asked the Secretary of State for Air what information is now to hand regarding the number of officers and men in the R.A.F. who have applied for registration for the Parliamentary franchise as a result of the promised inquiry.

I have received reports of the results at a number of units but as I should like to give the House a representative picture I would prefer to wait a little longer before making a statement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War gave us fairly full information about a week ago? Is he not rather mortified to be so behind the Army in this matter?

No, Sir. I have some reason to hope that when I can present the picture it will not be found at all a mortifying one.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that his own officers are doing their best to facilitate this arrangement?

Yes, Sir, I am glad to say that I am satisfied that that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many clothing coupons are allowed to officers per year for the renewal of uniform, etc.; and of these how many may be used for the purpose of civilian clothing.

R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. officers receive forty-four clothing coupons in the first year of commissioned service and eighty-eight in each subsequent year for the maintenance of uniform and other clothing. Twenty-one of these coupons may be used for the purchase of certain specified articles of civilian clothing which are not worn with uniform.

Will the Minister make that concession available to other ranks as well?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Ministry is now prepared to accept general responsibility for making a reasonable compensation to Miss Anette Mills in relation to a motor-car accident, of which he has been given particulars in correspondence.

As the hon. Member has been informed, the Air Ministry accepts financial responsibility for any legal liability which attaches to the driver of the Service vehicle. The question whether there is such a legal liability would, in the absence of a settlement between the parties, be decided by the courts.

Does that mean that the step which this lady has to take is to bring a legal action against an officer who regrettably is now missing? Would it not really be right for the Air Ministry to accept liability for this accident, and arrive at a satisfactory settlement?

I have no reason to suppose there will not be a settlement between the parties.

If there is an early settlement, that will be satisfactory, otherwise I will seek to raise this matter on a suitable occasion, because it has been dragging on for a very long time.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the criticism by one of the Ulster resident magistrates regarding the employment of a man at an air base in Northern Ireland who had no residence permit, he will, in the interests of public security, give instructions that in future no one is to be employed at any air base in Northern Ireland until he produces his residence permit and identity card.

Civilians employed at R.A.F. Stations in Northern Ireland are required to hold a National Registration identity card and, where applicable, a residence permit.

I sent my right hon. Friend a copy of the remarks of the resident magistrate, which caused a sensation in Ulster and were brought to my notice and the notice of the Air Ministry. There never was anything like it said before, and I would like to ask my right hon. Friend if he will make an inquiry into the whole thing and issue regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why local leave has not been allowed for personnel of the R.A.F. stationed in Iceland.

There is no ban on local leave in Iceland. In practice, few applications are made because of the absence of suitable facilities for leave in Iceland.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of men serving in the R.A.F. in Iceland are under the impression that it is banned?

No, Sir, I was not aware of that. If my hon. Friend can give me any particulars about it, I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps were taken, and on what dates, to examine the claim brought to his notice by letter, dated 30th May, from the hon. Member for the Tam-worth Division, for damages to a bicycle by a R.A.F. vehicle at Sutton Coldfield on 10th August, 1943, liability for which was not disputed; and how long the damaged bicycle was immobilised pending inspection by the Claims Commission.

The first intimation of a claim for compensation for the damaged bicycle was received on 28th April, 1944, when the claimant stated that she had purchased another bicycle. The claim was passed to the Claims Commission who, after correspondence, notified the claimant that the bicycle would be inspected. This inspection took place on 12th June. An immediate inspection would have involved a special journey by road of over 50 miles. Payment of agreed compensation was made on 26th June.

As my right hon. Friend said in his letter of 9th June that this claim was being given priority, could he say how long it takes to deal with a claim that is not given priority?

No, Sir. This lady had informed us that she had purchased another bicycle and it would have required a 5o mile journey to make a special inspection of the old bicycle. If the story was a little longer than it should have been, at least it had a happy ending.

Is the Air Ministry quite incapable of getting somebody locally to inspect the bicycle? Would any business firm behave with such folly?

This bicycle had to be inspected, not by the Air Ministry but by the Inspector of the Claims Commission.

Surely they could get a local policeman or anyone else to do it?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the launching sections of robot aeroplanes have been located from the air; and whether any details of the method of launching these flying bombs have been obtained.

A considerable number of launching sites have been located and destroyed. This process is continuing. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the extent of our information about methods of launching.

Could not the Secretary of State give full information to the public about this, because there is no secrecy about where the stations are located, on the coast or inland? Surely we ought to have the fullest information.

No, Sir. I think it is very important that the Germans should not know the extent of our information, or the nature of our defence against this weapon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in how many African Colonies a Prisoners' Aid Society has been appointed or is established.

Prisoners' Aid Societies exist in Kenya, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar and the formation of such a society is at present under consideration by the Government of the Gold Coast.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend draw the attention of the Governors to the desirability of establishing a Prisoners' Aid Society in each Colony?

I would not like it to be thought that because there is not a Prisoners' Aid Society in all Colonies steps are not taken for the rehabilitation of prisoners.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend draw the attention of the Governors to the matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the latest available figures of the number of cases of corporal punishment inflicted on Africans for legal offences committed in Uganda, Kenya and Tanganyika; and what steps have now been taken in these and other African Colonies to reduce the number of offences involving this form of punishment.

As I indicated to the hon. Member on 14th June, the most recent figures available are those for 1938. In that year the totals for the three Territories mentioned were 375, 50 and 174. I am asking the Governors concerned for more up-to-date information which I will send to the hon. Member. It was suggested to Colonial Governments in 1939, and again in 1940, that the number of offences for which corporal punishment might be awarded should be reduced. Several African Colonies have since that date amended their legislation in order to reduce the number of offences. Several of the African Colonies have also enacted ordinances establishing a system of probation.

Would it be possible to give hon. Members of the House particulars of cases of corporal punishment in the East African Colonies?

I will let the hon. Member know when I have the information, and perhaps he will then put another Question on the Order Paper.

Would the Minister issue an instruction that only those offences punishable by corporal punishment in this country, will be so punished in the Colonies?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that Question on the Order Paper, too.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many travelling pay vans are at present operating in the Colonies of Nigeria and Gold Coast for the purpose of the payment of family remittances and separation allowances to relatives of serving soldiers.

Three travelling pay vans are at present operating in the Gold Coast to supplement the normal system of payment of allowances by district treasuries and by district commissioners, both in their stations and on tour. Travelling pay vans are not employed in Nigeria, where payment is made at about 150 centres widely distributed throughout the territory.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the making of these payments takes up undue time of the district commissioners? Will he consider the establishment of more travelling pay vans?

There is certainly a great burden on the already over-burdened officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration he has given to the memorial presented to him on his visit to the West Coast of Africa last year by organisations including the National Congress of British West Africa, the Ratepayers' Association and the West African Youth League; and what steps he proposes to take to implement the concrete proposals made in the Memorial.

I have given careful consideration to the memorial referred to by the hon. Member and I have communicated with the Governor of Sierra Leone with a view to a full reply being returned to the petitioners on my behalf. I will ask the Governor for a copy of the reply actually sent and forward it to the hon. Member.

In view of the very interesting and valuable character of the memorial, would the Minister consider placing a copy in the Library?

It is certainly long and interesting. The first item, which might appeal to the hon. Member, was a 'proposal that the control and ownership of minerals should be transferred from the Government back to private hands.

rose.

I have called the next Question; the hon. Member is too late.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to give further information with regard to measures which are being taken to deal with unemployment in British Honduras, both as regards internal employment for returned foresters and others and recruitment for work in the U.S.A.

Yes, Sir. Employment was found on a main road under construction for the majority of the returned foresters, and for others in the neighbourhood of Belize who applied for work. In one district there was some difficulty in providing for 47 men, including foresters, who registered for work, but arrangements which were in progress for providing work have now been abandoned because of the opening of recruiting for the United States. Recruiting for labourers for the United States began on 6th June and nearly 700 applications had been received by the end of that week. It is hoped to complete recruitment by 28th June but movement of workers to the United States, I am informed, may be somewhat retarded owing to lack of shipping.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him whether road work will be continued, as required by the conditions of employment?

It depends on the number of people seeking work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of the Commission inquiring into disturbances in Mauritius last year will be available.

The report has been received and arrangements are being made for it to be printed in this country. It will be published as soon as printed copies have reached Mauritius.

Is it a full report?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has considered the recent representations from the railway companies on behalf of their junior stockholders that the financial provisions of the existing Control Agreement should be revised; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. My noble Friend has met *the Chairmen of the four railway companies. They presented to him the views expressed by their proprietors in favour of a review of the financial terms of the Railway Control Agreement, and they suggested that the extension of the area of the war at the end of 1941 constituted a case far revision. They asked for an increase in the guaranteed annual payment and for some adjustment to cover intensified user of maintainable assets. In reply my noble Friend has pointed out that the revised arrangement made in 1941 relieved the railways of uncertainty as to the effects of the war upon their net revenues and he has stated that the Government are unable to regard the extension of the war area as a reason for revision or to agree to any increase in the amount of the fixed annual payments. The Control Agreement itself enables an allowance, over and above the basic figure for maintenance, to be made for abnormal wear and tear of maintainable assets, if such allowance is shown to be justified, and my noble Friend has offered to examine this matter.

As the Control Agreement deprives some of the junior stockholders of all possibility of dividends for the duration of the war and for one year thereafter, is it fair to insist upon this financial arrangement continuing indefinitely?

Will His Majesty's Government, in view of the very important war services rendered by the railway companies—[HON. MEMBERS: "And by the men."]—and by the men, treat them as fairly as other war industries which, in many cases, are allowed to earn profits of 10 to 12 per cent.?

I cannot now argue the merits of the revised Control Agreement but the Government have always held that it was fair and just.

Is not the trouble mentioned in the Question due to the overcapitalisation of the railways. If their capital structure was reformed, is it not a fact that this trouble would not arise?

asked the Minister of Information whether the correspondence of agricultural workers from Eire who are temporarily employed in Great Britain is subject to censorship.

Yes, Sir, all correspondence between Great Britain and Eire is subject to censorship.

asked the Minister of Information how many of those hon. Members who have broadcast for the B.B.C. since the outbreak of war have refused to accept the normal fees for so doing.

If payments have been made to any hon. Members for broadcasting, this is an entirely private matter between them and the B.B.C.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he can state the cost of the amended prototype emergency house.

My Noble Friend has stated a figure at which he was aiming. The amendments introduced will necessarily affect this, but as soon as the final decision is taken it will be possible to work out the approximate cost of the improvements introduced.

Has not my hon. Friend already sufficient information to show that permanent houses can be built at a lower cost than this temporary house? Has he not changed his plans altogether?

Do the figures which have been published relate to the house as it is, with magnificent fittings, or to the house as it will be, with very inferior fittings?

The figure aimed at by my Noble Friend is for the show house outside the Tate Gallery with fittings as shown. When the houses are mass produced, their fittings will be those finally chosen but similar to those in the show house.

Is the prototype now the official description of what was known first as the Churchill house and subsequently as the Portal house?

Has not my hon. Friend told, the House that he had information to prove that the Tarran type of house is very much cheaper than the house that he proposes, and also that permanent houses are very much cheaper? I have the information from the Minister himself.

Before this canard goes any farther, I can definitely say that the information that we have at the Ministry does not coincide with my hon. Friend's statement, that houses built by others, of a permanent character, are cheaper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether he is satisfied that the camber of the roof of the proposed prefabricated houses is sufficiently steep to stand the heavy weights of snow which are common in the Northern part of the Kingdom.

Yes, Sir.

Will the hon. Gentleman put one of these houses up this winter in the North and see whether experience confirms this? Also will he show the house around in the North so that others can see it besides Londoners?

I have given the House the information that the Secretary of State for Scotland has had one built in Scotland, that other prototypes are being made and that they will be available in each region this year.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the fact that landlords are serving notice to quit on the wives of Service men, when they are expecting to have a baby, because of their objection to having children in homes or furnished rooms; and if he will take whatever steps may be necessary to invalidate existing No children clauses in letting agreements.

My right hon. and learned Friend's attention has been drawn from time to time to this matter, and inquiries are being made to see how far the practice is an extensive one. If there is reason to suppose that it is at all common, he will certainly consider whether action can be taken to check it, by a more extensive use of requisitioning powers or otherwise.

Has the hon. Lady seen the statement of the Bristol City Council and other councils referring to this state of affairs, and will she investigate that aspect of it?

My right hon. Friend is anxious to investigate any facts that are brought to his notice.

Surely the hon. Lady is aware that this practice is very widespread. It has been going on for years. When a baby is coming, the woman is turned out.

Perhaps the hon. Member would send me the name and address of any case that he knows.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mrs. R. Howie, of Slough, Buckinghamshire, wife of Petty-Officer W. A. Howie of the Royal Navy, has been turned out of her lodgings because she was going to have a baby, although she has been engaged upon war work; and what steps he proposes to take to enable Petty-Officer Howie, who has been wounded in recent operations, and his wife to obtain suitable living accommodation.

No, Sir, but, if my hon. Friend will supply Mrs. Howie's address I will have inquiries made.

Is the hon. Lady aware of the scandalous overcrowding in this district? Will the Department take steps to requisition large houses and fit them up as hostels for these young Service wives during this period? Is there any reason why it cannot be done?

There are extensive powers of requisitioning, which are being used. I will deal with any particular point that the hon. Member brings to my notice.

I have given the name and address already in the Question.

The hon. Member has given the name, and I have asked if he will provide me with the address.

Is the hon. Lady not aware that her own billeting officers at Slough, Eton or Windsor could supply the address to the Ministry by telephone?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what information is now to hand regarding the numbers of officers and men in the Royal Navy who have applied for registration for the parliamentary franchise as a result of the promised inquiry.

The inquiry which I promised my hon. Friend should be made, is in hand, but he will appreciate that a little time must elapse before sufficient information will be available to enable a true impression as to how the scheme is working to be formed. If, however, he will put down another Question in a few weeks' time, I hope to be able to give the House a reliable and representative picture.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Army have already provided this information and that the Air Force, through the Secretary of State, have expressed considerable self-satisfaction about the information that they have, and is not this carrying the tradition of the silent Service rather further than is reasonably necessary?

It is just the fact that a large part of the Navy is almost continuously at sea.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the official anxiety for the future industrial position of the North-east coast; and what steps he is taking to safeguard the full employment of industry and the industrial community.

My right hon. Friend is fully aware that the North-East coast is one of the areas requiring special attention. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Government's White Paper on Employment Policy and to the full statements made by my right hon. Friends during the Debates on that Paper.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend not aware that we are getting tired of "words, words, words"? When will he be in a position to state, in definite terms, what action is being taken?

The hon. Lady should already be aware. Industrialists seeking to set up new industries are being advised to go to that as one of four areas.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is one thing that he must do as the first step? Is he not aware that the ship- building industry has prevented the development of shipbuilding for 4o years, and that the first thing to do is to remove the restriction?

That is another question altogether.

When the right hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to three other areas, is Lancashire amongst them, or are they depressed areas only?

Lancashire is not included as one of the areas requiring the most urgent attention, but the needs of Lancashire are by no means forgotten.

Why does my right hon. and gallant Friend express anxiety, if he believes that everything is perfect?

I am very far from believing that everything is perfect but I have pointed out that steps are being taken by the Board of Trade, and it is not merely "words, words, words."

My previous question was implicit in the Question on the Paper. Middlesbrough had a most prosperous shipbuilding industry. Now there is not a single site in action, owing to the action of Shipbuilding Securities, who have prevented shipbuilding in my constituency for forty years. That is a very important question.

I am well aware of its importance but the Question refers to the industrial position in general. If the hon. Member would like specific information on a specific industry, I will supply it if he puts down a Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what arrangements have been made to supply foreign tooth brushes to certain British Dominions and Colonies; and has the brush export group been informed of all the arrangements;

(2) why the proposal made to his department that the Governments of the British Colonies affected by the arrangements for the supply of foreign tooth brushes should purchase bulk supplies of tooth brushes without trade marks for distribution through normal channels in order to retain the goodwill of British industry for the post-war period have been disregarded.

The requirements of the Empire for tooth brushes cannot all be met from this country at present. Part of the requirements is accordingly being met from the United States through ordinary commercial channels. The Brush Export Group have been kept informed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the merger announced between D. and P. Studios and the Rank interests was made with the previous consent of his Department, since it conflicts with the previously announced policy of avoiding monopolistic control of British film production.

Mr. Rank acquired a controlling interest in D. and P. Studios in 1942. The recent consolidation has, therefore, no bearing on the use of the studios. Consequently, it does not conflict with the policy announced by my right hon. Friend.

Does the Department intend to take any steps to prevent the Rank interest gaining control of the film industry?

Adequate steps to that end have already been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken to arrest Colonel Rocke who has been broadcasting in Italy during the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action is being taken in respect of Lieut.-Colonel C. Rocke, formerly of the British Embassy in Rome, who broadcast propaganda for the Italian Fascist Government during the present war and has now established contact with British Forces in Italy.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Colonel Sir A. Evans) yesterday.

In view of the fact that the colonel stated recently that he hoped he had been able to be of some help to us during the war, could the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether, in fact, he has been working for us?

I have no information.

Would it not be perfectly easy to check the record of this colonel, and what he broadcast for Mussolini, with the B.B.C. monitoring service?

No doubt that and other relevant matters will be considered when the time comes to take a decision.

Has not the time come to take a decision that people Like this man and William Joyce are traitors?

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that in this country it is customary to collect all the evidence together, before a person is dealt with under the penal law.

Did not my hon. and learned Friend collect the evidence when the War Office decided to withhold this officer's retired pay in 1940?

That may be, but a good deal has happened since then and we wish to gather all the relevant evidence before we take a decision.

asked the Prime Minister if he can make a statement on the abolition of anomalies with regard to Service pay and allowances.

Certain minor points regarding Service pay and allowances are now under consideration by Ministers. A statement will be made as soon as possible.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that a statement will be made before the Recess?

It will be much sooner than that; it will be in a very short time now.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make arrangements with the B.B.C. to broadcast a notice or a short talk to all Services, calling attention to the necessity of completing the requisite form to ensure inclusion in the electoral register.

Two broadcast talks have already been given on this subject. The question of a further talk is being considered.

In view of the fact that the majority of men in some of the Services have never heard of the forms that have to be filled in, and that it is not usual to find more than an infinitesimal percentage of the men filling in the forms, should it not be the duty of the officers to see that the men get the forms, and not simply put them up in some out of the way place?

The hon. Member is giving information or opinions and not asking for facts.

My hon. Friend had better put any question on details to the Service Ministers concerned. It is not within my province.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the forms have been distributed widely?

I have not heard a word of the question.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Soft Drinks Industries (War Time) Association, Limited, have issued an order to their members prohibiting the use of ordinary corks for squashes, alleging that ordinary corks are not satisfactory as a re-closure, although they have been used for soft drinks for over a century; that many of their members object to this prohibition, which is a violation of a Statutory Order (British Standards Institution Schedule 1048, 1942, Table 23) which permits the use of screw cap, stoppers and ordinary corks; and if he will take steps for the removal of this embargo on ordinary corks.

I am aware that the Soft Drinks Industry (War Time) Association have instructed their members not to use plain driven corks without tops in packing squashes for the Association. This action is not a contravention of the containers and packaging Order, number 404 of 1944, and I see no reason to intervene.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is an ample stock of ordinary corks in this country for the use of the soft drinks industry; and is he also aware that other forms of stoppers take up valuable shipping space, and that, as they cost three times as much as ordinary corks, the loss to the Treasury on foreign exchange is considerable?

As a matter of fact, corks are not the best kind of stoppers to keep these drinks in good condition.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the increasing demand, he will authorise a larger supply of soft drinks to be manufactured in order that no one may be driven to partake of alcoholic liquor through the shortage of non-alcoholic beverages.

No, Sir. I regret that the labour and raw materials available do not at present permit an increase in production.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend keep in the forefront of his mind the necessity of providing a sufficient supply of these drinks to meet the demand?

The output is being kept up and is now equal to what it was in 1940.

Is the improvement of the quality also being considered?

I think the quality of these drinks is very good.

Is the Minister aware that many of these soft drinks drive drinkers to alcohol?

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction at the shortage of beer coming both from the civilian population and the Army, he will, in view of the better food situation, allow the use of additional barley to brewers in order to remove this complaint and permit of a better beer being brewed.

No, Sir. I regret that the labour and cereals available do not at present permit an improvement in either quantity or quality.

In view of the immense importance of this question to millions of people, will my right hon. and gallant Friend keep it constantly under review?

I will certainly keep it well in the forefront of my mind.

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend consider that the best way to salute the soldier would be to improve the quality of his beer?

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the same concern about the quality of soft drinks, that he has expressed about beer?

There is another Question on that subject.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will soon be able to increase the allowance of fats to fish friers.

No, Sir, so far as can be foreseen, the oils and fats position is not likely to improve sufficiently to permit of any increase to fish friers in the near future.

Is the Minister aware that the increased supply of fish is useless to fish friers, without an additional supply of fat?

I am well aware of that, but unfortunately the fats position does not allow of any more being allocated.

Could not the Minister look at this matter again? Is he aware that in great working-class districts, fried fish is a very useful food and a fine thing for great masses of people?

I am well aware of that, but the fat ration in the home is not too large either.

Is not this the most economical and best way to use fats?

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that it is not worth while catching rabbits to sell them at the controlled price and, owing to the rapid increase in the numbers of these pests, can he see his way clear to allow them to be sold in a free market.

No, Sir. The present prices are sufficient to encourage the killing of rabbits where trapping can be effectively used. Moreover, I am advised that, apart from the usual seasonal increase, the number of wild rabbits in the country has generally decreased.

Is the Minister aware that rabbits are on the increase again now, that they are being gassed, and that that is destroying human food? Will he not, therefore, give further consideration to the matter?

Rabbits always do increase about this time of the year.

If the Minister has any difficulty about this pest, will he invite the workers to help him get rid of it?

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend keep a close watch on the agitation for an increased price in commodities like rabbits as the price is already 250 per cent. higher than before the war?

It is not as high as that: it is about zoo per cent. However, I fully agree with my hon. Friend, and I am not inclined to increase these prices.

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

In this proposal I am asking the Chancellor to give some regard to those who supply spirits and wines. The Financial Secretary will recall that when the Finance Bill, 1942, was going through the House of Commons, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer made a concession of five per cent. to licensees of public houses in order to compensate them to some extent for—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speak up."] I am trying to speak as loudly as I can, so that Members can all hear me, in spite of the noise. We are now asking for a 25 per cent. concession of the licensee's duty, as the necessity for some relief is even more pressing now, than it was then, owing to 'the very great reduction that has taken place in the available supplies of spirits and wines for public-houses, and other places of entertainment. For instance, the supply of whisky is less than 50 per cent. of what it was when the former concession was given. I have had a number of letters from local licensed victuallers' associations, appealing in strong terms for a reconsideration of this question. In one letter, the President of the Welsh Federation of Licensed Victuallers makes a very strong case of the hardship which exists among licensees in Wales, because of the continued magnitude of the duty. When Sir Kingsley Wood was making the concessions in 1942, he said that the reduction of five per cent, which he conceded in the licence duties payable by publicans was all he was able to do, in the circumstances that were facing him at that time. I suggest that circumstances facing the Chancellor of the Exchequer to-day are very much more favourable than those which faced Sir Kingsley Wood, and I am certain the right hon. Gentleman will not wish to be a party to the continuance of unjust conditions among licensees everywhere in the country.

Throughout the war, the licensed traders have had a very difficult part to play in our social life, because of the increase in our Armed Forces, and the advent among us of American forces and forces from other countries The difficulties confronting a licensed trader become very acute occasionally, when he runs entirely out of wines and spirits. I hope that the Treasury will take account of these difficulties and give the licensed trader some consideration. The Financial Secretary knows how seriously the volume of trade has been reduced in licensed houses during the last few years. If the canons of taxation are to be observed, there should be justice all round, and the consideration for which we ask should be extended to the licensed trade. While I am not very hopeful that the Treasury are in a mood to make concessions to any part of the country, I see on the Government Front Bench my right hon. and gallant Friend the former Financial Secretary to the Treasury, looking with very careful and considerate attention at the proceedings on this Bill. I feel that if he were responsible for replying to this proposal, his kindly, generous and soft heart would impel him to do whatever he could for the licensed trade of the country.

I beg to second the Motion.

From what my hon. Friend has said, it is clear that the Chancellor of the Exchequer recognised, in 1942, that some concession was due to licensees in this matter, and he appears also to have recognised that the concession he made was not adequate to do justice to the case. I notice a tendency on the part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whenever he considers that, owing to altered circumstances, or actions that have been taken by private individuals, some deficiency occurs in the Revenue, to take drastic action to remedy the matter. We are glad that he does so, and we support him in seeing that the Exchequer obtains that which is its due. On the other hand, it appears to me to be clearly shown that if some injustice has been done to a class of taxpayers owing to the incidence of the war, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not equally forthcoming. He seems to be 10th to alter legislation to put right grievances of taxpayers, in matters of that kind.

I support the Motion. I should like to point out that when we pay Income Tax we do so according to our incomes, but when the publican pays his licence duty, he has to pay the same amount as he paid prior to the war, despite the fact that the amount of stuff he is able to sell is considerably less. It is, therefore, just that the licence duty should be decreased. This matter has been before the House of Commons on many occasions, and on more than one occasion the Chancellor of the Exchequer has promised redress. A small redress was given, but I certainly think that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should still further, and considerably, reduce the duty. If the Ministry of Food had only accepted my proposal and had allowed more beer to be brewed, perhaps this proposal would not have been necessary.

The House is always very sorry, as I am, for any section of the community which has suffered in consequence of the war. Hon. Members are, naturally, just as sorry if it is a publican who has suffered, as if it is anybody else, but I would draw the attention of the House to the concessions that were made in the Finance Act, 1942. I doubt whether my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Sir W. Wayland) has fully appre- ciated what those concessions really were. They were in two Sections of that Finance Act—Sections 13 and 14. Section 14 provides licence duty relief, in view of the general shortage of supplies and diminished trade, for all retail liquor licences. Except as regards the publican's licence, which is a composite licence to sell any liquor by retail, this relief is based on the trade done in each separate liquor, and applies to each separate licence. The amount of relief is two-thirds of the amount of the diminution in trade. As far as publicans are concerned, this relief is calculated on the trade in beer alone or, in Scotland, on the trade in spirits. It is at the same rate as for separate licences. This takes no account of the shortage of wines and spirits in public-houses, and a special relief of 5 per cent. for publicans was allowed by the other Section of the Act to which I have referred—Section 13. That was designed to give partial compensation for the loss of trade in wines and spirits.

I admit that this does not give full compensation in the circumstances. None the less, I think the House appreciates that we cannot always do what we would like to do, and we have to consider the revenue. The concession for which my hon. Friend asks would cost £600,000, and I am sorry to say that in view of that sum, my right hon. Friend does not feel able, in present circumstances, to make the concession.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to continue an injustice in order to keep the revenue at a certain level?

No, but His Majesty's Government made a concession, and they feel that it is as far as they can go at the present time; they cannot go any further.

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has, on several occasions, told us how sympathetic he feels to any proposals calculated to extend our export trade after the war, and it is with that object in view, that this proposal has been put forward. Hon. Members will appreciate that this question of the cost of the registration of trademarks for overseas markets may be, to a big established corporation, a very small matter, and it it were merely urged in their interests, I think the case would be 'bound to fail. But the position is not the same in the case of small firms. On that, I would like to say that if we desire to extend our exports after the war, I think we should be very foolish to rely entirely on trying to sell those things we have sold before. We should try, on the contrary, to discover new products which we can sell abroad, and, in order to do that we should encourage enterprising people to start businesses with the idea of selling new products abroad. To such a small firm charges of this kind are a serious consideration. I understand that to cover available markets abroad and in the Colonies might cost as much as £1,000 which, to people struggling to establish a business, is a substantial item. I suggest to my right hon. Friend that in the public interest, it might be desirable to allow this charge to be offset against Income Tax in the event of profits being earned. It may be that, for some reason, my right hon. Friend will not desire to add this Clause to the Bill at this stage. I would be satisfied if he would undertake seriously to consider the matter. I know that when the present Chancellor says he will consider a thing, he can be relied upon to do so. If I can have an assurance in that sense I shall be satisfied.

I beg to second the Motion.