asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the treatment of cancer in Hull by X-ray therapy is dependent upon one old X-ray plant; and if he will expedite making a decision in order that Hull Royal Infirmary can extend and re-equip their radiotherapy centre.

The necessary building licence was issued by the Ministry of Works on 19th May.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many rural water supply schemes have been completed since July, 1945, stating the number of villages affected, the amount of Exchequer grant payable and the total costs of the schemes;

(2) how many rural water supply schemes are at present awaiting his approval or started and not yet completed; the number of villages involved; and the estimated total cost of these schemes.

Six hundred and fifty-six schemes for 3,052 parishes at an estimated cost of £23,457,000 are under consideration. In addition, 1,061 schemes relating to 2,146 parishes at an estimated cost of £12,221,000 have been approved. I have information of 350 completed schemes for 609 parishes at an estimated cost of £1,619,000; the amount of Exchequer grant in respect of these schemes is £46,000.

Is it not clear that the completion of the schemes is taking a very long time? In view of the fact that it is more than three years since the Act was passed, will the Minister consider giving some degree of priority for these water supply schemes because of the possibility of drought in the summer?

I admit, having regard to the needs of the rural areas, that the schemes are being completed more slowly than we should like, but in comparison with what happened before it is a marathon.

Is my right hon. Friend bringing any pressure to bear on those authorities which are not yet installing schemes, especially in view of the drought which may occur in the summer, and the fact that many villages in Essex have no water supply at all?

There are some local authorities still rather tardy in presenting schemes. Unfortunately a larger number of schemes has been approved by me than there is steel to complete.

While I realise that this matter is of long standing—and I am glad to hear that a great deal has been done—does the Minister realise that there is a great deal of feeling on this subject in rural areas; and will he see, where water exists near a village, that it is made available to the people and they do not have to wait for some long-term scheme which may or may not materialise?

I accept that there is a great deal of feeling in the matter, and if there had been considerably more upsurge of feeling some years ago the remedy might have been found.

Am I to understand that the cost of these schemes approximates £36 million, and, if so, if this matter had been looked after when it should have been, would we not have saved £30 million?

asked the Minister of Health upon what does he intend to spend the 10d. and 8d. contributed weekly by every man and woman, respectively, in their National Insurance contribution.

As I have tried to make clear on many occasions, entitlement to the National Health Service is not based upon contributions. A relatively small part of its cost, however, is met by a grant from the National Insurance Fund. This grant will not be allocated to any particular part of the Service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he arrives at the decision that it is not contributory, when every member is to be asked to pay either 10d. or 8d. towards the Health Service? As on 5th July he is not going to provide the service laid down in the Act, will the right hon. Gentleman consider advising his colleagues to reduce the weekly contributions of 8d. and 10d., respectively?

As there will be persons eligible to the full benefits of the Health Service, even if they make no contributions at all, it is obviously non-contributory.

asked the Minister of Health if he accepts in principle the recommendations of the Committee on the Remuneration of General Dental Practitioners.

Yes, Sir.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he hopes to be in a position to make an announcement in regard to the detailed application of these recommendations?

Discussions are about to take place with the representatives of the dental profession, and I am hoping to reach a speedy conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received the minority report of the Working Party on the Recruitment and Training of Nurses; and whether he proposes to publish it.

Yes, Sir, but I should like to make it clear that I cannot interrupt consideration of the questions of policy raised by the majority report, which was received nine months ago and on which I have already received the views of the organisations consulted.

asked the Minister of Health how present-day housing costs compare with prewar levels; and what steps are being taken to secure reduction and to provide cheaper, but not inferior, housing accommodation.

I regret that figures for reliable comparison are not yet available. Contract prices are, however, being carefully controlled.

Could my right hon. Friend say what measures are being taken to create conditions in which local authorities can provide for slum clearance people who are not in a position to pay the present rents although the subsidies are recognised as being more handsome than they were before?

That does not directly arise out of the Question. The prices of houses are kept under control by competitive tender.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total value of the new housing construction sanctioned by his Department since September, 1947.

The information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent circular 221/46 obliges a local authority to take into account family allowances in connection with any rent rebate granted in respect of children under school leaving age; and whether he will make it clear that no penalty will attach to any local authority which decides to ignore family allowances in granting such rent rebates.

Terms and conditions for rebates from rents are left by statute to the discretion of local authorities, and I have no reason to doubt their observance of the general principles referred to in Circular 221/46.

In view of that answer which relates to the first part of the Question, would the Minister be good enough to assert, as there seems to be some doubt about it amongst some local authorities, that no possible penalty attaches to the local authority which properly exercises its discretion?

If I attempted to give any guidance to local authorities in the matter it would indeed be interference with their discretion and in this matter under statute they are completely free.

I should like to have an answer to the supplementary question put just now by the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Platts-Mills). [ Interruption. ] Shut up you—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] I beg your pardon, Mr. Speaker, I was referring to hon. Members opposite. Would the Minister say if there would be any penalty on local authorities if they allowed these rebates?

If local authorities have full discretion obviously there can be no penalty for exercising it.

Thank you very much.

Remarks should be addressed to me and not to hon. Members opposite.

asked the Minister of Education how many child guidance clinics are in operation in South London; how long has an applicant to wait before commencing treatment; and what action is being taken to recruit additional staff.

There are two child guidance clinics at hospitals in London south of the Thames. The London County Council are about to open a third. I am told that the average period of waiting is two months. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a circular which was sent to local education authorities last January on the recruitment and training of staff.

Is the Minister aware that in South London particularly a very large number of applicants are waiting for facilities to attend these clinics and that there is considerable distress at the delay which is taking place?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars we will certainly look into the matter at once.

asked the Minister of Education what provision is made for the supervision of the work and progress of teachers after the completion of their short course in the emergency training colleges.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the part-time course of study which is required of teachers who have been trained in emergency colleges. The arrangements for this are described in Circular 106, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Education if his experts have made any study of the parent-child instruction for deaf children now being carried on in the John Tracy Clinic in Los Angeles; and whether similar instruction is given in this country.

No, Sir. I regret that I have no information about the work done at this clinic. Parent-child instruction is, however, given in this country at the clinic held at the Department of Education of the Deaf at Manchester University.

Would the hon. Gentleman obtain through U.N.E.S.C.O. or some other source details of the scheme, which has produced, so we are told, some very remarkable results?

I shall be very glad indeed to have such details and to use them where possible.

Is the Minister aware that indeed for several years similar parent-child work has been given in the Infants' Hospital in Vincent Square and in the Granville Street Kindergarten Clinic?

asked the Minister of Education what are the reasons for his decision imposing a minimum age limit of 16 for candidates sitting for the new examination for the General Certificate of Education.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for London University (Sir E. Graham-Little) on 25th May, 1948.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this decision will have the effect of depressing the standard of education by holding back the more capable children?

No, Sir. I am not aware of this repercussion of the decision taken in regard to the age for the taking of this examination. We have consulted all the relevant authorities, and, as the hon. Member knows, the decision was taken after the unanimous agreement of the representative people.

Why should not the bright boy—as I am sure the Minister himself was a few years ago—be allowed to take the examination when his intellect is right for it and then get on to the job like His Majesty's Government?

asked the Minister of Education, if, in view of the rising birth-rate of the last few years, he is taking emergency measures to supply additional class-room accommodation for infants' schools.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. K. Lindsay) on 4th March, 1948.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in a number of areas today infants are only receiving half-time education owing to the lack of accommodation, and could he not adopt some scheme like H.O.R.S.A.. in order to provide additional emergency accommodation for infant schools to meet this difficulty?

I am aware that halftime has been instituted in a few districts. In reply to the second part of the supplementary question, arrangements are being made, subject to the supply position, for huts of the same type as those being erected under the H.O.R.S.A. scheme to continue to be made available to local education authorities and schools as in the past.

asked the Minister of Education if he will encourage the introduction in rural secondary schools of instruction in agricultural and rural subjects; and if he will arrange suitable training courses for teachers.

It is for school authorities to determine their curriculum, but every encouragement is given them to provide instruction in agricultural and rural subjects in rural secondary schools. Certain training colleges provide courses of training with a rural bias and, so far as circumstances permit, courses for serving teachers are held and will be further developed.

In view of the fact that agriculture is our greatest industry will the hon. Gentleman assure us that the Minister and the Ministry are giving active attention to this matter with a view to promoting this type of education?

We have been giving active consideration to this matter since taking office and this activity will be further intensified.

Will the Minister also see that schools in boroughs have proper educational facilities for agricultural instruction.

We are in entire agreement with that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reduction in the profits of manufacturers and wholesalers was assumed in the calculations which resulted in the recent increases in permitted prices of utility clothing.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the recent increases in maximum prices of utility clothing due to the removal of the cotton cloth subsidy. Ceiling prices for manufacturers have been increased to allow no more than existing cash profits. This means that percentage net profits will be reduced in many cases. Wholesalers' gross percentage margins for most of the dearer garments have been reduced and a general review of wholesale margins on cloth and clothing will be started shortly.

While I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if it is not a fact that there has also been a further increase in men's utility clothing in addition to the increase caused by the removal of the subsidy, and would my hon. Friend say whether in that increase due to greater costs any reduction was made in respect of reduced profits?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the provision of a reserve of paper, jointly for export and for educational books, results in an adequate proportion of publishers' resources being devoted to publication of educational books.

There is no joint reserve of paper for export and educational books. Under the arrangements at present in force, publishers are allowed paper to the extent of 60 per cent. of their pre-war consumption and are required to maintain the same proportion of educational books as hitherto. They are allowed a further 20 per cent. which must be used only for educational books or books for export. In addition, there is a special reserve of paper for educational and other important books which would not otherwise be produced from the publishers' quotas, and a second and separate reserve for export books. I am satisfied that under these arrangements no important educational books need be held up for lack of paper.

Is not my hon. Friend's reply contradictory when he says there is no joint quota and then goes on to say that an additional percentage is allowed either for export or for educational books, which sounds like a joint quota? Is there not a danger that educational books may not get their proper percentage because of the need to export?

No, Sir. The special reserve I mentioned is for educational books £1,750, and for export £1,000 in each four months.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the consequent restrictions on the production of educational books resulting from this arrangement is leading to an increase in imports of American dictionaries, which cannot he regarded as Marshall aids to spelling?

I said at the end of my first answer that I am satisfied that no important educational books need be held up for lack of paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the acute shortage of mangle roller blocks; and what action he proposes to take in order to improve the position.

An allocation of hardwood from Timber Control stocks is given to manufacturers of mangle rollers. Though this may not meet all home demands in full, I am advised that there is no acute shortage and the import of additional supplies of blocks would not be justified.

If I communicate the necessary information, will the hon. Gentleman look into a particular case with speed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet appointed the independent committee to inquire into the position of independent film production announced by him on 21st January; what are its terms of reference; who are the members composing it; and when does he expect it to report.

We hope to be able shortly to announce the composition and terms of reference of this committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend announced that this Committee would not start work until the Autumn? It will then take some considerable time to report. In view of the great importance to the independent producer of getting some satisfactory financial return for his products, can some direction be given to the Committee to make an interim report?

In view of the fact that this industry is missing the greatest opportunity it has had since its inception to establish itself on a firm basis, will the hon. Gentleman expedite the arrangements for production credits until the Committee has reported?

I will take note of that question.

Can the hon. Gentleman make any reply to the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes) with regard to the date of the commencement of this Committee? This independent Committee was one of the most important things arising out of the Films Act, and we must get on with it if we are to produce anything at all.

I have said that I shall be announcing the names of the members of the Committee shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of coloured and decorated china and other pottery was imported into this country during the past 12 months; and what quantity it is expected will be imported during the next 12 months.

Imports of coloured and decorated china and pottery are not separately recorded, but import licences for these goods were issued during the twelve months ended 30th April last to the value of £3,550. I am not yet in a position to say what quantity will be imported during the next twelve months.

Is my hon. Friend aware that several manufacturers have large stocks of coloured ware, which is badly needed by the public, due to cancellation of orders for materials originally intended for export? Can he promise that his Department will expedite the delivery of these to our own people as quickly as possible?

The only imports we have had have been from Denmark and they have been taken for two reasons, (1) because it was a special quality which we thought we could take, and (2) to assist the Danes to send traditional goods.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for Hanley (Dr. Stross) and say when the public will get these articles? Why cannot they have them now?

We have had many Debates on this matter, and the urgency for exports should be known by all hon. Members. I can only repeat that that is the answer.

In taking this matter into account, is my hon. Friend having regard to the imports of china and earthenware from Japan into the Colonies and this country?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is an appreciable black market in pottery, particularly in china tea sets; and whether he will take action to end this type of transaction

I am aware that there has been a certain amount of evasion of the Domestic Pottery Control Orders. With the close co-operation of the Industry, the Board of Trade investigating officers are trying to eliminate these evasions, and we are planning certain changes in one of these orders which should make enforcement easier.

While I thank my hon. Friend for his reply which will give some satisfaction to us, may I ask him if he is aware that the supplementary question which I asked on the previous Question applies also to this Question, namely, that there are considerable stocks cluttering up the warehouses of some firms due to the cancellation of orders and will he help to see that these are released to the public?

No, Sir. I must repeat that again the emphasis must be on exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now publish the terms of the Anglo-American Film Agreement.

Yes, Sir. I hope that the text of the Agreement will be published as a White Paper by His Majesty's Stationery Office early next week.

When that agreement is published, will my hon. Friend see that if any terms have been introduced into the agreement by the unilateral decision of the Americans at a later stage since the formal agreement was entered into, the date of those new terms are also added?

I am able to say that no change of substance has been made in the text.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that members of the National Union of Hosiery Workers at their annual conference expressed fears about increasing unemployment in the industry due to the huge accumulation of stocks; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this accumulation.

In so far as lack of coupons among the public has contributed to the accumulation of stocks referred to, the measures which my right hon. Friend announced last Tuesday should help to release them. I understand that seamless rayon stockings were a particular difficulty, and these have now been removed from the ration.

Is my hon. Friend aware that those who are in the industry are of opinion that the concessions which have been made are totally inadequate to stimulate employment in the sections of the trade which are now suffering?

No, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House how much under-employment there is in the hosiery trade as well as the total unemployment?

Not without notice

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in the placing of contracts by the Soviet Union with manufacturing firms in this country; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient orders have been placed so that the complete delivery of Soviet grain can be made.

Tenders have now peen submitted to the Soviet Trade Delegation by United Kingdom manufacturers for items amounting to approximately 90 per cent, by value of the equipment scheduled to the Agreement and negotiations are proceeding on all these items. Contracts have been signed for just under £1 million worth of this equipment. As regards the second part of the Question, it is still too soon to say whether sufficient value of orders will have been placed by the end of the month.

Is the Minister satisfied that there are no difficulties in the way of the Soviet Union getting deliveries at an early date, for reports have said that there are difficulties with regard to the guarantee of the date of deliveries; and is it not the case that in some cases manufacturers cannot guarantee delivery dates because they are not quite sure of the delivery or raw materials?

No, Sir. All I can say is that we are anxious that an agreement should be concluded. It is still in the future and both sides are working hard so that the contracts can be completed.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any deliveries have been made to Russia?

I stated the amount of goods that have been contracted for already. We know that steel rails have been sent. I could not give further information without notice.

Would it not be a great deal better for all concerned if the contracts were being placed by Canadian firms and not by Russian firms?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, before sanctioning the issue of the poster, "Mummy has forgotten to turn off the light," he consulted the Safety First Committee or any Government Department concerned with the safety and well-being of children.

The poster referred to was issued by the British Electricity Authority, and not by my Department.

Has the right hon. Gentleman no power whatever over the issue of these posters? Quite apart from the fact that the poster is factious propaganda, is it right that the taxpayer's money should be spent on inducing children to clamber upon a chair and turn off a light which is already in the off position, then get down from the chair, fall over the dog in the dark and run the risk of breaking their necks?

The character of the posters which they should issue is certainly not one of the things on which I intend to issue directions to the British Electricity Authority.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the women of the country resent this poster very much and that they wish to have the word "Mummy" deleted and "Daddy" inserted?

I am sure the British Electricity Authority will take notice of that suggestion.

Is this not the opening round in a campaign to teach children to snoop on their parents?

Is it not a fact that when the electricity authorities were in private hands a considerable amount of money paid by the electricity consumers was spent on propaganda against nationalisation?

We must remember that whatever may be the merits of this poster the intention was to secure greater fuel economy, and we would all support that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total quantity of petrol consumed by the civil and revenue departments during the first quarter of 1948, with comparable figures for 1938, 1946 and 1947.

The estimated consumption of motor spirit by civil and revenue departments during the first quarter of 1948 was 25,600 tons, compared with 21,600 tons and 18,800 tons in the corresponding periods of 1947 and 1946, respectively. A comparable figure for 1938 is not available.

To what does the right hon. Gentleman attribute this substantial increase, and what action is he taking to check it?

The increase is due to an increased coupon issue for goods vehicles, vans and lorries, run by the Post Office and other Departments. It is only in line with the general increase in the use of petrol throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the tonnage of coal lost through disputes in the mining industry in the first quarter of 1948, as compared with the same period of 1947.

313,900 tons of saleable coal in the first quarter of 1948 and 133,800 tons in the same period of 1947.

Is the Minister aware that these figures show that the number of working days lost in the first quarter of this year in the coal industry is approximately 18 times greater than those lost in the iron and steel and metal group, although approximately half the number of men are employed? Will he bring this to the attention of colleagues who talk about producing a new spirit in the iron and steel industry?

And the figures are about one-seventeenth of the number of working days lost in 1920 in the coal industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public are not particularly interested in what happened 30 years ago but are interested in something being done now?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish the correspondence between Sir Charles Reid and the National Coal Board, leading up to the former's resignation.

This is a matter between Sir Charles Reid and the Chairman of the National Coal Board, but I understand that they have no intention of publishing this correspondence.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why correspondence on a matter of high public importance between functionaries appointed by him is being withheld from this House? Is he aware that public disquiet about these happenings is greatly magnified by reason of his policy of hushing up everything connected with this Board?

I should not consider it any part of my duty, even for the benefit of the hon. Member, to try to extract private correspondence between a Member and the Board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that subsequently, on 15th May, Sir Charles Reid issued a statement saying that he still believes nationalisation of the mines wise and right, and that he further said:

"I particularly desire that neither my resignation nor my resignation statement shall be used against the Government, and I shall not lend myself to anything of that kind"?

Is the right hon. Gentleman encouraged by his hon. Friend's extracts from this correspondence to publish it? Is he aware that it is not private correspondence at all, but relates to a matter on which there is grave and justifiable public disquiet?

If the hon. Gentleman is not aware of the contents, he cannot know whether it is private correspondence or not. This must be left to the parties concerned.

Are not the people of this country who own the mines entitled to know what their senior managers think on this matter?

I should have thought the general position of the statutory Boards in relation to the Government was already sufficiently clear.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman try to hide behind nominal regulations?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the chief age groups into which absenteeism falls amongst miners; what proportion of absentees are married; and what proportion are coal-face workers whose wages depend upon output.

I regret that the information is not available.

Is the absenteeism mostly amongst young unmarried men? If so, would the Minister consider abolishing P.A.Y.E.?

We have not got the information the hon. Member is seeking, but any question referring to P.A.Y.E. is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the length of time that is elapsing before the findings of the Central Valuation Board under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act can be formulated, the revenue payments period will be continued till the final compensation is paid.

No, Sir.

Will the Minister give further consideration to this? Does he realise how great a hardship is inflicted on people who are depending on regular dividends for some part of their livelihood who, owing to delays for which they are not responsible, neither have got their capital returned nor get anything from it? Will he not continue the interim dividends at any rate during next year?

I cannot agree that any question of hardship arises here. In the first place, there is no question of the companies not receiving interim income to which they are entitled when their compensation is finally settled. Furthermore, there is power to make regulations authorising payment of partial compensation, should that be necessary.

When considering this matter, will the Minister bear in mind that it was nearly a year before the Valuation Board was set up, and as half of the period was used up before the Valuation Board was set up, extra time should be allowed?

I cannot accept the view that the delay was entirely due to the Government.

No, but there was delay.

I have already pointed out that there is no question of hardship. The only problem is whether payment should be made in advance and I have said that regulations can be made for that purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make the regulations for the interim period?

I will consider that when the time comes.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us how many of these people were applying for public assistance?

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects that the Remploy factory in Stoke-on-Trent will have been completed; how many men and women, approximately, will be employed in it; and what type of worker will qualify for such employment.

A Remploy factory in Stoke-on-Trent is not included in the present plans. There is a factory for 60 employees at Longton. Another at Hanley for 300 employees should be open in July if present progress continues, and a further factory at Newcastle-under-Lyme, for 30 employees, should be open by the end of the year. Employment in these factories is open to persons registered as handicapped by disablement who, by reason of the nature or severity of their disablement, are unlikely to be able otherwise to obtain employment.

Whilst I thank the Minister very sincerely for the information he has given, may I ask him if he is aware that the name "Stoke-on-Trent" includes Longton and Hanley?

Until yesterday I was not aware of that.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the provision of these three factories will meet the needs of North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in respect of disabled persons, because in that area there is a large legacy of silicosis among the miners and pottery workers?

No, I am not satisfied that they will be enough, but if they will not completely meet the need, the work will not end there.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of men and women registered as unemployed at the Blackpool and Lytham St. Annes exchanges on r5th April, 1947, 1st January, 1948, 15th April, 1948, or the nearest convenient dates.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to amplify the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT by stating the number of people who have left these two towns through unemployment since the closing of Vickers factory which was making aluminium houses early this year?

I could not amplify the statement in time for publication in the OFFICAL REPORT of today's Proceedings but I will look into the question and give the hon. Gentleman what information I can.

Following is the reply:

The numbers of unemployed insured persons on the registers of the Blackpool and Lytham St. Annes Employment Exchanges at the dates in question were as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 18,829,000 persons employed in industry it is estimated are paid by piece-work.

Comprehensive statistics are not available, but it is estimated that rather less than one-fifth of all employed persons are paid by piece-work.

Would the Minister do his best in negotiations to encourage the system of payment by results, because it gives better production?

The system of payment by results is not applicable to many activities, such as domestic servants, shop assistants—and Members of Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what considerations it was decided to set up a small committee consisting chiefly of permanent secretaries from the Departments to serve on the Government Organisation Committee compared with the recommendation made by the Select Committee on Estimates that a specially constituted body be formed of a few highly placed and experienced persons; whether he will give an undertaking that the Government Organisation Committee will be expanded by the addition of members from outside the Civil Service who have suitable qualifications for this task, that it shall meet at least as frequently as once each month and that its report will be published.

The reasons for the decision referred to by my hon. Friend were given in the reply which the Government made to the Estimates Committee's Fifth Report of last Session, and which the Committee have recently published in their Fourth Report of this Session. On the second part of the Question, regarding the composition of the Government Organisation Committee, I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, gave to my hon. Friend on 11th May, 1948. On the third part of the Question, regarding the Committee's meetings, it would be unwise for me to lay down any precise rule. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "No, Sir." Any changes in organisation that affect the public or the House will be announced in the ordinary way but it would be quite inappropriate to publish all reports of investigations or other deliberations leading up to such changes.

Whilst I appreciate what the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has said, in view of the tremendous importance of this subject matter, how can he possibly justify its being relegated to a purely Departmental committee? In view of the wide repercussions that its recommendations may have on the machinery of government and, indeed, on this House, would it not be preferable to follow much more closely the procedure of the Haldane Committee Report, three of the seven members of which were Members of this House?

The reason why is given in the report to which I have referred my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total revenue-which is collected from Reserve services in Northern Ireland by his Department.

The figures are in the footnote on page 4 of the Budget White Paper of 6th April last (House of Commons Print No. 105).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to secure the agreement of the Joint Exchequer Board to Northern Ireland's Imperial Contribution reverting to £8 million as originally fixed by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, and thus enable Northern Ireland to have the balance at their disposal in order to provide for housing, electricity and other needs of the people of Northern Ireland.

No, Sir.

Can the Financial Secretary tell the House why £8 million per annum was set aside under the 1920 Act, and in this financial year he is claiming from Northern Ireland £21½ million?

Not half enough.

The original £8 million was for two years only and was then subject to review. The figure is greater now because circumstances have changed, the amount of revenue raised is a good deal higher, and this figure is decided upon by the Joint Exchequer Board and ratified both by the Government of Northern Ireland and this Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the war Northern Ireland more than quadrupled the quota paid in 1920, and exceeded enormously the total quota of Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, thus compensating for the default of Southern Ireland under the Act of 1920?

Would the Financial Secretary use this revenue for the purpose of establishing a fund to provide the necessary labour for removing partition in Ireland?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what difference is made by the Exchange Control authorities between the treatment of emigrants to countries within the British Commonwealth and outside the sterling area and the treatment of emigrants to countries outside the British Commonwealth and outside the sterling area.

None, Sir.

Could the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. and learned Friend to reconsider this? Is there not something even more important than dollars involved here?

It has, of course, been very closely considered. There are only two countries involved, Canada and Newfoundland, and unfortunately they are within the dollar area ambit.

Does not the Financial Secretary realise that the Canadians seriously consider this to be a difficult point, resulting in the deliberate diversion of emigration to other parts of the Empire; and that they would be glad to try to meet us in some way? Does he realise how seriously the Canadians consider this embargo against emigration to their country?

I hardly think they look upon it as an embargo. The Canadian Government are well aware of our difficulties, and sympathise with them and, jointly, we do our best to see that as far as possible emigrants are encouraged to go to Canada.

Has this particular point been discussed with the Government of Canada, and if not, would it not be a good thing to do it?

Yes, all these points have been discussed and the Canadian Government, as I say, are well aware of the situation.

Could not more sympathetic treatment be meted out to those people who decided to emigrate to Canada 12 months ago and wish to set up a business there, but are prevented from doing so because of this embargo on their capital?

No, if arrangements were made before the present conditions were laid down, and commitments have been entered into, the original arrangement is allowed to stand.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, since under the British North America Act emigration is also a matter for the Provinces, whether those facts were discussed with the Provinces as well as with the Dominion of Canada?

I should want notice of that question.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider some half-way mark between the amount allowed before and the £5,000 which is allowed to non-Commonwealth and non-sterling area countries now? Would he perhaps consider £3,000, or some figure like that?

Certainly, I will ask my right hon. and learned Friend to consider that, although I should perhaps add that he has considered all these various alternatives.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much Italian currency was allowed to each British delegate to the recent World Trade Unions Congress held in Rome.

Each delegate was allowed the currency equivalent of £4 per head per day for the period of the Congress.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much Dutch currency was allowed to British delegates attending the Congress of Europe, recently held at The Hague.

The Congress lasted from 7th–11th May. The delegates received hospitality from the Dutch. Apart from a small advance party who had to find some of their own accommodation and were therefore allowed the normal rate of £4 per head per day, the currency allowed was restricted to an amount to cover personal incidental expenditure, and was at the rate of £1 per head per day for the period of the Congress. The applications received represented a total cost to this country in exchange of £1,215.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hon. and right hon. Gentlemen were very embarrassed at The Hague—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] financially embarrassed at The Hague, owing to the attitude of the Treasury on this matter, and that their embarrassment would have been greater if it had not been for the traditional generosity of the Dutch people? Furthermore, will he agree that these allocations were very unfair as between man and man?

On the contrary, I think from what I have said that the allocations were fair and just as between one individual and another. In addition, they could, if they were so minded, use part of the £35 which they were allowed, and will be allowed, this year for overseas visits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the £1 a day was not sufficient for the purchase of the necessary Dutch books to enable members to keep themselves informed with regard to Dutch history?

Dutch courage—that is what they need.