asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made in the recruitment of the Territorial Army.

The strength of the Territorial Army at 31st December was approximately 33,500 male and 4,500 women officers and other ranks.

Can the Minister break down these figures into officers and other ranks?

I could do that if the question was put on the Order Paper.

Does not this poor state of affairs show the necessity of greater priority being given to the Territorial Army for the provision of facilities, such as more accommodation?

It certainly does, and that is precisely what we are endeavouring to do. I am fully aware of all the difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he only offered £4,500, subject to certain deductions, for the purchase of Nunfield House, Dumfries, on behalf of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association when he was aware that an offer of £10,000 had been made in December, 1947, by a third party subject to de-requisitioning of the property within one year; and what action he proposes to take in view of the refusal of the owner to sell at the price he has offered.

The offer, which was £4,600, less the capitalised value of any ground burdens, was in accordance with normal practice based on the restricted valuation of the property under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947. My Department was aware that an offer had been made by a third party, but the amount of the offer was not known. As regards the last part of the Question, the action to be taken is under consideration.

Ought not the right hon. Gentleman's Department to have acquainted itself with the amount of the offer by the other party, so as to reach some approximation of the real value of the property?

When we make an offer for property, we are not aware of what our competitors have offered.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers have deserted in Germany and Austria since VE Day; and how many are still at large.

Three thousand three hundred and nine soldiers have deserted in Germany since VE Day, of whom 320 are still at large. The corresponding figure for Austria is 268, of whom 45 are still at large.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman view these figures with some alarm? Will he tell the House what he intends to do about this matter?

We are doing everything possible to trace these men, but, of course, there are great difficulties.

Can the Minister say what steps are to be taken?

The question which the hon. and gallant Member asked was "How many?" and not, what steps are to be taken?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some men serving in Malaya who have been away for over nine weeks, have not yet received their mail; and whether he will account for this delay and take action to speed these air mails up.

I am aware that some men recently drafted to Malaya have found their mail delayed through their using a postal address different from the one they were given. Further instructions will, if necessary, be issued to ensure that the correct address is used.

Is the Minister aware that this matter is causing some distress, and will he look more thoroughly into it? The information I have received is that it is not just a question of address, but that the mails are not arriving.

As it happens, the men were given the correct address, but some of them ignored it and gave the name of the ship on which they sailed. That led to delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed again to publish the Monthly Army List, giving particulars of the location of all units and formations of the Army, together with the names, appointments and stations of commanders, staff and regimental officers.

As in the case of the Navy and Air Force Lists, the contents of the Army List are being reviewed, and it may be possible before long to make a very limited number of copies available for sale to institutions which particularly feel the need for them.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the public wants to know where the Army is, and what the Army is doing, and is it necessary all this time after the end of hostilities to keep secret these matters? Is the Secretary of State under the impression that foreign Intelligence Services do not exactly know the whereabouts of our Army?

It is because of some of the submissions which the hon. and gallant Gentleman makes that we are endeavouring to prepare this List.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks, respectively, have travelled between this country and Jamaica by ordinary sea passenger service since 1st January, 1947, and how many by Government transport.

Thirty-three Army officers and 293 Army other ranks travelled from this country to Jamaica by ordinary sea passenger service between 1st January, 1947, and 5th February, 1948. During the same period 34 Army officers and 947 Army other ranks travelled to Jamaica by Government transport.

In view of the shortage of passages available to the general public on this route, will the Minister give an assurance that such trooping will be cut to a minimum?

It is not easy to delay the return of officers and men because of the non-availability of Government transport, so we have to use whatever transport is available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to Part I Orders, serial number 37, dated 13th February, 1948, posted at R.E.M.E. Electrical Training Wing, Bailleul Camp, Arborfield, inviting officers and other ranks to submit to the adjutant applications for service with the Arab League, and if he will make a statement on this matter.

This notice contained a typing mistake. A small number of volunteers from R.E.M.E. were wanted for service with the Arab Legion, not the Arab League. The mistake was corrected in the Unit's Part I Orders on 16th February.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the information that the error in Part I Orders was so promptly corrected, may I ask him how recruitment for the Arab Legion at the present time, especially of men who have at least 12 months still to serve, is consonant with the statement of the Foreign Secretary on 12th December that British units of this Legion would be disbanded on the withdrawal of British Forces from Palestine?

I understand that arrangements are being made for the disbandment of these Forces, but meantime we are under treaty obligations to provide assistance for training these forces and we must comply with the provisions of the treaty. I am obliged to my hon. Friend for having drawn my attention to the typing mistake.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how a copy of this Order could be published in the "Jewish Standard" in its misleading form?

I am not aware. I could not say.

In view of the very natural confusion between the Arab Legion and its connection with the Arab League, and in view of the actions that the Arab League are taking at present, will my right hon. Friend take steps immediately to discontinue recruitment of this particular unit?

If my hon. Friend can direct my attention to some misdeameanours on the part of the Arab Legion naturally I will have to take them into consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman correct an error? Surely there are no British units in the Arab Legion? It is the Transjordan Force with a few British personnel.

I never said there were. The Arab Legion is the Arab Legion whoever happens to be associated with it.

Is it really sensible to invite applications in January from British soldiers to join a force 2,000 miles away, part of which will be disbanded in May or very soon afterwards?

That is precisely the routine we employ in connection with the Army as a whole. Although we are running down the Forces we have to replace the deficiences in certain units.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he will derequisition the Victoria Hall, 144, London Road, Leicester, as the continued occupation by the Army Records Office is causing serious inconvenience to the blinded persons who formerly used the hall.

The inconvenience to the blinded persons who formerly used the hall is fully appreciated, but I regret that I am still unable to forecast when the Victoria Hall will be derequisitioned. Every effort is being made to find a suitable alternative property, but the accommodation situation generally is so acute that I cannot hold out hope of early success.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the ration scales appropriate to Sandhurst provide sufficient nourishment for the officer cadets.

Sandhurst cadets receive the same ration as cadets at Officer Cadet Training Units and as recruits under primary training. This includes the heavy worker's supplement in addition to the normal ration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that those who are undergoing training in Sandhurst are under the severest physical and mental strain at the time when very often they are still growing?

I am well aware that the cadets have an exceptionally good appetite and I wish I could satisfy them.

Would the Secretary of State bear in mind that the recruits have primary training, and that these cadets should not have their rations reduced below what they were before if they are still doing the same work?

As regards the reduction of rations in the Services generally, that has already been decided upon. So far as the cadets are concerned, I am fully aware of the difficulty, but I have no power to increase the rations beyond what I have said.

Is it not a fact that the present ration scale for Sandhurst is higher over all than the civilian ration?

As I pointed out, their scale includes the heavy workers' supplement, and to that extent it is higher in general than the civilian scale. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that, because of the strain of physical training that these boys experience during the whole of the day, and every day, they have very good appetites.

Can the Secretary of State say whether the ration scales at Sandhurst have been affected by the recent cut in Service rations?

The cut applies all round.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the sickness rate at Sandhurst during January; and how many cases of fainting on parade were reported.

The average number of officer cadets at Sandhurst who reported sick daily during the period 17th–31st January was approximately one and a quarter per cent. of the total strength. I would point out, however, that the period was too short to constitute a representative sample. In the same period three officer cadets fell out on parade and reported to the medical officer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the present condition in relation to the statistics available for previous years?

I cannot provide comparative figures, but, after all, we expect a few people to be sick.

asked the Secretary of State for War why R.A.S.C. clerks of the Middle East Land Forces, who are in Age and Service Group 67, have had their demobilisation deferred for a further two months.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the release of Clerks G.D. and T.M.T. (R.A.S.C.) in group 67 serving in the Middle East has been postponed; when this shortage was first foreseen; and what steps were taken to train additional men to perform these duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the release of R.A.S.C. clerks at G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon M.E.L.F. is being deferred for two months.

asked the Secretary of State for War why R.A.S.C. clerks of Group 67 and higher serving in the M.E.L.F. are having their release deferred; and whether he will take steps to bring men in that category into line with the general rate of release.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the concern caused to men serving in the M.E.L.F., and their relatives, by the news that the release of R.A.S.C. clerks in Group 67 is to be deferred for two months; what other corps, trades, or theatres are affected; whether the release of later groups is also to be deferred; what is the reason for this deferment; how many men in all are concerned; and if he will reconsider the period of deferment with a view to mitigating this hardship.

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the demobilisation of these men will be delayed for some nine groups beyond those of the people who are alongside them?

This is an exceptional Measure we have to take because of the shortage of men in certain arms of the Service. For the most part they are specialists, but the deferment is not prolonged. It continues over a very short period.

Will my right hon. Friend also take into account that replacements for some of the men serving have already arrived, that there is evidence that existing men are seriously under employed, and also that R.A.S.C. clerks are employed on R.A.O.C. duties and that the R.A.O.C. are not being deferred?

I am not aware of these details, and no doubt my hon. Friend will furnish me with such information as will enable me to take appropriate action.

In view of the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Mr. Asterley Jones), will my right hon. Friend say whether the answer to the last part of Question No. 39 in his circulated statement is a satisfactory one? Is he able to reconsider the matter if new evidence is brought to his notice?

If information is brought to me I will consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what sums from the profits of the Royal Tournament, held at Olympia last June, have been received by the Army; and how has this money been distributed between individual Army charities.

The Army share of the profits of the 1947 Royal Tournament has been recently assessed at some £18,000. The manner in which this sum will be applied is under consideration.

Is the Minister aware that in the past organisations like S.A.A.F.A., the Soldiers and Sailors Help Society, the Royal Artillery Benevolent Fund, and the Cavalry Benefit Association have benefited considerably from the profits of the Royal Tournament? They have not had anything yet from this Tournament, and can the Secretary of State tell us whether they will be getting something?

I should be surprised if they do not get their share in due course. It is in the hands of the United Services trustees.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the profits of the Royal Tournament have been for many years governed by certain rules and are for the benefit of Service charities? Is that assistance still to go on?

Yes, there is no change in the system.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the time has now come for a thorough overhaul of the re-organisation of this system of miscellaneous Army charities?

That seems to be another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the history of Paiforce will be published.

The production of this book has been delayed by work of more urgent public importance. The text is in proof, and work upon the illustrations and maps should be completed by the end of March. This should allow the book to be published during the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the courts martial on the officers concerned with third degree methods employed at Bad Nenndorf will be completed and when he proposes to publish a statement of fact.

I am unable to say when the courts martial in question will be completed. Clearly I cannot publish any statement of fact while the matter is still sub judice.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I visited this camp and found men in cells, the temperature of which was 10 degrees below zero? To my certain knowledge, one man had his legs frozen off. Will my right hon. Friend promise that when the facts are known, he will publish a true and verified statement of what happened?

When the facts are known, I will consider publishing them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider amending Army Council Instruction No. 973 of 1947, under which no one can apply for a Regular commission till 21 years of age, to enable the holder of a short service commission below that age to be told after six months that he will be granted a Regular commission when he is 21, or be admitted to Sandhurst till he reaches that age, as the instruction is having the effect of making many young officers take their release at 19 or 20.

An instruction issued early this month enables all emergency commissioned officers who have not already had the opportunity of trying for Sandhurst and who would otherwise be barred by the lower age limit from applying for appointment to a permanent Regular commission before release to apply specially later this year. In this way every emergency commissioned officer under the age of 21 has had or will have at least one opportunity to obtain a Regular commission.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has completed his inquiries into the beating-up of Herr Werner Kleindienst; and if he will now state what disciplinary action was taken against the British officer and N.C.O.s involved, and publish in HANSARD a full account of the incident.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now disclose the nature of the punishment meted to the officer responsible for the maltreatment of Herr Kleindienst.

After considering this matter further I have come to the conclusion that the conduct of the British officer and non-commissioned officers involved in this incident was improper and unworthy of the British Army. On the other hand, I am satisfied that there has been some exaggeration in reports of the ill-treatment alleged to have been suffered by this German. As the officer and non-commissioned officers concerned have been reprimanded and transferred to other duties, or in one case released from the Army, I consider that the interests of the British Forces in Germany will now best be served by regarding the incident as closed.

Could my right hon. Friend say in what respect the very detailed reports which he has been given were exaggerated? Was this man in fact beaten up, and did the interrogation take place from 2·30 in the morning until about five o'clock in the morning?

I have gone very carefully into the matter and undoubtedly there was some ill-treatment, but there is a great deal of conflicting evidence and I prefer to accept the judgment of the officers who were concerned in trying this case.

In view of the allegations which have been made in all good faith not only by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg), but also by myself, and which have had some publicity, will my right hon. Friend, in the interests of the officers themselves, publish an account of what in fact took place?

I think not. On the whole, I think the action we have taken will be salutary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a reprimand is really no punishment at all except to men making their careers in the Army, and in the light of all the circumstances of the case, does he not think that he should go further into it and consider instituting court martial proceedings?

Again, I think not. A reprimand is a very serious matter to be entered in an officer's record which may have to be used on some other occasion. I think the action we have taken is, on the whole, beneficial.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no secrecy about these matters on the other side of the water, and that if he will not publish the facts, all that will happen is that the reports will become greatly enlarged? Is it not much better that the truth, and the whole truth, should be given?

But the facts have been disclosed without going into unnecessary details.

Not widely.

Apparently my hon. Friend knows all about the facts. As the answer I gave concedes, we have admitted that the conduct of this officer and these non-commissioned officers was unworthy of the British Army. I have admitted that there was some ill-treatment, and it seems unnecessary to go further.

In order to give my right hon. Friend an opportunity of stating exactly in what respect the reports were exaggerated, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Bow-bridge Road camp at Newark at present occupied by the Royal Engineers is to be vacated; and if he will give an assurance that the camp will be handed over to the Newark Corporation, who require it for housing purposes.

The greater part of this camp will be vacated by the War Department later this year. The released portion will be made available for re-allocation by the Ministry of Works in accordance with the established procedure, under which the claims of the Ministry of Health for housing will be considered in conjunction with those of other Government Departments.

Is there no method by which the right hon. Gentleman's administration could hand this camp back to the local authority who have already decided to use it for housing purposes?

I have said that the greater part of the camp will be handed back some time this year.

asked the Secretary of State for War for what reason the British Legion, on making inquiries regarding war graves locations, are told that the information is supplied on the understanding that the information is not communicated to anyone in the United Kingdom.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd) on Tuesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement as to the future of Preston Barracks, Brighton; whether it will be amalgamated with the portions of Stanmer Park being held by the War Office for military recreational purposes, and whether the officers at present in charge of the barracks will continue to remain there.

It is proposed to use Preston Barracks as a Military Convalescent Depot. The barracks will not be amalgamated with the requisitioned portion of Stanmer Park. When the Convalescent Depot is set up, officers of the R.A.M.C. will be in charge of it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the rate of demobilisation for army nurses and sisters; how many now remain in India; and what is the average period of service the nursing staff have to complete before they can expect demobilisation.

The rate of release for Army nursing officers is an average of 78 per month. The number of Army nursing officers now in India is 22. The average length of service of nursing officers now being released is three years, two months.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that quite a number of these nursing sisters are most anxious to get home and are feeling the strain very considerably? Can anything be done to expedite the repatriation of those who have served the longer periods?

As long as we have some units in this area, we must have some nursing sisters to take care of them if anything goes wrong. We are endeavouring to release them as rapidly as possible.

Would it be possible for some of the nursing sisters serving here to be transferred overseas in order to release those who have been serving for a long time?

I hardly think that would be desirable in the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers' families who returned to England on 18th February in the troopship "Lancashire" had left England last autumn; how many weeks were they in Japan; and is he satisfied that those arrangements could not have been avoided.

No soldiers' families arrived in the United Kingdom on r8th February on the "Lancashire."

Can the Minister confirm the fact that the soldiers' families were in Japan a matter of five or seven weeks, and is it not a shocking waste of public money to let such things happen?

That is quite a different question.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German Field Marshals, Generals and Admirals, against whom no charges are pending, are still being detained by us as prisoners of war; whether any of these have been offered release on parole, and in view of the time which has elapsed since the cessation of hostilities whether he will now arrange for the release of all such officers.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 76. These officers have not been offered release on parole. They will be repatriated under the ordinary arrangements when their turn comes round.

Is it not quite unprecedented to keep these officers in captivity so long after hostilities have ceased, and may it not recoil on our own heads in some future war if we do not happen to be the victors?

I should not care to offer an opinion as to what might happen in a future war, if ever there is one. We are endeavouring to deal with these cases as rapidly as possible.

Is it not very discreditable to this country to keep these officers—very distinguished officers—in captivity all this time after the end of hostilities? Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question whether there is any precedent for such action by any country in the past?

Possibly not; but there is very little precedent of which I am aware for a situation of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of German officers who are prisoners in British hands and against whom charges of any kind are still pending, and whether he will either cause any such officers to be immediately brought to trial, or in event of sufficient evidence against them not being forthcoming, whether he will give instructions for their immediate release.

As the reply is necessarily rather long, I will, with permission. circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the fact that many prisoners have been moved to other camps since first forming friendships with British families, and that their repatriation will shortly be due, he will arrange for the Christmas travel and other concessions to apply to Easter and Whitsuntide.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that German prisoners of war shall be granted special permission to stay over night with friends during Easter; and enjoy the same privileges they had during Christmas.

I regret that I am unable to agree to my hon. Friends' suggestions. Owing to the speed of repatriation and the considerable reorganisation of prisoner-of-war camps as their number is reduced, Easter and Whitsuntide leave travel would increase the administrative problems involved and might indeed interfere with the repatriation programme.

In view of that disappointing answer, will my right hon. Friend at least consider extending generally for these two periods the five-mile travel limit which exists at present?

If I can arrange any further relaxation, I shall certainly do so, but I do not regard my answer as disappointing.

Has my right hon. Friend considered allowing men in camps near places where they can stay either to stay out later than usual or co stay out over night? Surely, that would be no inconvenience?

To the best of my recollection, in reply to previous Questions I agreed that they could stay out later at night. As regards further relaxation, that might interfere with the whole administration affecting prisoners of war and we are very anxious not to interfere with it unduly so that we can get ahead with repatriation.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war now remain in the Middle East; and when it is expected that all will be repatriated.

Approximately 58,700 German prisoners of war were held in the Middle East on 31st January. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot yet add anything to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 20th January, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Can my right hon. Friend say if he has seen the memorandum issued by the Protestant pastors of these men, a copy of which I have sent to him, which reveals very disquietening features about the morale of these men who have been detained so long?

I have no doubt that morale does deteriorate if men are detained unduly, but as I have said in previous replies we are endeavouring to repatriate them speedily.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the actual repatriation has been accelerated in some measure?

It has been accelerated.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German naval personnel surrendered by the Japanese at Singapore in May, 1945, now remain in this country; and when they will be repatriated.

Twenty-seven officers and 187 other ranks were transferred to the United Kingdom from Singapore. No record is readily available of the total number repatriated to date, but it is known that 15 officers and 30 other ranks were repatriated during 1947. The balance remaining in the United Kingdom will be repatriated during June or July.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that allegations are made on behalf of these men that, when they were brought here in 1946 as surrendered personnel, they were assured that, as such, they would be repatriated straight away, but that they have since been transferred to the status of prisoners of war, leading to allegations of breaking faith?

My information is that no official promise of repatriation was made to them, but that there is no difference in their status.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps he intends to take to enforce the conditions, which he has attached to his consent for the establishment of a cement works at Westbury, in the event of a breach of those conditions after the works have come into operation, particularly as regards the suppression of any nuisance caused by the emission of dust.

I have adequate powers under Sections 23, 76 and 100 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, to enforce the carrying out of conditions attached to the planning permission in question. I would not hesitate to exercise these powers in proper cases.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what are the immediate tasks of Aycliffe Development Corporation; what expenditure was incurred during 1947; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1948.

The corporation are preparing a master plan which will be the basis of development of the new town. Their first constructional task is to erect some 300 houses, mainly of the non-traditional type, in addition to 41 aluminium houses, in order to provide urgently needed accommodation for workers in the North Eastern Trading Estate. This work will entail the provision of the necessary roads, sewers and other basic services. Expenditure to 31st December, 1947, amounted to £3,015. I shall shortly be asking the Development Corporation for an estimate of expenditure during the financial year to 31st March, 1949.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the Ennerdale Forest Road has proceeded in accordance with the specifications he approved; whether, apart from passing bays, the width of the roadway and grass verges have been confined to 15 feet; what assurances he has received as to the commencing and finishing dates of the grass turfing work specified by him before the work was allowed to proceed; whether he has stipulated the sowing of grass seed to cover the side of the high perpendicular bank on the up side of the road; and whether he will ensure that the speediest action is taken to restore Ennerdale's natural beauty.

I have no reason to believe that the conditions on the basis of which I agreed to the construction of the Ennerdale Forest Road are not being complied with. I am, however, in touch with the Forestry Commission about this and I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that approximately five miles of this road has already been completed, that no returfing work has been done, and that returfing was one of the conditions he laid down before this work commenced?

I am not surprised to hear that, because the returfing would be done at the end, but I am making inquiries into the matter and will let my hon. Friend know.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in any case it was quite unnecessary to build this new road, existing facilities being quite adequate, and will he see that this kind of mistake is not repeated elsewhere while labour and materials in this country are in short supply?

Of course I do not accept the fact that this road was not necessary.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what plans he has for the integration of social insurance schemes within the Commonwealth; and if he will state his policy.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to conclude reciprocal arrangements, wherever a satisfactory basis can be found, between the social insurance schemes of this country and other Commonwealth countries. A conference of officials of the Governments concerned was held in London last May to consider the principles governing such reciprocity. Their report, which was unanimous, is now before the respective Governments. Their recommendations, if accepted, will provide a basis for negotiations designed to establish specific and detailed reciprocal arrangements with particular Commonwealth countries.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether Eire is included in these negotiations?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that members of approved societies which have been taken over by his Department frequently have to send their claims to some distant address; and whether arrangements will be made to enable them to be paid from local offices of the Ministry.

The arrangements for the gradual take-over of the work of approved societies have so far applied only to the smaller societies. In these cases the records of each society are transferred to a particular Ministry of National Insurance office in the same locality and claims from members of that society have to be sent to that office, just as they had previously to be sent to the society's office, even where, as often happened, the claimant's home was no longer in the same area. From July next claims may in all cases be made at the Ministry of National Insurance office nearest to the claimant's home, but in the interval before that date this cannot be done generally because claims must be sent to the office at which the records of the particular approved society are kept. I hope to be able, however, from April onwards to introduce by stages another change for the convenience of claimants under which, once a claim has been allowed, future payments of sickness benefit will ordinarily be made from the office nearest to the claimant's home.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether permission will be given to British subjects who are members of long standing of the Union Interalliée, Paris, to remit their annual subscriptions to France.

No, Sir. I regret that in present circumstances we cannot afford to allow the remittance to all destinations of annual subscriptions to societies of this kind. I am, however, prepared to allow such subscriptions to countries with which arrangements for holiday travel are concluded.

In view of the good work which this club does in fostering allied amity, may we have an assurance that the Chancellor consulted the Foreign Secretary before giving his answer?

I did not personally consult the Foreign Secretary, but this is a matter with which we have been dealing for some time, and the decision is quite definite

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there are some clubs in France with many members in this country which have arrangements with the Treasury whereby subscriptions can be paid here? Could not something be done for the Union Interalliée on those lines?

I am aware that for certain learned and technical societies there are special arrangements, but they do not cover clubs of this type.

Can the Chancellor say whether the trade union movement in this country is allowed to pay subscriptions to clubs abroad?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what yearly rate did dollars leave this country in payment for American films in the months of November, 1947, December, 1947, and January, 1948.

Twelve million pounds, Sir.

Could my right hon. and Darned Friend say whether he would consider taxing the re-issue of old American films as distinct from the first issue of new films already in the country before the tax? And could he also say whether he sees any prospect of agreement with Hollywood in the future to enable a more equal balance between our film imports and exports?

Those are quite different questions, which can be answered if they are put down on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake to set up machinery to publish the figures of industrial profits as recommended by both the Balfour and Macmillan reports.

Arrangements have already been made, as part of the postwar improvement in the Inland Revenue statistics, for the collection and publication of profit statistics for the main industrial groups. The earliest year for which figures can be obtained is the year 1947, the profits of which come into assessment for the year 1948–49, and the statistics will be published in the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for that year.

While I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that the statistics to which he referred are not at all the type of statistics requested by the Macmillan Report, the Balfour Report or the Cohen Committee? Secondly, is he aware that if the Labour Government put these facts on the table, the wage negotiations and the position as far as the workers are concerned, would be clear and that negotiations between both sides of industry would be much easier? Therefore, I beg my right hon. and learned Friend to do this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Manchester United Football Club Limited have announced their intention to increase admission charges on the ground side, on the occasion of their F.A. Cup tie on 28th February, from 1s. 3d. to 2s.; and in view of his predecessor's declared intention in April, 1946, that the remission should be passed on to spectators, if he will reimpose the tax on those clubs which have not complied with that intention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Manchester United Football Club has increased the price of admission for the match of 28th February; and, if in his coming Budget he will consider reimposing the full rate of Entertainments Duty on those clubs who have not complied with his request that the benefit of the entertainment tax remission should be passed to the spectators.

The answer to the first part of each Question is "Yes," and to the second that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

Is the Chancellor aware that, while all Mancunians hope that Manchester United will win the F.A. Cup, nevertheless there is considerable resentment in some quarters about these increased charges? Will he say whether he considers this charge an evasion of his predecessor's declared intentions in April, 1946?

I cannot say whether in a particular case, for a particular match, the charge should be larger, or smaller.

Is the Chancellor aware that I wrote to him about this matter over a week ago, and have had no reply, and that by taking no action he is making a laughing stock of the exhortations of the Prime Minister that prices should be cut.

No, I am not aware of that at all, and there is no reason why for a particular match a particular price should not be charged. No doubt the Manchester authorities think that their football matches are worth this money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the items of subsidy to private industry and agriculture, respectively, for the current financial year.

I will, with permission, circulate a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Chancellor say whether the figures he gives show that private enterprise depends upon the "dole" more than ever?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set up a committee of experts, to include the chairmen of the big five banks and representatives of other important bodies, to advise and suggest methods to overcome the crisis caused by inflation.

I am afraid that the hon. Member's suggestion does not commend itself to me.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer afraid that a few facts and an element of truth would blow his Socialist principles sky high?

No, Sir, but having read the statements of the chairmen of the five banks I think I might get different opinions.

Was it not these very gentlemen who created the national inflation, which was once aptly described as "Wind in the national belly"?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date, if present trends continue, will British capital resources be exhausted; and whether he will issue a statement giving the cuts in food which will then be necessary and an estimate of the unemployment which it is anticipated will then result from lack of imported raw materials in order to make the general public conscious of their peril and to obtain increased production.

The hon. Member should await the Economic Survey. In the meantime, Cmd. 7324 has, I am sure, emphasised to the House the dangers of our position.

Is the Minister aware that it is an exceedingly disappointing reply, although it is only on all fours with Government policy to deal with the crisis?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sale of British overseas assets from the 1st April, 1947, to the latest convenient date.

I regret that without a great deal of research it would not be possible to give any accurate figure for this.

Does the answer mean that His Majesty's Government do not keep themselves aware of the rate of British overseas disinvestments which must surely have a vital bearing on our balance of payments?

What is asked for here is the sale of British assets overseas, and that cannot be sorted out with accuracy without a great deal of research.

May I have a firm answer on this? Do not His Majesty's Government consider that this is a vital issue if they are going to keep track of our present balance of payments?

It is certainly vital to know what money is flowing out of the country, but at the same time it is not always easy to tell whether it is from the sale of British overseas assets.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government have expressed their support of the American proposal to call a conference comprising those countries holding sterling balances accrued during the war so that the debts may be scaled down to a just proportion according to the war effort of the countries concerned.

I am not aware of any such proposal being made by the United States administration and His Majesty's Government and cannot therefore express any opinion upon it.

Is not the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that the House of Representatives Select Committee on Foreign Aid make this suggestion, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his predecessors have given many undertakings that these sterling balances would be reviewed and scaled down, and does it mean in fact that His Majesty's Government have no intention of carrying out their many undertakings, and will not take advantage of opportunities offered to them?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state by countries those members of the sterling area that have been granted dollar loans from the International Monetary Fund during 1947.

No member of the sterling area other than the United Kingdom purchased dollars from the International Monetary Fund during 1947. The United Kingdom purchased 240 million dollars.

As His Majesty's Government have made themselves responsible for the requirements of the sterling area for dollars and for hard currencies, can His Majesty's Government state how long we are going on drawing on our reserves without asking any of our partners to draw on their reserves, and acting as a sort of Father Christmas, or bank, without regard to anyone else?

I am afraid that Father Christmas and the bank are not quite the same thing.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer say whether His Majesty's Government and Father Christmas are not in fact the same thing?

They are much more like the bank.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much interest was received in this country from dividends paid by the railways in the Argentine during 1946 and 1947.

Dividends and debenture interest paid in this country by British companies owning railways in the Argentine amounted to rather less than £5 million in 1946 and rather less than £3 million in 1947.