asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements are being made to supply the Deputy High Commissioners in India and Pakistan with alcohol and tobacco necessary for entertainment purposes; and whether it is on the same basis as for our Embassies and Legations abroad or our High Commissioners' Offices in Canada and elsewhere.

The supply of alcohol and tobacco for entertainment by the Deputy High Commissioners in India and Pakistan rests with the officers themselves. The Deputy High Commissioners receive tax free allowances, out of which they are expected to meet expenses of this kind. They enjoy the privilege, granted on a reciprocal basis by the Governments of India and Pakistan, of exemption from customs duty on imported goods. The same conditions apply to officers of similar status on the staffs of High Commissioners in other Dominions, and, I understand, generally speaking, to His Majesty's Representatives abroad.

Is that a rule which has come out recently, or was it applied when India and Pakistan first became Dominions?

There has been no new rule brought in. This is the rule which is applied to our staffs in all the Dominions.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is aware that the Government of India is proposing to take over compulsorily, without payment, the various soldiers' homes in the cantonments vacated by British troops, although these homes were provided by private British benefactors for the benefit of British troops; and whether he will make strong representations to the Indian Government that the owners of these homes should be permitted to sell them, with a view to making use of the proceeds for the purpose of opening similar homes elsewhere.

I am asking the United Kingdom High Commissioner in India for a report on the case of which the hon. and gallant Member has sent me particulars, and I will communicate further with him on receipt of a reply.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these soldiers' homes were founded privately for the benefit of British soldiers serving in India, that they can be of no use whatever to Indian soldiers, who would not touch the food provided nor appreciate the European amenities given there, and will he not urge the High Commissioner to see that these privately-owned homes are allowed to be sold for the benefit of similar institutions elsewhere?

I fully appreciate that. We have no evidence at all that there is any possibility of the Government of India not accepting that position, but we are making inquiries about it in the light of the facts which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has brought to my attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why American film magazines, given camouflaged technical titles, are being imported from hard currency sources.

I am not aware that licences for the import of such magazines are being granted. There may however be some imports which are sent as single copies through the post to private subscribers in this country. These would be allowed entry under the open general licence for single copies of any kind of printed matter.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that I have copies of such journals, which are not sent in the manner which he has described, but which appear with camouflaged titles, such as "Film Making" and which are, in fact, ordinary weekly film journals published in this country? Is he further aware that publishers feel that they should not be denied paper, while importing the actual finished products, which cost more money?

I was not aware of that, but if the hon. Gentleman will send me the particulars, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Mr. C. H. Todd, a draper of Navenby, Lincolnshire, committed suicide early in February as a result of letters received by him from the Board of Trade; and will he institute a full inquiry into all the circumstances of this case.

I am aware that Mr. C. H. Todd, of Navenby, committed suicide after he had received a notice, not from the Board of Trade but from the local price regulation committee. This committee is, of course, a body established under legislation passed in 1939, is representative of the whole community in the area and includes representatives of traders. The notice in question, alleging the commission of a price control offence, was sent to Mr. Todd in order to remind him of his statutory right to make representations before the committee came to any decision as to whether it would be proper to recommend a prosecution in his case. It had, therefore, to be formal in nature.

I very much regret that this matter ended so tragically. An inquiry has already been made into the circumstances of the case, and I am satisfied that no improper action was taken by the local price regulation committee, and that, on the contrary, Mr. Todd was treated by them with every courtesy and consideration.

Is the Minister aware that the coroner described these letters as rather frightening, and will he give instructions to his price regulation committees to cease using methods which have a very strong resemblance to the Gestapo system?

What the coroner said was that Mr. Todd had apparently exaggerated the worry out of all proportion to its seriousness, and, further, I would point out that there is nothing at all comparable to Gestapo methods in this case. This is a committee set up, under an Act passed by this House some eight or nine years ago, providing for the fullest representation of all sections of the community, including the trade.

Will the Minister place a copy of these letters in the Library so that hon. Members may see them for themselves?

I do not think it is necessary, but, if the hon. Gentleman would like to press the point, I would have no objection to circulating a copy of the letters in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it a fact that, for this letter, there was a particular colour of paper used, which the Coroner said was blue, and which made it look like a police court summons?

I should want notice of the question as to the colour of the actual letter, but I think it unlikely that that would be the colour used.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about his recent meeting with the representatives of the North-East Trading Estate Company.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that, as a result of this meeting, the North-East Trading Estate Company have agreed to amend their articles of association in accordance with my wishes. I hope that the new articles, which will give me power to appoint the directors, will come into force on 1st May next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which industrial and trading activities operating under the control of his Department are open to new entrants, and which are confined to those in the same line of business prior to 1939.

As I said in reply to a question I y the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 29th January, this information is not readily available in suitable form. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member has in mind any particular industrial or trading activities, I shall be glad to give him information about the practice in those industries regarding new entrants.

The right hon. Gentleman's reply does not really answer the first part of my Question, which is whether or not there is any actual closed shop in any of these industries which forbids the entrance of any industrialists or business people who were not in before 1939?

There are a number of controls where it is necessary, and the trade associations concerned are very insistent that the allocation of material should be confined to those previously in the trade. I am very worried about this, and it is one of the things I have asked my new examiner of controls to look into it. It is a very difficult thing to allocate materials to new entrants at a time when existing firms are only manufacturing to the extent of about 3o or 40 per cent. of their capacity.

While appreciating the difficulties of the right hon. Gentleman, and realising that his Department is sympathetic, can he give an assurance that his Department will not have a closed mind and encourage a closed shop?

It has a very open mind, and where it is possible to open a shop, that will be done.

Does not the Minister appreciate that the insistence of a trade association is no reason for not altering the system?

I entirely agree, but I thought it might be a reason which would appeal to hon. Gentlemen opposite.

On a point of Order. Is not the Minister's insinuation quite unwarranted, Mr. Speaker?

I do not think it was really an unworthy insinuation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state how the trade agreement recently signed with the Government of the U.S.S.R. is working; whether both sides are satisfied with the deliveries to date; and on what date the new negotiations for a broadening of that treaty will start.

As my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade informed the House during the Debate on trade policy on Tuesday last, the first consignment of steel rails and accessories has now been loaded for Russia, and, on the Russian side, two grain ships arrived last month. In regard to capital equipment, we are doing all we can to assist the Russians to place their orders. There has been close consultation between all parties concerned, and a number of tenders has been submitted. There is still much detail to be cleared, particularly in regard to specifications, but I am satisfied that good progress is being made. It is provided in the agreement that discussions on a broader basis shall take place not later than May next, but no date has yet been fixed.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether both sides are satisfied with the number of orders for British equipment which have already been placed?

As I have said, very little has been done in the actual placing of orders, but satisfactory progress has been made in getting the tenders offered, and so on. I must point out that there has been some delay in the matter because we are still awaiting the Soviet side's production of the specifications to which they want our firms to produce.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that three clothing coupons have to be surrendered before a colostomy surgical belt is supplied; and if he will remove this hardship to many people who are compelled to wear this surgical appliance, which requires constant renewal.

Surgical belts of not more than six inches in width specially designed for a number of specified conditions, including colostomy, are available coupon free, but coupons are required for other types which cannot be thus clearly defined because some can be worn in place of other rationed undergarments. My Department is always prepared to consider sympathetically applications for special allowances of coupons for wearers of colostomy appliances subject to the production of medical evidence.

Does my right hon. Friend mean to suggest that they are coupon free? Is he not aware that it is a sufficient handicap for these people to suffer from these complaints without having to give coupons for the necessary appliances? No coupons have to be given for surgical boots, and as this is a far more important and serious matter, surely my right hon. Friend ought to withdraw this hardship from the people concerned. The belts are very expensive, and they have to be renewed about every six months?

I have explained the circumstances in which they are coupon free, and I have also said that I will sympathetically consider other applications. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars, I shall be glad to look at them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many barristers are retained by his Department for the prosecution of black marketeers; and is he satisfied that they are sufficient to cope with the number of cases involved.

Ten barristers and seven solicitors in the Prosecutions Branch of my Solicitor's Department are responsible for the preparation and conduct in court of cases involving contraventions of the Acts and Statutory Instruments, for the administration of which the Board is responsible. About one-third of these cases are conducted in court by solicitor agents. I am satisfied that the number of officers employed is sufficient to cope with the cases arising at present.

Is the Minister aware that, while I hold no brief for the barristers, I have been advised that the prosecutions of black marketeers are not proceeding at the rate they should; and, further, can he satisfy the House that everything will be done to stop black marketeering by instituting more prosecutions?

The hon. Gentleman's advice on this occasion seems to be wrong.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied, in view of the large profits recently made by certain carpet manufacturers, that the method of calculating the prices of carpet for utility and other grades is strictly in accordance with the method of calculating the profits before the war; and if he will state the basis on which the calculations are made by the price-fixing mechanism employed or approved by his Department.

The prices fixed for home-produced carpets are not related to prewar methods of calculation; they are arrived at on the basis of the costings of representative manufacturers. A recent investigation by the Board's Accountant Adviser gives no reason to suppose that current prices return a more than reasonable profit to firms of average efficiency, but this does not, of course, preclude high profits being made by firms of more than average efficiency, or upon exports, the prices of which are not controlled. I am, however, having the prices of carpets reviewed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in some cases, members of his own price regulation committees have suggested that there could be reductions of, in some cases, up to 10 per cent. in the price of various items; and can he say what steps he has taken to see that his officials are well conversant with the methods of calculating profits in order to ensure that no excessive profits are made? If I submit a memorandum to him outlining the position, will he investigate it?

I cannot take notice of the views of individual members of price regulation committees, but only of those of the committee as a whole, and they have not expressed the view which my hon. Friend is now expressing. I shall, of course, be very glad to consider any evidence he may care to submit to me on this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if in view of the increased stocks of coal, he will now allow a ration to persons lodging with relatives, but occupying separate rooms.

I would refer to the statement which I made on 26th February in reply to questions by the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) and my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Parkin). In the meantime, local fuel overseers already have specal instructions to treat households with sub-tenancies as sympathetically as possible in granting supplementary allowances of coal.

Is the Minister aware of the hardship caused by these restrictions, and cannot he do something for those people who are unlucky enough to live with their in-laws?

Yes, Sir. When, earlier this year, I announced the extra allocation of coal for domestic consumption, arrangements were specifically made that some of that coal should go to sub-tenants.

When the right hon. Gentleman refers to "sub-tenants," does he mean that there is some legal document in the case?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has examined the cases of persistent underloading of coal wagons to the extent of 13 per cent., details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Bucklow; and what action he proposes to take to avoid this waste of wagon capacity.

Detailed investigation of a complaint of this kind is a matter for the National Coal Board. I have already written to the hon. Member pointing out that, as his informant asked that the name of the firm concerned in this case should not be divulged, the National Coal Board have not been able to make any investigation.

Is it not a fact that both the National Coal Board and the Ministry of Transport have admitted that then; is a constant underloading of these wa3ons, and should not this waste be eliminated, especially as they are carrying hundreds of thousands of tons of dirt with the coal each week?

I do not agree that there is a mass of evidence proving the under-loading of wagons. No such evidence has been produced to us.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the deepest amount of overburden or top soil that is being removed in open-cast coal working; and what is the maximum cost of removing this before the coal is extracted.

In special cases, where the thickness of the seam to be extracted appears to justify such a course, as much as 6o yards of overburden may be removed, of which up to 1 foot 6 inches may be handled separately as top soil. The maximum cost of removal and replacement of overburden is about 35. 6d. a cubic yard.

Might I ask the Minister if it is not true that overburden costs some £8 a ton to get out and about the same to replace and, therefore, that the extreme cost of this coal is about £20 a ton? Could he confirm that?

The hon. Member is quite in error. The cost of this coal is approximately the same as the price obtained for it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has yet approved the general scheme for dealing with compensation payable to former members of staffs of colliery companies declared redundant since the nationalisation of the coal industry; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the National Coal Board are engaged in the preparation of such a scheme, but it has not yet been submitted for my approval.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been a long time before a decision has been reached and, in fact, a great many individuals are left in a state of great uncertainty on a matter which to them is of great importance; and will he urge every possible expedition in the matter?

I do not think it is unreasonable on an important matter of this kind to give the National Coal Board a certain amount of time, but I will certainly "chivvy" them along.

But they have been 12 months.

Would the Minister say that his proper relation to the National Coal Board is one of "chivvying" them along?

In certain circumstances, I think that is a perfectly proper expression.

Will not the Minister consider in future cases of compensation adopting the principle of the Argentine and giving them a year's food?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what sums he has advanced to the National Coal Board under Section 26 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946; for what purposes such sums were required; and whether they have been expended.

Up to 29th February, 1948, advances to the National Coal Board under Section 26 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, to meet capital expenditure and to provide working capital, totalled £41,085,000. Of this sum £8,000,000 has been repaid to the Exchequer and I am informed by the Board that the remainder has been expended.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has consented to, or given general authority for, the borrowing by the National Coal Board of any sums under Section 27 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946; and how much of any such borrowing is now outstanding.

I have given the National Coal Board a general authority, expiring On 3oth June, 1948, to borrow temporarily by way of overdraft or otherwise such sums as they may require provided that the aggregate of the sums outstanding at any time does not exceed £10 million. I have no information as to the amount of such borrowings outstanding.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has received any payments from the National Coal Board under Section 28 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946; and how much of any such sums represents principal and how much interest, respectively.

Payments by the National Coal Board to the Minister under Section 28 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, amount to £11,222,226 15s. 8d. of which £8,908,547 2s. 2d. represents repayments of principal and £2,313,679 13s. 6d. payments of interest.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what grounds a hackney licence and a motor fuel allowance for the purpose of private hire were refused in the case of Mr. S. H. Gulliver, proprietor of the Red Lion Hotel, Clovelly, particulars of which were forwarded to the Minister on rgth February.

An allowance of petrol for general private hire work was refused because the facilities in the area appeared to be adequate. Mr. Gulliver has been offered an allowance for certain limited purposes.

Can the Minister say why changed circumstances have caused this change in granting an allowance which had been previously refused after very careful inquiry by the regional petroleum officer?

I understand the allowance has been granted for conveying residents in the hotel certain distances and not for freely conveying passengers in all directions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will allow an extra radius of action for private hire cars and taxis which are based on the coast and which therefore have half their available area denied to them by the sea.

No, Sir.

Why not?

Because it does not seem to be necessary.

Surely, this seems to be a most unfair discrimination, as these people have half their area taken away from them by virtue of their position, and in many cases they have to go a long way to bring people to that area?

Would the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Transport on this matter, because it was discussed on the Transport Bill and the principle was accepted by the Government that these coastal operators are in an entirely different position? Some justice should be given.

Would the Minister bear in mind that, in these cases, homes, farms and holiday resorts are often very far away from the railway termini?

There is no shadow of evidence that car operators in these areas are having any hardship.

If I send particulars of a case will the right hon. Gentleman look into it?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult with his colleagues so that Government policy on this matter may be uniform; and will he tell the House why he is so far behind the Minister of Transport on this matter?

I could not accept that the circumstances to which the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) referred are in the least comparable with this case.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that it is not hardship on the car operators which is concerned, but hardship on prospective travellers?

That arises out of their living at the seaside.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give instructions to his regional petroleum officers to make a small grant of petrol to smallholders who live some distance from their smallholdings, on production of proof that they are producing a substantial amount of foodstuffs.

Regional petroleum officers already have instructions to grant allowances in appropriate cases, where the food is made available for sale to the public.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people are producing large amounts of food which they use for themselves and relatives, and which they do not make available to the public, but that they cannot reach their smallholdings without cars or motor cycles, and thus food and their land will be wasted? Cannot something be done?

One has to draw the line somewhere in these cases, and it is undoubtedly a fact that to grant petrol freely for this purpose would lead to serious abuse.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have not asked for it to be granted freely, but that I have asked for it to be granted on production of proof that a large amount of food is being produced?

It would be practically impossible to check how much food was being produced by individual smallholders.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what grounds and on whose authority the Regional Petroleum Officer at Bristol refuses to grant any supplementary petrol coupons to certain owners of motor cars carrying a hackney licence, particulars of two such cases having been sent to the Minister on 25th February, 1948.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 22nd January, 1948.

Will the Minister state clearly what authorities have to be consulted in cases of this sort?

I explained on that occasion that we sought the advice of the police as being in the best position to advise us on local transport conditions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why petrol for the collection and delivery of goods is granted to retail tradesmen who have vans but not to tradesmen who have only passenger cars.

Allowances for private cars are granted for collection of goods where retail tradesmen could not otherwise obtain delivery from their wholesalers and for delivery of goods where customers could not otherwise be supplied.

Since when? Has not the right hon. Gentleman received from me at least four cases where petrol was refused under instruction from his office?

Because the cases were not covered by the statement I have just made.

Oh yes, they were.

Does not the Minister think it generally desirable that where a trader has a private car he should use it for the purpose of his business rather than be forced to buy a new van?

I do not think it is at all necessary that traders should use private cars for delivering liquor, which was one of the cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many gallons of petrol were issued for pleasure purposes for motor boats and yachts with auxiliary power in private ownership as distinct from crafts available for public hire during the months June to September inclusive for the year 1947.

I regret that this information is not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the quantity involved or the dollar saving cannot be very much? Will he, therefore, reconsider the whole question?

No, I cannot undertake to reconsider this. There are issues of principle involved.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what purpose county councils are entitled to issue petrol coupons to councillors other than to attend meetings of the council on fixed dates or committee meetings convened for particular purposes; and if he will now authorise county councils and other local authorities to issue petrol coupons to enable councillors to keep in touch with their electorates and to investigate local problems.

The regional petroleum officers, and not the local authorities, issue petrol coupons to councillors. The petrol is authorised for attending council and committee meetings, and for other journeys directly connected with the business of the council, where the use of alternative forms of transport is not reasonably practicable. I have no reason to think that these arrangements do not work satisfactorily, and am not prepared to alter them.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend that ruling which he has just read out to cover the case of county councillors making journeys necessary to keep in touch with their constituents, sometimes in large and scattered constituencies?

Generally speaking, no.

Why not?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he has not exercised his statutory powers under Section 6 (4) of the Electricity Act to require a report concerning the purchase by the South-East Regional Board of Princes Hotel, Hove, in view of the fact that a sum of £160,000 was involved.

The selection and purchase of accommodation is a matter within the discretion of the Area Board and I do not propose to require them to submit detailed information on such a matter.

As the price paid for this hotel was something like 25 per cent. higher than in the sales of similar property, can the Minister say why he does not think it necessary to exercise his powers?

I cannot accept the assumption in the first part of the supplementary question and, therefore, there is no need for me to answer the second.

Does not the Minister agree that payment on the basis of £125 per room as against the normal £100 per room is a great waste of public funds?

That is entirely dependent on what goes with the room.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he proposes to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Rugby, dated 22nd September, 1947, 20th October, 1947, 28th November, 1947, 30th December, 1947, 16th January, 1948, 30th January, 1948, and 13th February, 1948, about the case of Mr. A. L. Davis, of Woodbine Farm, Grandboro Fields, Braunston, Rugby.

I have written to the hon. Member explaining the unfortunate circumstances in which no reply was sent to his letter. An increased allowance was granted to Mr. Davis on 28th September and his full allowance for the current rationing period will be assessed on the advice of the county agricultural executive committee.

Is the Minister aware that my purpose in putting down this Question was not to embarrass him or his hard-working civil servants, but to ensure a reply on behalf of a constituent; and if a similar slip-up should occur in the future—and it might occur in any Department—would he ask his officers to get into touch with the Member whose letter has gone astray and ask him to supply a copy?

I will certainly adopt that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he proposes to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Rugby, dated 23rd January, 30th January, 9th February, 13th February, and 19th February, 1948, about the case of Mr. A. C. Harris of the Carpenter Arms, Kineton, Warwickshire.

I have now written to the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the need to economise on Government expenditure, eliminate the wasteful employment of manpower and improve the efficency of Departments especially necessary to carry out the Government's policy, he will again review the size and organisation of the Civil Service with a view to reintroducing the proposed 10 per cent. cut in manpower and possibly increasing this to 20 per cent., and if he will take steps for the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate the position as a matter of urgency.

The size and organisation of the Civil Service are being kept under constant review. I see no purpose in the appointment of a further Select Committee, since these matters come generally within the sphere of the Estimates Committee, which has recently issued a valuable report on organisation and methods and its effect on the staffing of Government Departments.

Whilst regretting the Prime Minister's reply, and in view of the need for a searching investigation into the size and organisation of the Civil Service, to prevent undermining the efficient execution of the Government's policy, may I ask if he would consider appointing one man to look into and report on this matter, rather in the way that Lord Beveridge was appointed to investigate and report upon social security?

That would he an entirely different kind of inquiry. I do not think that that would be useful in this instance.

If we are to cut down the size of the public service, should we not make a beginning with the public relations officers, who seem to me to be an unnecessary and unmanageable imposition on the body politic?

My information is that their services are found to be extremely valuable.

What action is being taken to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates on organisation and methods, to which the right hon. Gentleman referred in his reply?

Their recommendations are being studied.

Does my right hon. Friend think he will get the necessary response for carrying out the Government's policy unless the Government themselves set a serious example by cutting down Government expenditure?

The answer is that when the House passes legislation, it has to be carried out, and that inevitably means that we must have staff to carry it out. If hon. Members, instead of making generalised statements about increases, would look into details, they would get a clearer view.

The right hon. Gentleman has told us that these suggestions of the Estimates Committee were under constant review. Could they, perhaps, also be given consideration, or even earnest consideration?

I should have thought that the right hon. Gentleman had been long enough in this House to understand the ordinary meaning of a phrase like that.

Clichés do not become less clichés because they are continually used on the Government Front Bench.

Why did the right hon. Gentleman make two?

In view of the tremendous importance of this matter, and to focus the attention of the Government upon it, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

Come over to this side.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury for what Government services in peace and in war, respectively, applicants or conscripts have to be British-born.

In the Civil Service, candidates for established posts in peace and in war must have British nationality, but must not necessarily be of British birth except in the case of posts under the Foreign Office and Defence Departments where, generally, British birth is required. The normal peacetime rules for unestablished Civil Service employment are the same as for established employment, but emergency legislation enacted during the recent war, and still in force, permits the employment of aliens in unestablished posts subject to suitable safeguards. Applicants for service in the Royal Navy, the Regular Army and the Regular Royal Air Force must, in peace and in war, be British subjects and, generally, the children of British subjects. Liability for service in the Armed Forces under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act, 1939, and the National Service Act, 1947, covers British subjects, including naturalised British subjects.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider incorporating in future legislation a provision that Parliamentary candidates must be British subjects by birth?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that in some cases of applicants for posts in the Ministry of National Insurance the men are threatened with dismissal by the employers who have been notified of the application by the Civil Service Commission; and what steps he proposes to take to protect applicants for posts in Government Service from being victimised.

It is not normally the practice of the Civil Service Commission to seek information or references from employers about applicants for Civil Service posts before the results of their application are announced. Under the scheme by which persons with part-time experience of national insurance or workmen's compensation work may be eligible for appointment to the Ministry of National Insurance, however, it is necessary for the Commission to make preliminary inquiries to determine eligibility.

I am aware that a few applicants have been threatened with dismissal when such inquiries were made. My right hon. and learned Friend strongly deplores this action, but regrets that he has no power to intervene.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask if he is aware that in the explanatory memorandum sent out to applicants for posts under the Ministry of National Insurance, applicants are informed, in form A.S.F. 3A, paragraph 7, that letters will be sent to their employers? Is he aware that this is a subtle intimidation and victimisation and is losing the service of some of the best type of people for this new branch of the service?

I am aware of the document to which my hon. Friend has referred.

asked the Lord President of the Council what expert committees at the present time are making a research into dust and lung diseases in the mines.

Research in this subject is promoted by the Medical Research Council, advised by their Industrial Pulmonary Disease Committee and its subcommittees. The investigations are made by the members of the council's staff constituting the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit at Cardiff.

In view of the importance of this problem of silicosis and pneumoconiosis, and its relationship to recruitment to the mines, has the Minister powers to make further financial grants to aid this research? Will my right hon. Friend keep the House informed from time to time of the progress of this research?

I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, so far as the last point of the question is concerned, has been doing that, and is in steady contact with the representatives of the miners and others concerned. With regard to the first point, if concrete schemes were put to me whereby research could be further developed with likely useful results, I should certainly be prepared to consider them.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to prevent the abandonment of Saturday morning work in the Yorkshire coalfield, because of the high absenteeism of the underground workers, and the consequent uneconomic running of the pits on Saturdays.

The whole question of extra working hours is engaging the attention of the two sides of the industry, and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider, if the men in this particular coalfield dislike Saturday morning work, inducing them to work an extra half hour daily in the five-day week to get production at the right price?

It is not so much a matter of inducement at the moment. There are exchanges going on. Some men who have chosen Saturday work are preferring now the alternative of working half an hour extra each day.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it has been proved on many occasions that work for an extra half hour daily through the week is very much better than Saturday morning work?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the statement in the Question that there is "high absenteeism" is not true?

It is.

It is not.

asked the Minister of Labour why his Department are advertising for labour relations officers required by the British Electrical Authority; and what will be their duties.

My Department was not responsible for the insertion of an advertisement, and I have no information as to the nature of the duties of these officers.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman the responsible authority for producing these labour relations officers? Do not the British Electrical Authority ask him to advise them? Cannot he say anything about it at all? I thought that he was in charge of manpower.

Yes, but I could not answer the Question whether my Department has been approached about this. The Question asks only about the advertising. I will inquire whether we were approached, because we should like to have the opportunity of supplying manpower for any vacancy.

asked the Minister of Labour how many posts of labour relations officers to be appointed by the British Electrical Authority he has been asked to fill.

None, Sir.

If the Minister is asked to provide them, will he definitely refuse?

That is very similar to a question I was asked by another hon. Member just now.

asked the Minister of Labour why the 6 to 10 p.m. evening shift for married women has been discontinued in certain Lancashire cotton mills; and how many married women voluntary workers have been affected.

Evening shifts were introduced at a number of cotton mills in Lancashire, primarily to deal with serious bottlenecks in production. Where such bottlenecks have been cleared the evening shifts have in some cases been discontinued. About 160 married women workers have been affected, some of whom have been assisted to obtain other part-time work in the mills. A large number of evening schemes are still being worked, and everything is being done to encourage employers to introduce evening and other part-time schemes wherever possible.

Does not the Minister still admit that there is a bottleneck somewhere; and is it not discouraging to many married women voluntary workers who are anxious to assist the Government in their export drive?

I am not aware of the many married women who are anxious to take part-time work. All I know is that every effort is being made to induce factories to recommence this work, when sometimes temporarily they have had to discontinue it. We are most hopeful that it will be continued, because it is a most valuable contribution to production.

Is the Minister aware that many married women in Lancashire would take up part-time work if there was extra nursery accommodation for children?

Yes, we are aware of that, and very considerable steps have been taken to provide that nursery accommodation. Many employers have co-operated splendidly in that work.

asked the Minister of Labour how many skilled British farm workers are now registered as unemployed at the Spen Valley. Mirfield, and Bradford Employment Exchanges, respectively.

There were no applicants for work as skilled farm workers on the registers of these exchanges at 8th December, the latest date for which statistics are available.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he has taken with regard to the appeal made to him by parties to the strike at Messrs. Ransomes and Rapier, of Ipswich; and whether he will make a statement.

Certain of the employees of Messrs. Ransomes and Rapier have withdrawn their labour because the firm have introduced Poles to fill four vacancies as radial-arm drillers on urgent and important work. Every effort has been made by my Department to find suitable and available British workers for these jobs, and I requested the union concerned to supply the names of any of their members who might be available. I am still prepared, if the union so wish, to offer jobs to any suitable workers they may care to name. There is a great unsatisfied demand for such workers. I cannot, however, allow urgent vacancies to remain unfilled, nor can I agree to use my powers of direction to compel British workers to take these jobs while suitable unemployed Poles are available for them. I regret the action which has been taken by the work-people in withdrawing their labour and would urge them to return to work at once. There is well-established machinery available to deal in a constitutional way with any difference that may have arisen between the parties.

Have any approaches been made to the Minister by the unions concerned, on the grounds that the Poles involved have not been recruited through the normal channels of the Resettlement Corps, and that there is a political objection to the four men concerned?

No such representations have been made to me. The placing of these Poles has been in strict compliance with arrangements for placing Poles in many other industries. I know nothing of the men's political attitude, and I have no reason to think that they are unsatisfactory for that reason. There are a number of vacancies in this firm for this kind of worker; we could place another 16 of them in this firm if the union would send us the names.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on entering the House I heard that the men have shown very good sense, and are returning to work on the next working day, without any harm on either side?

Is the Minister aware that this case shows how unjustified are the attacks made on the Poles who have come to this country?

That is quite another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Economic Survey for 1948 will be published.

Copies should be available in the Vote Office on 9th March, and on sale to the public immediately thereafter.

As, presumably, there will be a Debate on this matter will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that we had a Debate for only one day on the last White Paper on wages, prices and profits, and will he please press for at least three days on this very important subject?

I will certainly bear that in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause to have printed on the back of tax assessments a statement showing the proportion of each £ of total revenue spent on debt services, defence, education, housing, food and other subsidies, contributions to local authorities, national insurance and other services.

In view of the continued need for strict economy in paper and printing I am afraid my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer could not see his way to adopt this suggestion at the present time.

Would not such a statement tend to put a stop to the deceitful suggestions at by-elections, of which I am sure the hon. Gentleman does not approve, that food subsidies are paid, not by the consumer, but out of some mysterious Government fund?

This information is already available in other official publications.

But the public does not see them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of permanent officials in the National Savings Movement in the County Borough of Stockport; their total salaries; and what percentage these salaries represent of the savings in Stockport during the last financial year or for the 12 months up to the last convenient date.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "None," and the remainder of the Question does not therefore arise. I am, however, sending the hon. and gallant Member particulars of savings subscriptions in Stockport and of staff in the National Savings district of Hyde, in which Stockport is included.

Will the hon. Member agree that the information he has just given is very satisfactory?

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions, recommendations or memoranda have been issued by his Department to the Capital Issues Committee since 1st August, 1945, with a view to ensuring that the proportion of total new capital investment requiring Committee sanction has conformed to the necessity for encouraging enterprises essential to the national economy, and restricting capital expenditure by undertakings whose objects are not, pending reconstruction and expansion of essential enterprises, essential to our national recovery; and whether he will state the dates on which such instructions, recommendations or memoranda have been issued.

On 2nd December last my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer issued a special memorandum to the Capital Issues Committee, which is obtainable as Command Paper No. 7281.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that investments which took place prior to that date have been in the best national interest in all cases?

On the whole we are satisfied that that is so.