asked the Minister of National Insurance what was the proportion of unemployed persons to the total population of insured in Northern Ireland for 1947, and what were the like figures for Great Britain in the same period; and whether the Government are still carrying on the first re-insurance agreement made with the Northern Ireland Government.

The proportion for 1947 of unemployed persons to the total population of insured persons was 7.9 per cent. in Northern Ireland and 3 per cent. in Great Britain. The operation of the re-insurance agreement made in 1935 was suspended in 1942. A new agreement, covering unemployment insurance, unemployment assistance and family allowances was made on 8th September, 1946, and confirmed in the Unemployment and Family Allowances (Northern Ireland Agreement) Act, 1946. This agreement came into effect on 1st April, 1946.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what portion of the deficit of £11½ million in the Northern Ireland Unemployment Fund was paid by the British Exchequer under the first agreement—the agreement covering the period between 1920 and 1936?

I am afraid I could not give that figure without notice. Since 1946 we have paid into the Northern Ireland Fund 3,200,000. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question on the other matter.

asked the Minister of National Insurance by what weekly amounts the old age pension of Mrs. Salisbury of 12, Cemetery Road, Darwen, has been reduced since she returned to work as a weaver; and what is the total sum saved to date.

Mrs. Salisbury's retirement pension has been reduced from time to time in the past year in respect of earnings in excess of 20s. in a week. I assume, however, that the hon. Member is referring to the period of six weeks since 18th March during which she was regularly employed and declared total earnings of £9 13s. 0d. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, her pension has been reduced during these six weeks by weekly sums varying from 4s. to 16s., the total amount of reduction being £3 9s. 0d.

Is not the Minister aware that these old age pensioners of 60 years of age and over have returned to work in the mills as the direct result of a Government appeal; and would it not be wiser to reduce the further amount of £1¼ million which is to be spent on bringing foreign workers into this country for work in the textile industry, and to alleviate the means test in respect of old age pensioners who return to work in high priority industries in this country?

This is not a means test at all.

Of course it is.

Of course it is not. The retirement pension is paid after people have retired from regular work. The 20s. is the amount they are allowed to earn after that. Moreover, this provision was accepted by all parties in the Beveridge Report, the Coalition White Paper, and in our own Act.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a means test, but that the Labour Party will not so call it?

It is not a means test at all. It is a provision by which we permit people, after they have retired from work, to earn a certain amount during their retirement.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that childless widows aged 50 to 60 receive a pension of 26s. a week and are allowed to earn 30s., while spinsters of the same age are compelled to pay full health insurance for 10 years longer to obtain the same pension, and are only allowed to earn 20s. a week, and so receive no compensation for paying for the longer period; and if he will take steps to rectify this anomaly.

I take the suggestion to be that pensions should be provided for unmarried women at an earlier age than 60, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 17th February last.

Will not the Minister give further consideration to raising the amount of 20s. which they are now allowed to earn?

That has nothing to do with this Question.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will arrange for contributions under the National Insurance Act, 1946, to be payable, if desired by the insured person, on the single premium principle, so simplifying administration.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject to the hon. Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 13th April last, a copy of which I am sending him.

Are we to understand that that reply was in the negative? If so, will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter? Surely this is a suitable field in which to apply the principle of "once for all."

The reply was in the negative, and if the hon. Member will read it, he will see the reasons for it.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether having regard to the large surplus in the Unemployment Fund, he will arrange to increase substantially the rates of pay to unemployed persons and their dependants.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether in view of the fact that the official price index is 168, while the present unemployment allowance is only 41 per cent. above that of 1938, he will take immediate steps to bring the latter at least up to the cost of living index figure.

The rates of unemployment benefit will be increased when the National Insurance Act comes into full operation, to bring them into line with the other main benefit rates under the insurance scheme. When the new scheme comes into operation the Unemployment Fund will be merged into the new National Insurance Fund. Thereafter, individual rates of benefit cannot be considered in isolation, and any general review of benefits and contributions must, I think, await practical experience of the operation of the scheme as a whole.

I am probably anticipating my right hon. Friend, but before this change takes place will not he agree to increase the payments made to the unemployed, in view of the fact that there is such a substantial surplus at his disposal?

The surplus is due to the fact that for three years we have had a full employment policy. The new benefit rates will begin in July, and I do not think it advisable to do anything until then.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this full-time employment is entirely due to American capitalists?

It is due to a wise Government.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of registered unemployed farm workers in Cheshire at the latest convenient date.

Forty-three at 15th March.

Why are these men unemployed? Has the right hon. Gentleman discussed the matter with the Minister of Agriculture?

They are unemployed because nobody happens to want them, but it is likely that they are now in employment.

Is it not true that some of these men have been unemployed because farmers do not agree with their activities within their trade union? Have not some men been victimised?

Is the Minister aware that the great shortage of houses for farm workers is the real difficulty?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many European voluntary workers have been introduced into the United Kingdom;

(2) of the total number of European voluntary workers permitted into the United Kingdom, how many are married and how many single; of those married, how many are male and female; and in how many cases both husband and wife have come to the United Kingdom.

54,700 European volunteer workers have arrived in this country; 8,000 were known to be married, including 3,500 married couples. The position regarding nationalities is still, broadly, as stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. Orbach) on 17th February.

What has been the total cost of bringing these people here?

I cannot say without notice.

What is the difference between a married couple and a married person?

I was talking about persons brought over here as married couples. A married person can be brought over here by himself. A married couple means a man and his wife.

Are any of these people displaced persons in the technical sense of the word?

Most of them are displaced persons.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the five major classifications of unemployed men in Scotland; and what was the total of unemployed males at the last convenient date.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I have some slight prevision of what the figures will be. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman supplement the observation made by the Minister of National Insurance, who asserted that the Government were securing a policy of full-time employment? I want to know whether they are securing full-time employment for 50,000 people in Scotland.

The Government are securing full employment for a far greater number of persons than has been known in this country hitherto.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of working weeks lost through unemployment over the two and a half years immediately following World War I and World War II, respectively; and the total combined number of working weeks covering the same periods lost through strikes and lock-outs.

Information is not available to make the comparison asked for in the first part of the Question. The numbers of working days lost by stoppages of work due to disputes during the two-and-a-half years after the first and second world wars were 89 million and 6¼ million, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Messrs. Platt Bros., Barton, have recently dismissed 112 employees on the grounds of redundancy; and whether, in view of the importance of the cotton production drive, he will consult with the Minister of Supply and the President of the Board of Trade with a view to holding an inquiry at which facilities shall be made available for trade union representation.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part, my right hon. Friends the Minister of Supply and the President of the Board of Trade are aware of the position.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this matter has a most important bearing on a very important industry? If the situation worsens, will he hold an inquiry?

An inquiry has been held by two of my right hon. Friends and myself into the cause of these dismissals. I think the matter was fully explained on 22nd April, in a reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Does the Minister realise that the real reason for these dismissals is Government interference and the division of responsibility between two or three different Ministries?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that some students of the Leeds College of Technology were awarded two-year grants to enable them to study for the Ordinary Diploma of Building, but that that Diploma has been abolished in favour of a three year Higher National Diploma; that those students who obtained grants from the Ministry of Education are to be allowed to study for three years, while those awarded grants through the Ministry of Labour have been refused a third-year grant; and what action he proposes to take.

Two students eligible for grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme to study for a qualification higher than the Ordinary National Diploma were given grants, in the first place, to study for the Ordinary National Diploma, as no courses for the Higher National Diploma were then available at Leeds. These grants were extended when higher training became available. Three students, not eligible for grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme were given grants under the Vocational Training Scheme to study for the Ordinary National Diploma. In spite of the change in the courses at Leeds, special arrangements have been made for them to complete their two-year course and take the Ordinary National Diploma as planned.

Will my right hon. Friend say when these arrangements were made? I wrote to him last November, and he promised me that they would be made, but I have received further letters within the last fortnight saying that no such arrangements have been made.

I am advised that the arrangements have been made. I do not know the date on which they will come into operation, but I will find out and let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage of unemployed disabled ex-Service men in Wales and in England at the latest known date; and what further steps he is taking to find employment for these persons.

In Wales, of the 28,000 ex-Service men registered as disabled, 5,130, or 17 per cent., were unemployed at 15th March last. In England, of the 422,000 registered as disabled, 31,160, or 6½ per cent., were unemployed at the same date. Continuous efforts are made both under the Quota Scheme and other- wise to find suitable employment for these men. I am holding a conference in South Wales at an early date to consider what further steps can be taken.

As there are approximately three times as many in Wales, if it is difficult to build training centres for them will my right hon. Friend consider taking over temporary premises in areas where unemployment among ex-Service men is serious?

It is not so much a question of training as of employment; many men are available for work if only we could get employment for them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the strike of vehicle builders.

I understand that work is to be resumed tomorrow.

Under what conditions—the old or the new conditions?

Under the old conditions. The Ministry have tried, in this case, to see that the men put themselves within the law before any steps are taken to act on their behalf. Now that they have undertaken to return to work, the arbitration tribunal, at their request, has postponed its hearing, by agreement with the employers. When the men have returned to work every effort will be made to see whether a settlement by negotiation can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Labour in what conditions men employed in mining or agriculture are allowed to volunteer for the Police Force.

The present position is that men normally employed in coalmining or agriculture are not allowed to leave those industries to enter any other kind of employment. I am, however, reviewing this arrangement as regards its effect in relation to the Police Service.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these are cases where an exemption certificate should always be given? Surely, it is wrong that the police should not be able to draw recruits from these industries, which together amount to more than 1,500,000 men?

Because of the circumstances I am reviewing the position.

In view of the statement made by the Home Secretary that every effort is being made to recruit members of the Police Force, can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the decision on this matter will be reached quickly, as it was raised over a month ago?

With respect, I think it became acute in the recent Debate on the Criminal Justice Bill. I contacted my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, whom I am anxious to meet in this matter, and I can assure the noble Lord that we shall not delay making a decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a Debate specifically on the Police Force, when the question was raised by myself, and the Home Secretary said that every effort would be made to obtain recruits from any quarter from which they were forthcoming? That was over a month ago.

That is so, but at that time we were not able to bring in men from this source. Now we propose to examine the possibility of opening this source of recruitment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to reconsider cases in which he has refused permission for men to transfer to the Police Force from mining occupations?

Yes, Sir; if it is found proper in all the circumstances to vary this arrangement, it will be made to apply to those who have already made such a request.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this arrangement, by preventing some men from getting out of these industries, discourages others from coming in?

No, Sir. It is necessary to keep these industries fully manned, and without this arrangement we should find the situation more difficult.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons registered as unemployed in the boroughs of Kingston-upon-Thames, Surbiton, and Malden and Coombe respectively, with separate figures for men and women, as at the latest convenient date.

The numbers of insured persons registered as unemployed at the Kingston-upon-Thames employment exchange at 12th April, 1948, were 475 males and 178 females. Residents in Surbiton and Malden and Coombe register at the Kingston employment exchange when unemployed, and separate figures for these two boroughs are not available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile these highly disquieting figures with the assurance he gave me a fortnight ago that no unemployment was expected in this area as a result of the removal of Messrs. Leyland's works?

Knowing something about this area, I should like to assure the hon. Gentleman—and this is a point which he will appreciate—that in all probability those people who register at the employment exchange do not work in the area. They may be people living there but working in London. On the other hand, the unemployed registering there are 1½ per cent. for males and 1 per cent. for females, which is very considerably below the national average.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us how it is that he is able to give these detailed figures about Kingston-upon-Thames, Surbiton, and Malden and Coombe respectively, and is unable to give any detailed figures about unemployed persons in Scotland?

It was not a question of being unable to get them, but I did not want to burden hon. Members with a number of figures that they could read in HANSARD tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in Scotland in the establishment of joint production committees in industry.

I regret that at the moment I am unable to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 20th January.

My right hon. Friend stated in that reply that he had been in touch with both sides of industry in this matter. Has any progress been made in those consultations?

That was the reason for using the word "regret." It was not that I could not give the information, but that I had no information to give. The matter has not been moving as quickly as it ought to have moved, and we are now using other methods, by propaganda and publicity, to try to bring the matter along.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now give a date for final winding-up of the Polish Resettlement Corps.

I cannot yet give a date when the last man will have left the Corps, but it is hoped to reduce the Corps to very small proportions by the end of this year.

In view of the fact that after this long time the members of this Corps are still receiving from the British taxpayer the pay and privileges of military ranks for non-existent military duties, will the Minister consider hastening the process of putting them on a reasonable retaining allowance?

We must carry out the obligations into which we have entered. Steps are being taken to find employment for the men and women in that Corps in such a way as will not disturb the balance of employment or create upsets in other areas. The main problem is the disabled Poles, for whom something will have to be found, but even then there will still be some left in the Corps in order to wind it up.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many are in the Corps at present?

I am afraid I could not.

In support of what my hon. Friend the Member for Central Hackney (Mr. H. Hynd) has just said, may I ask whether in view of the allowances and provisions each person in the Corps gets, my right hon. Friend will take some steps to bring them more into line with the ordinary pay in industry in this country?

We place these people in employment as soon as employment is available for them. Many of them have volunteered for employment, but until we get more jobs for them in areas in which there is accommodation for them to live in. we have to keep them in the Corps.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are any men in the Corps who have refused employment which the authorities considered suitable for them?

I should like to have notice of that question. I should like to be quite sure of the answer before I give it to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the resolution passed at a conference of local authorities in Clydebank on 20th March, a copy of which has been sent him by the hon. Member for West Fife, regarding rents charged on houses built by the Scottish Special Housing Association; and whether he will consider increasing the subsidy to the Association so that rents for these houses may be kept down at the same level as local authority houses.

I have received the resolution referred to, but I do not propose that the Scottish Special Housing Association should be granted more favourable rates of housing subsidy than local authorities.

Is the Secretary of State aware of the fact that the general policy on housing was that houses should be let to the poorest families; and that now the Scottish Housing Association is using its position to cut across that policy and in many cases to disturb the points scheme by letting houses not on the basis of need but on the basis of ability to pay? Is the right hon. Gentleman not going to do anything about it?

That is a matter that can hardly be discussed by Question and answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has refused to sanction the request of Cumnock Town Council for wooden floors in certain rooms in its new housing scheme, in view of the fact that the plans show economy of timber in other respects.

In view of the continuing need to save timber, the use of concrete for the ground floors of new houses must still be regarded as the basic economy, and any further savings which local authorities are able to make must be additional to this.

Could not the Secretary of State be a little more imaginative in dealing with this problem because the local authority guarantees to save timber in other directions?

The more timber a local authority can save on these houses the more houses will be built for other people elsewhere by the use of that timber.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of cases in which he has exercised his authority under the Emergency Powers to protect shopkeepers and others against the demands to purchase or quit their premises; and if he is satisfied that his powers are adequate to deal with this serious problem in Scotland, or when he proposes to bring in legislation to deal with it.

I am at present examining a number of cases submitted to me by the local authorities. I cannot yet say in how many cases requisitioning powers will be used or whether these powers will be adequate.

In view of the fact that my right hon. Friend is still examining the question of his requisitioning powers, may I ask him if he is also examining the possibility of introducing at an early date legislation to cover all the cases?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject last week.

Could my right hon. Friend indicate approximately the number of cases he is at present examining? Is it a dozen, 20 or 30?

That would convey nothing, because a number of cases are under examination and it is difficult to reduce them to a concrete number which can be dealt with.

Surely the Minister could tell us how many cases he has submitted to the local authorities? Is the number so small that he is afraid to tell the House?

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Local authorities examine the cases and submit them to me. I have sent back to the local authorities a considerable number of cases, numbering over 100, which they sent originally and which they are now examining. Some of them have come back to me for further examination.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will immediately release the firing range of 700 acres, at Nettleton, North Lincolnshire, which has not been used since last June, is now full of weeds and thistles, and is good agricultural land which has not been cultivated for six years; and why the promise to the Caistor Rural District Council has not been more promptly carried out.

This area of 700 acres will be released as soon as it has been cleared of unexploded missiles. The delay in release has been caused by the acute shortage of skilled personnel who can be placed on clearance of areas. The whole Nettleton range cannot be cleared satisfactorily by visual search; the greater portion requires a more thorough search by mechanical means. My Department is aware of the agricultural value of the land and has placed the area on a high priority for clearance. I have no knowledge of any promise to the Caistor Rural District Council.

Will the Minister look again to see when the promise was made to clear this land and does he not think it is criminal for him to refuse to use it as a firing range and still not allow agriculturists to grow food on it? Why should it not be used for one or the other?

I have a very great deal of sympathy with the hon. Member and those concerned, but until we can get the necessary labour to clear the ground it is impossible to go further.

Will it be done by the Spring?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a full statement on the circumstances of No. 3461764 Bandsman K. Bowden serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers and stationed at Bury, whose release was authorised by his Department on 12th January, 1948, in order for him to go back to the mines where he was employed for 18 months prior to joining the Army, but who was subsequently advised that his release had been cancelled as a result of representations of the officer commanding the Lancashire Fusiliers depôt.

As a full statement on this matter is necessarily rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this young soldier was notified that he would be released for the mines and that this release was subsequently withdrawn on representations from the depôt by the leader of the band? Once release has been granted by the War Office, is it right and proper in any circumstances that my right hon. Friend should play ducks and drakes with the susceptibilities of a serving soldier?

I would advise my hon. Friend to read my answer before he mixes his metaphors.

Will the Minister tell us what status or rank a "leader of the band" holds in the Army?

I should have thought that the hon. and gallant Gentleman was so very well informed on military matters that he would know all about it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no such thing as "leader of the band" as a rank or status in the Army? It is high time he knew that.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of men in age-and-service group 69, serving in the Army Postal Services (R.E.), B.A.O.R., have been notified that their release has been deferred, and that in some cases they were only so notified one week before their release was due; approximately how many men are affected by this deferment; what steps have been taken to replace them by men in later release groups or from other arms of the Service; and why such block deferment is necessary at such short notice.

There is at present a shortage of trained men in the R.E. Postal Services in all theatres. In spite of all possible adjustments some men had to be warned that their release might have to be deferred. I am glad to say, however, that so far no release of men of this category in age-and-service group 69 serving in Rhine Army has actually had to be deferred. I hope that all such men will have been released by the last date on which their group is due to be out, 29th April.

Does my right hon. Friend's answer mean that men in this group who were warned of deferment a week or two ago have now had that warning cancelled?

No, Sir. I should not say that is the full interpretation of what I have said. Some may have had to be warned, as I have indicated, that their release might have to be deferred, but so far as that particular age-and-service group is concerned, that is not generally so.

Would it not be possible to give more than one week's notice? When a man is expecting to go out by a certain date, he has made all his home arrangements.

I will look into that, but my hon. Friend must be aware that there are very great difficulties just now because of the run-down of the Army. We have to keep units up to strength.

asked the Secretary of State for War what political direction has been given by his Department to the Commander-in-Chief in Palestine relating to defence of military stations and camps and also to retaliatory action by the Army after attack.

On the political aspect of his task the General Officer Commanding in Palestine relies on advice from the High Commissioner and no political direction has been given to him from my Department. The closest and most cordial co-operation exists between the Civil Government and the Service authorities, who are fully free to take whatever action they think militarily desirable both to protect themselves and to carry out their functions. The Civil Government has throughout afforded all the assistance in its power to the Military authorities in carrying out their difficult duties.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he said he had full confidence that the commanders on the spot were as efficient as their critics—a statement with which we quite agree? Yet the normal military steps for protection are not being taken. Can he say what the reason is? If these men are as efficient as we believe, who is stopping them doing their job?

Nobody is stopping them doing their job, and in all the circum stances they are doing it very well indeed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he told us last week that it was a good thing that commanders on the spot should be under some restraint —I think he used words to that effect—and the House therefore assumed that they were under some restraint? Will he clarify the position?

Nothing requires clarification to anybody who is intelligent enough to understand. The fact is that there are no inhibitions, but obviously, in a very difficult and critical situation in Palestine, our people on the spot exercise due restraint.

Has my right hon. Friend given any political direction to the Commander-in-Chief in Palestine regarding the entry of the puppet Government of Transjordan into Palestine?

It is not my function to give any political directions to the Commander-in-Chief. We leave the matter in the hands of the High Commissioner.

In view of the fact that no one would expect the right hon. Gentleman to remember today what he said last week, will he refresh his mind by looking at HANSARD, where he will see that he said it was lucky that in fact some political restraint was exercised over the troops in Palestine?

Of course, it is always desirable to exercise restraint, and if the right hon. Gentleman were to take a leaf out of the book of our military commanders on the spot it would do him a lot of good.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that in reply to a supplementary question which I put last week he said that he had sent a directive to the military commanders to the effect that they could take any action which they thought fit without reference to the High Commissioner in order to protect British camps and troops in transit? In view of the obvious difficulty of understanding what the actual situation is will the right hon. Gentleman either re-state it now or publish some statement on the subject?

The position is very simple. The military commanders on the spot are fully entitled to take what action they think fit in the circumstances which face them.

What directions, it any, have been given in the case of the attacks upon British banks and commercial establishments in Jerusalem and other cities?

It must be obvious to every hon. Member that it is quite impossible to give directions to military commanders even if it were desirable, which it is not, after the event has occurred.

It is perfectly clear now that no general restraint is imposed by the War Office on our military forces in Palestine when they are acting in a military capacity?

No restraint is imposed by us, but we expect the people on the spot to act in accordance with the circumstances, and that obviously imposes a self-restraint.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many armoured and other military vehicles have been stolen by terrorists in Palestine during the past year; and how many have been recovered within that period.

The information necessary to answer the hon. and gallant Member's Question is not available in the War Office. I have, however, called for a report from the military authorities in Palestine and will write to the hon. and gallant Member when I have received it.

In view of the fact that if a vehicle is lost by a unit the commanding officer has to indent for another and that that indent eventually goes to the War Office, how is it possible that the War Office do not know the number of vehicles which have been stolen?

When a military vehicle is lost for one reason or another in Palestine, an indent is not immediately made on the War Office but on Middle East Command, and we do not always ask the Command to report these detailed matters to us. However, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants the information, I will try to get it for him.

Is the central census of vehicles no longer maintained in this country?

That is quite a different matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much ammunition was stolen from the train blown up by Jewish terrorists near Benyamina on Saturday, 17th April; and how much of this has been recovered.

I have not yet received precise information, but according to a preliminary estimate some 50 tons of ammunition were missing after the blowing up of the train.

This is a most astonishing statement. Is there any report on how this great lorry convoy took this ammunition away, were any steps taken to regain any of it, and, if so, could not they have regained the lot, or are they going to let the, terrorists have it?

I shall be only too pleased to answer those questions, if the information is available and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down Questions. All he asked me was how much ammunition was stolen and how much has been recovered, and I tried to answer his Question.

In view of the really dangerous situation in Palestine and the fact that an enormous amount of ammunition has been lost, as well as British lives, surely the right hon. Gentleman will realise that this is intended to be a friendly question, and that there is a need for keeping the House fully informed? [Laughter.] It is not a laughing matter. The loss of British lives is serious. Surely both sides of the House want to be kept informed of the situation?

I fully appreciate the noble Lord's friendliness, and I do not complain about the Questions put. These are very important matters, and I do my best to answer them in accordance with the information furnished to me. If hon. Members put Questions down, I will continue to answer them.

Why is no precise information available? This extremely serious incident took place, did it not, more than 10 days ago? Is it not about time that the right hon. Gentleman came to this House properly briefed? For the third week in succession he has not given adequate answers.

Before answering that Question, is it possible for my right hon. Friend to say how much of the ammunition went up when the blowing up took place?

I am afraid that supplementary question is beyond me, but in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish), I give to the House, in reply to Questions, all the information in my possession, but we cannot expect the Commander-in-Chief in Palestine and those subordinate to him, in the present critical and difficult situation, to furnish all these precise details.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the facts disclosed in a recent case, with which he is familiar, he will make a new rule detailing an officer to be present when a member of the A.T.S. is under interrogation by the civil police.

A soldier or auxiliary has the right of any citizen interviewed by the police to decline to answer questions or to ask for the attendance of a friend or legal representative. No special arrangement seems necessary for the A.T.S.

But is it not the duty of an officer to protect those he is privileged to command? Why should there be any difficulty in providing these young girls of 18 and 19 years of age with someone who can protect them at a time when they are subjected to an interrogation which savours of the third degree?

I can assure the hon. Member that, in the case which I think gives rise to this Question, the girl had the opportunity of being furnished with some friend who could advise her. In all cases we permit that to happen. There is no question of third degree.

Is the right hon. Gentleman telling the House that before this young girl was summarily brought in for examination by a police officer, her company officer said to her, "You can send for a friend or legal adviser"? With great respect, I cannot accept that answer.

According to the information supplementing what I have said, if the auxiliary had asked for the presence of an officer, her request would have been granted immediately. In fact, an officer was waiting in a nearby room in case she was wanted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement regarding the re-organisation of the Middle East Land Forces Command.

Headquarters Middle East Land Forces, now centred at Fayid in the Canal Zone, will be responsible for policy and will retain operational command. Matters of administration will be dealt with by two subordinate Commands direct with the War Office; one, "Eastern Mediterranean Command," will include all land Forces in Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and North Africa; and the other, "East Africa Command," will include all land Forces from Somaliland to the Zambesi.

May we take rather absurd application of Middle East to Egypt, which is East, will now be dropped?

If it is necessary to drop anything, we shall do it.

Does that apply to bricks?

Of which, since this Government came in, there has been an ample supply.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give details of the military equipment and material recently passed over to the Arab Legion; and whether, in view of the declaration of King Abdullah that the Legion will take action against the Jews after 15th May, he will ask for the return of such military equipment and material.

Such issues, which have been made in accordance with treaty obligations, have been from stocks held in the Middle East. Precise details of recent issues under the approved programme are not available in this country. As regards the second part of the Question, this is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Was there any stipulation that this equipment should not be used against the Zionists and, in view of the fact that King Abdullah has now invaded Palestine, will equivalent equipment be transferred to the Jews to ensure equal treatment between the two sides?

On that question, which appears to have been derived from Press reports, I would beg my hon. Friend to suspend judgment.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether he is taking any steps to ascertain how many of these members of the Arab Legion are participating in attacks upon Palestinian people, and whether, in view of the fact that they are obviously supplied with ammunition and officered by British officers, he will see that neither ammunition nor other possibility of attack is given to them.

We have no information that members of the Arab Legion are making attacks on Jews.

As the treaty with Transjordan was drawn up on the basis of securing and maintaining peace in the Middle East, how does my right hon. Friend reconcile that fact with the present situation?

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what women's organisations were invited to attend the meeting of the Economic Information Unit of the Treasury, held in the office of the Scottish Home Department, Edinburgh, on 9th March, 1948; how many attended; what organisations they represented; what expenses were paid to those attending; and if any arrangements are being made to extend such meetings in other cities in Scotland.

The following organisations were invited by the Economic Information Unit to attend a conference on economic information in Edinburgh on 9th March, 1948: The Church of Scotland Women's Guild; Edinburgh Association of Girls' Clubs; Edinburgh Women Citizens' Association; Electrical Association for Women; National Council of Women; National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs; National Union of Townswomen's Guilds; Scottish Association of Girls' Clubs; Scottish Cooperative Women's Guild; Scottish Women's Rural Institutes; Soroptimist Club of Edinburgh; Women's Group on Public Welfare; Women's Voluntary Services; Y.W.C.A. of Great Britain; Y.W.C.A. of Scotland.

Twenty-six delegates attended the conference representing the organisations listed above, with the following exceptions: The Church of Scotland Women's Guild; National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs; Women's Group on Public Welfare. Expenses paid to the delegates averages 11s. each for fares and 9s. 6d. for subsistence. Arrangements will be made for similar meetings in other cities in Scotland if women's organisations ask for them, as they asked for this one.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that there is some disappointment that while the Co-operative Women's Guild was invited to attend these meetings, none of the representatives of any of the political parties were invited, and as they represent a large number of Edinburgh women they very properly felt disappointed because of that omission? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, too, that the Housewives' League was not invited, and is he prepared on future occasions to give a wider opportunity for disseminating information which the Economic Information Unit seeks to impart to the public?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while the hon. Member for South Edinburgh (Sir W. Darling) was chairman of the Scottish Council of Industry, not one woman was ever on the Council? Can he explain this "new look" on the part of Sir Galahad?

Can the Financial Secretary explain to the House what interest the Electrical Association for Women represented?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any statement to make on his latest talks with the T.U.C. Crisis Committee on wage freezing and profit limitation.

No, Sir. My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently held one of his periodical meetings with representatives of the Trades Union Congress.

Is the Minister aware that that answer is quite unacceptable? Is he aware that is was not a periodical conference, but a special conference last Thursday? Was the Chancellor able to convince the minority of the T.U.C. that the present crisis is a real one? Did the Chancellor come back with the assurance that the extra 10 per cent, production which he requires will be forthcoming?

This was one of my right hon. and learned Friend's normal discussions with the Trades Union Congress, and it passed off in the normal way.

Will the Minister assist by giving advice to the Secretary of State for Scotland that it would be a splendid lead to the T.U.C. if the Government set an example by freezing the income of the Lord High Commissioner for the Church of Scotland?

Would the Minister be good enough to advise the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he would convince a minority on the General Council if he made a real big, slashing cut in profits and prices?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any estimate of the difference in payment that would be made between the contribution of the Co-operative societies in taxation in a given year and that which the societies would be liable to if they were taxed in the same manner as private enterprise is taxed.

There is no difference in the measure of the Income Tax charge. It is only in the case of the Profits Tax that the charge is different, for the Cooperative society is not liable to the higher rate on its payments in respect of interest on share capital. If the interest on share capital were charged to the higher rate the net yield would be about £500,000

Are we to understand that the Co-operative societies are not given somewhat favourable discrimination over private enterprise?

That is so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Income Tax revenue accrues to the Exchequer from private enterprise industry and trade and what from co-operative production and distribution.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman does not like this question, and cannot really think of a suitable answer?

Will my right hon. Friend say whether he is taking any steps to remove the restrictions on co-operative trade imposed by monopoly firms, which prevent the Co-operatives from making an increased contribution to the national Revenue?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to allow tobacco to be freely cultivated in this country, in order to save foreign exchange.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not prepared to repeal the Excise Duty on home-grown tobacco. Amateur attempts to grow small amounts of tobacco for personal consumption will, however, for the present be allowed to proceed freely.

Is the Minister aware that there is a superstition, fostered over generations by the Excise, that tobacco cannot be grown or cured in this country, whereas it can be easily grown by old age pensioners?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether sterling earned by Germans trading in the Anglo-American zone of Germany is freely convertible.

Sterling resulting from trade between the Bizonal area and the sterling area is not at the disposal of individual German exporters, but is held by the Joint Foreign Exchange Agency. This sterling is convertible to the extent that the net amount so held at the end of any quarter exceeds £1½ million. The German exporter receives payment in Reichsmarks.

Why are the terms of trade so unfavourable for this country exporting to Germany?

The terms of trade are not unfavourable; it is a mutual arrangement. If the sterling area have a surplus, we earn dollars; if the sterling area has a deficit, we pay dollars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases ex-officers of His Majesty's Forces have been permitted to set off Post-War Credits against claims for arrears of Income Tax.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the arrangements announced by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29th October, 1946, for setting off arrears of Income Tax against the Post-War Credit for 1945–46. I regret that information as to the number of cases in which this has been done is not available.