asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in considering the special circumstances and requirements of particular fishing areas in the matter of housing, he will bear in mind the desirability of providing net lofts for the fishermen.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the winter herring fishing in the Firth of Forth has again been a failure; and what steps are being taken to investigate the conditions of the Firth of Forth, with a view to discovering the possible causes of the changes in the movement of herrings in this area.

I am aware that the current herring season in the Firth of Forth has been most disappointing. The herring research vessel "Clupea" has been working intensively for the last month investigating conditions in the area. She will continue observations in the Forth until after the normal spawning season and will then continue research on the problem in other areas. It may, however, be some time before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

Is the Secretary of State in a position to indicate the sort of research work that the vessel is doing?

It is rather difficult to discover why the fish have suddenly left the Forth, or what are the reasons for the movement. The vessel is conducting research into that, as far as it can be done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the most beautiful seashore in the Forth area is now a mass of black and red from the pits there? Can nothing be done to stop this? It is bound to have an effect on herring throughout the Forth area.

The pits have been there for a long time and the herring have not moved previously, so that cannot be considered to be a new factor.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many salmon fishings in Scotland are owned by the Crown; what was the total sum received for them in rent for the financial year 1946–47; and what is the anticipated sum for 1947–48.

The number of coastal and river salmon fishings let by the Commissioners of Crown Lands and public Departments in Scotland is 301. The total sum received from these lettings, and the net fishings worked by the Commissioners themselves, amounted to £22,953 in 1946–47. The estimated receipts for 1947–48 are £22,034. In addition there are a few salmon fishings let along with other sporting subjects for which no separate receipts for fishing can be given.

Does that include the fishing rights belonging to the Forestry Commission?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland with regard to the deputation recently received by him from the Glasgow Corporation concerning shop tenancy in Glasow, whether he will inform the House of the details of the representations; the nature of his reply to the deputation; and what measures he intends to take to meet the wishes of the Glasgow Corporation in the protection of shopkeepers.

The deputation represented that alarm was being caused by the issue in Glasgow of notices terminating existing tenancies of shops, offices and other business premises at the May term, and asked for remedial action. As I informed the deputation, I am examining the position as a matter of urgency in the light of the available evidence, including the complaints submitted by Glasgow Corporation.

How long is my right hon. Friend to continue this examination? Is he not of the opinion that the matter is extremely urgent, and that unless something is done a blank cheque is being given to the speculators in property in and around the City of Glasgow and many other towns in Scotland?

All these matters are questions of law, and before we take action we must be quite certain that we are acting within the law.

Has the right hon. Gentleman changed his mind since the time he announced a few weeks ago his general views upon this matter of landlord versus tenant.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this evil is also to be found in other parts of Scotland, and that many orders for possession are being sought solely to enable the property to be resold at exorbitant prices, and a great deal of injustice is thereby being done? Will my right hon. Friend take steps to stop it?

As I have said, hon. Members on all sides of the House have sent me ample evidence on all this.

Recognising that the May term is a most important period, can my right hon. Friend give us some indication that his legal advisers, if they are the cause of the hold-up, will hurry on this examination and at least give us something on which to work to encourage people to resist this form of robbery—robbery of the worst possible kind—which is going on in the big cities in Scotland at the present time?

I sympathise with my hon. Friend and with the people involved, but I would not like to mislead them by making a premature statement before I decide on the actual facts of the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the terms of reference for the Committee of Inquiry into the tenure of shop premises.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the Committee's terms of reference. As the Committee indicate in their Report, they fully complied with the terms of their remit.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say, in elaboration of what he is circulating, on what basis was the evidence selected, and who chose the witnesses to ensure that effect was given to the terms of reference?

There was public advertisement, and all who were affected were entitled to send any case to be examined, and evidence was collected in that form.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the number of shop premises in Scotland upon which rent increases have been imposed in the last two years; and the approximate average increase in these cases.

There are no figures available on which to base an estimate of the number of shop premises in Scotland where rents have been increased in the last two years. As regards the second part of the Question, the Taylor Committee 'reported that the average rent today where increases have been made is approximately one-third higher than in 1939.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the number of shopkeepers affected is now large enough to demand new legislation at an early date?

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that in all these matters he has also to consider the interests of large numbers of quite modest people who happen to own these properties?

The whole matter is being considered. Obviously whatever is done will not commit injustice to anyone. I take it that the wish of hon. Members is to avoid injustice, and it is from that point of view that I am examining the matter.

In view of the fact that the Secretary of State has had months' notice on this matter, could he not make a standstill regulation, until there is a decision as to whether legislation is necessary or not? Surely, he could do that?

That is an interesting suggestion, and it is being examined along with other things.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind the fact that, while these properties may be owned by individuals, they are being bought by trusts for speculation?

By the Tories.

Inasmuch as injustices are being done in this matter, will the Minister consider some form of compensation which will be retrospective in order to compensate those who are now being victimised?

For heaven's sake do something. Give us a purge of the Tories.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to announce legislation to protect ex-Service men in Scotland who have received resettlement grants and set up small businesses and who are now being evicted.

I am not yet in a position to say anything further in this matter.

Will my right hon. Friend consider this as a matter of urgency, if he wishes to prevent this hardship to ex-Service men, and also this waste and misuse of public money?

I think my hon. Friend will agree that there is no point in my saying anything until I have something to say.

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend will stop this stalling and tell us when he hopes to be able to make an announcement? It is a very serious matter, and this stalling does not help the situation.

It is not a question of stalling. I realise the urgency of it. We must comply with the law, and I must examine the matters first.

Will my right hon. Friend inform the House when he expects to be in a position to state his intentions M this matter?

I will do that as soon as possible.

It is a shocking exhibition.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he will be able to make an announcement before the Recess—otherwise it may be too late?

I am not in a position to say when.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider revising the regulations covering the grant of unemployability allowances to disability pensioners in the interests of the elderly disabled person for whom suitable work is not available in the locality in which he lives.

No revision of the regulations is necessary. Where an elderly pensioner could not reasonably be expected to move the home in which he has lived for years to take up a job in another part of the country, the Ministry grants the unemployability supplement if the pensionable disablement is so serious as to make it unlikely that he will again obtain work in his own locality, provided, of course, that he is not receiving unemployment benefit or assistance.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mr. C. Stokes of 23, Avon Road, Cheltenham, now a completely disabled ex-Service man of the 1914–18 war and unable to work any more, who attended a medical board at Bristol on 22nd January, has received no reply to repeated applications for a revision of his pension; and if he will investigate the reason for this and arrange for Mr. Stokes to receive what is due to him without further delay.

For some unaccountable reason for which I can only express my very deep regret, this case was overlooked. Mr. Stokes' pension has now been increased to the 100 per cent. rate, with effect from 21st November last, and he has also, from the same date, been awarded an unemployability supplement which carries with it an additional allowance for his wife. I should like to thank the hon. Member for bringing this case to my notice, and so enabling me to give Mr. Stokes the increased pension and additional allowances which were long overdue.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that the refreshing frankness of his answers is greatly appreciated, and that the practical sympathy which he invariably displays has given new hope to a great many ex-Service men?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that several of the disabled Polish soldiers who are to be repatriated to the Argentine on 28th March, and are leaving their present depot at Hermitage, near Newbury, on 22nd March, have been refused pensions by his Department; and if he will reconsider their claims sympathetically and urgently.

I understand that three cases are involved. In one case entitlement to pension has already been admitted. In the other two the men concerned were medically examined by a Ministry Medical Board on 19th March, and their cases have now been reviewed. I am glad to be able to tell the hon. Member that in each case entitlement has been admitted, and' arrangements for payment will be made as soon as my Department is notified by the Service Department of the date of cessation of Service pay.

While thanking my right hon. Friend most warmly for that answer also, might I ask whether that is likely to occur before the men actually sail, or, at any rate, can they be notified of that before they sail?

They are already notified. My hon. Friend has been notified, and so they will be notified. Whether we can pay before that date is doubtful, but my hon. Friend can take it that we will pay at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the position with regard to the supply of surgical boots has now improved to such an extent as to enable the supply to be extended to the civilian disabled.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that the special steps taken by my Department, in conjunction with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour and National Service, have caused the production of surgical boots by our main contractors to be doubled, with the result that the arrears have been so reduced as to leave only three weeks' work on hand. The contractors require double the present number of orders to keep them in full production, and action is being taken to utilise their services to the full in the interests of both war and civilian disabled.

Does that answer mean that in future there will be no need for men who require surgical boots to keep away from their employment for a period while their boots are being repaired?

I do not anticipate that will arise, although there may be cases, where a very special boot has to be made, when there may be a little delay. But we anticipate that in most cases it will be avoided.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, since the subsidy on leather has been removed, the cost of surgical boots has risen to such an extent that it is quite beyond the capacity of some people to pay for them?

There is another question on the Order Paper, the answer to which bears on that point.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has come to any decision yet on the question of the issue of some form of special hardship allowance to men disabled in the 1914–18 war; and whether the terms of that allowance will be equal to the equivalent allowance for men disabled in the 1939–45 war.

I have arranged to discuss this matter with my Central Advisory Committee tomorrow. I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject at an early date.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many contractors to his Department have given notice that they must cease production as from 31st May, owing to receipt of notices to quit.

I am sorry to say that the two firms in Scotland who are contractors for the supply of surgical appliances have recently received notice to quit their premises in May next. I realise that if these firms are displaced the production of surgical appliances for the war disabled and civilians will be seriously interrupted, and I shall take every possible action to safeguard their position. In the case of one firm situated in Glasgow, a senior official of my Department has approached the parties and I hope, as a result, a satisfactory settlement will be reached.

Has my right hon. Friend intimated these cases to the Secretary of State for Scotland?

I called the attention of the Secretary of State for Scotland to the cases, and I am also consulting with the Lord Advocate to see what power we have in the matter.

What percentage of the supplies required are produced by those two firms?

I would not claim that it was very high, but the fact is that they are very competent firms and do excellent work, and it would be a great pity, particularly in Glasgow, where employment is needed so much, if any employment were lost to that city.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has now considered the suggestion that ex-Service men with one artificial leg should be provided with two shoes for the sound leg with every one given for the artificial leg; and if he has any statement to make.

Yes, Sir. The war pensioner who is supplied by my Department with a light pair of shoes on receiving his first artificial leg will in future be supplied with a second shoe for the sound foot.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the speed with which he has made this welcome concession will be much appreciated? As the difficulty of obtaining three shoes at a time will recur once the initial free issue is worn out, can there be some permanent arrangement to enable these men to obtain three shoes at a time and, in particular, can there be some adjustment of the wear and tear allowance to meet the extra cost?

In regard to the first part of the supplementary question, arrangements have been made that the supply of the extra shoe will be made at cost price, plus a very small percentage for working expenses. With regard to wear and tear, I hope at an early date after Easter to be in a position to say that we are able to make some adjustment to improve the position.

asked the Secretary of State for War what amount of priority is being given to anti-aircraft defences in this country; and if he will make a statement.

Anti-aircraft defences in this country receive the highest degree of priority which can be given to them in the allocation of the Army's resources.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Manchester area, facilities for training the Territorial anti-aircraft units are practically nil, and will he look into the matter and see what can be done to improve the position?

I was not aware of that, and I will look into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also inquire into the position in the County of Durham?

Of course, I will look into any case which hon. Members bring to my notice, but my advice is that, generally speaking, the equipment is available.

Would the Minister see that at least there is a plentiful supply of brown paper for protection against atom bombs?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the paraffin stoves issued to guardrooms in Cyprus are without any spare wicks; that this results in the guardrooms being cold at night; and if he will take immediate action to put this matter right.

So far as I am aware, suitable stoves and wicks are available in Cyprus. The matter has, however, been taken up with the military authorities there, with a view to remedying any deficiencies which may exist.

As my information appears to be contrary to that of the Minister, if I send it to him no doubt he will look into the matter?

indicated assent.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the observations of the civilian employees at the Army Pay Office, Glasgow, protesting at pending dismissals consequent on the removal of record office work to England; and if he will reconsider this matter in the light of the high figure of unemployment in Glasgow.

The considerations mentioned in the letter to which my hon. Friend refers were fully taken into account before the move of the Highland Pay Office from Glasgow to Edinburgh was decided upon, and the move was arranged in consultation with the staff side of the War Office Administrative Whitley Council. The location of the Highland Pay Office in Edinburgh will result in substantial saving of building work which would otherwise have been necessary, and will also provide employment for the bulk of the clerks in the General Service Corps Pay Office, who would otherwise be redundant, as the Pay Office is closing down as a result of the disbandment of the General Service Corps.

In view of the large amount of Scottish land to be occupied by Army authorities, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of taking some civilian work up to Scotland instead of removing it from there?

We are running down the staffs and, as we are closing some of the offices in the Glasgow area, naturally, we must concentrate the work elsewhere.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the percentage of redundancy associated with Glasgow as compared with other parts of the country where he is reducing staff?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to enable Mrs. L. England, 27, Hampton Place, Brighton, to get to her daughter the wife of No. 7588592 S/Sgt. Stevens, at Up Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica; and whether he is aware that the A.D.M.S. there has specially asked for her to be sent out urgently, and that nine weeks have elapsed since the War Office was approached.

My Department cannot accept responsibility for moving the mother-in-law of a soldier, and she must secure a passage through the shipping companies in the same way as any other civilian. As, however, this particular application was recommended by the military authorities in Jamaica, it was submitted to the Sea Passage Board, who have recommended to the shipping lines concerned that an early passage be provided. It is understood that a berth will be offered within six weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War what amounts are payable by officers and other ranks of Territorial Army units for their subsistence during periods of training not exceeding 48 hours; and why such subsistence is not paid for out of public funds.

Territorial Army personnel at camps lasting less than 48 hours can, if they require them, draw Army rations on payment of 3s. 4d. a day for the cooked and 2s. 4d. for the uncooked ration. They are paid a training expenses allowance from public funds from which the cost of the ration can be met.

Will the Minister state the amount of these allowances, and say whether they are sufficient to defray the expenses of the men?

Yes. The allowances vary according to rank, and other factors are taken into account. According to my information, the allowances are quite adequate for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the light of recent cases, he will review the administration of the Department of the Judge Advocate General.

I am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind. If he is thinking of the recent judgment of the Divisional Court in the Boydell case, this case and its implications are being studied at the present time and I cannot anticipate the result.

In bearing that case in mind, may I ask my right hon. Friend to remember that the public anxiety on this matter—first caused by the irregular courts martial in Burma little more than a year ago—has not been allayed by this recent case, and would not he agree that in the case of men who are subject to military discipline it is even more important than in the case of ordinary civilians that they should have complete confidence in the administration of justice?

I have already said that the implications are being considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Boydell case court martial papers were studied and reviewed by the Judge Advocate General in the ordinary way before any civil proceedings were brought, and did he hold that this man was subject to military law?

All cases are considered by the Judge Advocate General.

Are any steps being taken to make provision for appeal from courts martial?

I am not aware of any.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the consensus of opinion in Wales. as expressed at the conference held at Shrewsbury on 22nd January, 1948, and in the resolutions of local authorities and national bodies, that the proportion of land required by the War Office in Wales should be reduced to the general level for the rest of Great Britain; and whether he has investigated the proposal made at the Shrewsbury conference that the total area required in Wales should be reduced to 50,000 acres.

I am fully aware of opinion as expressed at the Shrewsbury conference on 22nd January, 1948, and by resolutions of local authorities and bodies, that the proportion of land required by the War Office in Wales should be reduced to the general level for the rest of Great Britain. I stated at the conference that I was not prepared to accept an arbitrary cut in the War Department land requirements in Wales to 50,000 acres, which could be achieved only at the expense of military efficiency, and I am still unable to accept such an arbitrary figure.

Is not the Minister prepared to give detailed consideration to this proposal, having regard to the fact that his rejection was made on the spur of the moment, and will he not have regard to the overwhelming feeling in Wales on this matter?

I cannot possibly give detailed consideration to an arbitrary figure but, in fact, consultations are proceeding throughout Wales and, so far as I understand, they are achieving their object.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring these figures in Wales to a parity with the position in England and Scotland?

By a process of consultation and the use of reason we are endeavouring to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many R.A.S.C. clerks in groups 68, 69, and subsequent groups, serving in M.E.L.F., are to be affected by the impending deferment of their release; if he is aware of the under-employment of many of these clerks and of the unfairness of discriminating in this respect between clerks from different arms of the Services doing identical work; and by what authority the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, has extended the principle of deferring the release of individual key men, whose services are operationally vital, to cover whole groups numbering many hundreds each.

I cannot forecast how many men in groups 68, 69 and subsequent groups the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, may find it necessary to defer. I have no reason to believe that the clerks concerned are under-worked. These R.A.S.C. clerks are being deferred because the job they are doing is vital and they cannot at present be replaced by men in later groups. Even if it were possible to replace them by men in the same group from other corps, no useful purpose would be served by doing so. As regards the total number deferred, I am confident that the Commander-inChief is not deferring men unnecessarily.

Could my right hon. Friend re-examine the question of underemployment, about which a good deal of actual evidence has been given to him?

Since the matter was brought to my notice, we have been examining the allegation but, so far as I am aware, there is no under-employment.

Can the Secretary of State say how long it takes to train an R.A.S.C. clerk, and what steps have been taken to avoid such steps as this by the training of efficient personnel?

That is not the Question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement to the House with regard to the appeal which was broadcast over the camp radio at German P.O.W. Officers Camp 18, Featherstone Camp, Halt-whistle, Northumberland, some few weeks ago, asking for officers and armourers with technical experience of weapons and motorised vehicles in winter campaigns in the East as advisers in winter exercises.

We must avail ourselves of any technical experience which would conduce to the efficiency of the Army. For this reason, it was considered desirable, in connection with a forthcoming routine indoor exercise, to obtain information about campaigning in conditions of extreme cold from any sources readily available, including any prisoners of war with the relevant technical knowledge and experience.

Does not the Minister agree that it is a breach of international law to use these prisoners for these purposes, and does he not think that there is something reprehensible and very disagreeable in ex-Nazi officers training British soldiers, and is there not a danger that they may train our soldiers to commit the same foul deeds in Eastern territories of which they were guilty?

I am not aware that it contravenes international law to ask prisoners of war for any technical information which they can furnish. At any rate, we are doing it.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds re-employed service is excluded from the qualifying period of 20 years necessary to enable the widow of an officer, who had voluntarily retired, to receive a pension.

The rules for the grant of "ordinary" pensions to the widows of Regular officers are at present under review, and this includes the rule to which the hon. Member refers. I am not yet in a position to forecast the outcome. The officers in question would, of course, be aware, when deciding to retire voluntarily before they had completed 20 years' service, that they would by so doing forfeit their wives' prospective claims to pension.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that it seems a little ungenerous to exclude the term of reemployed service since 193o from the qualifying period?

It is not ungenerous to fulfil what appears in the contract.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 51 cadets of C. Company, Basic O.C.T.U., Mons Barracks, Aldershot, were informed on 28th March by the Commandant that they would be returned to their units the following day, failing discovery of the perpetrator of an offence, alleged to have been committed on 12th March at Okehampton during battle training; and whether this threat was approved by him.

I have called for a report on this matter. As soon as I have examined the report, I will write to the hon. Member. A threat of the kind suggested certainly would not have my approval.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he proposes to take to bring persons entitled to payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts in respect of industrial accidents or disease, occurring before the appointed day, within the new Industrial Injuries Scheme.

The Act enables unemployability supplements and constant attendance allowances of substantial amount to be paid from the appointed day to the persons referred to by my hon. Friend in appropriate cases, and I shall be making an announcement about applications for these allowances towards the end of May. Beyond this, the Act does not apply to these cases, and much as I would like to do so I have not, as yet, been able to formulate any proposals for bringing them in.

The principles on which the new benefits are based are so different from those underlying Workmen's Compensation that it would not be practicable, in advance of experience of the actual working of the new Act, either to transfer existing cases to the new scheme automatically or to require the persons concerned to elect whether to come in to the new scheme or to remain on Workmen's Compensation. There would, moreover, be great difficulty, at this stage, in arriving at an equitable arrangement regarding the sums to be paid by employers and insurers in respect of the liabilities under the Workmen's Compensation Acts of which they would be relieved.

I realise, however, that uncertainty in this matter cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. I therefore propose to took at it again as soon as we have sufficient experience of the working of the new scheme, and I hope to be able to reach a final conclusion one way or the other by the middle of next year.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the statement he has just made will be applicable to the pre-1924 cases?

Yes, Sir; the pre-1924 cases will be entitled to apply for unemployment, supplementary and dependants' allowances.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if copies of leaflets about the National Insurance scheme issued for the information of insured persons by his Department will be made available to Members.

Yes, Sir. I have made arrangement to place supplies of these leaflets in the Library as they become available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what arrangements are being made for the admission to the National Insurance scheme of persons who are not at present insured.

As from 5th April, forms of application for National Insurance contribution cards, which are to be stamped from 5th July, will be obtainable from post offices, employment exchanges, and local National Insurance offices. Everyone liable to pay contributions under the National Insurance scheme and not at present insured, should complete one of these forms and send it as soon as possible, and before 24th April, to the nearest employment exchange. Information as to the persons who should apply, and those who may be excepted, will appear in the Press shortly before 5th April. Explanatory leaflets will be available at exchanges and the local offices of my Department. The arrangements to admit newcomers to this comprehensive scheme are being made as simple as possible. I hope that all those affected will study the information which is being made available, and will do their best to help to make the arrangements work smoothly.

Is the Minister aware that these forms contain the words "I hereby apply" to belong to, or to join, whatever the words are? Surely, if people do not want to join, these particulars are not required? Cannot the wording of the form be altered, because, otherwise, the Minister would have files in his office showing that people who may not want to join had applied to do so?

They have to join unless the Act provides for their exemption. This just applies to registration at the appropriate date.

Will those people who are not entitled to apply because of age be able to benefit from the National Health Service.

Yes, Sir; they will.

Will the explanatory leaflet be available at post offices, and, if not, why not?

We are asking the Post Office to do an enormous amount of work in operating this scheme, and we are very grateful to them for the work they do. We are anxious to avoid overloading them, and it is not too much to ask that people who want the leaflet should apply for it to the local employment exchange.

asked the Minister of Labour how many building trade workers are registered at Hackney employment exchange as unemployed.

The number was 166 at 16th February.

If these workers are not required on new building, can special authority be given for them to be employed in repair work which is so badly needed in that area?

That is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date he hopes to open the Cardiff Centre for training disabled persons; and for what number the Centre will cater.

The Government Training Centre at Cardiff has been in operation since October, 1945, and disabled as well as able-bodied persons have been in training since that date. It is hoped to open in June in part of these premises an Industrial Rehabilitation Unit which will accommodate about 100 disabled persons.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we have a very large proportion of disabled persons in Cardiff, and that we have not sufficient provision for them, and that his reply will not cover one quarter of these people?

I should have thought that there was very generous provision in Cardiff for training purposes, so generous, indeed, that we have had to shut down one of the training centres.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making arrangements whereby Purchase Tax paid on prizes for small-bore rifle clubs, and similar organisations caring for matters affecting national training, can be refunded to the original purchaser when proof is given that the articles purchased have been awarded as prizes for the object designated.

No, Sir; I am afraid I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

As the prizes are specially engraved and are not ordinary commercial articles, would not the Chancellor reconsider this and try to do everything possible to encourage these men who are performing their National Service in this way?

It is quite impossible to distinguish between articles or their ultimate users.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the withdrawal of the subsidy on leather and the resulting increase in the prices of leather and leather goods, he will now consider a revision in the Purchase Tax on manufactured leather goods.

The hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

Will the Chancellor bear in mind that this industry, which is capable of making a valuable contribution to our export trade, is being virtually taxed out of existence.

I will bear anything in mind, but I do not think that is the fact.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the withdrawal of this subsidy is now having its effect by incredsing prices, thus affecting the wages of the workers; and will he bear that fact in mind in considering his next Budget?

Certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the heavy increase in cost of police clothing, due to the imposition of Purchase Tax; and whether, as this extra cost falls on the public, he will consider taking the tax off such clothing.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement, but I would point out that there are many kinds of uniforms besides police clothing, and it would be difficult to deal with any one kind in isolation.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least bear in mind that this material is essential, is not in any way a luxury, and that the extra cost falls upon the public and not upon the taxpayer?

I will certainly bear all the facts in Mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the 61 per cent. Purchase Tax on industrial gloves for the use of electric arc welders, and the fact that two coupons have to be surrendered per pair are a handicap on industry; and if he will consider removing it.

On the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave to the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner) on 5th February. On the second part, I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that electric arc welders may apply through their employers to His Majesty's Inspector of Factories for a coupon equivalent document, with which they can buy their industrial gloves without surrendering their own coupons.

Surely my right hon. and learned Friend will agree that this penalises electric arc welders who have to buy expensive gloves; and will he not consider giving them the easement given to other industries? Why penalise this industry to the extent of 61 per cent.?

There is no penalisation of this industry; but I will certainly bear all the matters in mind.

Will the Chancellor take careful note of the fact that hon. Members of all parties are now asking for a reduction in the Purchase Tax?

Can the Chancellor say why it is necessary to give these gloves a coupon value if, in fact, it is not necessary to surrender coupons?

Because there is difficulty in distinguishing them from other gloves?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury, in forming the opinion of the value of British Transport Stock on 1st January in purported pursuance of Section 89 (2) of the Transport Act, 1947, had regard to the fact that, other conditions being equal, stocks guaranteed by the Government have normally commanded a lower price than the Government's direct obligations; and whether regard will be had to this fact in estimating the value of British Electricity Stock.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Baronet on 20th January last. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. Baronet to the answer which I gave him on i6th March.

Was not the distinction referred to in the Question emphasised by the Government's attempts to wriggle out of their guarantee on the London Transport 3 per cent. Guaranteed Stock—an attempt which was thwarted only by the protests of the Opposition?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the abolition of P.A.Y.E. on all overtime over a weekly agreed number of hours; and whether to encourage production he will allow 75 per cent. of the surplus of all goods produced over the 1947 target figure to be diverted to the home market.

The answer to the first part of the Question is that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement, and to the second part, "No, Sir." Any large diversion of exports to the home market would reduce our ability to buy essential foodstuffs and materials, and diminish rather than increase the incentives to production.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost per head of population in Northern Ireland of the Reserved Services under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920; and how does this compare with the corresponding cost in the remainder of the United Kingdom.

The cost is £2 12s. 2d. Direct comparison with the cost in Great Britain is impossible, because the Reserved Services in Northern Ireland have no exact counterpart in the remainder of the United Kingdom.

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the annual contribution of Northern Ireland to Imperial funds is £32 million, an immense sum for so small a country?

That does not arise out of this Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the administrative cost of the Customs frontier of 278 miles between the United Kingdom and Eire.

For the year ended 31st March, 1947, the cost of Customs services on the land boundary of Northern Ireland was approximately £103,000.

Would the Chancellor cause inquiries to be made with a view to ascertaining the amount realised on stock seized by Customs officials in Northern Ireland, so as to compare it with the amount spent?

Certainly.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman recollect that before the Irish Free State, as it then was, raised a tariff barrier against British goods, none of this expense was incurred.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Income Tax is charged on moneys received as compensation for loss of office.

The question of liability depends on the facts of the particular case.

But a fortnight ago my right hon. and learned Friend said that it depended upon the interpretation of the courts. In view of the fact that on at any rate two occasions the High Court has declared that such moneys do not carry Income Tax, would not my right hon. and learned Friend think it appropriate, in his forthcoming Budget to amend the law in this respect, thus preventing the evasion of payment of tax, which is going on at the present time?

I am afraid that I cannot make any statement about what would be appropriate in my forthcoming Budget.