of the treatment of a man discharged from hospital very gravely wounded, who was given an austerity suit, which he said he did not intend to wear, and a minimum of Army clothing?.

I will certainly look into the question. I say that this is a question which time will cure, and, I hope, very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that, despite the requisitioning of the Scala Theatre for urgent national reasons, the theatre is now to be de-requisitioned for the largely amateur London Co-operative Society's pageant during one month, part of which time was held under option by Mr. Donald Wolfit, the actor manager, who is now producing Shakespearian plays but whose occupation is to be forcibly terminated on 15th May; and whether Mr. Wolfit was consulted as to this favoured treatment before it was sanctioned.

It was intended, originally, to requisition the Scala Theatre on 1st March for the training and recreation of troops. On 22nd February, I promised to reconsider the question, and, as a result, a considerably less suitable place was taken temporarily for the troops and the Shakespeare season has been able to continue for some three months. Mr. Wolfit has naturally been brought into the discussions, and, by not taking the theatre until 16th May, the Army will enable Mr. Wolfit to complet his original contract.

In the course of these discussions, I found that the Co-operative movement had made arrangements in February to use the theatre for a month in the summer for the pageant to celebrate the centenary of the movement. The efforts made by the Co-operative Societies to find an alternative theatre were no more successful than the War Department's earlier efforts made to avoid requisitioning the theatre, and it seemed that these celebrations, for which considerable preparations had been made, would have to be cancelled. This would have caused disappointment to very many people, and I decided that the Army should release the theatre for a very limited period in order to enable the celebrations to take place.

Does the Minister realise that, by denying the use of the theatre to the whole of the theatrical profession and making it available to the co-operative society, 11e is showing favourable treatment to a great business organisation— [Interruption.]

What I would like to say about this is that I thought, at one time, in my inexperience, that I could satisfy everybody. Now, it seems that I have satisfied nobody, and I am not sure that this is any encouragement to try again.

Did the right hon. Gentleman get the approval of his Cabinet colleague Lord Beaverbrook?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act, 1943, a duty is imposed on registration officers to compile and publish a register of civilian electors; and what steps are being taken by the Army Council to ensure similar results for service voters.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now satisfied that all men in the Army entitled to vote under the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act, 1943, are being made aware of their rights; and that easy and full facilities for their registration as electors are being made available.

Under the Act referred to, the register of electors consists of three parts, namely, the civilian residence register, the business premises register and the Service register. The preparation of all three parts of the Register is the duty of the registration officer. The measures which are being taken by the Army Council to enable all ranks of the Army, and of those Women's Forces administered by them to get their names placed on the New Register, were explained by me in answer to Questions by the hon. Members for Skipton (Mr. H. Lawson) and Barnstaple (Sir R. Acland) on 2nd May. The effect of these measures is being watched, and I am considering whether any further measures are practicable.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, when the Service registed is compiled, the registration officer will be able to publish the names of electors on that register, as he is able to do, or as, indeed, he is under an obligation to do, with civilians?

I do not think exactly similar arrangements are practicable. As I tried to explain last week, this House quite definitely decided on different arrangements for the Services from those applicable to the civilian population.

Are we to understand from the answer given that there is a definite obligation on the officer to register men?

I explained last week that, in place of a definite obligation on the officer, our intention is to see that the men get every possible chance of registering, and the duty of the officers to assist is brought to their attention very prominently.

Is the Minister aware that the Minister who introduced this Bill said that the three Service Departments had given an assurance that they would co-operate with a view to securing, subject to any unintentional errors, the full registration of Service personnel concerned, and is he satisfied that the answer he has given is sufficient to justify the claim that he is going to secure full registration?

I think so, completely. We cannot secure something which is definitely contrary to provisions of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in the case of a man killed by enemy action before the award of a medal, the medal is awarded to his next-of-kin together with permission to wear the ribbon.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker) on 4th April. When the medals have been issued, next-of-kin may properly wear them on Armistice Day or on the Sunday selected for Armistice celebrations.

Meanwhile, is a ribbon being issued to these people?

I cannot say off-hand. I do not think so.

asked the Prime Minister why British Forces were used to disarm Greek ships in a British port after 95 per cent. of their officers and men had signed a memorandum urging the creation of a comprehensive National Greek Government of Resistance.

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the recent removal of a number of Greek seamen from one of H.M. destroyers in a United Kingdom port. This ship had seen active service in the Royal Navy, but after being refitted was to have been transferred to the Royal Hellenic Navy. In view, however, of recent disturbances in the Mediterranean, and of unrest among the officers and men detailed to take over the ship, the Admiralty were unable to allow her to be commissioned with a Greek crew. The Greek parties on board were accordingly withdrawn and it is quite incorrect to speak of a Greek ship having been disarmed in a British Port.

It was with regret that the Admiralty decided to withhold this ship from the Greek Navy. It is out of the question, however, for so valuable a ship to be commissioned, particularly at this critical juncture, with a crew whose trustworthiness cannot be assured.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why we continue to intervene in Greek affairs, and support people who have no backing in Greece itself?

That raises, in very short compass, three highly disputable issues.

Is it not the case that these seamen can be fully trusted to defend Greece if they get the opportunity? What they object to is defending King George.

I think that is a very improper and reckless question, when there is so much difficulty in different parts of the world, and we are all doing our best to concentrate our forces on the common enemy.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the first available opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider an objective inquiry into the working of Government controls and co-ordination of agriculture, food and transport, with a view to discovering whether, and how far, in the national interest it is desirable to maintain or extend such controls in the post-war period.

These matters are kept under constant review in the formulation and development of Government policy, and I do not think there is any necessity for such an inquiry as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to make any statement on the question of equal pay for equal work.

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have decided to set up a Royal Commission to consider this matter.

In thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware of the great satisfaction it will give the country? May I ask him whether this Royal Commission will report more quickly than any other Royal Commission?

I cannot prophesy about the future actions of Royal Commissions, but in a very serious matter like this, involving an immediate addition of £42,000,000 to current expenditure, some inquiry is necessary.

Is the Prime Minister aware that if equal pay is granted, employers will cease to engage women?

Is it possible to indicate either the name of the Chairman, or any of the members?

No, Sir, certainly not.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state when His Majesty's Government propose to announce their conclusions in regard to social security.

I regret that I am not yet able to name a particular date for this statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of their exclusion from the benefits of the White Paper, he will consider the improvement of allowances to dependants of Service personnel.

Certain modifications of the dependants' allowance scheme are under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the fact that there are childless wives in areas where women's work is not available and the homes of Service men have to be kept going, he will reconsider the position of allowances to childless wives for whom work cannot be found.

No, Sir. As indicated in paragraph 18 of the White Paper, it is open to childless wives whose circumstances are exceptional to apply to the War Service Grants Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that junior officers up to the rank of captain are still receiving less, in childless wife allowance, than men in the ranks?

I do not think such cases are numerous or serious, but I believe there are some cases where an officer actually loses by receiving the King's Commission. I certainly think that the hon. Gentleman is right in drawing attention to such cases when they occur. The matter should be considered, because otherwise it is invidious.

Are these cases being considered by the Service Departments, with a view to rectifying the anomalies?

Yes, Sir, certainly by the Service Departments.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the inclusion of new pensions proposals in the White Paper on which the Informal Committee had no opportunity of offering advice and which was not part of its work, he will reappoint the Committee to discuss this question.

No, Sir. The new War Pensions provisions represent a considered decision by the Government, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by re-opening the informal discussions with hon. Members as suggested.

In view of the fact that the original Debate took place on the Army Estimates, and therefore it would not have been in Order to discuss pensions, does my right hon. Friend not think it is rather unfortunate that the Informal Committee should not have been consulted before pensions were mixed up with the White Paper? Would it not have been more courteous to the House?

I should very much regret to see any discourtesy shown, but I should think one would have to search rather far and elaborately to find any in this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date and in what form did Parliament determine that the fiduciary note issue of £280,000,000 authorised by the Treasury on 6th September, 1939, following the representation of the Bank of England that such increase of the note issue was expedient, should still remain in force.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Defence (Finance) Regulation No. 7AA, dated the 15th August, 1941 (Statutory Rules and Orders No. 1I99 of 1941), as amended by Order in Council, dated the 10th August, 1943 (Statutory Rules and Orders No. 1141 of 1943). A note added to the latter Order gave a full explanation of the position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether local authorities have been empowered to lend money to the Government free of interest; and, if not, will he introduce the necessary Order permitting local authorities to follow the example of individuals in lending money free of interest.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 25th April last to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer whether lump-sum payments made by employers to their work-people for long service are subject to Income Tax, and, if so, at what rate is the tax to be levied as these are long-service payments; and how would the tax be paid under the pay-as-you-earn scheme.

In the ordinary course, such payments as those to which my hon. Friend refers are assessable as emoluments for the year in which they are payable, and tax will be deductible under pay-as-you-earn in accordance with the same rules as apply to other wage payments during the year. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind and will send me details, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether wages and/or bonuses earned before 5th April, 1944, and paid after that date, are assessable for Income Tax under the scheme of Pay-as-you-earn; and if so, will subsequent adjustments be made having regard to the fact that these items of remuneration would be in excess of the earnings of the year in which they are paid.