asked the Minister of Works what has been the average time taken for the erection of temporary houses, including the time required for the preparation of the site.

From the beginning of site preparation to the occupation of the house, the average time taken has been about nine months. The period is being reduced as the rate of supply of certain items improves.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how this time compares with the estimate originally given?

No, I cannot.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what period is involved when the sites are prepared and no work is going on, before building commences?

In that period of nine months that I have given, about three months.

asked the Minister of Works whether it is intended to repair the ceiling of the present Chamber of the House of Commons where the German bomb penetrated.

The repair of the ceiling of this Chamber will be put in hand during the coming Recess.

Is not this bomb damage part of the history of this ancient House, and would it not, therefore, be much better to leave it as it is at present?

asked the Minister of Works what were the qualifications upon which he decided to appoint Mrs. Violet Dean to her post in his Department; what is the post she occupies; what is her salary; and why the post was not offered to an ex-Serviceman.

Mrs. Dean entered the service of my Department as a temporary administrative assistant in May, 1943, having been recruited in the normal way through the Central Interviewing Board of the Ministry of Labour Appointments Department. She was promoted to her present post of temporary principal on the salary range £572–£784 in December, 1945, as she was considered to be the best candidate for the post having regard to her administrative capacity and experience since the date of her appointment.

Since her promotion, has she been employed on snooping duties, and if so how many convictions has she obtained?

If a Question of this kind is to be asked, is it not more in accordance with good taste and with the customs of this House that the name of the civil servant referred to should be communicated to the Minister concerned privately?

I think so; I must confess that I thought it unfortunate to say that the lady was employed on snooping duties.

Withdraw.

But she was.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland has been closed since 1939; why this arrangement as regards picture galleries applies to Edinburgh and not to London; and if the gallery is still occupied by the National Registration Identity Cards department of the Government.

The answer to the first and last parts of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, this Gallery, in common with most of the London galleries and museums, was closed during the war, when the exhibits were evacuated for safety. Every effort is being made to secure alternative accommodation for the National Register Office staff, but in view of the particularly acute shortage of office premises in Edinburgh, I am unable at present to hold out any prospect of an early release.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the citizens of Edinburgh, and of Scotland generally, have been denied for some six years seeing this important exhibition of famous Scotsmen and Scotswomen, and that they think it more important to see this exhibition than to retain their National Registration cards?

As soon as alternative arrangements can be made, an opportunity to see the exhibition will be given.

asked the Minister of Works in view of the shortage of bricks for all purposes in the West Cumberland development area, whether he will consider the establishment of a brick works, controlled by his Department, seeing that there are ample clay deposits in the area.

I am always prepared to consider establishing further brickworks where additional capacity for brickmaking is required. I think, however, that the most expeditious way of meeting the requirements of West Cumberland is to assist the existing works to resume full production as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Works the position, so far as the supplies of bricks are concerned for housing, covering the Millom Rural District Council, the Ennerdale Rural District Council and the Whitehaven Borough; whether his attention has been called to the fact that men are being paid off owing to the shortage of bricks; and what he is prepared to do to overcome this shortage.

There is a shortage of bricks in this area. I am prepared, with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, to arrange to supply Belgian bricks and to send bricks from an adjoining area.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what the output of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company was in 1945; what proportion of this production was imported into the United Kingdom; and where the remainder was sent.

As regards the first two parts of the Question, the output of crude oil by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in Persia in 1945 was 16,840,000 tons. During that year only about 1 per cent. of this production was brought to the United Kingdom. In regard to the last section of the Question, the major part of the company's output during 1945 went into the Eastern area for war purposes, both British and American.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say by what percentage the imports to this country are likely to go up this year?

I could not say offhand.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average amount of coal allowed per week to miners and the prices paid by them.

On the average, 3½ cwt. of coal per miner per week are supplied to those miners entitled to receive either free or concessionary coal. Of the total quantity supplied, about 58 per cent. was at reduced prices, the average price in 1945 being 8s. per ton.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that 15 trucks of coal have accumulated at Bromley South Station as a result of the withdrawal of the permit from Mr. C. Mortimer, of 57, High Street, Orpington; and if he will, in consultation with the Minister of Transport, take the necessary steps to enable Mr. Mortimer to continue his coal delivery work.

The accumulation of 15 wagons at Bromley South Station was brought about by the cancellation of hired transport owing to lack of coal supplies up to 8th July, followed by the unexpected arrival on the 9th July of eight wagons of coke in addition to normal coal supplies. By working over the week-end the wagon accumulation was cleared by the firm of coal merchants concerned. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, in answer to a similar Question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Mortimer had his lorry taken off the road by a telephone message in a very peremptory manner from a bureaucrat in Bromley? Will he take steps to see that, as this is the only lorry which has weights, scales and sacks, this kind of interference with a private business of a private citizen is not continued?

I understand that the permit authorising the use of the vehicle expired on 31st May, and that Mr. Mortimer did not make application for its renewal immediately thereafter. He has since done so, and, of course, authorisation will be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it comes about that, under a planned economy, the arrival of eight wagons was unexpected?

When one is dealing with matters of coke and coal anything can happen.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what tonnage of peat is expected to be available this winter for domestic fuel in Scotland.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he refused to permit a Warwickshire colliery to give away for use in brick making 30,000 tons of washery slurry, now occupying agricultural land, unless 15s. per ton was paid to the Coal Charges Fund; and whether, in order to encourage useful disposal, he will exempt slurry from the levy.

All disposals of fuel for purposes of combustion have to bear coal charge. If an undertaking is unable to dispose of any of its products as fuel, and wishes to do so for some purpose other than combustion, the Ministry is prepared to consider the question of exemption from coal charge, provided the facts are laid before them prior to the sale. The Warwickshire Coal Company recently asked the Ministry to exempt its slurry from coal charge on the grounds that its selling value could not support the charge. The Ministry replied setting out the position as above, and invited presentation of the facts if any of the products could not be sold as fuel, but only as rubbish at a price which would not cover coal charge. So far, no request for exemption from coal charge under the conditions prescribed has been received.

Does not this case illustrate the urgent necessity for amending the Coal Charges Order, so as to get rid of the flat rate levy?

No, Sir, I should not think so. Obviously, one could not apply the flat rate principle to coal charges.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what washery slurry is?

Slurry, when coal was plentiful, was waste. Now it is used——

For coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why his Department retains publicans and other people who have other occupations and declares ex-Servicemen redundant, in the same Departments, doing the same work.

I do not regard an outside occupation as debarring an officer from employment, so long as he efficiently discharges the duties of his office and complies with the regulations attaching to his particular employment. The discharge of redundant staff is in accordance with the terms of the agreement reached with the Staff Side of the Departmental Whitley Council; ex-Servicemen are given every consideration and are only dispensed with in accordance with this agreement. I do not know what particular case my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he will give me particulars I am quite willing to look into it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman fully realise that when any such question of redundancy occurs, it tends to create suspicion in the minds of the staff concerned? I will certainly let the right hon. Gentleman have the case I have in mind.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether a better quality of coal will be supplied to gas undertakings in the North-East of Scotland.

The supplies available for gas works are being distributed as fairly as possible in collaboration with the regional spokesmen of the industry in respect of quality and quantity. Until outputs are substantially higher than they have been, we could only improve supplies in particular cases at the expense of other gas works.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the coal we are getting in the North-East at present is providing only 75 per cent, of the gas per ton produced from similar coal before the war?

If that allegation can be substantiated, no doubt, the gas undertaking will inform me.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will allow the basic petrol ration for the months of August and September to be taken up in either of the two months.

Basic ration coupons for July will be valid for use during August at the increased rate which becomes operative on 1st August, and the August coupons will be similarly valid for use in September. I am not prepared, however, to ante-date the September coupons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give an assurance that, where no alternative method of light or power is available, old premises, in respect of which application for the supply of electricity has been outstanding for several years, will not be treated any less favourably than new buildings.

Yes, Sir; but only in very exceptional cases will it be found that no alternative method of light or power is available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now make an increase of 50 per cent. in the paraffin ration.

I have been endeavouring to improve the position in regard to supplies of paraffin for the country but it is one of the petroleum products which is in short supply, and I am not yet able to announce any relaxation. I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 30th April to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).

Can the Minister give us any reassurance that he considers it will be possible for him to increase the supplies before the winter?

I wish I could, but at the moment I cannot.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the Bristol Regional Office of his Department made certain preferential issues of fuel, of which he has been informed; and if he will make a statement.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the report in the Press of the statement by the Salisbury Local Fuel Overseer regarding the supply of large anthracite to Lady Fergusson, the wife of the Permanent Secretary of my Department. To remove misconceptions which that statement might cause, I should point out that large anthracite is not in the list of restricted fuels; it is not a suitable substitute for house coal for use in ordinary domestic grates, and it has been the policy of my Department that it should be used in large domestic boilers as far as it can be made available in preference to the restricted fuels. Licences for supplies of it are not required, and indeed the Local Fuel Overseer advised Lady Fergusson, who had applied to him, that it was not necessary for a permit to be issued to obtain it, and that she was quite in order in asking her registered merchants to let her have a supply of it. It is not the practice of my Department to prescribe to coal merchants the amounts of this fuel to be delivered to individual customers.

In view, however, of the fact that public allegations have been made of improper or undue influence for securing preferential treatment for the Permanent Secretary of my Department, I have, at Sir Donald Fergusson's request, arranged for an independent investigation into the matter, and this is being undertaken by Sir John Forster, K.C.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he now has any further information to give as to the prospect of the Government's proposal for the employment of Polish ex-soldiers in British coalmines being carried out.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him to a similar Question on 18th June.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what the present state of the negotiations is? It is a very long time since the Foreign Secretary held out hope of this employment.

We are still in discussion on this matter, but the number of Poles available who are suitable for work of this description is not high. I propose to deal with the matter tomorrow in the course of the Debate,

Will the Minister see that, pending the return of these men to Poland, consideration is given, in connection with their employment in the mines, to their being taken away entirely from military control, British or Polish, so that they may be free men working in the mines?

If there should be any Poles who can be employed in the mines —I have already indicated that there are not many available—they would have to be employed under civilian supervision.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is a matter of very considerable urgency How long does he think these negotiations are going on?

There can be no question of urgency about it, if the number available is small.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has yet given instructions that the so-called black list of injured miners, operated through the Indemnity Society, should be abandoned.

It has been made clear to colliery managements that they should not refuse to employ a man merely because he is in receipt of compensation. Special action is taken in an endeavour to provide suitable employment for compensation men who are capable of performing a reasonable day's work, and in appropriate cases consideration would be given to the issue of directions.

Is the Minister aware that this is not carried out in pits in South Wales, and if I give him instances of the practice not being carried out, will he take action in the matter?

I certainly will if the information is conveyed to me, but I would suggest also that such cases should be reported to the trade union concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of female labour of all kinds, he will hold up recruitment of women into the Auxiliary Services until the position has eased.

No. Sir. Voluntary recruitment of women to the Women's Auxiliary Services is designed to lessen the needs of the Services for men, and to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion would delay the release of men now serving.

is it not reasonable that women who have been demobilised and find civilian life distasteful should be able to return to the Services? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in my constituency a woman has been prevented from returning to the Services, although she is very capable?

That hardly arises on this Question.

asked the. Minister of Labour how many girls have enrolled as student nurses between the beginning of the special recruiting campaign and the latest convenient date; and how many female nurses left the profession for any reason during the same period.

The number of female student nurses entering training from and including September, 1945, when the special recruiting campaign began, and 10th June, 1946, the latest date up to which information is available, was approximately 20,000. I am unable to say how many female nurses left the profession during the same period

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will have a special register kept of any suitable vacancies in South Wales, and inform those who have migrated from Wales during recent years of such vacancies so that they may have an early opportunity of returning to their native country.

I regret that it would be impracticable to introduce the full scheme suggested by my hon. Friend, but suitable vacancies in their home area are brought to the notice of workers who have recently transferred from home under the temporary transfer scheme, and their return is facilitated.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a quarter of a million people left Wales during the depression and after the 1918 war, and that many of them would like to go back if there are vacancies for them? Could some scheme be provided whereby they could be informed of any possible vacancies?

That is why we introduced the temporary transfer scheme, under which all workers transferred are notified of vacancies in their own areas.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that at the present moment there are tens of thousands of people unemployed in South Wales? Will something be done about that before bringing more people into the area?

That is why we have the temporary transfer scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to state the names of the persons appointed to serve on the Board of the Institute of Domestic Workers.

Yes, Sir. As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, he invited Miss Dorothy Elliott to be chairman of the board of directors of the National Institute of Houseworkers, and he has now appointed her and nine other members of the Board, a list of whose names I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. One further appointment of a person with experience of domestic training remains to he made. I may add that an advisory council, representative of the various interests concerned, is being set up to assist the Institute in its work. My right hon. Friend is happy to say that Miss Violet Markham has consented to become chairman of the council.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether in this instance the Government will follow the excellent practice which was incorporated in the Services of promotion from the ranks?

Will Miss Markham be personally informed of her appointment, or, as in the case of her compulsory retirement, will she hear about it in the Press?

I thought I said that Miss Markham had consented to accept this appointment.

Have any of the people whose names are to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT any practical experience of domestic work?

I think that it is an admirable list, and that when hon. Members see it they will be very pleased.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state in round figures, comparing the years 1938 and 1945–46, the effect of the war and food rationing on the health of the people of Aberdeen, with particular reference to the incidence of disease and to infantile and maternal mortality.

As the reply is long and involves a number of figures, I am sending a statement to my hon. and learned Friend.

is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say whether the figures show an upward or downward trend?

I can say that the figures prove that the position is fairly satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the general dissatisfaction with the examination for Senior Leaving Certificate, he will reconsider the whole question of the use of this examination before next year.

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the examination for the Senior Leaving Certificate, though my attention has been drawn to criticism arising from certain conjectures and mis-statements which have recently received publicity. The future of this examination will be considered in the light of the report on secondary education which I shall soon be receiving from the Advisory Council on Education in Scotland.

Will the Minister bear in mind, when reconsidering this question, that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction with the method of awarding this certificate, and that this examination should not be merely a selective test but a test of attainment at the end of the period of secondary training?

I extended the life of the Advisory Committee by three months to enable them to complete their investigations and report to me on this problem. I have nothing further to add until I have received their report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many two-apartment houses are provided for in the schemes promoted by local authorities up to the end of May.

Out of 29,000 houses covered by tenders approved between 1st January, 1945, and 31st May, 1946, only eight are of two-apartments. These houses comprise four for occupation by elderly couples, and four included in a prewar scheme

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, in view of the serious cuts which poultry keepers will have to make in their livestock owing to lack of feeding-stuffs, he is not taking steps to use all fish which is not available for human consumption for the production of fish meal for poultry instead of allowing surplus fish to be dumped in the sea.

Full use is made by the fishing industry of by-product factories for the conversion of fish into fish meal. The quantity of fish dumped in the sea during the first six months of this year has been very small, and amounted to only one-twentieth of r per cent. of the quantity of fish landed. It was not an economic proposition to transport this relatively small quantity to a factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the shortage of female nurses at the Dundee Mental Hospital branch of Liff, as at present there are only 20 female nurses looking after 300 patients; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.

I am informed that, while there are only 20 female nurses on the permanent staff, there are also three full-time and 15 part-time temporary nurses at the hospital referred to. With regard to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on 2nd July.

While appreciating that answer, may I ask the Minister if he would look into the case of the female nurses serving in this mental hospital, because I believe that there is considerable hardship experienced by them, owing to the lack of staff?

In view of the supplementary question, I will take particular note of this matter and have inquiries made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will reconsider his decision to change over from the old W.A.E.Cs. to the new district committees in November; and whether he will consider causing the change to take place in the spring of 1947.

I propose to proceed with the appointment of the new area executive committees in November. In order, however, to avoid any possibility of prejudicing the plans now being made for next year's vital harvest, I have decided, instead of setting up the local sub-committees mentioned in my reply of 14th May to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart), to invite the existing agricultural executive committees to remain in office for a further period for the performance of specific food production duties.

Can the Minister say whether these committees will have the same powers as they have at present, or will they come under the area committees in any way?

They will have practically the same powers as at present. I want them to continue until such time as we are through the crisis we are in at the moment so far as food production is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will explain the changes made in housing procedure resulting from the recent representations made to him by the Fife County Council; and if this improved procedure will apply, in future, to all housing activities in Scotland.

The arrangements broadly provide for the approval of sites in suitable cases by means of local contacts between my Department and the county council. I shall consider extending these arrangements wherever this is useful and practical. Questions of distance and local practice might rule out their general adoption. I am anxious to simplify housing procedure to the utmost extent and will continue to seek the guidance of the liaison committee of local authority representatives who advise me in this respect.

Does not the Minister agree with the estimate made by the county council that, as a result of their representations, the time spent on formalities has been reduced from well over 100 days to less than 30 days?

Far be it from me to deprecate any local authorities in their claims. If they choose to be happy that way, I do not want to take away their happiness.

If that extraordinary reduction in "red tape" can be brought about, why did the hon. Member delay so long in denying the charge which I made?

The facts are that the reduction is nothing like that amount. Let people be happy. I am much more happy that they should get on with building houses than have needless controversy about them.

I want to be happy.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any further statement to make on the effect upon farm workers' perquisites of the new bread-rationing Order.

I am still in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and hope that an announcement will be made very shortly.

In view of the Order now on the Table with regard to oatmeal, does not the right hon Gentleman think it absolutely necessary that the House should be informed of this matter before the Order is passed?

The Minister of Food is carrying through negotiations at the present time, and is engaged on the prepartions of the special provisions to deal with the perquisites of farm workers.

If there is an Order on the Table, how is it that the Minister has not come to a decision with regard to this matter?

I have already pointed out that the Minister of Food is working on the provisions at the moment, and we hope, as I have already stated, that we shall he able very shortly to make an announcement.

Are we to assume that the Order putting oatmeal on points was issued without giving preliminary considerations to these complications which have arisen?

The right hon. Gentleman must not assume that.

Is the Minister aware that a great deal of the trouble in the country is because the public are not taken sufficiently into the confidence of the Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet completed his inquiries into the position of the brickworks at Inverkeithing, Fife; whether he is aware that foreign-made bricks are being brought to a housing site within a mile of this brickworks; and if he will expedite the completion of the works so that production may be commenced at an early date.

I am glad to say that as a result of the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations between the owners of this brickworks and the promoters of the Forth Road Bridge (Draft) Provisional Order, the way is now clear to bring the brickworks into production, and the Ministry of Works are in close touch with the owners to expedite the installation of the necessary machinery and equipment.

asked the Lord President of the Council if the members of the Advisory Committee on Scottish Broadcasting will be appointed by the Governors of the B.B.C. or by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Theseappointments will be made by the Governors of the B.B.C. who, in exercising their responsibility, will naturally take such consultations as are appropriate. I think that the hon. Member can rest assured that full account will be taken of any views expressed to the Governors by the Secretary of State.

Is the Minister aware that, if we cannot get control of our own radio in Scotland, the least we can expect is that the Scottish Department will select the advisers to the B.B.C. Governors on Scottish programmes, and not leave it to the B.B.C. to appoint their own Scottish advisers?

Up to now, it has been the custom when bodies set up advisory committees for them to appoint them, whether they are the Government or anyone else. That practice is being followed. I have made arrangements whereby the Secretary of State for Scotland will be consulted, and he concurs in that arrangement.

Would it not be more in accordance with Scottish sentiment if the Secretary of State for Scotland at least made some of these appointments?

I do not think that I can add to the answer that I have given. I think that this is quite a reasonable arrangement in all the circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not one Scotsman or Scotswoman is on the Board of Governors of the B.B.C.?

I am not sure about that.

It is perfectly true.

The Advisory Committee will be drawn from Scotland, but if Members of the Opposition, who last week were arguing against the Government having an undue hand in the B.B.C., are now going to argue that the Government, and not the B.B.C., should appoint the Advisory Committee, I wish they would reconcile their views.

Will the Lord President of the Council ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a real fight in the Government for his rights in this matter?

The Secretary of State for Scotland makes a much better fight for the rights of Scotland than the hon. Member and his political friends do for the rights of Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of pupils who left school at the end of session 1945– 1946; the number who had gained a two-years' certificate; the number who had gained a day-school certificate, higher; and the number who had gained the higher leaving certificate.

I regret that the number of pupils who left school at the end of session 1945– 46 is not available. As regards day school certificates, responsibility for the award of two-years' certificates since 1933, and of three-years' certificates since 1939, has rested wholly with education authorities: no returns of the numbers awarded annually are received. The number of senior leaving certificates awarded in 1946 was 4,469: a number of appeals, however, are under consideration, and the final figure will be somewhat higher.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that offers to undertake harvesting work are being rejected by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland because of the availability of prisoners of war; and whether it is still necessary to employ juvenile labour.

It has been found possible to dispense with a proportion of the civilian labour, other than persons from Employment Exchanges, hitherto required for the grain harvest in consequence of the increases in the number of prisoners of war and other forms of supplementary labour. I regret, however, that the labour thus set free is not available to enable us to do without the services of school children for the potato harvest.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider that reply, because it certainly will not give any encouragement to civilians to volunteer for future harvest work when prisoner of war labour is not available?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities have refused to accept the British Iron and Steel Federation house.

The town councils of Falkirk, Hamilton, Milngavie and Rutherglen and the county councils of Ayr and Dunbarton were unable to accept the provisional allocation of British Iron and Steel Federation houses made to them. The 450 houses involved have since been allocated to other local authorities.

Can my hon. Friend say what the reasons were for rejecting these house, in view of the great shortage in this district, and whether steps have been taken by these local authorities to compensate people for the loss which has been suffered?

The reasons vary. Some did not like the house because their architects objected. In one or two cases they have taken steps to get other permanent prefabricated houses. Personally, I would have thought that when the housing shortage in Scotland was so acute no local authority would have refused an offer of a Government house.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the respective priorities for the supply of insulin to civilian internees in Germany and to the general German population; and why the latter are lower in the scale than the former.

In the British zone insulin is supplied to both civilian internees and the general public through the German authorities. The Control Commission have laid down no priorities for its supply, nor am I aware of any adopted by the Germans. My in- formation is that supplies are adequate to meet hospitals demands in full for both the general public and the internees; limited quantities are also available for sale to the public in chemists' shops.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has any information to give the House respecting recent disorders in Hamburg.

So far as I am aware there have been only two incidents. On 27th June, 50 German women had arranged to meet outside the town hall so that six of their number could present a petition to the German burgomaster against the requisitioning of premises for British personnel without the provision of similar alternative accommodation. This incident was seized upon by rowdy elements and a crowd of two to three thousand persons collected outside the town hall. The crowd was quickly and peacefully dispersed by the German police assisted by British military police; some 20 persons were arrested. The Commander-in-Chief issued a warning and the incident seems closed. On 17th July, there was a much smaller demonstration by some 300 workers against alleged bad food. This was quickly dispersed and the ringleader arrested.

Is the Minister fully satisfied that the conditions existing in Hamburg generally at the moment, to which the question refers, are such that it is prudent and expeditious to send the families of men there at the present time?

I think that, taking all the factors into consideration, there is no alternative to allowing our staff over there to have their families with them, and that the conditions are such as to enable that to be possible. The incident to which reference is made in the Question, was something which arose through a misunderstanding as to the operation of that scheme. It was comparatively peaceful and was dispersed without even the police having to draw their truncheons. The observations and the pronouncements made upon it by the German Press and the leaders of the German political parties have endorsed that fact.

Some of us have seen these conditions in Hamburg, and would the Government not consider that a proper angle of approach to this question of maintaining contact between the officers in Germany and their families at home is rather to be found in giving adequate leave at reasonable times rather than sending the wives and families to Germany?

I can assure the hon. Member that these considerations have been very closely examined by the Government. The fact is that we do require to retain a considerable number of people in Germany of the right quality as far as they can be obtainable, and it is quite impossible to keep them separated from their families for long periods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the increased prices to be paid to the farmers and other factors will increase the amount of the food stabilisation subsidy; and what is now the estimated total for this financial year.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) last Thursday.

In view of the food situation, would it not be of more help to the country if prices were allowed to find their own level, when the law of supply and demand would settle these things?

That is not the view of the Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax offices have been closed since 1939 and in what respective places; how many have been reopened since the cessation of hostilities and where; and what additional staff would be necessary to reopen all offices at present closed.

As the answer is detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Without referring to hordes of unnecessary officials, can the Chancellor say when the tax office in Darwen will be reopened?

No, Sir. The answer is still the same as when the hon. Gentleman asked exactly the same question a short time ago—we must be on our guard against the employment of unnecessary hordes of officials.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many other tax offices have been reopened and how many officials employed?

None that have been closed have been reopened in my time.

If we must be on our guard against hordes of unnecessary officials, why on earth do the Government go ahead with the rationing scheme for bread?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now authorise payments to be made to persons over 65 years of age in respect of their war-damage claims for private chattels.

No, Sir, not as an automatic rule, but my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is always prepared to give special consideration to hardship claims from elderly persons.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that all the arguments he used when agreeing to pay postwar credits to elderly people apply with equal force to elderly people as far as war damage chattels are concerned, and will he not, with the President of the Board of Trade, take some action to see that people get some benefit from their claims while they are still alive?

I gave the reasons in reply to an earlier question why the two cases are different and I will not repeat them now, but the cases are not on all fours. We are anxious to make these payments as soon as the general situation permits, but we must keep a watch against making too many payments in a short time.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer bear it mind that a forensic triumph is no solution to the people without tables and chairs?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now completed his consideration of the day to be appointed for the payment of claims under the War Damage Acts; and if he will now indicate when value payments will be made to those who insured against war damage and who have claims against the War Damage Fund.

No, Sir, not yet.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated increase in annual dollar expenditure as a result of the petrol relaxations recently announced.

Fifteen million dollars at present prices.

Why should there be any extra dollar expenditure in view of the fact that the Abadan oilfields could hopelessly undersell American production if they really tried?

The question I was asked was how many more dollars are going to be spent.

It is not necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether funds made available under the U.S. Loan may be drawn by this country in gold as well as in dollars.

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, following the recent rise in prices in the U.S.A. and the revaluation of Canadian and Swedish currencies, there has been an influx of funds to this country from the U.S.A., in anticipation of a similar revaluation of sterling; and if he will inform the House as to the measures His Majesty's Government intends to take against this movement assuming considerable proportions.

The influx of funds to this country is due to an increase in the strength of sterling, as the result of the approval of the American Loan by Congress. I do not consider that any measures of the kind suggested in the second part of the Question are required.

Does the Chancellor of the Exchequer consider the movement of funds to constitute a genuine long-term investment, or is it merely a speculative one, which may rob his good-natured efforts to improve the value of sterling of much of their effect?

We are watching the position, and so far I am not dissatisfied with the course of events.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total of his Department's expenditure in Palestine during the most recent period of six months for which figures are available.

£ 17¾ million for the six months to 31st March, 1946.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, for the year 1937– 38, how many of the persons whose incomes exceeded £ 200, out of the 290,000 not gainfully employed, returned their incomes under the Income Tax Acts for money received from pensions or superannuation allowances; and what proportion of the £200,000,000 this represents.

The figures I gave in my reply to my hon. Friend on 16th July related to the number of people with no earned income. Pensions are treated as earned income for Income Tax purposes.

Can the Chancellor state what action the Government are taking or intend to take to see that those people who are getting vast incomes without working and using rationed clothes and food should be put to useful work?

We have made one or two tax adjustments that may help.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what credit facilities are at present in operation to enable prospective buyers in France of British manufactured products to purchase goods which will be ready for delivery within the next 12 months.

Normal commercial and banking facilities, including guarantees by the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the excellent British exhibits which have been shown in France, a large number of prospective French buyers have booked orders which cannot be fulfilled, because of the French shortage of sterling? Will he give the matter his further attention, with a view to enabling the French to overcome that shortage?

Yes, Sir, I am very anxious to encourage trade between this country and France, but it must not be all one-way trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he still permits the use of our exchange for importing luxury peaches and melons from Holland by air; and if he will take steps to stop this.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to make it possible for all sections of the population to eat more fruit. The Dutch, moreover, are good customers, as well as good friends, of ours, and we should be glad by restoring mutually advantageous trade, to help them to recover from the effects of the occupation of their country by the Germans.

Would it not be much cheaper if people picked blackberries?

I would like to tell my hon. Friend that a Treasury official bought a very good Dutch peach for 4d.