asked the Minister of Works if he will take immediate steps to replace the broken windows throughout the Palace of Westminster and, in particular, in the Central Lobby, in view of the fact that more glass is being exported from this country today than in 1938.

The replacement of clear glass windows in the Palace of Westminster has already been largely effected, with the exception of Committee Rooms and other places where such work during the sitting of the House would cause inconvenience. No difficulty is expected in obtaining clear glass, and reglazing will he completed as the business of the House permits. The replacement of the stained glass windows of the Chamber of this House will be resumed in the coming Recess. The glass and probably the window frames for the Central Lobby and St. Stephen's Hall will have to he specially made, and it will be some time before the work can be carried out.

Is the Minister aware that the Central Lobby, especially when there are big deputations, is a very dark, dirty and stinking place? Cannot something be done in the matter?

I just do not recognise that description.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will consider improving the inadequate lighting in the Strangers' Cafeteria, where many Members and their friends are often obliged to peruse documents.

Improvements to the lighting in the Strangers' Cafeteria have been carried out in consultation with the authorities of the, House.

Is the Minister aware that the use of the Cafeteria for the perusal of documents and transacting similar business is a highly undesirable practice, occupying tables for an inordinate time, and preventing the serving of meals for people who are waiting?

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement as to the situation regarding the disposal of surplus Army huts to hospitals and British Legion branches.

Applications to purchase surplus Army huts receive preference, if they have the support of the Government Department concerned. Both the British Legion and the voluntary hospitals have this support, and every effort will be made to meet their requirements.

asked the Minister of Works if he has any statement to make about the proposed use of the Regent's Park terraces.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the proposed use of parts of the terraces by my Department. Two hundred and twelve large houses in the Regent's Park terraces are to be converted for temporary use as Government offices. The houses were taken over in all cases by agreement, either with the Commissioners of Crown Lands or with the lessees. While not prejudicing any long term proposals which may be formulated in respect of these terraces, the scheme will be of value in preserving them from further deterioration and, at the same time, providing upwards of 500,000 square feet of office space which will enable me to release an equivalent amount of requisitioned accommodation.

Will the Minister assure the House that in regard to the short term conversions, and any long term scheme which may be introduced, he will preserve the facade and layout of this unique survival of Georgian architecture?

That is the purpose of the scheme.

May we take it that any alterations which are made will not in any way prevent this survival of a particular period from retaining its architectural features?

I imagine that that is what I have just said.

Will the Minister see that the unique rents are not retained?

How does the Minister reconcile his answer with his statement that Regulation 68 ( c ) ( a ) is complied with by the Departments?

The answer is that this has been done with the cooperation of the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Works (1) whether the area of Kensington Gardens on the east side of the Long Water can now be made available to the public;

(2) for what purpose he is proposing to deny the use of Kensington Gardens to the public; and for how long.

A camp is being erected in Kensington Gardens, as on similar occasions in the past, to accommodate troops who will take part in the Victory March on 8th June next. Most of the Gardens will have to be enclosed with the exception of an area adjoining the Albert Memorial and some of the land west of the Broad Walk. The Round Pond and access to it will remain open to the public. The camp area will not be closed to the public until the camp is actually required for occupation. Most of the area east of the Long Water will become available to the public when the camp is struck in June next.

Is the Minister aware of the great hardship which is imposed on the general public, especially upon the children, and will he see that as little barbed wire as possible is put up, and that it is put up at the last moment? Can he say when the park will be closed, and for how long?

I am aware of the inconvenience which is caused, and I doubt whether we should have been allowed to close it for any other purpose. The period during which it will be closed will be cut down to the minimum.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that, on 13th February, Messrs. A. Gordon, Limited, Montrose, applied through the burgh surveyor for certificates to purchase six pairs of thigh-length rubber boots for use on under waterlevel work at a sewer, which was granted by the Department of Health for Scotland, on 22nd February, and forwarded by the firm to his Department in London; that on 1st March the firm was instructed by his Department to apply to the Inspector of Factories, Dundee; that this was done, but on 11th March they were instructed to apply for thigh boots to the Department of Health for Scotland through the Burgh Surveyor, Montrose; and on what date the firm finally received the necessary certificates.

Yes, Sir; owing to an unfortunate mistake in my Department the necessary permits were not issued until 13th March. and I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my regret for the trouble occasioned to the firm.

While thanking the Minister for his expression of. regret, may I ask him to state categorically whether it is now known who is responsible for the issue of these certificates?

We hope to simplify the permit procedure with the help of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that licences for the building of village halls are refused by his Department; and, in view of the urgent need for these community centres, if he will reconsider the matter.

Yes, Sir. It has been necessary in the existing difficult circumstances to refuse licences for the building of village halls in a number of cases, but such applications are sympathetically considered, if the work can be undertaken without prejudice to more urgent projects such as the provision of housing accommodation or other work of high priority. It is the practice to consult the local housing authority before granting or refusing a licence for this purpose.

While appreciating that houses must come first, may I ask if the Minister is aware that there is a real and urgent need for community centres in villages, and will be give an assurance that they will be given equal priority to schools?

I cannot give any assurance regarding equal priority, but I can assure the hon. Member that we realise the urgency, and wherever possible are meeting requests of this kind.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the bad conditions under which the staff of the Special Commissioners of the Income Tax Department are forced to work at the Craigside covered tennis courts at Llandudno, due to the dilapidated condition of these premises; and what steps are being taken to put the building into proper repair, so as to provide reasonable working conditions for, and to safeguard the health of, the civil servants concerned.

A recent survey of the Craigside covered tennis courts at Llandudno revealed extensive dry rot due to the type of construction, and it is proposed to vacate the premises as soon as other arrangements can be made for the staff of the Special Commissioners of Income Tax.

asked the Minister of Works the comparative cost per thousand in 1939 and 1946, for roofing tiles and common building bricks.

There is a very wide range of types both of roofing tiles and of common building bricks with consequent considerable variations in price. The present ex-works prices of typical hand-made tiles range from 148s. 6d. to 178s. 8d. per thousand, and of machine-made tiles from 120s. to 136s. 4d. The present ex-works prices of common bricks range from 46s. 3d. to 97s. 6d. per thousand. The average increase over 1939 prices is approximately 75 per cent. in the case of tiles and 70 per cent. in the case of bricks.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that these increases in price are disproportionate arid are not reflected in the wages of the workers? Will he take this into account when making inquiries into the difficulties of building new houses and improving conditions of the workers?

I will take note of what the hon. Member said.

asked the Minister of Works what percentage of increase in output has been obtained as a consequence of the rise in pay to building trade operatives.

The rise in pay to building trade operatives is only one of a number of factors affecting the rate of output in this period of transition from war conditions, and I am unable to say precisely what effect it has had as yet. I should add that the two sides of the industry have set up a national joint production council with the object of securing a higher rate of production.

While I appreciate the difficulties of the Government in giving a precise answer, will the Minister say whether under these conditions the estimate of "one operative, one house, one year" still holds good or not?

That is the rough figure on which we have been working, but in the light of improvements it is expected that changes of formula will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the difficulties of obtaining plate glass for shop windows in Coventry, he will increase local supplies and simplify methods of acquisition by enlarging the power of the city architects' department to issue licences.

The output of plate glass though higher than prewar is at present below the heavy demand consequent upon the widespread damage to plate glass windows by enemy action. Plate glass has, therefore, to be rationed and any increase in the supply to Coventry could only be made at the expense of the other areas. An arrangement under which the local authority issues permits for the use of such quantities as can be made available in the area should be the most suitable arrangement for ensuring fair treatment all round.

May I ask the Minister if anything has been done to increase the production of plate glass owing to the acute shortage?

Yes, Sir, plans have been accepted for an extension of the available plant.

asked the Minister of Works how many groins or breakwaters his Department is responsible for and on how many of them work has taken place since 1st August, 1945.

It will take some time to collect the information desired by the hon. and gallant Member, and I will communicate with him when I have received it.

Is the Minister aware that, normally, groans and backwaters are more associated by the people of the country with His Majesty's Opposition than are groins and breakwaters?

asked the Minister of Works if he will reconsider his decision to construct two prisoner-of-war camps in Eastern Enfield in view of the inadequate sewerage facilities there.

Yes, Sir. Other arrangements are being made.

May I ask my right hon. Friend why it has taken so many months to reply to the protest of the local authority?

We were looking for alternative sites. The difficulty of making provision for prisoners of war is, I think, known to all hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Works why an inspector of his Department visited 87 and 86 Eaton Square, London, a British Restaurant and W. V. S., respectively, at approximately three o'clock on Wednesday, 27th March, and ordered the Westminster City Council rat catcher to stop operations in the two premises and pick up baits.

In accordance with the usual practice, the destruction of vermin in buildings in Government occupation is dealt with by officers employed by my Department. On the occasion referred to by the hon. Member, the rat catcher employed by the Westminster City Council was operating in the British Restaurant and, being unaware that 86 and part of 87 Eaton Square were in Government occupation, one or two baits had been supplied by him. These were withdrawn by mutual agreement.

Is the Minister aware that his Department did not realise that these premises had rats in them, and that it was the Westminster City Council which discovered the infestation and took steps to deal with it?

It is the demarkation question which was in dispute.

Can the Minister give any information as to how the rats are getting on?

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that Messrs. Vernons, Limited, Liverpool, are anxious to recruit workers from the Walton area for their Aintree factory as soon as the factory is released; and whether he can now say when this place will be available to absorb some of the 5,000 registered unemployed from the Walton registers.

Messrs. Vernon's premises at Aintree, used before the war for their football pool business, area about 65,000 square feet, are occupied by a Post Office parcel sorting office and the War Office forms store. I am unable, at the moment, to say when it will be possible to release the premises, but we will do so as soon as and when alternative accommodation for these essential services can be provided.

asked the Minister of Works why licences were granted to several stores and shops in Oxford Street, London, W.1, for the installation of neon lighting, in view of the fact that lighting for advertisement purposes is prohibited.

No licences have been issued for the installation of new neon signs in Oxford Street. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind where new neon lighting is being installed I shall be glad to look into it immediately.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total exports of coal in the last six months.

The total quantity of coal exported as cargo during the six months ended 28th February, 1946, was 2,690,000 tons. Apart from coal sent to bunker depots abroad, the great bulk of this coal was of very low quality.

In view of the fact that many industries in this country are partially closing down because of lack of fuel, can the Minister justify these continued exports?

There is no evidence of industries closing down. If the hon. Gentleman has any information to that effect, perhaps he will be good enough to send it on to me?

Is not the Minister aware that I sent him a case of that kind where a works had partially closed down only the other day?

I am not aware of that, but I will look into the matter.

Is the Minister aware that in Sheffield certain steel firms are very short of gas?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider a reduction in the price of household coal in view of the present content of slate and non-combustible materials

No, Sir. The presence of slate and non-combustible materials in supplies of household coal is not of general occurrence, and an all round reduction in price would not therefore be justified. A householder who considers that the coal supplied to him contains an abnormal amount of dirt should complain to his coal merchant, and failing satisfaction from that source, should report the matter to the local fuel overseer.

Does the Minister consider that he is justified in selling slate at the same price as coal; and is he not aware of the hardship which this causes to old age pensioners, as a great quantity of this material is non-combustible?

With the shortage of labour and other difficulties which confront the industry at present, it is not possible to provide coal with the same care as in normal times, but if the hon. Member has any specific instances, perhaps he will kindly indicate them to me.

Can the Minister say where all the good coal goes to nowadays?

It is being well used.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make an increase in the supplementary allowance of the petrol ration for business and professional purposes in the near future; and whether he will announce the date as early as possible to enable those concerned to arrange their affairs accordingly.

I should like to increase the supplementary allowances for business and professional purposes, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to do so. I will keep in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion that when a change is possible suitable notice should be given.

Can the Minister give any indication whether it will be possible this summer to do anything of the kind?

All sorts of things are possible this summer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can yet give the date on which he intends to end petrol rationing.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he now has any statement to make on petrol rationing.

I cannot yet say when it will be possible to abolish petrol rationing.

Would the Minister say whether it is shortage of shipping or shortage of foreign exchange that is the major factor?

There are a variety of causes. There is an inadequacy of tanker supplies and there is the demand made on our sterling resources in all parts of the world, but we hope to overcome most of these obstacles before long.

Can the Minister give the House any information as to whether there is enough petrol in this country at the present time to take advantage of this situation?

Stocks of petrol are fairly good at present, but we cannot take any risks.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to provide sufficient smokeless solid fuel, to give effect to the recommendation of the Fuel and Power Advisory Council, that such fuel should replace bituminous coal in domestic use as rapidly as appliances for burning it are available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take with regard to the recommendations contained in the report by the Fuel and Power Advisory Council with regard to smoke abatement.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Health and Works I have set up an Inter-departmental Official Committee to consider and make recommendations upon the action required to implement the recommendations made in the report of the Fuel and Power Advisory Council. As far as increasing the supplies of solid smokeless fuel are concerned, I must point out that all possible steps are being taken to increase the production of all types of fuels, including smokeless fuels. The hon. Member will realise, however, that this problem is linked with that of the major reorganisation of the industry which is to take place when the National Coal Board has been set up.

Will the Minister say whether, in order both to save coal and to reduce smoke, he is in favour of these recommendations being carried out, if they can be carried out?

Yes, Sir, to a very large extent.

Is the Minister aware that if these recommendations are carried out they will be of considerable benefit to health, an economy by saving in cleaning, and a great economy in the use of fuel?

I fully agree with the hon. Member. It is merely a question of securing the necessary appliances.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the output of bricks in the county of Norfolk is being curtailed by the insufficiency of fuel in the brickyards; and what steps are being taken to overcome this shortage.

If the hon. Member has any information regarding particular works alleged to be held up by shortage of fuel and will let me have details, I will have the matter investigated immediately.

Is the Minister aware that some of these brickyards have had to close down altogether; and if I am able to give him details will he try to ensure that they will be put on the priority list for home supplies?

Certainly, Sir, if I have the information, but we have no evidence to that effect.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the shortage of coal in the districts of Thorpe and Sprowston, East Norfolk; and if he will arrange for additional supplies of fuel to be made available in those districts at an early date.

I have not been notified of special shortage in these districts but reserve stocks, formerly held by the Army, are available in Norwich and may, with the authority of the local fuel overseer, he drawn upon if required.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many building trade operatives are at present unemployed in England and Wales;

(2) how many building trade operatives are now unemployed in Scotland.

At Nth February, the latest date for which figures are at present available, there were 7,924 insured persons aged 16 years and over, classified as belonging to the building industry, registered as unemployed in England and Wales, and 1,519 in Scotland.

As so many men are obviously available, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the Government did not exercise some foresight and imagination in providing the bricks for those men to use? Why always put the cart before the horse?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman asks me a question about building trade operatives. He did not restrict himself to bricklayers. They are included, but many of these operatives are painters and plasterers, and until the walls are put up they cannot be used. A great many of these men will be needed when the class of work on which they are engaged becomes available.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will consider making available some more up-to-date figures than the ones he has given the House?

I have given the latest figures that are available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement clarifying the position in regard to transitional unemployment.

As my hon. Friend will be aware, over the country as a whole the demand for labour considerably exceeds the supply. The numbers of insured workers registered as unemployed at 11th February, 1946, were 224,027 men and boys and 131,551 women and girls, a total of 355,578 or approximately 2½ per cent. of the estimated insured population. This unemployment is due to turnover of labour, seasonal variations in particular industries and to pockets of unemployment arising in certain districts where there are local shortages of suitable work. Detailed statistics of employment and unemployment are given on pages 74 to 79 of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" for March.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a list of vacant posts for scientific and technical workers circulated by his Department included several advertisements which stated that no aliens or Jews were required; and whether he will take steps to ensure that no advertisements involving racial discrimination are in future approved by his Department.

Some vacancies containing a certain stipulation were notified to my Department whose duty it is to submit the type of applicant likely to be acceptable to an employer. In this case the list of vacancies with the stipulation was circulated internally in my Department and was also made available to an association of workpeople, but no question of the approval of an advertisement arose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is a disgraceful business that these advertisements should be backed apparently by a Government Department?

I do agree that the backing of a Government Department ought not to be given to advertisements of this character and I am very much concerned about it. What happened was this. This firm asked for persons within the classification and we passed it to one of our departments and to the association concerned with that class of workers. The information got out in that way. I personally regret it, and if I had seen it before it was published I would have prohibited it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that in future his Department will not circulate applications for persons which contain such a racial discrimination and which are against the public policy of this country?

That is certainly what I intended to say.

Will the Minister consult with his colleague the Home Secretary in order to ensure that legislation is passed to prohibit such cases of racial discrimination?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that numbers of men registered at the Walton employment exchange, Liverpool, are willing to work at brickworks in the St. Helens area if transport can be provided; and whether he will arrange for omnibuses for this purpose as was done during the war and as is done now for prisoners of war.

None of the workers registered at the Walton Employment Exchange is a skilled brickworker and vacancies for unskilled workers in the St. Helens area can be met from local sources.

Does the Minister know whether that applies to the Upholland district where they still want workers?

I can only answer the Question on the Paper. Unskilled workers are more easily obtained than skilled workers.

asked the Minister of Labour which training centres for building operatives in North Wales have recently been opened or are contemplated; and what will be the monthly intake of each centre.

No centres for building trade training have so far been opened in North Wales but I am making every effort to obtain suitable premises for such a centre.

asked the Minister of Labour the seasons for the decline of the persons engaged in the building industry in Wales, from 33,748 in July, 1939, to 11,740 in July, 1945.

The main reasons are call up to the Forces and transference of workers to vital war work in other industries and areas.

Is the Minister satisfied with the measures to bring these men back and to increase the number of people in the building trade, and will that number he sufficient to enable the Government to carry out the house building programme?

I think that we are fairly confident that that will occur

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the proposed relaxation of the Essential Work Order, designed to permit freedom of movement within the mining industry, he will consider a similar relaxation to permit farm workers to change their employment while remaining within the agricultural industry.

No decision has yet been reached on the proposal referred to in the first part of the Question. The possibility of withdrawing or modifying the Essential Work (Agriculture) (Scotland) Order was recently considered by the Departments concerned when it was decided, with the concurrence of the representative bodies of both sides of the industry, that, for the time being, no relaxation should be made. The matter is to be kept under continual review

asked the Minister of Labour if he yet has any statement to make on the admission of aliens for domestic employment in hospitals, schools and other institutions.

I will, with permisison of the House, make a statement after Questions on Thursday next.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give consideration to allowing young men with open scholarships to be released from the Services after 12 months' service.

No, Sir. I cannot extend release in Class B to persons with so short a period of service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now announce the programme of demobilisation releases beyond 30th June next, or when he expects to do so.

I hope to be in a position, before the Easter Recess, to announce a provisional programme of releases up to the end of September.

Will the Minister in settling his programme of releases have regard to the proximity of the new academic year, especially in universities such as Aberdeen?

We will give consideration to all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now a position to indicate when he will be able to intro- duce a more accurate cost-of-living index, for which the preliminary investigations were made in 1937–38, to replace the present index which is based on pre-1914 data.

I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to undertake a revision of the cost-of-living index. I am referring the matter to an Advisory Committee which has considered the subject in the past.

Will the Minister expedite this matter as it is so highly important to fix something like a decent wages policy for the country?

To attempt to get any reliable figures on the fluctuations and conditions at present would be most unsatisfactory from every point of view.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds have the compilers of his Department's cost-of-living index concluded that the average of working-class rents has risen only twice during the war years, namely, in May, 1940, and May, 1945, and are now only 2 to 3 per cent. above September, 1939.

Inclusive rents of the majority of unfurnished working-class dwellings have been controlled, since the outbreak of war, by the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1939. In general the only increases permitted in the rents of such dwellings, above the level of September, 1939, have been those resulting from increases in local rates and water charges. During the war years increases in rates were relatively slight, and the total effect of such increases as occurred was only sufficient to raise the average level of inclusive rents by 2 to 3 per cent.

Is it not a fact that local authorities are now raising the rents of working-class houses?

That is not a question which should be put to me.

asked the Prime Minister why, in view of the fact that the Ministry of Supply has already an efficient transport organisation with regional offices throughout the country, which in the past has looked after transport for other Government Departments, including the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Works has now opened a separate Department duplicating the staff and organisation of the Ministry of Supply; and why the Board of Trade have, on behalf of the raw material controls, set up a further duplicating system of transport.

During the war the Ministry of Supply Transport Organisation looked after the interests of the Ministry of Works very efficiently, as stated by the hon. Member. With the re-organisation of the Ministry of Supply and the combination of the Ministries of Supply and Aircraft Production and with the changing character of the transport problems which the end of the war has brought to both the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Works, it was felt that it was more appropriate for the latter Department to make its own arrangements for looking after the transport matters in which it was interested and which were in many respects different from those in which the Ministry of Supply was concerned. This involved the transfer to the Ministry of Works of the Headquarter Staff of the Ministry of Supply, who had been engaged full time on work for the Ministry of Works, and the setting up within the new Regional Organisation of that department of machinery to deal with transport matters throughout the country. I understand that there have been compensating reductions in the transport staff of the Ministry of Supply and I am not aware that any duplication of staff is involved by these changes.

With regard to the last part of the Ouestion, no new transport organisation has been set up, but arrangements have been made for the Raw Materials Control under the Board of Trade to employ forwarding agents direct.

Is not the Prime Minister aware of the shortage of both manpower and vehicles, and is it not an appalling thought that there should be duplication of a Government such as this?

My information js that there has been no duplication. If the hon. Member has any evidence to the contrary, I should be glad to receive it from him.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the various reports of the Select Committee on Statutory Rules and Orders, especially with regard to the delay by certain Government Departments in the laying of Orders on the Table of the House; and what steps the Government intend to take to reduce delay in the future.

Yes, Sir. A circular was issued to all Departments on 31st December last drawing their attention to the need for punctual compliance with Statutory directions for the laying before Parliament of Statutory Rules and Orders whether in draft or in final form.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he will instruct the Treasury to see that the Reports of this Committee are sent to the Departments, which are not receiving them at the present time?

I will look into that, but I have no information.

Could not the Prime Minister arrange to have more staff at the Stationery Office, because it is the Stationery Office who are always blamed for delay in printing these Orders?

Subject to the question of duplication, to which I have already referred, I will look into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is yet ready to standardise the capitation grants made for members of the Air Training Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet Force and to make a special allowance for equipment.

No, Sir. The needs of these three Forces are quite different.

Does not the Chancellor recognise that there is going to be great difficulty in getting the Forces on to an equal footing?

It is still true that the needs of the three Forces are quite different.

If the Chancellor will look at my Question, he will see that I referred to a special allowance for equipment which would make a difference in these three Forces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate amount of Entertainments Duty realised from the Oxford and Cambridge boat race; and at what rate the university boat clubs concerned are charged Purchase Tax on their boats and oars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of revenue accruing to the Exchequer on account of entertainment and other tax due to the Oxford and Cambridge boat race.

The amount of Entertainments Duty received was about £700. The boats and oars pay Purchase Tax at the rate of 33⅓ per cent. of their wholesale value.

Does not the Chancellor recollect that undergraduates are not wealthy people, and is it fair that, when this great national event secures the Government £700, they should be taxed on the necessary boats?

The arrangements regarding Entertainments Duty have been unchanged since 1922. With regard to the Purchase Tax, my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget this afternoon.

Is the Chancellor aware that rowing may stop at Oxford and Cambridge due to the high cost of boats, and will he, between now and making his Budget statement, give consideration to the remission of the Entertainment Tax, if he has not already done so?

Is not the boat race part of an educational entertainment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any further statement regarding the continued payment of a pension to the heirs of the brother of Horatio, Lord Nelson.

Yes, Sir. H. M. Government have decided to introduce legislation terminating this annuity on the death of the present earl or of his heir, his brother, should he survive him. The Bill will also provide for releasing the Trafalgar Estate, which was bestowed on the first Lord Nelson's brother and his successors under the Act of 1806, from certain of the statutory restrictions imposed by that Act. The estate will then be put in the same position as an ordinary settled estate under the Settled Land Acts.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the statement he has made will be welcomed as representing equity tempered by liberality?

Are we to understand from the reply that similar steps are to be taken with other pensions of a similar kind?

There are no other pensions of a similar kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the balance of sterling is still accumulating in India; and whether he will consider separating the wartime and current balances and make the latter available for purchase of supplies from Britain as soon as goods can be exported.

The Reserve Bank of India's sterling holdings have increased between 1st February and 29th March, 1946, by £35 million, of which £11½ million is attributable to a final adjustment for the year 1944–45. Sterling balances in Indian hands are available for purchases of supplies from Britain; and there is therefore no need to separate them for the purpose suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that certain local taxation authorities are presenting tax demand forms by messenger, the forms being unfolded and not enclosed in an envelope; and whether he will give instructions that, in future, all demand forms shall be enclosed in an envelope or similar wrapper.

If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sculpture, in addition to the bust of the right hon. Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill), has been commissioned at the public expense from Mr. Jacob Epstein and other artists.

Thirty works in all. They include seven by Mr. Epstein, the subjects being Sir John Anderson, Mr. Bevin, Mr. Churchill—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] I think I am in Order in mentioning names—Sir Alan Cunningham, M. Maisky, Lord Portal and Viscount Wavell.

While it is satisfactory to know the full extent of our monumental liabilities, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, as a precautionary measure, it may he possible for these busts, etc., to be shown in the Library of the House before being exposed to the public gaze?

Twenty-five of them have already been exposed to the public gaze, three I think in the National Gallery, and 20 at the War Artists' show at the Royal Academy in October, 1945.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether a bust of Mr. Vishinsky is to be made a memorial for all time?

I think the list is now closed.

If busts are to be the order of the day, would it not be proper to include the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he permits civil servants of his Department to participate in local government; and why permission to be nominated for election to the Stafford Rural District Council was refused in the case of Mr. A. N. Hillier, a Customs and Excise officer, particulars of which have been sent to him.

The rules regarding participation by civil servants in local government are at present being reviewed. I am anxious to give all reasonable facilities for such participation. I find that Mr. Hillier was given permission to stand in 1937 for the Gnosall Parish Council and the Stafford Rural District Council. I understand that permission was refused this year, owing to the very heavy pressure of work at Stafford, but I am looking further into the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, and when, he will raise the scales of pay of typists and of shorthand-typists in the Civil Service to bring them into line with those paid for comparable duties performed in other organisations owned and operated under the overriding control of the Government and, in particular, in the Bank of England; and whether the Government intend, Without discrimination, to maintain for all employees a just and fair employment policy throughout the whole field of comparable service both in Government departments and in organisations owned and generally controlled by the State.

I do not accept the view that the Civil Service rates for these staffs, which have just been improved, are out of line with those paid by the Bank of England.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the second part of my Question? Is he not aware that the differences are as much as 10s. a week?

No, Sir. Even if they were, it would not prove anything.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will abolish the charge of £ for a compulsory medical examination, payable by candidates for the Civil Service.

I am considering this possibility in consultation with the Civil Service Commission.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give instructions to the Board of Inland Revenue to set up a Whitley Committee on the lines recommended in paragraph 88 of Cmd. 6525, Training of Civil Servants, in view of the fact that the Inland Revenue Staff Federation has not been able to get any satisfactory proposals from the Board for many months.

I am anxious that this committee should be set up as soon as possible. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, all the training committees recommended in the Report have been set up and are actively functioning in the Inland Revenue Department, with the exception of the particular committee to which the Question refers. The delay in getting this going is due to the fact that the two staff associations concerned hold differing views on the constitution of the committee. I hope this difficulty will be resolved at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship caused to hotel and boarding-house keepers whose property has now been derequisitioned by Service Departments, he will consider putting back the appointed day under the Requisitioned Land Act, 1945, from 24th February, 1946, to VE-Day.

No, Sir. Apart from other considerations, there is no power to alter this appointed day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the rations of many prisoners of war on the land; and whether, out of consideration for those farmer's wives who are supplementing these rations and in the interest of good work, he will make more satisfactory arrangements.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Lieut.-Colonel Dower) on 21st August, 1945. As my right hon. Friend stated in that reply, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture, prisoners of war employed for very long hours on harvest work are provided with additional quantities of foodstuffs, including sugar, margarine, cheese and preserves, so as to secure the maximum output in this vital work. In present circumstances my right hon. Friend is unable to consider any further increase of their rations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure the distribution of such drift and seine nets as become available to the boats most urgently in need of them.

Cases of hardship due to the lack of nets by fishermen are being investigated by local fishery officers and the issue of additional licences to manufacture nets is being regulated accordingly.