asked the Minister of National Insurance how many claims have been submitted and are outstanding by women old age pensioners who are in receipt of a pension in respect of their husbands' insurance but claim an increased pension by virtue of their own insurance.

At 7th June, 1947, a total of 13,180 claims to old age pension in right of their own insurance had been received from women who were already receiving pensions by virtue of their husbands' insurance, and 2,818 claims were outstanding. Fresh claims continue to be received at the rate of about 250 a week. Most of those outstanding are cases in which the evidence the applicant can supply in support of the application is insufficient, but there nevertheless seems to be some ground for thinking that the claim may be valid. In such cases the Department themselves make further inquiries, and this is usually a laborious process which takes a long time before all the relevant facts can be ascertained.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this delay causes considerable anxiety among claimants, and in view cr1 the fact that there are very many of these cases in my constituency—and no doubt there are many others in the constituencies of other hon. Members—will he do all he can to speed up the matter?

I appreciate that. The hon. Member sent a case to me which illustrates the difficulty. It was the case of a claimant, reaching pensionable age as far back as 1938, whose insurance ended in 1934. We could have turned it down, but we sent an inspector to the claimant to find out whether there was some other way of giving a pension.

While I appreciate fully the difficulties of the Department, will the right hon. Gentleman do all he can to speed up this matter?

We are doing everything in our power to speed it up.

is the Minister aware that when hon. Members take up these cases with the local authorities, they gain very little satisfaction, and in order to save the right hon. Gentlemen trouble, will he see that that position is remedied?

The local authorities concerned are the assistance boards. They have their own work to do, but they are helping to the utmost extent in this matter.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when Mr. E. H. Thompson, 2, Rifleman's Cottages, Stan-more Lane, Winchester, pension No. 29516290, may expect to receive his increased old age pension book which was due in October.

A pension order book at the increased rate was issued to Mr. Thompson on 16th June.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why Mr. L. McLean and his wife, 108, Boman Street, Glasgow, are not being paid the 42s. old age pension in view of the fact that Mr. McLean was an insured person under the contributory scheme, and the pension of 20s. for the couple was paid without deduction prior to the change in the pension rate.

In accordance with the Increase of Old. Age Pensions Regulations, 1946, Mr. and Mrs. McLean have been in receipt of old age pensions at the increased rates of 23s. 6d. and 13s. 6d. a week respectively, since 4th October, 1946. In addition, they are in receipt of a dependant's war pension of 5s. a week payable in respect of a brother. The total amount received by them by way of pension is, therefore, 42s. a week.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the approximate number of women between the ages of 60 and 64 years inclusive, otherwise eligible for an old age pension of 26s. a week, who have had this denied because, though earning less than £1 a week, they worked for more than 12 hours a week; and what action he proposes taking to remove this anomaly.

The question whether there is title to the higher rate of pension. depends not on the pensioner's earnings, but on the question whether he can be treated as having retired from regular employment. Certain decisions of the Umpire, who is the final authority on this question, are set out in a paper published by the Stationery Office on the application of provisions relating to retirement, copies of which are available in the Library. The number of cases in which the statutory authorities have held that a pensioner in the circumstances indicated in the Question cannot be treated as retired is not known precisely, but it is very small. These decisions turn upon the interpretation of the statute and my right hon. Friend has no power to vary them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that at the time the National Insurance Bill was going through the House, there was no suggestion that a pensioner who was earning less than £1 a week would be denied that pension because he was working more than 12 hours a week? Is he further aware that the Umpire's decision is not based on the facts, but on the regulations which the Ministry has issued? In view of the anomaly that is created, will he consider amending the regulations?

As I pointed out, earnings are not taken into consideration at all in regard to decisions about retirement. Retirement itself is decided, and earnings come into the picture only after the person has retired. The regulations are based on the Act. One of the disturbing features of the type of case to which my hon. Friend has referred is that there are people who are working more than 12 hours a week, and who are receiving a pittance of less than 20s. a week.

Does not my hon. Friend consider that in these days of need for increased production, and in view of the fact that the population is growing older and the number of those reaching pensionable age is mounting, the 20S. limit should be withdrawn altogether?

We cover the position in regard to inducement to stay at work, in that portion of the new Act which has not yet come into operation. We do not wish to encourage employers to employ people for more than 12 hours a week at less than 20S.

When the hon. Gentleman is' looking into these regulations, will he consider the question of caretakers? Many old people take jobs as caretakers, and it is difficult to define how many hours they work a week. They are on the job all the time.

Every case is treated on its merits.

Are we to take it that it these old people retire and then go back to their jobs, they will be entitled to draw their pension?

Each case must be treated on its merits.

is the hon. Gentleman aware that his answer is in direct conflict with the Prime Minister's request to everyone to work as hard as possible? Will he reconsider this matter?

We have spent a lot of time on this Question.

In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that the widow of an insured person, who had previously received a pension under the Contributory Pensions Acts as the widow of a former husband, will receive a similar widow's pension on the death of her second husband, whereas a widow in a similar position, except that she had received a dependant's war pension after the death of her first husband, is not necessarily eligible on the death of her second husband for a widow's pension; and whether he will amend the rules to ensure that a widow who is receiving a war dependant's pension, and who later re-marries, is in a no less favourable position than a widow who is receiving a widow's pension.

The distinction referred to by my hon. Friend can only arise in the comparatively few cases where the second husband was aged 60 or over at the date of marriage and no claim for contributory widow's pension was made after the first husband's death. It is the effect of certain special provisions contained in the existing Acts, and will not arise in respect of claims made in similar circumstances under the National Insurance Act.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what further steps are being taken to free the bottleneck at Blackpool to expedite the issue of overdue pension books to people now eligible for the additional pension; and if he is aware that the public assistance board in Birmingham state they are still dealing with cases which have been outstanding for 17 weeks.

I have made inquiries with regard to the statement referred to in the second part of the Question, and I am satisfied that no such statement was made by an officer of the board. In a reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on t5th April, I stated that hoped that by the end of that month pensioners retiring thereafter could ordinarily expect to receive pension order books at the increased rate within four weeks of notifying retirement. That expectation was fulfilled. I am glad to say that it has now been found possible to make further improvements in the procedure for co-operation between the board's officers and my central machinery, as a result of which the interval will be still further reduced from an early date in July.

Will the Minister give particular attention to these cases in Birmingham? The facts in my Question may not be exact, but there is some substance in it.

I certainly will do so, but I have had from other Members representing Birmingham constituencies very high tributes to the way the Birmingham Assistance Board deal with these cases.

I endorse that myself.

Is it not a tact that many pensions books are sent to the Post Office, whereas if they were sent to the pensioners there would be no delay?

That would involve a change in the whole system by which the books have been sent to the Post Office and warrants have been sent to the pensioners. But when our own system is complete, we shall look into this mattes again to see whether we can devise a better system.

Is the Minister aware that at some offices of the Assistance Board there are bitter complaints of the serious mistakes which are being made at Blackpool, and which seem to be increasing, thus causing books to go backward and forward, leading to still further delay?

I cannot investigate a general complaint. I know very well that there have been delays. I took all the risks—and I am not afraid of saying so—in bringing a big scheme of this kind into operation within two months of the passing of the Act. I agree that there have been disappointments, but, on the other hand, millions of old age pensioners are now enjoying their benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour if the representatives of the employers' and workpeople's organisations in the baking industry have yet reported to him on the abolition of night baking.

No, Sir; but I understand that negotiations between the two sides are still proceeding.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he expects to have the report?

I cannot give the slightest indication. Negotiations are going on between the parties without the Ministry's intervention.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons on the register of disabled persons at present recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges at Felling, County Durham, and at Hebburn and Jarrow, County Durham respectively.

The number of registered disabled persons capable of ordinary em- ployment, but recorded as unemployed on 19th May, 1947, was b7 at the Felling Exchange and 233 at the Hebburn and Jarrow Exchange. In addition, there were 14 and 26. unemployed at these two Exchanges respectively who were classified as severely disabled and needing sheltered employment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in this Development Area there is a feeling that some employers are avoiding their legal and moral responsibility? Will he check up on the position, and satisfy public opinion that the Act is being observed?

I will gladly do so. We are a little concerned at the relatively high number of unemployed disabled persons in this area, and while I am satisfied that, in the main, employers are doing their best, I agree that there is need for further attention being paid to this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the case of those prisoners, of war who may be unemployed in Germany, and who were repatriated prior to the adoption of the scheme enabling prisoners to remain in this country as free workmen, he will consider allowing them to return under an arrangement imposing the same conditions as apply to men now opting to stay here.

No, Sir. As already announced, it is not proposed to allow German prisoners of war who were employed in agriculture in this country before their repatriation, to return to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the shortage of nurses in Scotland; and what is being done to improve the status and training of nurses and to make that career more attractive to suitable women.

I am aware of the shortage of nurses in Scotland. The status and training of nurses will have to be reviewed in the light of the report which the Minister of Health and I expect to receive soon from the Working Party on Recruitment and Training of Nurses. The attractions of nursing as a career have been much improved recently as a result of the Scottish Nurses Salaries Committee's recommendations on remuneration and conditions of service, and employing authorities are fully alive to the need for improving working conditions, especially as regards hours of duty and residential accommodation. They are handicapped, however, by building and other difficulties.

Is my right non. Friend aware that this necessary service is threatened with chaos through overwork of existing staffs, and general depletion owing to bad conditions? Will he expedite the steps he is taking to improve the standards of living and pay?

I am not aware that it is threatened with chaos, but there is need for improvements with a view to getting further recruits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a return for the current year on the lines of the Return of Rates in Scotland published in 1945

I regret that the publication of further statistical returns and other Departmental reports is not possible meanwhile in view of printing difficulties. I am, however, sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy of a duplicated return prepared in my Department showing the rates for the years 1945–46 and 1946–47.

It seems a pity that the Stationery Office cannot print these dozen pages or so, but if they cannot do so, will the right hon. Gentleman consider producing an abridged return, including the counties and the large burghs?

I will certainly be prepared to consider that.

Will the Minister include in the return details of the services given to the ratepayers for the rates paid?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many allowances under the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme have ceased to become payable in Edinburgh and in Scotland, respectively, because of recovery, and because of death.

Up to 31st March, 1947, the number of persons in Edinburgh ceasing to receive allowances under this scheme because of recovery was 150, and because of death 11. For all Scotland, the corresponding figures are 2,930 and 1,060.

In view of the chronic nature of the disease of applicants for allowances under this scheme, do not these figures reveal a very cruel anomaly, and will the Secretary of State look into this matter with a view to removing that anomaly?

The whole question of tuberculosis allowances is being considered in association with the new health services that are to be brought into operation under the Health Service Act which was passed by the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for allowances under the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme have been granted in Edinburgh since its inception; and how many have been refused because of means, and because of the chronic nature of the disease.

From the beginning of the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme in Edinburgh on 30th June, 1943, up to 31st March. 1947, 362 applicants were granted allowances, 51 applications were refused on financial grounds, and 230 refused because of the chronic nature of the disease.

Do not these figures, taken together with the figures given in answer to the previous Question, show how cruelly this scheme operates and, although it is under consideration, is there nothing which the Minister can do meanwhile to remove some of these injustices?

I do not admit that the scheme operates cruelly. I claim that, in view of the purpose for which the scheme was inaugurated, the figures which I have given prove that it has been a remarkable success.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is cruel that a person suffering from tuberculosis should be told that his condition is so serious that he is not eligible for a grant; and in view of the fact that the number involved is small and the additional cost will not be great, will not he review this matter?

I have already indicated that the whole matter is being reviewed in view of the fact that the House as passed, both for England and Scotland, a new Health Service Act which makes it possible to review the whole situation so far as this scheme and other schemes associated with health administration are concerned.

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

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in connection with the disabled ex-Service men's basic pension and other matters calling for review, he will consider appointing a commission to review and revise the Royal Warrant so as to ensure the practical changes necessitated by the changed conditions which have arisen during the past two years.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make a statement with regard to the raising of the pension rates for ex-Service men and women

A comprehensive review of the War Pension Code was made by the present Government less than two years ago and an increase in the basic rate was one of the many improvements made in February last year and embodied in the Royal Warrant Of 12th April, 1946 (Command 6799). Several further improvements have since been made and announced in the House, and amending Royal Warrants were issued in March and May of this year (Command 7096 and Command 7124). The Government do not, therefore, consider that a special Commission to undertake a further comprehensive review of the War Pension Code is necessary, but I can assure the hon. Member that I will continue to consult my Central Advisory Committee on any matters which may require review in the light of changing conditions.

Is the Minister aware that conditions have materially changed in the last few years, and was there not a specific promise made that ex-Service men would not be let down? Is it not possible now to do something in view of the increased cost of living, and is not the whole position utterly unsatisfactory?

I do not think that is borne out by the figures. Since 1939, the increases have been very substantial and in some cases have been more than 100 per cent. If the hon. Member would care for the figures, they are; percentage increase in the case of a pensioner, 38.5; pensioner and wife, 46.6; pensioner, wife and one child, 47; pensioner, wife and two children, 52.7; pensioner, wife and three children, 57.6; pensioner, wife and four children. 61.9.

The basic figures are all wrong.

Will the Minister give the House an assurance that this deserving and unorganised section of the community will not be allowed to lag behind the able-bodied in securing increases in their pensions?

I have given a general answer to that.

Is it not a fact that there are now fewer ex-Service men turning the organ in the street than there were after the 1914–18 war?

In view of the millions being paid by the Government in full compensation for property damaged by the war, is it too much for men and women maimed and wrecked in the service of their country to expect something more than the present niggardly 45s. a week paid for full disability?

I shall get up on this point day after day. I am sick and tired of the way in which it is being dealt with. It is utterly disgraceful. I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again on the Adjournment. It is thoroughly unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Pensions what pension will be granted to Mrs. Hannah, widow of the late Sergeant Hannah, V.C., and her three daughters.

Mrs. Hannah has been awarded a pension for herself, allowances for her three daughters and a rent allowance, amounting in all to 3 17s. a week. In addition the normal family allowances of 10s. a week are, of course, being paid and Mrs. Hannah has been invited to apply for an education grant in respect of her daughter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the pension he has made is suitable for a man who served his country so conspicuously?

That is the maximum pension payable under the Royal Warrant, which, I think, has the general acceptance of the House. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The question now being raised is rather wider than the Question on the Order Paper. These are not the complete provisions that can be made by the State in a case of this kind.

Will the Minister consider with his colleagues the possibility of making the small annuity which goes with the Victoria Cross payable to the widow and her children?

That is not within my province.

Is it not a fact that the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has given do not amount to an extra penny for this lady by reason of her husband's extreme heroism?

The Ministry of Pensions are not charged with making a reward for heroism or for the possession of a particular decoration. The Ministry of Pensions' code is limited to the payment of the statutory amounts, and the maximum is being paid in this case.

Is the Minister aware that, owing to the very serious condition in which the widow and the children find themselves, a public subscription list has been opened in Leicester; and will he do all he possibly can, in conjunction with his colleagues, if he is not able to do it by himself alone; to see that this very deserving case is looked into and adequately dealt with very quickly?

I was not aware of the facts which the hon. Gentleman suggests exist in this case. I know that there are certain commitments which this lady undertook before her husband's death, and I think it will be possible for certain arrangements to be made to cover these. I was not aware that the actual circumstances were as hard as the hon. Gentleman has stated.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any point in the allegation that has appeared in some newspapers that there was any delay in his office in dealing with the case?

No; the position is that two days after the husband's death, one of our regional officers visited the lady and arranged for the provisional payment of 68s. a week pending assessment of the pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has now reconsidered the case of Mrs. Sheffield, which was referred to him by the hon. Member for Taunton; and if he will grant any increase in her present pension of 27s. 6d. per week.

Mrs. Sheffield is at present in receipt of the maximum pension provided by the Royal Warrant, and I have, therefore, no power to grant any increase.

Is the Minister aware that Mrs. Sheffield is an invalid widow of 59 years of age, and that her two sons supported her in reasonable comfort until both were killed on active service? Since 27s. 6d. is the maximum pension payable, and, after deduction of rent and fixed charges, she only has 10s. per week to live on, will he not look into this question to see if there is any possible way to increase the maximum?

Of course, I am not empowered to make any increase in the maximum pension payable by my Ministry. It is also not desirable in all cases to isolate the Ministry of Pensions payments from other social insurance arrangements. The fact is that this is the maximum pension payable in the case of a widowed mother. Generally, a widow is in receipt of a widow's or retirement pension. In the case of widowers, they are generally in receipt of old age pensions or disability or sickness benefit from the State. The whole circumstances have to be taken into consideration. So far as my Department is concerned, we have to be bound by the Royal Warrant.

Change the Royal Warrant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will now consider increasing the rate of the alternative pension paid under the Royal Warrants governing awards in respect of service in the 1914–18 war.

These special pensions are paid at varying rates and are always in excess of the standard rate appropriate to the individual case. In the circumstances, I see no ground for increasing them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to make a statement outlining facilities which will be given to relatives of deceased Service men to visit graves overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether facilities have yet been granted to enable parents to visit the graves of their sons killed on the Continent.

I have nothing to add yet to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Burslem (Mr. A. Edward Davies) on 13th May.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the burgomaster of Nijmegen has offered free accommodation to the relatives of Service men buried there, and also a free passage to the Hook of Holland; and that there does not appear at present to be any national organisation to get the widows from, in this case, Horncastle, to the Hook of Holland? Does he realise also that, if there is further delay, the very people who cannot afford it will suffer the most? Will the Secretary of State, therefore, try to see if he can get something done about this very important matter?

Yes, Sir, I will. I have every sympathy with those distressed relatives, and I am very glad to hear of the generous offer of the burgomaster of Nijmegen. But we cannot limit these facilities to any one special class. We have to make them universal.

Is it not better to have people of this type visiting relatives' graves than to have people going abroad to evade the currency regulations?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that there is proper co-ordination between his Department and the War Graves Commission to avoid what happened recently, when an organised party arrived on the other side and found the cemetery was in a transitional stage, with no list of graves and no flowers, with the result that the visit caused a good deal of distress in some' ways? Will he try to avoid that when these visits take place?

Yes, Sir. Among my other duties, I am also Chairman, ex-officio, of the Imperial War Graves Commission.

What is causing this indecision? Would it not be better to allow relatives to go to those places where conditions are favourable?

Certain relatives do go unassisted, but what we are going to do is to try to evolve some scheme which will help those relatives not able to pay their passages.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the delay is due to the fact that the cemeteries are not properly organised, or whether it is due to the fact that his Deparment have not yet arranged to look after the relatives when they get there?

Not all the cemeteries are properly organised. It is an immense problem to recover so many bodies, scattered as they are over the battlefields, and concentrate them; but I am glad to say that the work is progressing very well indeed.

asked the Secretary of State for war if he will take steps to ensure that British sergeants, now being compulsorily transferred from the Indian Army Corps of Clerks to the R.A.S.C., shall not suffer a reduction of pay owing to such transfer.

There is no question of compulsory transfer in this case. Except for some senior ranks who are pensionable by age and service and cannot be absorbed into the British service, all concerned are to be offered the alternatives of discharge with pension or gratuity as applicable under the current regulations, or voluntary transfer to the British service which would of course mean serving on British rates of pay and allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether commanding officers have been instructed that Home Guard rifle clubs, formed at the request of his Department, are still to receive the privilege of using ranges on his Department's property.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many vehicles are still parked on the autobahn between Hamburg and Bremen; what is their estimated value and why steps have not been taken to dispose of these vehicles and prevent further deterioration.

The answer to the first part of the Question is approximately 25,000, not all of which are on Army charge. It is not readily possible to make any accurate estimate of the value of these vehicles. All possible action is constantly being taken to dispose of all vehicles surplus to Army requirements. It is, however, necessary to inspect and classify all vehicles before they are handed over to the Ministry of Supply, so as to ensure that the best vehicles are kept for future Army needs. Some 83,000 vehicles have already been made available by the Army of the Rhine for disposal, of which approximately half have been sold.

Is it not outrageous that two years after the end of the German war, on a Continent starved for motor transport, there should be 25,000 vehicles lying rotting?

It is not quite correct to say that they are rotting. Unfortunately, too many of the personnel in the Army are engaged in looking after these vehicles and keeping them up to trim either for Army use or as surplus for disposal.

Has my right hon. Friend been assured that adequate guards are on duty to prevent the depredations that are constantly being made by those in search of spare parts?

I am not assured, but I have not got the men to make that possible.

Is it not a fact that this has now been going on for over 18 months, because this was exactly the situation, when I was out there in January of last year, to which I drew the right hon. Gentleman's attention as soon as I got back?

I am bound to say that in my opinion some of these vehicles will be worth little more than scrap iron.

Surely, if there are not sufficient men to take care of these vehicles, it would be better to dispose of them?

Yes, but that is not my responsibility.

I do not think that we can accept that answer. It is, presumably, the responsibility of the Government, and if it is not the right hon. Gentleman's responsibility, will he get into consultation with the right hon. Gentleman whose responsibility it is, and tell the House what he proposes to do about it?

I think that if the right hon. Gentleman wants any detailed answer to his question, the proper course for him to adopt would be to put it to the appropriate Minister. I can only do my job, and I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that we are in very close touch with the Ministry of Supply on these matters.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these vehicles can be disposed of before they become scrap, to the German population who are very badly in need of them?

Yes, Sir. I rather think some of them go to the Control Commission for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that units in the Sierra Leone and Gambia area have been informed that the reinforcement situation in the United Kingdom is extremely bad at the moment and that it will frequently be necessary for tour-expired officers and other ranks to serve for some considerable time over their 18 months tour; and if he will, therefore, make a further statement on the reinforcement position for West Africa Command.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." As regards the second, the reinforcement position in the West African Command is peculiar in that their requirements are all for experienced officers and non-commissioned officers. These are just the type which are in short supply as a result of the release scheme. Nevertheless, substantial numbers have been, and are being drafted, and I hope that it will not be necessary to retain many, if any, officers or noncommissioned officers after their tour expires.

Is the Minister aware that in a reply on 6th May he told me that provision had been made for the replacement of all personnel requested by the Command, and is he further aware that, on 28th June, notification, as outlined in the first part of my Question, was given to the units in the area concerned? Will he give an assurance now that all provision has been made to meet the requests of the Command?

The situation changes from day to day. West African Command is only one of the Commands which we have to reinforce.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the maximum period a man is likely to be delayed through the extension of the normal period of service in that theatre?

As I said in the last part of my reply, I hope it will be possible that none will be delayed. At any rate, I hope very few indeed will be delayed.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman use the words "in short supply" when he means "scarce"?

Whichever the hon. and learned Gentleman pleases.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he is making for the equipment of T.A. messes with the necessary supplies of cutlery, crockery and other stores of a permanent nature.

Associations may buy cutlery, crockery and mess equipment from Ordnance, but owing to shortage of stock their demands cannot always be met, and they are, therefore, encouraged to buy from the civilian market. An initial grant towards these purchases will be made from public funds to new units which are being raised in the Territorial Army. Provision is also made for the maintenance and improvement of messing equipment in the annual Establishment Grant issued to all units.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that commanding officers in some newly formed Territorial units are having to solicit charitable contributions in order that these messes may be equipped, and does not he think it scandalous that the Territorial Army should have to rely on charity in order to equip these messes?

I know there are difficulties but the Territorial Army is not the only one experiencing them. I do not think the question is so much one of finance as one of supplies of these things.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when Territorial associations have to secure crockery, they go to the source of civilian supply, and is not that restricting the possibility of supply for the civilian population, which is already experiencing short supplies in these things?

I think the hon. Gentleman would be advised to put that question to my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Are any more supplies coming from N.A.A.F.I. and has the right hon. Gentleman given serious study to the degree to which the recruiting campaign is being hampered by these things?

I am giving close study to that, but this is only one of my worries in regard to the recruiting for the Territorial Army. I might add that N.A.A.F.I. have to inform the Territorial organisation of any surplus.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what happened to most of the equipment belonging to units of, the Territorial Army no longer existing? Could he not arrange that the mess equipment of those unit3 be made available to the new units, and am I not right in saying that there are fewer new units than there were old units which no longer exist?

That is an entirely different question, and perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper.

In view of the very great shortage of cutlery and crockery for Territorial Army and domestic users, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider requisitioning the great masses of these things which at the present time are in the large country houses?

Will there be any additional official assistance in this matter above the 5s. per head grant?

The establishment grant for this financial year for male units is r8s 6d. a head.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now announce his decision on the release of the Army camp at Raynes Park for housing purposes.

I am considering using this camp for the re-housing of certain families whom I may have to assist in finding accommodation. I regret, therefore, that I cannot make it available to the local authority.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have been in correspondence with his Department since 1945 on this matter and that he promised me a speedy reply over a month ago which I have not received, and does not the whole business show a degree of incompetence and procrastination unusual even for the War Office?

I wish my hon. Friend would be a little fairer to me and tell the House the whole of the story, because he has been on the telephone more than once. I do not know whether he considers that a communication from the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War in which of the British West Indian Colonies an Imperial garrison is maintained and at what strength; and how it compares with that maintained before the war.

British garrisons are maintained in Jamaica and Bermuda. It would be contrary to practice to disclose their strengths.

Is it not a fact that these strengths were disclosed before the war? Why should they not be disclosed now?

For many reasons, which the Minister of Defence gave in a recent Debate in this House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not so very long ago a report appeared in the "Daily Worker" that there are thousands of British troops overseas holding down the population of the Colonies, and will not he do something to deny that?

I do not think it is necessary for me to deny everything that is said in the "Daily Worker."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the considerable number of lower-wage earners who formerly were, but are not now, liable for Income Tax, if he will give directions which will obviate the keeping of record cards relating to such persons and thus save the manpower and paper which, at present, doing so entails.

This has been done. Where it is clear that no tax will be payable unless there is an appreciable increase in the average rate of pay, employers need not fill up weekly record cards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the national income is received by taxpayers with incomes under £500 a year; how many people are in this category; and how many are in the remaining group.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 10 of the White Paper on National Income and Expenditure (Cmd. 7099)

Are those figures up to date or are they 12 months old? What I want are the up-to-date figures.

They give the most recent information we have. There is, of course, always a time lag in the collection of this information, but I hope that in due course we shall be able to give more up-to-date figures. As I have said, the most recent information is contained in the table I have mentioned.

How old are those figures?

If the hon. Gentleman will turn up the table, he will find that it is all clearly explained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of dollars is involved in payment to United States writers of songs and dance music by way of royalties and performing rights; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce these payments and so conserve our dollar resources.

About £150,000 a year for royalties and performing rights of music of all sorts. I do not propose to interfere in this particular matter.

Is the Chancellor aware that this liability is unnecessarily increased by the plugging of music for which dance band leaders are paid?

We must not be too censorious about how people like to take their enjoyment. If people like this kind of thing, this is the kind of thing they like.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why tablets containing more than one per cent, of saccharin in gift parcels from U.S.A. are charged as if they consisted wholly of saccharin; and whether he is aware that the object of using these tablets is to save sugar, which can then be used for other and more vital purposes.

This charge is in accordance with the law; I appreciate why the tablets are sent, but there are very strong practical reasons against any change in the present arrangements.

Could not the Chancellor go a little further, because surely there is a shortage of saccharin tablets in this country at the moment; are they not one of the greatest sources of saving sugar, and could not something be done to enable them to be sent to this country as a gift from America without the recipient having to pay such a large duty?

I should be very happy to discuss this question with the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I do not want to detain the House with technical explanations, but the point is that either you charge the full rate, which is what we do now, or you have to examine each of these parcels separately and have a separate statement as to the saccharin content of each one. That really would be an administrative monstrosity, as I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman will appreciate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government of Palestine is to continue to pay for the Cyprus camps, or whether, in view of the rising cost, His Majesty's Government proposes to bear any part of the expenditure by loan or otherwise.

His Majesty's Government regard this expenditure as the responsibility of the Government of Palestine. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

In view of the Chancellor's reply, may I take it that Press statements to the contrary are untrue?

Yes, totally untrue, as many Press statements are.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what annual contributions towards the cost of food and similar consumer subsidies paid out of Income Tax are made by married men with two children and an earned income of respectively, £200, £300, £400 and £600 per annum.

In the first two cases no Income Tax is payable, in the third £5, in the fourth £63 15s. But it would be misleading to relate payments of one particular tax to any one item of national expenditure.

is this not evidence of the value of consumer subsidies and Income Tax reliefs to people who have family responsibilities and a low income, and will my right hon. Friend bear this in mind when attacks are made on the system?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the discussions now proceeding for giving increased financial help to hard-pressed local authorities through a revision of the block grant, he will calculate his new formula on the basis that the principle of equal pay is going to be applied in the local govenment service in the reasonably near future.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if this new adjustment of the block grant does not take account of the principle of equal pay, it will only have to be adjusted all over again in the future when he comes to fulfil his promise, and would it not be better to do the whole job properly at one go?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the very carefully considered statement I made on this subject last week, on which she asked a supplementary question. We must take things as we find them, and at the present moment we are proposing to revise the block grant on the basis of the existing situation.