asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the tenants at 120 Blackburn Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow, are living in dwellings in such an extreme state of disrepair as to be dangerous to life; and what steps he is taking to ensure their safety.

I am informed that the houses in this property are in a poor state of repair and that the back wall of the building is slightly bulged. Should this defect worsen, the Corporation will immediately deal with the property as a dangerous building. In the meantime they are considering its acquisition with a view to executing all necessary repairs.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this property is not merely in a slightly dangerous condition, but is in a very serious state, and while these negotiations are going on, what immediate steps are to be taken to safeguard the position of the tenants who are in a state of alarm at this moment?

I shall ask the local authority to look further into the matter in view of what my hon. Friend says.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only cure for this state of affairs is to build more houses, and can he say what limitation there has been on the building of houses in Glasgow this year?

That cure has been known for 60 years, but it is rather late in the day for the hon. and gallant Member to suggest putting it into operation now.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he is aware that Edinburgh Corporation has only received permission to erect 200 new houses next year; that thousands of people in the city are living in insanitary or overcrowded conditions; and whether he will allow the local authority to press on with the provision of new houses;

The corporation have yet to complete some 1,300 houses, on the majority of which work will still be proceeding next year. Nevertheless, 200 additional houses have been allocated to the city for commencement in 1949, and a further instalment can be considered when more progress has been made with those houses now building. In the meantime, the number of new houses that may be approved is severely limited by the present restrictions on capital investment, and the allocation to Edinburgh could be increased only at the expense of other local authorities.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there are more than 4,000 people whose names are entered on the emergency housing list of the social services officer of the city at the present time, quite apart from those who are registered with the city's housing department? This is a matter of very great urgency.

I quite agree, but the delay in house-building, extending over the last 50 years, cannot be remedied in three years. Since the war, Edinburgh has had 25 times the number of houses built and provided that were provided in the same period after the previous war.

Is it not a fact that certain restraint has been exercised by the Edinburgh Corporation in commencing new houses and that, under these new provisions, that acts to the detriment of Edinburgh in obtaining new houses?

I quite admit that Edinburgh exercised restraint and did not go so far as other authorities in building new houses. Because of that restraint, Edinburgh has had the first allocation of new houses.

Is the Minister aware that, bad as the situation is in Edinburgh, it is much worse in Glasgow, where it is a scandal?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish landlords have dedicated their planted land to the growing of trees; and what acreage has been planted to the nearest available date.

No dedication agreement has yet been completed, but seven agreements are awaiting legal completion and plans for a further 85 estates are in course of preparation. Owners of an additional 116 estates have intimated their willingness to consider dedication. Up to date afforestation grants have been paid in respect of 2,880 acres planted on private estates during the season 1947#48.

In view of the relative failure of this scheme and the future timber needs of the country, is my right hon. Friend aware that many people are now thinking that stronger steps than dedication ought to be taken with regard to this problem?

The Forestry Commission are looking into this, but it is much better if we proceed on the basis of goodwill than any kind of compulsion.

When does the Secretary of State think the Forestry Commission will be in a position to provide labour to assist those who are dedicating or who have dedicated, because I understand there is no labour available to assist them?

Would the Minister agree that it is too early yet to judge whether this is a relative failure or not, and is it not a fact that owners in some cases have held back because of the irrevocable nature of the covenant to which they are asked to agree, but that now they are coming forward and there is every hope that they will do so in large numbers?

I quite agree that there has been a good deal of misunderstanding and owners have not been very well informed of all the particulars of this scheme. Steps are being taken to bring better knowledge to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will reconsider his decision not to introduce legislation to give increased security of tenure to the tenants of business and shop premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will announce what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the tenure of shop premises in Scotland.

I have given further consideration to the position of tenants of shop premises in Scotland, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and we propose that in the light of recent experience the matter should be the subject of further inquiry which will cover examination of the terms of tenancy of shops and business premises. We have accordingly invited the members of the Committee of Inquiry to continue their investigations with broader terms of remit, and to report specially, as soon as possible, on shops. The terms of reference of the reconvened Committee are being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While welcoming this statement by the Secretary of State, can he hold out any hope of the report being made available in time to deal with this matter before the May term?

I should hope so. I have asked them to report quickly on the shops.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of the people affected will be very glad to hear that there is a move on?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any action that may be taken as result of this inquiry will be retrospective? That is very important.

I should require notice of that question.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the same personnel is adequate to deal with this problem in view of the report that was brought in on the last occasion.

I do not think any reflection should be made on the bona fides of the Committee, who came to a judgment on the evidence submitted to them. I must repudiate any suggestion that that Committee acted otherwise than in the best judicial fashion, and the Committee will be appointed—there may be some changes—to go into the evidence again. Those who have evidence ought to submit it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the potato crop in Scotland in general, and in Dumfries-shire in particular, has been lifted at the latest available date; and when he expects that the rest of the crop in Dumfries-shire will be lifted.

Between 85 per cent. and 90 per cent. of the potato crop in Scotland had been lifted by 30th October. The corresponding figure for Dumfries-shire is from 75 per cent. to 80 per cent. Given good weather, lifting should be completed in Dumfries-shire by the end of this week.

Is the Secretary of State satisfied with the amount of labour which has been available for getting in the crop this year in due time?

Weather handicapped the employment of existing labour during the time when it could have been best used. The problem of lifting the potato crop has not yet been solved in a permanent way. The matter is being looked into.

Is it not a fact that the farmers of Scotland responded marvellously in growing an enormous crop of potatoes? Is it not up to the Government to get those potatoes in?

I think the farmers would agree that the Government had done everything humanly possible. Great tribute ought to be paid to the schoolchildren, who have played such a marvellous part in getting in this crop.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is customary in cases where land is in use for Service purposes, and which is now being made available for agricultural purposes, that equal treatment should be given to all dispossessed occupiers concerned.

Except where there are Service requirements restricting the agricultural use to which the land may be put, it is customary, other things being equal, for all dispossessed occupiers to be treated on the same basis when surplus land is being let.

Is the Minister aware that there are cases where dispossessed occupiers, in all the conditions which he has envisaged, have not been given an opportunity? Will the right hon. Gentleman institute a review of the whole state of affairs in order that the full facts may be available?

The answer is that I am not aware of those cases. If the hon. Member is aware of them, perhaps the best thing he could do would be to bring them to our notice.

Will the Minister promise that if they are brought to his notice, the principle which he has just enunciated of equity and social justice will be carried out? Otherwise, what is the use of bringing the cases to his notice?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he anticipates that the historical relics and documents of Scotland, including those recently returned or about to be returned by the Master of the Rolls, will be properly exhibited and catalogued.

Some of the more important historical relics and documents are exhibited in the gallery of the Scottish Record Office, and a guide to such documents is in course of being printed. The exhibition of documents on a larger scale is dependent on additional accommodation being made available, and this question is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman seeing to it that he or the appropriate people get on with cataloguing, because that can be done without extra premises?

I ought to say that the number of relics and documents which are being handed over to this Office is very great. It is a very large job to tackle and it may take years to get it thoroughly accomplished.

Are they doing it now?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the functions of the Lord Lyon King of Arms.

Lyon King of Arms is His Majesty's principal officer of arms in Scotland. His duties include the granting and recording of arms, and the investigation and decision of a wide range of questions relating to heraldry, genealogy, precedence and change of name. He is concerned with royal and public ceremonial in Scotland, and advises the Secretary of State on heraldic and cognate matters. He is also secretary of the Order of the Thistle.

In view of what the Chancellor of the Exchequer said yesterday about the need for conserving manpower, will the Secretary of State for Scotland consider amalgamating the office of the Lord Lyon with that of the Lord High Commissioner?

The Lord Lyon saves a great deal of manpower because he avoids the necessity for everybody look- Lyon King to find out their own hereditary rights.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that if there is an argument about Scottish Arms between the Lord Lyon and the Garter King-at-Arms, the Lord Lyon's say will be effective and not that of the Garter?

Does it come within the province of the Lord Lyon to act as stooge for the Lord Provost of Edinburgh in questions of dress on public occasions?

That is a ticklish question. If I might misquote Shakespeare, I would say:

"God shield us! A Lyon among Provosts, is a most dreadful thing: for there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your Lyon, living."

asked the Secretary of State for War approximately how many firearms surrendered to the police have been passed on to his Department by the Home Office since the conclusion of hostilities; and what he has done with them.

Some 58,000 firearms of various types have been received from the police. A small number has been returned to the original owners, in cases where legal rights to possession could be proved. Some of special interest have been handed over to research establishments or museums. Incomplete or damaged firearms of no value have been reduced to scrap. The rest are passed to the Ministry of Supply for disposal.

Can the right hon. Gentle' man say whether the War Office receives the proceeds of the sale of those handed to the Minister of Supply for disposal, and what is the total that has been received?

I am afraid that I should have to have notice of that question.

Is it to be taken from the reply that anyone who has had a firearm taken away can apply to the War Office to have it back?

They may be able to apply, but about the response I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of soldiers and their wives have no quarters at Brancepeth Camp, Co. Durham, and that this is creating discontent and hardship among the soldiers; and and if he will have some of the huts at This camp converted into married quarters.

Twenty-two married quarters have already been provided at this camp by the conversion of huts or other buildings. Work on the conversion of huts into six further quarters will, I hope, start shortly.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that soldiers at this camp have offered their services free in order to get more accommodation, and that they have been refused? Could he not cut the red tape and get more accommodation?

It is not a matter of red tape. We have not sufficient War Department land on the site to build the married quarters.

Is it not a fact that the soldiers have offered in their own time to help to convert these huts and that that offer has been refused, and can my right hon. Friend do anything about a matter like that?

I have no information about that. Note will be taken of what my hon. Friend says, and I will make the necessary inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Imperial War Graves Commission has refused the request of Mrs. Rosier, of Leckhampstead, Berkshire, for a photograph of her son's grave in the Sangro River Cemetery, Italy; and if, in view of the difficulties involved in making private arrangements for photographs to be supplied, he will arrange for the Commission to render this service.

The Imperial War Graves Commission have no power under their Charter to supply photographs of individual graves. In November, 1946, my Department sent Mrs. Rosier a photograph of the wooden cross placed by the Army on her son's grave. It has not yet been possible for the Commission to replace the wooden cross by a permanent headstone but they have sent Mrs. Rosier the name and address of a photographer with whom she can communicate when the headstone is in position.

Does the Minister realise that it is quite impossible for people in the position of Mrs. Rosier to make arrangements to get foreign exchange to pay an Italian photographer? Is it not in the public interest that the Imperial War Graves Commission should be given authority to render this little service?

So far as foreign exchange is concerned, if it is represented to us that that is an obstacle, I will certainly look into it. As regards revising the Charter of the Imperial War Graves Commission, I am not empowered to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War why information that graves in Germany are to be moved is not immediately given to next-of-kin, in order that the disappointment of visiting the old site in vain may be avoided.

It has been the policy that all graves of Service personnel in Germany should be concentrated into military cemeteries. Owing to the numbers involved, it would have been quite impracticable to notify the next-of-kin of the date of removal and they have been informed only after the remains have been reburied in their final resting place in a military cemetery. The work in Germany of the Army Graves Service, except in the Soviet zone, has now been completed.

Will the Minister give an assurance that this notice or warning, is given as soon as possible? He will no doubt appreciate the distress of people going to visit an old site.

I am fully aware of the difficulties and the feelings of those concerned, and I will do everything I possibly can to alleviate their suffering.

Will the Minister say why it is impracticable? Just to state that it is impracticable is not very satisfactory. Can he give any reasons why it cannot be done?

Unfortunately, in these matters arrangements have to be made to disinter bodies. A great deal of difficulty arises from that—I must leave some of these matters to the imagination of hon. Members—and we prefer to deal with the matter as we propose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are instances in which relatives have asked that bodies shall not be moved? Can he give an assurance that their wishes will be respected?

I am afraid I cannot give an assurance of that kind because under these arrangements we have to provide for the interment of these bodies in military cemeteries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a case which affects me very closely personally, a special request was made that a body should not be moved and I received an assurance from one of his predecessors that that wish would be respected? Will he repeat that assurance?

I am afraid that I should have to look into that. However, I assure hon. Members that I am anxious to assist in every way I can to respect the feelings of those concerned.

When these transfers take place, is it not possible for the next-of-kin to receive a communication from the War Office pointing out that they will waste their time in visiting the old site?

So far as I know, no difficulties have arisen in that connection—I inquired into it—but if there are cases where people have not been informed in time, I will do what I can to prevent that happening.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for young soldiers while in training to have rations at least equivalent to those provided for heavy workers in industry.

Units engaged in training young soldiers receive a supplementary ration which adds some 400 calories to the basic ration. This is considered to bring the ration of the young soldier approximately into line with that available to civilians performing comparable work, so far as it is possible to make a comparison.

Is the Minister aware that these boys of 18 who are doing hard physical work in their first months of training are not getting anything after a meal at 4.30 in the afternoon?

That is hardly correct because supper is laid on for all the units. It sometimes happens that the boys prefer to go to the N.A.A.F.I. or other convenient centres for meals rather than partake of the Army supper, but that is a matter of taste.

Is the Minister aware that while supper may be laid on, quite often it is not available?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that almost invariably these young recruits are gaining in weight as a result of Army rations?

I detect no diminution in their stature.

Will the Secretary of State for War at least consider increasing the ration of bread, which is unrationed for heavy workers? The amount provided in the Services is quite inadequate for young soldiers.

Any increase in the ration must apply generally to the Forces——

I said so.

—and therefore the question ought to be addressed to another quarter.

If cases are brought to the right hon. Gentleman's attention where supper is not provided, will he look into the matter?

I am surprised to hear a suggestion of that kind, but if the hon. Member brings to my notice a matter of that sort, I will certainly do what I can to rectify it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the present large potato supplies, he will consult with the Ministry of Food and restore the Army potato ration from 12 oz. to 1 lb.

When the Army potato ration was reduced last winter from 16 oz. to 12 oz., the bread ration was increased by 1 oz., which is nutritionally equivalent; units were, however, no longer allowed to take potatoes in place of bread or flour. Since potatoes have become more plentiful they have again been allowed to do so, although the extra bread ration remains on the scale. They can also buy additional supplies with the cash element of the ration. The potato ration is therefore not limited to the basic scale of 12 ozs. No alteration in the present arrangement seems necessary.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the 400 calories increase for young soldiers, which he mentioned in a reply to an earlier Question, is drawn from the source of potatoes?

It might well be, but I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) why, in view of the fact that the Military Canal has been cleaned and dredged as far as Appledore, it has not been cleaned from Appledore to Iden Bridge; and when he proposes to renew the rotted lock-gates at the junction with the River Rother; and

The canal and towpath have for many years been leased to the Kent Rivers Catchment Board, who have recently acquired the freehold of the part referred to, including the lock gates. The matters referred to in these Questions are, therefore, the responsibility of the Board.

Was any sum paid by the War Office to the catchment board concerned, in view of the fact that that stretch of the canal was badly in need of dredging at the time of transfer, and did the conveyance contain any stipulations for its proper upkeep?

There is nothing in the Question about finance.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the case of a civilian who lived at Hillsea Barracks, Portsmouth, for six months without being discovered; and what steps are being taken to ensure that other unauthorised persons are not living at the Government's expense in other military establishments.

This matter has been the subject of a court of inquiry, the proceedings of which are at present being examined. When I have received a report, I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the "Sunday Ghibli," which carries a statement that it is printed and published by the Government printers, British Military Administration, Tripolitania, is a paper sponsored by His Majesty's Government.

The paper mentioned is privately produced, but printed by the British Military Administration Press, which is the only printing press in Tripolitania. The paper is not sponsored in any way by His Majesty's Government.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, may I ask him whether he does not consider that the present wording at the top of the paper is most misleading? Secondly, is he aware that 15 per cent. of the profits of the paper go to the Government?

No, the producers of the paper pay the Administration the cost of the printing, and that is quite natural; hon. Members would not wish it to be otherwise. As for the heading on the paper, if the hon. Member refers to the title, which is the "Sunday Ghibli," I do not know what it represents.

Arising out of that, may I be allowed to put this question to the Minister, Mr. Speaker? The Minister knows perfectly well that I am not referring to that phrase. Already in my Question I have put the exact words used in the case of that paper, which I think hon. Members of this House will consider are most misleading.

If the hon. Member refers to that part of his Question where it is alleged that it is printed and published by the Government printers, all I can say is that, according to the information supplied to me, the paper does not belong to us, it is not published by us; it is merely printed by us and we receive payment.

Is not this paper, like every other paper, bound by law to carry upon its face an imprint showing where it is printed and published? If that is so, what is there misleading about this one?

I did not know there was anything misleading about it, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the case of a senior officer who was overpaid for five months through a War Office error, and has been called upon to refund some £300; and what is the maximum proportion of net emoluments that may be deducted without notice for this purpose.

I have reviewed the case of this officer but I can find no grounds for interfering with the decision taken by the Army Council in September, 1947, that repayment of the debt should be made in full. The practice in such cases, where an over-issue has been made through a mistake of fact, is to invite the officer to make proposals for repayment or to give his reasons why he is unwilling to do so. If he is unwilling to refund, the case is considered by the Army Council as an appeal, and a decision is taken on the merits. If it is decided that the whole or part of the over-issue should be refunded, it is recovered by monthly deductions from pay which have regard to the rank and domestic responsibilities of the officer, but if he becomes due for release while part of the debt is outstanding, half the net monthly pay is during release leave, after notice, normally deducted if necessary to effect recovery. In the case referred to in the Question, the deduction of one-half the net pay was, through an oversight of the Army agents, begun without previous notice to the officer in respect of the month's pay due, in arrear, at the beginning of his release leave. This did not affect the net result to the officer, but resulted in somewhat earlier completion.

Is the Minister aware that this officer, who is now out of the Army, is labouring under a great grievance, and as this happened at the end of the officer's career, could it not be reconsidered?

I have given this matter careful and personal consideration, and I am bound to say that, although a mistake occurred, the officer has no legitimate grievance and, in fact, the whole of the amount due from him has now been recovered.

Is there any special regulation as to the monetary deductions? Is the Minister aware that in my own case the authorities took such a view of my responsibilities that they thought £4 a month would be quite sufficient?

I would like to know something more about the hon. Member's special case.

Although such mistakes do occur in practice, will the Secretary of State take steps to see that in future they are as infrequent as possible? And is it not unfortunate that, when such mistakes occur, it is always the Treasury which is held to be in the right?

On the whole, I am bound to say that the mistakes which occur are very few.

Is not the trend of this Question for the purpose of proving that these are the spoils of war that should go to the soldier?

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the recruitment figures for the Regular Army and Territorial Army in the month of September in 1947 and in 1948, respectively.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the information asked for.

But is my right hon. Friend able to say in which areas of the country he is getting the best response and where the response is not so good?

If my hon. Friend refers to the Regular Army, the recruitment is very favourable, certainly in recent months. I cannot give the details. As regards the Territorial Army, there has been a substantial increase in the last month, although not as good as we should like, and in some parts of the country it is exceptionally good; for example, in the North it is rather better than in some parts of the South.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many local authorities and trades councils have so far declined to assist in the recruiting campaign.

This information is not available in my Department.

That does not explain the fact that it is notorious, as has appeared repeatedly in the Press, that there have been public protests against several local authorities and trades councils; but are they not merely following the example of many Ministers of His Majesty's Government on the Front Bench right up to the beginning of the last war?

While I cannot give details of the number of councils which have declined to participate in the campaign, I gather that those which have declined are rather mixed politically, and some represent views other than those held by this side of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is proposed that Territorial adjutants shall receive the same rate of pay as Regular officers who are adjutants of Territorial units.

It is not proposed to revise the rate of pay of non-Regular Territorial Army adjutants. The consolidated rate does not compare unfavourably with the pay of Regular officers, when it is remembered that the officers concerned have much lesser liabilities. They serve in a fixed position, generally near their homes, and are not liable to be moved without their consent, whereas the Regular officer is liable to serve in any part of the world.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that their functions as adjutants of Territorial regiments are the same and their work is very often even heavier? In view of the fact that we want to encourage Territorials to come forward wherever possible until they can be replaced by Regular officers, will the right hon. Gentleman see whether this grievance can be removed?

So far as I know, there is no actual grievance. There is a difference in the liabilities incurred, and on the whole we think that the rates of pay and emoluments are favourable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been represented to the War Office on several occasions that we shall not be able to attract sufficient officers to these posts unless they are given equal pay for equal work?

As it happens, we are able to attract sufficient officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that the issue of uniforms to recruits joining the Territorial Army is suitable and adequate.

I am satisfied that the issue of uniforms, including protective clothing, to recruits joining the Territorial Army is suitable and adequate.

Has it been drawn to the right hon. Gentleman's attention that in a number of cases battledress blouses and battledress trousers are of a different colour and a different material?

No, Sir; I am not aware of it; but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman can furnish me with information, I will certainly look into it.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when the report of Mr. T. Alwyn Lloyd and Mr. Herbert Jackson on country planning will be issued.

This report is in the hands of the printers and it is hoped that it will be published about the end of February.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will give the names of the places in Wales and Monmouthshire where the two satellite towns are to be built.

Investigation is proceeding into sites for new towns in South Wales and Monmouthshire, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what progress has been made with the Abercrombie Report on South Staffordshire; and when he anticipates its publication.

Advance typed copies of the West Midland Plan prepared by Professor Abercrombie and Mr. Jackson have been sent to the local planning authorities in the area. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to forecast the date of the publication of this report.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether trainees under the Emergency Training Scheme for teachers will be exempt from paying the full weekly contribution of 4s. 11d. under the National Insurance scheme.

Yes, Sir, and a contribution is credited to such a trainee for each week of the course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Manchester there are cases where students have had these contributions deducted, and will he look into the matter and see that they are repaid?

Yes. The Ministry of Education is now sending out individual notifications to all the persons concerned explaining fully to them their entitlement to credits.

Will there be repayment of those amounts which have been deducted?

Yes.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he can give an estimate of the extent of non-stamping or under-stamping of insurance cards and of the loss of revenue to the National Insurance Fund caused thereby in the period since the appointed day, 5th July, 1948.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many self-employed and non-employed persons are contributing to the National Insurance scheme; and what action is being taken against defaulters.

I regret that the figures asked for by the hon. Member for The High Peak (Mr. Molson) are not available. Up to 9th October, approximately 1,350,000 persons had registered as new entrants in the self-employed and non-employed classes. To those must be added a substantial body of persons who were voluntary contributors under the old scheme; the exact numbers falling into these classes are not known.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in the administration of this matter it is of some importance to know how many people are not conforming with the law and will he have some inquiry made into this matter in order to prepare an estimate?

Yes, but exemption is permitted to men and women in low income groups in these classes. Particulars of these are still being received and we are considering them. Later on we shall be in a position to make a firm estimate. For the present, I would like to take the opportunity of reminding everybody in this classification that contributions were due as from 5th July and that the sooner they are paid the better it will be.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons injured before 5th July, 1948, and in receipt of Workmen's Compensation, were awarded the unemployability supplement and constant attendance allowance under the Industrial Injuries Act, or sickness benefit under the National Insurance Act.

I regret that the detailed information asked for is not available. Allowances under Section 82 of the Industrial Injuries Act to persons in receipt of Workmen's Compensation, namely, unemployability supplement or constant attendance allowance, or in some cases both, have been awarded in 434 cases, but we have no information as to the number of cases in which a person is drawing sickness benefit concurrently with Workmen's Compensation.

In thanking the Minister for his very encouraging answer, which will give great pleasure to the organised workers of this country, may I ask whether he can promise to give full details later of the numbers of people who are in receipt of Workmen's Compensation and sickness benefit?

Yes. There is a substantially larger number of cases of men who were in receipt of Workmen's Compensation before 5th July who are receiving sickness benefit, and I believe that by the provision of sickness benefit and unemployability allowance we are now making awards to many people who were in receipt of compensation before 5th July.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will take action to remedy the grievance of voluntary contributors under the National Insurance Act who were guaranteed a weekly pension of 10s. without conditions at the age of 65 but who, if their birthday falls after 5th July, 1948, must now retire from work, which many do not wish to do, in order to qualify for a pension.

The conditions linking pension with retirement apply equally to all insured persons. The benefits now provided for contributors under the old scheme arc in all cases actuarially more valuable than those which they have replaced, and I can see no reason why the former voluntary status of a contributor should give privileges in the new scheme which are not accorded to those whose previous insurance was compulsory.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that these persons entered into a contract with the State, and is not the State under a solemn obligation to honour its part of the contract, which has been violated?

As a matter of fact, the State is doing very much better than honouring its contract. If I may quote an example, there was a voluntary scheme by which women paid 6d. per week to become entitled to a pension of 10s. at 65 years of age. From 5th July last. however, they have been entitled to 26s. a week at 60 years of age and already over 50,000 such awards have been made.

Is the Minister aware that it is a very old principle in trade union negotiations that where better schemes are brought forward people may opt to remain in the old one, and, since the people referred to in this Question would be entitled to 10s. without retiring, could the Minister give them the option to remain under the old scheme if, rather short-sightedly, they prefer to do so?

I do not know how I could give them that option and at the same time introduce the benefits of the new scheme to a very much larger number of people as from 5th July. We considered carefully whether any such option could be given, but I do not think that it would be practicable.

If an option were, in fact, given to these persons, would not there be a very great saving to the Insurance Fund, to the benefit of all other contributors?

The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that this idea was first put forward in the White Paper of the wartime Coalition Government. I took the idea from that White Paper on its own merits. Quite frankly, an option of the kind suggested is not workable.

In view of the present state of manpower in the country, would not my right hon. Friend consider it desirable to review now those aspects of the retirement pension which penalise at the age of 65 those people who desire to go on working?

I do not admit there is any penalty for those who wish to go on working beyond the age of 65. There is, in fact, an added increment which is not available beforehand. I am, however. keeping under close observation the working of this scheme and if I were to find that it did penalise people in this way, I should not hesitate to seek to bring about a change.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is evidence in Lancashire and elsewhere that this increment is inadequate as an incentive to prevent people from retiring when, in fact, the country wants them to go on working?

No. The evidence is not that it is inadequate. In fact, 64 per cent. of the men who reach the age of 65 do not retire but remain at work. The increment in our scheme is double that which was proposed in the Beveridge Report. If I felt that the increment could be further increased as an inducement to people not to retire, I would certainly consider such a proposition.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that Mr. Charles Penn, 82, Meadvale Road, Ealing, was a contributor under the old National Insurance Act from its inception, under which he was to receive 10s. a week pension on attaining the age of 65 and his wife a similar sum on attaining the age of 60; and since under the new Act Mr. and Mrs. Penn are eligible for no payments, under what regulations are they and similar cases covered.

The benefits of the National Insurance scheme for which Mr. and Mrs. Penn may be eligible are explained in the full letter which my hon. Friend sent to the hon. Member on 1st September. The National Insurance (Pensions, Existing Contributors) (Transitional) Regulations, No. 612, 1948, set out the way in which pensions contributions under the previous schemes are to be counted for the purpose of title to the more valuable benefits of the new scheme.

Is the Minister aware that not only Mr. and Mrs. Penn, but countless other people similarly situated, regard the attitude of his Ministry as a breach of contract since they receive no pension, for which they have consistently paid their contributions year after year?

No, Sir. What has happened is that the old contract has been replaced by a new one which is very much better.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of applications received for national assistance from persons mentally defective or permanently crippled, living at home, who have not previously had assistance; the amount paid to date; and the number refused.

The Board inform me that they are paying many allowances to people in the categories mentioned by my hon. Friend, but they could not ascertain the precise number of applications, the number of such allowances in payment, or the total amount, without a special inquiry.

Is my right hon. Friend convinced that it is sufficiently known by people in these two categories that this benefit is available to them, and can he suggest any other way in which it could be more widely publicised than at present?

We have taken every step which is open to us to make known to everybody concerned the details of this provision, which is one of the best features of the new National Assistance Act.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has received from working men's clubs regarding their inability to pay their stewards the rates recently laid down by the Catering Wages Boards; and what steps he proposes to take in such cases.

I have received no such representations since the order was made.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements exist at the appointments offices for university undergraduates to secure employment during their vacation.

There are organised schemes for temporary work in agriculture, and my Department provides free railway warrants to students travelling to and from this work. Students who apply to employment exchanges, or other offices of my Department, for temporary work outside agriculture, are submitted to such vacancies for temporary staff as may be notified, but the demand for their services is small. The National Union of Students has been approved as an employment agency for this special purpose.

In view of the straitened circumstances of many undergraduates, will the right hon. Gentleman impress on appointments officers that they should pay particular attention to giving help where they can in this matter?

It is quite unnecessary to do that, because they are giving every possible help. We realise the circumstances of the students, and are anxious to help them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any further information about the Committee on the Resettlement of Disabled Persons in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Development Area, to which he referred in answer to a Question on 13th July last.

Yes, Sir. I am now able to announce the names of the members of the Committee and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the present position whereby post-war credits are paid to men over 65 and women over 60 years of age, and arrange for these credits to be paid at an earlier date in cases of special hardship; and under what powers deduction of taxation due is made when post-war credit payments are being calculated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the general repayment of postwar credits; an'd whether he will now consider proposals for the repayment of these credits in deserving cases, in particular those of ex-Service men.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider releasing post-war credits to totally disabled persons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider if it is now possible to pay to war widows the post-war credits belonging to their late husbands.