asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that many old age pensioners have not yet received their new pensions; what is the cause of the delay; and what steps are being taken to overcome the arrears.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware of the delay in distributing the new books for obtaining the increased old age pensions; and whether he will state the date by which distribution of the new books will be completed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that there is considerable delay in dealing with claims for increased old age pensions addressed to his Department at Blackpool; and what steps he is taking to expedite the settlement of these claims.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that many old age pensioners in the Winchester-Southampton district have not yet received their new pension books; and if he will make a statement explaining the delay and the action being taken to remedy it.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what action he is taking to complete the issue of new pension books and to give financial help to pensioners who have not received their new books.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that there are a large number of old age pensioners still awaiting receipt of their new pension books, giving them the new increased old age pension; and whether steps are being taken to expedite dispatch of these books.

The issue of order books at increased rates to over three million pensioners was substantially completed by the first week in October, on the basis of the information then available in my Department. This work involved the review in three central offices over a period of less than two months of the position of nearly four million pensioners. The subsequent complaints relate to a small percentage of cases over all, and fall into two broad categories. First, there are pensioners who hold books for pensions at lower rates than those to which they now think they are entitled because, for instance, they have retired, or their circumstances have otherwise changed at a recent date.

Second, there are those who have not received the books to which they are entitled owing, for instance, to loss in post, misdirection, or recent change of address—a very important factor.

Pensioners in the first category are virtually claiming new pensions. These claims require investigation, which may take some time, and the pensioners are being so informed. In order to speed up the handling of both classes of case, however, I have recently made arrangements with the Assistance Board which should enable a large majority of the difficulties to be dealt with by personal contact between the old people and the local offices of the board acting as my agents. Accordingly, any old age pensioner who is in difficulty in the matter would be well advised to communicate with the local representative of the Assistance Board.

Both the officers of my Department and the Board, in cooperation with the Post Office, are working long hours of extra duty, and additional staff have been put on to the work of clearance to the maximum extent. Substantial progress has already been made, and I have every confidence that the arrangements now made will lead to a speedy clearance of outstanding cases.

Will the Minister consider the issue of a short explanatory statement that could be sent to applicants who are in great distress, instead of the ordinary postcard with which they have to be content for a few weeks, and which they cannot really understand?

I will certainly consider that.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of Question 3, and say when this work will be completed?

We hope, very quickly; but the hon. Gentleman will realise that, of course, some of these cases raise questions of retirement, and they also raise questions of earnings, which fall to be considered and decided by the local tribunal, and, finally, by the umpire. But the large mass of cases will be completed in the very near future.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when pensioners write to his office at Blackpool, or to his own office, they cannot get a reply for six or eight weeks, and that it is very important that they should have acknowledgment of their letters, so that their minds may be set at rest by their being assured that their cases are being attended to?

I have to answer a Question on that matter in a moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Assistance Board are empowered to make up the difference between the old and new rates of pension before the new books are issued?

No, Sir. The Assistance Board, at my request, have promised to collaborate, because we find that personal contact saves a good deal of time and clears up cases more quickly; but the Assistance Board are not entitled to make awards of the higher pension.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's statement prove that administration breaks down under State control?

is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that, despite repeated applications, there are 46 wives of insured pensioners in the Broughton postal district of the City of Salford who have not yet received their pensions?

I am not aware of that, but I will have immediate inquiries made.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of single women between the ages of 55 and 60 years who are insured under the National Insurance Scheme.

It is estimated that the number of single women between the ages of 55 and 60 years, who are at present insured under the Contributory Pensions Acts is about 180,000. This figure includes about 30,000 special voluntary contributors who took up insurance under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937.

In view of the fact that this figure reveals that this class of insured contributor is relatively small, having regard to the total number of contributors, will my right hon Friend consider granting the claims of the spinsters for a retiring pension at the age of 55?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the fact that the new Act does not affect existing superannuation schemes in any way, public and private employers will now be required to pay an additional contribution for each employee who is a member of an existing superannuation scheme.

Contributions at the standard rates will be payable in respect of employees whether or not they are contributors to existing superannuation schemes of either private or public employers, and pensions at the standard rates will in due course become payable to them under the national scheme. The parties to these superannuation schemes may, however, wish to review their provisions and Section 69 (4) of the National Insurance Act, 1946, facilitate the making of any desired modification.

How does the Minister reconcile the fact that certain people will be drawing two pensions from the State with the principle already embodied in the Bill that certain other people are not entitled to draw two payments from the State?

Under our scheme persons will pay for the pensions to which they will be entitled. If in addition they pay for any other pension, then they will be entitled to that pension too.

Does my right hon. Friend intend to take any action to prevent private employers from insisting on a double contribution, one to the superannuation scheme they themselves run and one to the State?

I am afraid I have no power to interfere, and moreover I do not think it would be wise for me to interfere, in any private superannuation schemes.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is now in a position to give detailed information about the total floor space necessary for the office accommodation required for the administration of his Department; and the cost.

No, Sir.

Whatever the floor space may be, does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this floor space and the bureaucrats who will occupy it are unproductive, that they are drones in the hive and that they will destroy, not create, jobs?

I do not think this scheme is unproductive. I hope it will produce a retiring pension for the hon. Gentleman very shortly.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of cases certified by the certifying surgeons of coal-miners suffering from dermatitis from January, 1938, yearly, up to and includ- ing December, 1945; and is he aware of the increases in certified dermatitis.

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to set up a committee of investigation into this matter to deal with the grave injustice caused by the fact that, between the day of certification of a miner suffering from this disease and the day of attending the court of referees, very often all symptoms have disappeared?

I am afraid I should have to have notice of that question. I regret that these figures show a steady increase; there are a large number of cases, but we are doing our very best to shorten the time between the original claim and reference to the medical referee.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will take the administrative steps necessary to ensure that people writing to his Department at Blackpool about pensions and family allowances will receive an early acknowledgment of their letters.

During the war the routine acknowledgment of incoming letters was very largely suspended by Government Departments; but I have now given instructions that in future all letters addressed to my Ministry are to be acknowledged unless a substantive reply is expected to be sent within seven days. It has always been the practice to acknowledge the receipt of the claims themselves.

Is the Minister aware that many of these old age pensioners meet with kindness on the part of postmistresses up and down the country and, in writing for these old people who cannot write for themselves, these postmistresses are receiving very curt replies from the Ministry at Blackpool? Will he see that in future they get decent replies?

I regret that, and I wish to acknowledge freely the assistance given to us by the postmasters and postmistresses in the 27,000 post offices of this country, who collaborate with us in the issue of these pension books.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the estimated number of women, over 50, and men, over 55 years of age, who will fail to qualify under the National Insurance Act, 1946, for retirement pensions at 60 and 65 years of age, respectively, by reason of their not being previously insured.

It is estimated that about 500,000 men aged 55 to 65, and 300,000 spinsters and widows aged 50-60, will become liable to be insured for the first time under the National Insurance Act, 1946. When they reach the pension age they will be allowed to choose whether they wish to claim a refund of retirement pension contributions and surrender their retirement pension rights or would prefer to continue paying contributions until they complete the 10 years qualifying period, when they can qualify for pensions at the full rate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider allowing these categories of persons to make retrospective contributions, in order that they may qualify at an earlier date than otherwise?

No, Sir. We have received a large number of applications from persons who would like to make retrospective payments, and some who would like to pay by lump sum. I am afraid it would be absolutely impossible to consider schemes of that kind.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether Assistance Board circular, G. 103/46, paragraph 13, is an indication that it is the intention of the Board to discharge age-barred officers before the completion of the 10-years' service required to entitle them to pension.

No, Sir. The circular referred to does no more than remind the staff of the Board of a long-standing rule under which the Board may call upon any officer to retire after reaching the age of 60. Individual cases will continue to be considered on their merits.

In view of the apprehension to which the issue of this circular at this time has given rise, can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it is not in general his intention to discard officers in this class until they have had an opportunity to earn their pension?

I hoped that my answer, that individual cases would be considered on their merits, would be reassuring to the persons concerned.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he is taking to safeguard the health insurance rights of men embarking on Government training courses after demobilisation

Regulations are in preparation which will provide for the excusal of arrears of health and pensions contributions in the case of persons undergoing a course of training or rehabilitation under a scheme approved by the Minister of National Insurance. I am sending a copy of the draft Regulalions to my hon. Friend

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will now state what action it is proposed to take as a result of the examination of the complaints arising out of the working of the Family Allowances Act, to which his attention has been drawn.

We have carefully examined the position. All the new and expanded social service schemes must be considered as a coordinated whole and most of the difficulties which have arisen out of the piecemeal introduction of parts of the schemes will be removed when the full schemes are in operation.

In the meantime the Assistance Board have been considering the position of children in families drawing supplementary pensions or unemployment assistance. They have now submitted draft Regulations embodying increases in their scale rates for children which have been accepted by the Government, and I propose to lay these draft Regulations before Parliament this week, when copies will be available in the Vote Office.

Has the Minister had any consultations with the Minister of Health in regard to family allowances and public assistance cases?

Public assistance is a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland. They have certainly been called into consultation, and both will be communicating as a result of these new regulations.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he is going to introduce this Session his third and final proposals to afford security and to correct the anomalies that exist and are causing hardship to various people?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while the proposed increase in Assistance Board rates will be welcomed, they will make even more unsatisfactory the 5s. children's benefit payable to every child but the first of a man drawing benefit under the Minister's new insurance scheme?

I appreciate the difficulties which arise, but they are very largely difficulties springing from the piecemeal introduction of this legislation. I am, I hope, entitled to remind hon. Members that we were under considerable pressure to begin the payment of children's allowances before the others.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to induce individual German prisoners of war working in the United Kingdom to defer their return to Germany.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that while no special inducements are offered, prisoners, as their turn for repatriation comes, are normally given the opportunity of volunteering to stay for six months.

Does not the Minister appreciate that it is quite impossible to have a planned economy without being able to place labour where it is urgently needed, and that as it is impossible to direct British labour, the Government have no choice but to make much more use of foreigners?

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper, which shows that we have offered these men an opportunity to stay here for six months.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 3,000 unemployed agricultural workers have been in employment during the recent harvest; how many were then classed as casual workers; and how many are unemployed as a result of voluntary dismissal.

Only four of the unemployed workers in agriculture at 16th September were classified as casual workers. I regret that the information asked for in the other parts of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 3,457 registered unemployed agricultural workers on 16th September were living in an area where the harvest was not completed; and, in view of the unlimited demand for farm workmen during September, why these men were entitled to draw unemployment pay.

I am unable to give the figure asked for in the first part of the Question. Those who were receiving unemployment benefit must have been satisfying the statutory requirements which entitled them to payment.

In view of the fact that these men must have known at least a fortnight ahead that they were going to be unemployed, is there no machinery under which they can be directed to work when they are registered as unemployed?

This question is specifically related to agricultural workers who are unemployed at a certain date, and whether they are living in an area where the harvest was not completed. We should have to make inquiries, firstly, into the exact areas in which the men were living, and, secondly, whether the harvest was completed at that date in those areas. Men are sent to work as soon as a vacancy occurs.

Are these men offered agricultural work before they are offered any other type of work?

Most definitely. I think I shall be safe in saying that wherever agricultural workers are shown over a period as unemployed on the books, it is not the same men with whom we are dealing There are some on the books at a given moment, but they are not always the same people at different dates.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to insure full employment for those trained as builders or carpenters at the Government training centres.

The number of men being trained in the building trades is based on the estimated requirements of the industry to make good the present deficiency of skilled craftsmen, and full employment should thus be assured by the development of local building programmes.

Is the Minister aware that this is not working out in practice in South Wales, where difficulty is being found in placing these men in employment when they have finished their course of training? Will he bring pressure to bear on local authorities to see that they employ their full quota of trainees?

I shall be most grateful it the hon. Member will let me have particulars, because we will then look into the matter.

How many of these trainees are unemployed, or are unable to secure employment after training?

I could not answer that question without notice. I should be glad to give the information, but it is a very small number indeed.

What action is being taken to place people in employment in those areas where trade unions refuse to grant them membership cards?

That is quite another question. I should like to have particulars of that, because I should be most surprised to find that it was so.

They have been notified already.

asked the Minister of Labour to what exchange in South Wales came the order to place 20 men on a site prior to the visit of the President of the Board of Trade; and why those men were compelled to sign on at the exchange again on the day following that visit.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to a factory site in the area of the Garnant office of my Department. Between 30th September and 9th October eight men were engaged, and another 12 started work on 19th October. Site clearance work had to be suspended, and nine men were discharged on 22nd October, and 11 on 25th October, because manual excavation was completed and a mechanical excavator had not arrived. These movements of labour were in no way connected with the visit of my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 22nd October.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the assurance recently given that timber imports would be increased in the future, he will investigate the dismissal of the 213 men from the supplementary register of the P.L.A. on the grounds of redundancy.

I am looking into this matter and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour why he has set up an advisory council for the Appointments Department.

I have set up this council because I felt that the advice of representatives of industry, commerce, the trade unions and the Services on this problem would be an invaluable aid to the Department in providing the best possible service.

Will the Minister particularly direct the attention of the committee to the fact that the Department has recently cost well over £10 for each vacancy filled?

Yes, Sir, and I would also direct the committee's attention to the fact that it is jolly well worth the money.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this advisory council was not set up months ago?

The council was not set up to advise the Department on how to constitute the machinery, but how to operate the machinery. We had the advice of another committee in regard to construction, and now that we have the material to sell, these gentlemen are acting as salesmen and advisers to us. We have already placed 40,000 people.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken by his Department to recruit an adequate number of factory inspectors with proper qualifications, in view of the fact that since the end of the war 43 inspectors have resigned or retired, that only six have been appointed, and that the revised salary scales now proposed compare unfavourably with those offered to other technical grades in the Civil Service.

Steps are being taken in the next few weeks to recruit factory inspectors through Civil Service Commission reconstruction competitions to the permanent inspectorate. Officers of my Department are at present in negotiation with representatives of the staff in regard to rates of pay for factory inspectors.

Is not my right hon. Friend of the opinion that his recruitment difficulties could be eased if he would recruit factory inspectors from the professional grades of civil servants instead of the technical grades? Is he aware that the announcement recently made by his establishment branch, to the effect that they are making men factory inspectors at the age of 22 and without previous works experience, is having a serious effect on factory administration?

The first part of the question asks for an opinion, and I shall not venture to express one [Interruption.]If hon. Members knew what my opinion was on some things they would be shocked. In regard to the second part of the question, if the hon. Member will let me have particulars I shall be glad to look into the matter.

How many of the vacancies will be filled by women and bow many by men?

I could not give the number, but we shall certainly see that the necessary services of women are taken into consideration in this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has received from the Hotel and Restaurant Association regarding the training of students from this country in hotel management abroad, particularly in Switzerland; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

Agreement in principle has been reached with the Swiss Government for the exchange of young hotel student employees between the two countries on a "head for head" basis. The Hotels and Restaurants Association of Great Britain, in consultation with my Department, are at present engaged in working out details of the scheme with the Swiss Hotels Association. It is hoped that similar arrangements may be made with certain other European countries.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of workers formerly engaged in the building industry in England and Wales who are now working in other industries.

I regret that the information is not available.

Is the Minister aware that the number is quite large, and in view of the needs of the housing programme, will he see whether any steps can be taken to recruit back these men?

We are unable to compel men to leave other employment and come back into this industry, but whenever a man registers at an exchange, careful inquiry is made into each case, and if we find that a man has been in this industry or has a capacity to be of service in the industry, every effort is made to persuade him to come into it.

asked the Minister of Labour the Government's policy regarding the retention of temporary civil servants who volunteered during the war; what is the limit to the number of years which such temporary civil servants will be compelled to serve; how many temporary civil servants have been refused release; how many have vacated their jobs without receiving official permission; and what action has been taken against such absentees.

The matters referred to in the first two parts of the Question are under consideration. As regards the third and fourth parts of the Question, information is not available. The total number of civil servants, both permanent and temporary, who have been refused release on appeal up to 30th September, 1946, was 3,513. Thirty-nine civil servants, permanent and temporary, have been prosecuted for infringements of the Control of Employment (Civil Servants) Order, 1945.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that keeping volunteers in employment against their will amounts to forced labour?

Can the Minister say when he anticipates he will be in a position to lift the Control of Employment Order as it affects civil servants?

I am asked when I anticipate. I have very happy anticipations of making an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of his officials are empowered to withhold a resettlement grant from an ex-Serviceman, who fulfils the necessary qualifications, simply on the grounds that the chances of such a grant being successfully applied are considered remote.

The decision to make or withhold a resettlement grant is not taken by any single officer of my Department. Every application is carefully examined by one of 35 boards, each presided over by the chairman of the district manpower board. The board are responsible for the expenditure of public money and, therefore, it is their duty to satisfy themselves that any grant made will be properly expended. If, in any particular case, they are of opinion that the proposed business has no reasonable prospect of success, they have no option but to reject the application.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what appeal there is against the decision of these boards, on whose whim a resettlement grant is made?

There is no question of a whim. These boards are given power Which it is their responsibility to carry out.

But what appeal is there? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman answer that?

I must admit that at the moment I cannot. I am sorry. It is no good trying to guess an answer, and I will undertake to write to the hon. and gallant Gentleman and let him know.

asked the Minister of Labour if the negotiations between the representatives of employers' and workers' organisations in the baking industry with regard to the abolition of night baking have now been completed; and if he will make a statement.

The negotiations are still going on.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the published returns with regard to the stoppages of work due to strikes, stoppages due to disputes not connected with terms of employment are excluded; and what is the number of working days lost during the last 12 months due to such reasons alone.

The statistics relating to industrial disputes compiled by my Department exclude stoppages of work due to disputes not connected with terms of employment or conditions of labour. I am unable to state the number of days lost through such stoppages.

Is the Minister aware that the public is a great deal inconvenienced by these petty stoppages, which are due to no legitimate reason at all? Is he taking no interest or action in the matter?

I do not accept that mild censure. I have been asked what are the stoppages. There was, for instance, a stoppage of work because there was a grouse about rations, another was due to a legal decision against one or more men, and women went on strike about the question of a gratuity from the Women's Land Army No statistics are returnable to me for these strikes, and I have no detailed information about them, but I know that they are very small.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the increase of unemployment in Scotland and, in particular, to the high percentage of unemployment in Glasgow; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

Yes, Sir. The Government's policy to meet this situation is to ensure the provision of additional opportunities for work and the steps which have been taken to this end are already showing their effect. If my hon. Friend desires detailed particulars of the progress made I would ask him to put down a Question to my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the growing unemployment in Glasgow and the West of Scotland generally is causing alarm? Take John Brown's yard, for instance If they could get 200 more tons of steel each week they could employ 1,000 or 1,500 more men than they do at the moment. That applies to all shipyards on the Clyde.

Yes, Sir, but the Ministry of Labour cannot supply the 200 tons of steel. The situation in Scotland, I am happy to say, is improving. New projects, additional industrial establishments, are going ahead, a number are in operation, and a great number of others are actually in progress. Although they will not change the situation overnight, there is considerable improvement going on.

Is it not a fact that if the Government had a policy for the Highlands and treated them as a development area, it would decrease unemployment in Glasgow?

While I agree that the right hon. Gentleman and the Government are doing their best, will not the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues, in view of the increase in unemployment, make an effort to do better than their best?

Yes, Sir. I spent last week end in that area going over the matter. At the Hillington training establishment we are already doing better than our best.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while shipyards on the Clyde are wanting steel we have a factory which cost £1¼million, for the making of steel, standing idle at Linwood Road? What is he doing about that?

That place has been under consideration by a very eminent national firm of engineers for a long time. Had they said, "Yes," it would have been all right, but they said, "No,' and now we have to start all over again to find someone else who will take it

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the export of sheet steel for shipbuilding will be stopped, so that we can keep it at home for our own workmen?

The hon. Member might ask me about the export of manpower, but should not make me responsible for answering on the export of sheet steel.

asked the Minister of Labour why students at technical colleges who are taking a university degree course have been excluded from the Government's undertaking not to call up university students until after they have completed their course.

The students referred to are presumably those who have started their courses under the age for call up, and have been granted temporary deferment until the end of the following July in order to take certain examinations. No undertaking has ever been given that such students, whether at a university or a technical college, would not be called up until they had completed their course.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that, in regard to technical colleges, recruitment of students is chiefly from the artisan class? While I am not trying to inveigle him into expressing an opinion, may I ask whether he does not think that that savours a little of social distinction in favour of the universities?

No, because, taking it by and large, the same treatment is given to technical students as to university students.

In framing the new Bill for compulsory service, will not the Government bear this point in mind, because it is of the highest importance to our export drive that these young men should complete their education?

There is no doubt that that will be borne in mind.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that some of our most successful "back room boys" during the war were recruited from technical colleges, and that many lads were seeking a university degree? Cannot he grant the same facilities to external students as to full time university degree students?

If my hon. Friend has any further information perhaps he will let me have it, but, as I have said, both classes are treated in precisely the same way.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement of the reasons why demobilisation cannot be speeded up beyond the basis laid down in the table he published on 6th November.

The provisional programme of releases from the Forces beyond 31st December, which I announced on 6th November, represents the maximum rate of release consistent with the need for maintaining sufficient Armed Forces to meet current commitments.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the dissatisfaction there is in the Forces about this matter, and would he not consider issuing to the Army something on the lines of the excellent statement issued on this subject by the Royal Air Force?

I appreciate the excellence of the statement by the Royal Air Force, and I am informed that the other Services contemplate something similar. I think it would be very helpful.

When my right hon. Friend or his colleagues are issuing a statement, will they endeavour to explain to the men in the Services the exact commitments which have caused the target for our Armed Forces to be raised over the level envisaged?

I cannot dictate to my right hon. Friends what should be in the statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent the delay in demobilisation is due to troubles in Palestine?

It is not for me to differentiate between the importance of one commitment and another. My duty is to carry out what has been the agreed rate of release to meet those commitments, and there my responsibility ends.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consult the Prime Minister about this, because we are all receiving large numbers of letters on this subject from the Services? If the fullest information could be given about the reasons I am sure it should be given.

Yes, Sir, in view of what has been said I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend and my colleagues about it, but I would point out that the commitments are there.

Would my right hon. Friend, in considering this matter afresh, see whether anything can be done to adjust the age groups? There are many complaints coming from men who having been in the Forces for four or five years are not receiving such good treatment as some men who have not been in the Forces and who fall outside the age groups.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is no wastage of skilled manpower in the Forces?

I am not in a position to answer for what happens in the Forces, but in view of the tightness of manpower I believe that they are making the best use of their men.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to introduce legislation to raise the existing public library rate limit.

As he explained on 2nd July, 1946, in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs (Mr. Kirkwood), my right hon. Friend intends, before legislation is prepared to give the Advisory Council on Education, as soon as it is reconstituted, a remit on library provision generally.

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that this matter is urgent, as the library authorities are faced with paying increased salary scales under the award of the Joint Industrial Council, and this money can only be met by reducing the expenditure on books?

I do not deny that it is urgent, but both the hon. and gallant Gentleman and I know of much more urgent matters than that in Scotland at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is intended to publish the Report of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on Reconditioning.

The Report of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on the modernisation of existing houses is at present in the hands of the printer, and will be published as soon as possible.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long this Report has been in the hands of the printers, and when he expects it to be published?

The right hon. and learned Gentleman must ask the printers when they will finish their job. If I controlled the printers, I would do fairly well. It has been in their hands a fair time, and we hope that it will be published as soon as it is finished.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there is no delay caused by the fact that the contents of the Report are not favourable to Government policy?

I should have been annoyed if I had not been asked that supplementary question. As soon as the Report came from the committee, my right hon. Friend and I discussed the matter, and the first decision which we made, within a very short time, was to have it printed and circulated to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his intention to introduce amending legislation so as to enable a person who is in receipt of a tuberculosis allowance under the terms of D.H.S. Circular No. 36A/1943 to draw, if otherwise eligible, the allowance payable under the Family Allowances Act, 1945.

Recent social legislation has aimed at the principle of avoiding duplication of benefits payable out of public funds, but my right hon. Friend is in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health about the possibility, of increasing the rate for children under the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken with regard to two boys, aged 12 years, missing from an institution at Carstairs, Lanarkshire, of whom, after a week, one was found dead and the other suffering from frost-bite and exposure; why they were not discovered earlier; and if he will have a full investigation into the conditions at the institution concerned.

The General Board of Control for Scotland have investigated fully the circumstances of the accident, and it is to be the subject of a public inquiry under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry Acts. The boys escaped at dusk and a search by police and staff in the extensive grounds, which began within ten minutes of their escape, failed to find them. The reasons for this may emerge when the boy who survived is fit to be questioned. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sympathy with the relatives of the two boys.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether an inquiry has been begun, and how long it will take?

Notice of an inquiry into a fatal accident is published in the newspapers in Scotland as to when it is to be held—and it takes a fair time—which is quite proper, as everyone should be given an opportunity of attending it. There is a legal method that decides the time, and that time will be duly operated.

Will the hon. Gentleman make certain that during this inquiry there is no possibility of victimisation of the other boys who have to give evidence from that particular home?

My information about the home—I do not want to anticipate the inquiry—is that, so far, it has been exceedingly well run. I will make inquiries to see that there is nothing like that, but I should be terribly surprised if there was anything, because our reports are not of that kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what regional planning advisory committees have been constituted for Scotland; what are their terms of reference; and to what extent industrialists and trades union leaders are represented as such on the committees.

Three regional planning advisory committees have been appointed in Scotland, one for the Clyde Valley area, another for central and South-East Scotland, and the third for East-Central Scotland. These committees consist exclusively of representatives of local planning authorities, and their functions are to prepare reports on the major planning problems of the regions and to suggest the broad lines on which the development of the regions should proceed. The committees keep in close touch with industrial interests in the carrying out of their work.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in at least one case, the committee failed to consult any of the local associations of industrialists, and will he make certain that does not happen again?

In these days of committees, it is terribly difficult to control every one of their activities. I think that the Question which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has put to the House and the publicity given should ensure that being done in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory position regarding looped and cut baling wire; what steps he is taking to increase the supplies available to agriculturists; and whether he has had any consultations on this subject with the Ministry of Supply and with what result.

The production of cut and looped wire continues to be insufficient to meet all requirements, but supplies have been made available this season for agriculturists in Scotland, at the same rate as for the last year or two. In view of representations that this supply is unsatisfactory in certain areas, arrangements have been made with the Minister of Supply for a small additional quantity for these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of schemes received by his department by 31st October, 1946, for the development of water supplies and drainage schemes in rural areas; and the estimated number of men for whom these schemes will provide employment.

Applications for grant for water supplies and drainage schemes under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944, number 903. They represent employment of the order of 66,000 man-years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are being made for the provision of roads in connection with afforestation plans; and the estimated number of men who will be employed on this work.

A scheme has been prepared for providing roads in connection with afforestation plans, and the organisation necessary to run the scheme is in process of formation. It is not, at this stage, possible to state the number of men who can be recruited for this work, but subject to the availability of camps and road-making plant, the scheme will provide employment for several thousands of men.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the advisory committee to be set up in terms of the Water (Scotland) Act, 1946.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has appointed an advisory committee consisting of 17 members, which will be holding its first meeting this week. A list of members is being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will ensure that a local inquiry is held before any decisions are reached for occupation of parts of Dartmoor for military purposes which would conflict with its use as a national park.

Sir, a local inquiry will be held.

asked the Prime Minister how he proposes to dispose of the gifts of a gold certificate for £985,000 from the people of South Africa and the British Protectorates, and a bank certificate of £196,625 from the people of Durban and the Province of Natal, so that the people of Britain, for whom these gifts are intended, may benefit as a whole.

It has not yet been possible to decide the allocation of the very generous gift made by the people of South Africa for the benefit of the people of Britain, but I am giving careful attention to it. I am glad to have this opportunity of giving further public expression to the gratitude which is felt in this country for this spontaneous and welcome gift.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement on the possibility of establishing a free port in Great Britain; and whether he will consider adopting one of the South Wales ports, in view of their convenient situation and the necessity of augmenting trade and industry in this area.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has now examined this question very carefully with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Transport. Their conclusion is that a free port system offers no advantages over the existing Customs facilities which are available in our ports, and that it would not assist either our foreign trade or industrial development.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he has consulted the South Wales shippers and others concerned, and if that is also their opinion?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the shipping interests as well as other commercial interests and the men's representatives have all been consulted, and there has been a good deal of opposition to the suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the cases of hardship involved, further consideration can now be given to the possibility of the payment of compensation in respect of rent of alternative accommodation taken in place of houses destroyed by enemy action.

My right hon. Friend is afraid that he could not undertake to bring expenses of this kind generally within the field of public compensation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are many cases of real hardship in this connection, and that the compensation receivable is much less than the expenses incurred, and will he ask his right hon. Friend carefully to review the matter?

My right hon. Friend and I have looked at this matter very carefully, and we agreed that there are cases of great hardship. The trouble is that we cannot legislate for hardship cases; I wish we could. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Not in these cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take into consideration the fact that many people are unable to obtain living accommodation near their work and therefore consider the possibility of affording some Income Tax relief on their travelling expenses.

The law already provides for an Income Tax allowance to employees, up to £10 a year, in respect of additional travelling expenses incurred by reason of a change in place of work or residence, through circumstances connected with the war.

Does not the Financial Secretary think that that should, very rightly, be extended, since people cannot get accommodation near their work, and that is, just as much as anything else, a charge on their income for which they are not responsible?

Could my hon. Friend say what are the circumstances connected with the war?

I thought it was generally Known what is meant by that phrase. Most of us who were in the House during the war realised how this worked. In reply to the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson), when we discuss the next Finance Bill there will be an excellent opportunity to go into this matter much more fully than we can do today by Question and answer.

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will not go into that discussion with a closed mind?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the information and sources on which he bases his calculations that the purchasing power of the £sterling is 45 compared with 1900, including the cost-of-living subsidy.

The calculations are based on the cost-of-living index.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that I, for one, have no confidence in the accuracy of the several calculations made by the Treasury? Is he also aware that on another basis, of calculation, .45, which is 9s., works out at about 5s., and will he have another look at the matter?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what dollar expenditure has been incurred in the year to date on the hire or purchase of U.S. films.

About 61 million dollars in the ten months to 31st October, 1946.

Does not the Financial Secretary consider that, with the shortage of dollar credits from which this country is suffering, this is an unwise expenditure?

I was answering the Question on the Order Paper, and I do not propose to answer any others.

Does the Financial Secretary really say that, in his opinion, the import of these cheap and nasty films is generally not a waste of dollars?

In view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received by the Treasury in respect of Estate and Succession Duties on timber for each of the years 1930 to 1946, respectively.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the letters, dated 25th September and 9th October, which have been sent to the Inland Revenue Department by the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and a further letter of 26th October from the Bradford City Council urging the reopening of the Bradford Stamp Office and drawing attention to the serious delay caused by the Bradford business concerns having to deal through the Leeds office; and if he will take action accordingly.

Yes, Sir. But my right hon. Friend regrets that the amount of stamp duty work in Bradford does not justify an office there.