asked the Minister of National Insurance why Mr. and Mrs. Myles, 28, Huntley Street, Sankey, Warrington, aged 68 and 66 years, respectively, are still receiving a pension of 10s. per week; and whether he will expedite inquiries as the aforesaid pensions are their only source of income.

I am glad to inform my hon. Friend that pension books at the increased rates were handed to Mr. and Mrs. Myles on 10th March.

Will my right hon. Friend ask the people concerned to hurry up in dealing with some of these cases?

I am continually pressing for that to be done, but I have an announcement to make about new arrangements in a moment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that such cases are still being brought to the notice of hon. Members in all constituencies, and that something really ought to be done to expedite the procedure in this matter?

I am very conscious of that, but perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will wait until I have made my statement later.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will make a state- ment upon the new arrangements to be made to expedite the procedure for dealing with new claims for old age pensions.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what new scheme he has envolved for handling applications and claims for old-age pensions.

As I have indicated to the House on more than one occasion, the difficulties created for my Department by the new conditions for the award and payment of contributory old age pensions arise largely from the fact that we have not yet the local organisation, which we intend to create, for the purposes of the new Insurance Scheme as a whole. In the absence of such an organisation, I have obtained valuable help from the local offices of the Assistance Board in various directions, and I am now extending these arrangements to include the handling of new claims.

Beginning on 17th March, new claims for contributory pension will be lodged, not at the central offices of the Ministry, but at the local office of the Assistance Board. The claim form will be handed out at the post office, with a prepaid envelope addressed to the local area office. On receipt of a claim, the board's officer will immediately examine it to see that it is properly completed, and check any supporting documents, such as birth certificates; he will then send the claim to the Ministry for decision. These measures will not only reduce the time taken to clear the claim, but will also eliminate much correspondence.

The new arrangements will make for the greater convenience of claimants, who will be able to obtain the help of the board's local office in completing the form, if they so desire, and afterwards, will have the advantage of local contact on any questions of difficulty which arise during the investigation of the claim. The board's, officers will be acting throughout, in relation to contributory pension claims, as my agents.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what increase of staff this new system will involve, and what additional figure of civil servants will be employed?

None, Sir. The reason why I am now able to enter into this arrangement is because the payment of the new standard pension of 42s. a week has lifted a big load of supplementary pensions from the Board, and has released people for this work.

While most of us appreciate that the difficulties and delays that occurred were the inevitable consequence of my right hon. Friend's endeavour to bring the paying of the higher pensions into operation in advance of the general scheme, may I ask, on the statement which he has just made, whether, when it seems to the local organisation that a prima facie case has been made out, it will be possible to authorise provisional payment of pensions, pending confirmation of the application?

That is one of the things which I am suggesting, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that it raises some difficulty. However, if it is possible, practicable, and within the terms of the Act, I will see whether it can be done.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the correct method of obtaining an emergency payment by pensioners entitled to draw combined old age pensions or supplementary old age pensions where such pensioners are not in possession of their new pension book; and whether he is aware that some pensioners have been 23 weeks without being able to draw a pension.

In such circumstances the pensioner should immediately notify the local officer of the Assistance Board who will take the case up with my Department under arrangements which ensure that it will be dealt with as a matter of special urgency. In the meantime, the local post office will usually be prepared to continue temporarily to pay the pension at the rate shown in the old book, and, of course, the Assistance Board can make immediate payments to any old age pensioner who is in need.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why exceptions were made in these two types of pension with regard to emergency payments, whereas pensioners drawing other types of pension may draw emergency payments without a pension book while the pension book is being sent to them?

There are now arrangements by which the local post office can pay pensions under emergency arrangements without a new book, on production of the old one.

The right hon. Gentleman says that arrangements have been made by which emergency payments may be drawn, but is he aware that I know of cases where pensioners have been unable to draw pensions for 23 weeks?

These arrangements have been in operation all the way through. If there are any cases of that kind of complaint and the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me know, I will have them looked into at once. These are not new arrangements; they have existed for several months.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the number of old age pensioners in Thame who have applied to his Department at Blackpool and have only received cards of acknowledgment; and what steps will be taken to remedy this hardship.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many old age pensioners have been in arrear with payment of the pension due to them for any period exceeding a month between 1st September, 1946, and 28th February, 1947; whether he is aware that irregularity in payment causes grave hardship; and whether he will take action to get the delay in payments cleared up as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of pension claims still outstanding in the city of Salford at the latest date.

The records of my Department are not kept in a way which would enable the specific information asked for to be supplied. But as regards the general position, I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 4th March and to the reply given earlier today to Questions 4 and 5. As regards arrears of claims for increased pensions on retirement, the number of cases outstanding in England to the end of January has now, been reduced below the estimated figure of 20,000 which I gave last week.

Is the Minister able to say what the average delay now is?

No, I do not think any figure of that kind would serve any useful purpose, and I am not able to say.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of applicants in Twickenham have not even received an acknowledgment card?

No, Sir. There is a definite instruction on that point. All correspondence is acknowledged. During the war the practice of acknowledging correspondence was dropped by Departments, but I re-instituted it immediately this new procedure came into force.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that an ex-Serviceman receiving an 80 per cent. disability pension amounting to 36s. per week, was paid, when off work through sickness, 6s. 9d. per week, and was told by his approved society that after two years he would be entitled to 9s. per week; and whether these amounts are general in all such cases.

The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir." But I could not comment on the individual case without more detailed information. If my hon. Friend will let me have identifying particulars, I will have inquiries made and let him know the position. In the meantime, I am sending him a copy of a leaflet setting out the special conditions which apply under the present Health Insurance Scheme to persons in receipt of war disability pensions.

Would the right hon. Gentleman send me a note of that?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in those cases in which dentists refused to accept dental letters issued by approved societies, owing to the dispute over the scale of fees, the persons concerned were consequently compelled to incur expenses in obtaining dental treatment, he will allow approved societies to refund the amount of such expenses.

The arrangements for the provision of dental benefit are based on individual contracts entered into in accordance with statutory Regulations before the work is started. I have considered the hon. Member's suggestion, but, as he has already been advised by letter, I could not amend the Regulations to permit of payments in the circum stances contemplated without under mining the basis on which this benefit is administered. In any case such an amendment of the Regulations could not have retrospective effect.

asked the Minister of National Insurance, why the powers exercised by him in making the Increase of Contributory Pensions Amendment Regulations, S.R. & O., 1947, No. 154, were not fully specified in the Order.

These Regulations were drafted in accordance with the general practice under which only the main powers relating specifically to the subject matter of the Regulations are expressly cited. Neither the convenience of the reader nor the need for brevity would be as well served if the powers relied on which relate specifically to the subject matter of the Regulations were not distinguished from those of a supplementary nature.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that if he had cited in the Order all the powers mentioned in his answer last week, they could be included in one line?

No, Sir, I do not think that is true.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Acton firms have dismissed or refused re-employment to any of their work people consequent upon the resumption of electrical power to industry; and how many work people are so involved.

I regret that this information is not available, and I have no means of obtaining it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at least one firm has been found to have been illegally using electric power, that the enforcement officer of the Ministry of Fuel and Power had to come down and cut it off, and that by way of retaliation this firm has dismissed 60 of its workpeople? Will he look into such cases?

If the matter is brought to my attention in the proper way I will do so, but I think the trade unions should handle these matters.

In view of the lack of information on this point, which is reflected all over the country, would my right hon. Friend consider revising the machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes whereby he can intervene with out being called upon to do so by either the trade unions or employers?

Most certainly not. The trade unions have a job to do and they should do it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 2,500 engineers at Gardner's of Paticroft are only working at day rate and that the whole of the apprentices in the Manchester area may strike at any moment?

In that case I wonder why they have not taken up the matter with their trade unions.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vocational and trade courses are now being organised by his Department; how many persons have been trained and how many placed into employment as a result since July, 1945.

Special courses under the vocational training scheme are at present in operation at Government training centres or technical colleges in 58 different occupations. Arrangements for training in employers' establishments in many other occupations have also been agreed. Since July, 1945, 28,711 persons have been trained under the scheme and 23,425 have been placed in employment. Placing action in the remaining cases is proceeding.

asked the Minister of Labour whether there is now any compulsion to join the National Union of Mineworkers exercised upon men who have been at any time directed into the mining industry and who are at present working in that industry.

I understand that in some few collieries by agreement between the management and the National Union of Mineworkers, it is a condition of employment that the workers should be members of the union. Where in the past a man was directed into employment in one of these collieries and was unwilling to join the union, it was necessary to transfer him to another colliery where this condition of employment did not apply.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not abdicate his responsibility towards these men whom he has directed into this industry?

I will accept and discharge any responsibility which rests upon me.

Is not my right hon. Friend of the opinion that those men who do not join the union should not share the privileges, financial and otherwise, which are gained by the organisation?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that posters issued by the Catering Wages Board are being circulated to catering establishments and canteens that have been closed down for considerable periods; and whether he will take the necessary steps to stop this waste of paper at a time of acute shortage.

The list of employers to whom Catering Wages Board notices are being issued are revised at quarterly intervals from information received from the Ministry of Food and the licensing Justices regarding new undertakings and undertakings closed down, and the proportion of cases in which notices have been sent to employers who have subsequently been discovered to have closed has been extremely small.

Is the Minister aware that the poster which I hold in my hand is one of his own posters which has been circulated to canteens which have been shut for over two years? Is he also aware that I have a little brother to that poster, almost as large, which has been circulated with it, and will he stop this great waste of paper?

I am afraid that if we did not send them to everybody who was on our list as being entitled to them, we should get into trouble. The check I made upon the last return shows that only one half of 1 per cent. of those posters sent out were sent back as being no longer required.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that men whose freedom to obtain employment is restricted by the Control of Engagement Order will not be required to join a trade union as a condition of retaining their existing employment.

This is a matter for settlement between representatives of employers and workers in the industries concerned.

If the right hon. Gentleman does restrict the freedom of these men, is he not prepared to protect them from any possibility of tyranny?

There is also the freedom of the other men who work with them, whether they like it or not.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the manpower shortage, he proposes to take action to prevent the employment by the Co-operative Insurance Society and other offices of agents on blank books.

No, Sir, I have no power to do this.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this use of manpower, which tends towards special arrangements, is frowned upon very much; surely his Department ought to have some power to give effect to that?

Whether we should or should not have the power is another matter. At the present moment I have not the power.

Can the Minister explain exactly what is referred to in the Question as "blank books"?

I am afraid that is not for me to do.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can yet give the actual or approximate percentage of Polish troops in the Resettlement Corps who are small farmers or agricultural workers in civil life.

Approximately 20 per cent.

In view of the forthcoming repatriation of German prisoners, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these men will be given the chance to work on the land?

Farmers have been invited to apply for them already, through the local offices.

asked the Minister of Labour if agricultural workers will be granted the same exemptions in call-up to His Majesty's Forces as are granted to coalminers.

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that agriculture ranks with power, fuel and transport as a basic requirement, why should not the same exemptions he applied to agricultural workers as are applied to colliery workers?

At the present moment agricultural workers in certain classes are automatically deferred. We are proceeding under the arrangements for deferment, but it is not intended to grant actual exemption.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to defer all agricultural workers this summer, at any rate?

I would not say that. There are a number of classifications, and I will he glad to send the information to my hon. Friend.

Does not the Minister think that food is equally as important as coal?

The hon. Gentleman is asking me to express an opinion instead of dealing with facts.

Will the building trade operatives also be included in the system of deferment?

I am answering the Question on the Order Paper.

Does the Minister not appreciate that once again farmers are being asked to save the country, and they cannot do it if they are short of labour?

I said they were automatic ally deferred. There is a difference between deferment and exemption.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the conditions on which men now registering for military service will secure exemption from call up by choosing to enter the coalmining industry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Battersea (Mr. Jay) on 4th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

Will my right hon. Friend give publicity to this answer as there is a great deal of confusion about these conditions?

I had hoped that the full and detailed answer which was given last week would have got publicity, but I will see if any further publicity can be given.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has been able to reduce the period between leaving school and call-up to the Forces of those students whose call-up has been deferred to allow them to sit for the Higher School Certificate or comparable examination.

Yes, Sir. The order of calling up has now been changed so that older men will be called up before younger men in the same categories, thus reversing the practice which obtained throughout the war. When the deferment of the students in question expires they will be older than most of the other young men on the register, and will therefore be called up first.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the work upon which the Scottish Advisory Council on Education is engaged, particularly with regard to Scottish libraries.

I communicated to the new Council at their first meeting, on 31st January the four remits which I wished them to undertake. I am circulating the terms of these remits in the OFFICIAL REPORT. So far as the one dealing with libraries is concerned, I understand that the council propose, as a first step towards the preparation of their report, to meet the various organisations most closely concerned with libraries, and to visit a number of libraries.

In view of the need for improving and extending the library system in Scotland, would the Secretary of State appoint to this council a representative of the libraries who could put forward the urgent question of the library rate?

I have already replied to a similar Question, pointing out that there are no vacancies on the council at the present time. Everyone who is interested in this problem can give the necessary evidence before the committee that is appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his intention, at an early date, to lay before Parliament a draft order or a report in accordance with Section 14 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1946.

I am at present carrying out the review of contributions provided for in the Section referred to, and hope to arrange an early meeting with the associations of local authorities on the matter. I will announce the result of the review immediately a decision is reached.

Is that likely to be before the Easter Recess?

I cannot fix a date, but it will be as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Economic White Paper will be published.

The preparation of a White Paper on industry and employment in Scotland is in hand, and it is hoped to publish it before the Whitsun Recess.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Scottish Members enter the present Debate—if they do enter it—under the handicap that they have not got full and up-to-date information on the Scottish economic situation? Will he consult with the Leader of the House and other colleagues, with a view to giving us at least two days to debate the Scottish economic situation; will he undertake to have consultations to that effect?

The question of the allocation of the time of the House is a matter for the Leader of the House and not for me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Scottish people hope that when this White Paper is produced it will be more realistic than his own speech recently on the state of Scotland?

May I press the right hon. Gentleman? Will he undertake, at all events, to press his colleague the Leader of the House, and anyone else concerned with making these arrangements, for a two days' Debate? It is an extremely important matter for Scottish Members.

Answer.

I am always ready to discuss with my colleagues any question affecting Scotland.

I have two questions. First, would the right hon. Gentleman not only discuss it but do a bit of gingering up work with his colleagues, and see that they listen to him; secondly, could we not have this White Paper before the Easter Recess and not before the Whitsun Recess, which would at any rate help?

No Secretary of State for Scotland in the past has had a more sympathetic body of colleagues and more help in the fight for Scotland than I have.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the fact that the judges in Scotland who are called "sheriffs-substitute" are not, in fact, substitutes, and that this name is, therefore, misleading and undignified, if he will introduce legislation to eliminate from this title the word "substitute" so that these judges will in future be officially termed "sheriffs."

I am unable to hold out any prospect of legislation on this suggestion, which has been considered on previous occasions.

Is the Secretary of State aware that he is misinformed about this; that the legal profession in Scotland have long had ready a non-controversial draft Bill on this subject; and will he seek time for its introduction?

I am aware that they may have been considering this matter, but I am equally aware that the term has been used since the year 1746. I know further that it is not non-controversial.

But is it not time for a change?

Is the Secretary of State aware that the prisoners have no objection to this change?

asked the Secretary of State for War when he pro- poses to release the Territorial Drill Hall, Derby Road, Nottingham, at present occupied by the Regular Army, and hand it back to the T.A. and A.F. Associations.

This question is now being dealt with, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to announce when it will be possible to hand over this hall to the Territorial Army and Air Force Association.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that correspondence between the Army authorities who are in occupation of this drill hall and his Department has been going on for over a year; and how does he suggest that the Territorial Association can start recruiting without either drill hall or officers?

I am afraid that problem will be fairly widespread when we start recruiting. However, it is not only my Department which is involved in this matter. I am trying to get a speedy conclusion to the negotiations.

In view of the latter part of the Minister's reply, will he see that drill halls throughout the country are released for this purpose at a very early date, as it is a vitally important matter?

Yes, Sir. I am doing my utmost to achieve that end.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, under existing regulations in the Austrian Command, locally married British soldiers are treated differently to men whose wives and dependants have rejoined them from the United Kingdom, regarding standard of accommodation provided, limitation of cash-value purchases in the married families' shops and in allocation of coal from military sources; and whether he will give instructions that this differentiation shall cease forthwith.

There is an acute short age of accommodation for married families in Austria, and preference in allotment of the available accommodation is given to families who have joined their husbands from the United Kingdom, because locally married families are better able to obtain their own accommodation. Locally married families receive marriage allowance, which enables them to rent accommodation privately. They have to obtain coal through the civil organisations, but where they have difficulty they are assisted by sales from Army stocks. There is now no limitation on purchases by locally married families in married families shops.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how long the restriction referred to in the last part of the Question has been removed?

Comparatively recently.

Is this any different from the practice after the last war?

asked the Secretary of State for War what type and standard of accommodation and amenities will be made available in Malaya and elsewhere for troops withdrawn from Japan; and whether he will give an assurance that they will be satisfactory.

Troops withdrawn from Japan are being housed partially in permanent barracks, partially in semipermanent camps, and partially in requisitioned buildings. I am informed that the accommodation and amenities are generally of an adequate standard, having regard to existing conditions in Malaya. Work on improvements, where necessary, has already started in certain cases, and in others will be commenced in the near future.

Will the right hon. Gentleman pass on to the men concerned the assurance he has now given the House?

I think they will hear about it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now restore the prewar right of purchase of discharge to Regular soldiers, especially those who joined the Army at an early age and have served throughout the late war.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Silvertown (Dr. Comyns) on 15th October, of which I am sending him a copy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at this matter again, particularly in the case of boys who joined the Army under the age of 18, whose service under the age of 18 does not count towards their discharge, who have served right through the war, and who see absolutely no hope of release from the Army for a considerable number of years ahead?

I should like to look at this and be able to do something about it, as we did before the war; but I regret to say that the demands of the Army for manpower are such that I can hold out no hopes of this prewar custom being reintroduced at an early date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that during the war there were some people engaged in agriculture and similar professions who, only with the highest patriotic motives, joined the Army in order to fight in the war, and could do so only if they volunteered for Regular engagement; and that many of these men are wanted back to work on the land, and are being misemployed if retained in H.M. Forces?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider the question of Regular officers, many of whom have served over 20 years, and are still unable or not allowed to resign? Will he give some indication as to the number of years after which an officer could now resign?

I am giving consideration to that; but, of course, an officer could not purchase his discharge like a private.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the number of men concerned, who joined the Army under 18 and served through the war, is very limited, indeed; and that, without restricting the manpower of the Army seriously, he could put an end to a great number of cases of extreme hardship?

Well, there is provision for the compassionate cases. I can give no general undertaking to reintroduce this prewar custom at an early date.

In view of the fact that these men joined the Army on the understanding that they could purchase their discharge, is there not a moral obligation on the War Office?

No, Sir,.1 think not. When they enlisted, I do not think it was in their minds that they were going to purchase their discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of men in the Army is under 25 years of age at the latest date for which figures are available.

76 per cent at 31st December, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make his promised statement on the Army Education Scheme and circulate details of it to hon. Members before the Debate on the Army Estimates, so that there may be adequate opportunity to study it before discussion.

I am arranging for a statement about Army Education to be placed in the Vote Office on Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war have volunteered to remain in this country after their normal repatriation date.

Eight hundred and nineteen, Sir.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether these German prisoners are to be employed on the land; and if so, are they to be billeted on farmers, or will they be kept in camps?

I have not that information available at the moment. I was merely applying myself to the Question which the hon. Gentleman put down on the Order Paper. I will endeavour to obtain that information for him if he will put down a Question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that German prisoners of war are fully acquainted with the present economic state of Germany; and, having regard to the needs of agricultural production in this country, will he ascertain whether, in view of those circum- stances, a great many more prisoners would not elect to stay in this country?

I think the German prisoners of war are fully informed on that subject from correspondence they receive from their relatives and others at home.

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that these men who do volunteer are paid the full rate for the job and are not engaged under the slave conditions of the remaining prisoners of war?

Does the Minister not think that this very disappointing number, 800, is only to be expected in view of the fact that he offers them no inducement whatever to stay in this country, but merely gives them the option of doing so if they want to?

May I have an answer to my question, Mr. Speaker?

I should have thought the option of staying in this country was some inducement, particularly in view of the circumstances referred to by the noble Lord the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Hinchingbrooke).

Are we to under stand from my right hon. Friend's first reply that German prisoners of war who wish to remain in this country have only to elect to do so, and are allowed to do so? In that case, why has that class of person priority over other classes in Europe, who are now being directed to work under German law and under German leaders in Germany?

The original Question asked how many German prisoners of war have volunteered to remain here. We are going now rather far from that original Question.

May I have an answer to my question?

The original Question asked how many. The supplementary questions are going far beyond the original Question

I beg to give notice I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked -the Secretary of State for War if he will now permit British persons who invite prisoners of war to their homes to take them to those homes by means of public transport in cases where the home is some miles distant from the camp.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government that German prisoners of war in this country should not be allowed to use public transport.

Is the Secretary of State aware that most of these camps are deep in the country, and that the present practice, which is necessary, of hiring cars is a deplorable waste of petrol, motor cars, and time?

No, Sir. There are very varied facilities. We do not want to overload public transport with German prisoners of war. That may cause some of the good will which is now being displayed by the British public towards them to disappear.

Is my right hon. Friend award that a large part of the public would welcome conferring on these men Italian collaborator status as soon as possible?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is high time that a very much more enlightened and generous policy was adopted towards these prisoners of war, to persuade them to remain in this country while we are so short of labour?

I think that the House is generally aware that we have been relaxing the restrictions on the prisoners of war. But we can do that only gradually until we see what the effect is on the British public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hours at which the buses are required are not the peak hours, but hours at which the buses very often are empty?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons will be involved in taking valuations of compensation and betterment under the Town and Country Planning Bill; and how this number compares with the estimated figure of persons required to make a valuation prior to introducing a comprehensive tax on site values.

I cannot yet say how many valuers will be required under the Town and Country Planning Bill. The numbers needed for a general valuation for a tax on land values would depend on the precise nature of the scheme, but a valuation of all properties would almost certainly require many more staff than one covering a limited number of properties.

As the Town and Country Planning Bill envisages the expenditure of a million pounds a year for five years, and, ultimately, of £300 million of public money, and as the Snowden Act at today's valuation meant the expenditure of £2 million once to obtain an annual revenue of £500 million a year, does not my right hon. Friend think that it would be an advantage to scrap part of the Town and Country Planning Bill and go in for the comprehensive taxation of site values?

No, Sir. I think my hon. Friend was abroad when this subject was discussed in another place, but I did endeavour to give some help to him and to those who think with him on the subject which is so near to his heart.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost to this country in dollars of the shipments of 590,000 tons of U.S. coal by U.N.R.R.A. for Italy; the total shipments of U.S. coal to various countries under U.N.R.R.A. for 1946; and the cost to Great Britain in dollars of such shipments.

None of these shipments cost us any dollars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that Britain is unable to purchase from the U.S.A. more than 50 per cent. of the shipping which is urgently required, he will approach the Govern of the U.S.A. with a view to reducing this country's dollar contributions to relief schemes for other countries until the vital needs of this country are met.

The Government of the U.S.A. are fully aware that the British taxpayer has not made, and cannot be expected to make, dollar contributions to relief schemes, in excess of our present commitments for the benefit of the German and Austrian zones of occupation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how he proposes to purchase the necessary shipping from the United States, in view of the shortage of dollars?

I have explained that we do not have dollar commitments in regard to any relief schemes, except for Germans and Austrians in our zones.

I think the right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. I am asking him how he proposes to purchase the ships—not about paying out money to other countries. How does he propose to finance the purchase?

I think the lion, Gentleman has not understood my answer, but I tried to make it clear that, in regard to any of these obligations, whether for goods or ships, we have no dollar commitments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 1,500,000 ounces of silver are being brought from the U.S.A. in the "Queen Elizabeth"; and if he will state the reason for this shipment, in view of his action in withdrawing silver coinage so that the silver may be sent to the U.S.A. in settlement of the wartime loan of silver by the U.S.A.

Yes, Sir. This is for industrial and export purposes.

What exactly does that answer mean when it refers to industrial and export uses? Is it a fact that we are importing silver from America?

It means that the silver we are importing is used, in part, for silver goods that are used in this country, and, in part, for silver goods exported from this country. At the present time, we are gradually recovering silver from the coin age, but that is necessarily a very slow process and does not yield the amount of silver that is required for current industrial purposes, including the export trade.

Will the Chancellor make sure that the appropriate trade union of the dockers at Southampton will not refuse to handle these goods?

Can the Chancellor say how much of this silver is for export to India? Is it not a fact that we are paying dollars for silver for export to India, and that it is then paid back by the liquidation of sterling balances?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a Question on that specific point.

But is it not true?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question, I will find out if it is true.

is it not a fact that, during the Debate on the Coinage Bill, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he was trying to save silver to export to America in settlement of wartime loans, and is it a fact that we are now importing silver from America? Is it a different kind of silver?

Silver is silver. Cupronickel might look like silver, but is, in fact, different. There is really no difficulty. about this. We need silver currently for industry and exports, and we are not able to get the amount of silver that we need currently for these purposes from the coinage, because we are only slowly replacing the silver coinage with cupronickel. As this extraction is not enough for our needs, we therefore meet those needs from abroad.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of money has been expended in U.S.A. since 1st January, 1946, on the purchase of children's so-called comics.