asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the granting of visas to Dr. Stanislav Heller, of Cechoslovakia, his wife and son, Milos, owing to the exceptional circumstances of his case.

I have carefully considered this case, but I have been unable to find in it any exceptional circumstances which would justify the grant of visas to Dr. Heller and his wife and son.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has always been the custom of this country to do what we can to help people to come to it, so that they may escape from real tragic conditions, and has he been given the fullest details on this subject, because it seems to me to be a very tragic case?

I have given very great care to this case and both the hon. Gentleman the Member for Brighton (Mr. Teeling) and another hon. and gallant Member who is also in the House, have brought the details to my attention. I have carefully examined them. These people are now able to reside either in France or in Austria where they are under no persecution and where, so far as one can see, they are as well off as they would be in this country.

Would there he any time at a later date when this gentleman might try again?

I say nothing about the future at all, because one does not know what the situation in Europe might be, but I can assure the House that if every person were admitted, who had the same claims to come here as these people, the population of this country would be enormously increased.

Is it not true that one of the sons of this family was already in England and that the rest of the family were more or less influenced by the representative of the British Council, who said it would be possible for them to be reunited in this country?

I cannot say what the representative of the British Council said, and, departmentally, I am not responsible for him. There is a son in this country who asked to come here for two years for the purpose of carrying on studies. Permission was granted—as I grant a large number of visas for people who want to come here to pursue courses of study. He then made representations desiring to stay a further year and that was given. I cannot have concessions like that used as an excuse for bringing in the whole family.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what organisations are notified by his Department when a person is naturalised.

The police of the district from which the alien applied are notified and the grants of all naturalisation certificates are published in the London Gazette.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that immediately after naturalisation, a number of Poles in Somerset received letters inviting them to join the Labour Party? Can he indicate how their names and addresses could have been obtained so quickly; and will he makes inquiries?

The "London Gazette" is available to members of the Labour Party. Certainly no communication on the matter has been made from my office to the Labour Party. I recognise that they have been very zealous.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the work of the D.P.A.S. at Liverpool Prison is being hampered by suggestions that an unofficial society, from which official approval was withdrawn in 1943, is again to be recognised as qualified to do this work; and whether he has any statement to make.

Any such suggestions are entirely. without foundation. I have no intention of reconsidering the decision made in 1943, and I deplore the harm done to the work of helping discharged prisoners by the activities of this unrecognised body.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the state of the kitchen equipment in His Majesty's Prison, Preston; and why no reply has yet been made to the representations of the Visiting Committee on this matter.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements are already in hand for the re-equipment of the prison kitchen with gas cooking apparatus. A reply was sent to the visiting committee on 10th December; I very much regret the delay.

If the visiting committee have had to use strong language in this connection, can my right hon. Friend imagine the language of the prisoners themselves.

The use of strong language by a visiting committee might be a disqualification for continuance in office. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have given careful attention to this case and I regret that there was a delay in answering the visiting committee.

May I tell my right hon. Friend that the use of strong language is certainly not a disqualification in this case?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek information from the States of Jersey as to what facilities there are at the Jersey airport for carrying out repairs to aeroplanes; and whether spare parts, etc., are kept there for that purpose.

Jersey airport is owned and maintained by the States of Jersey. I understand that British European Airways, who are responsible for scheduled services, maintain a servicing organisation for their own aircraft and a charter company also maintains a servicing organisation which is available to other owners of aircraft in an emergency. A stock of spare parts is carried by both the company and British European Airways.

Will the Home Secretary kindly look into this matter again? I understand on information from officials on the spot, that even minor-repairs have to be sent to Liverpool, which is B.E.A.'s head station for this purpose. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into it again with a view to having the whole machinery run more cheaply?.

No, Sir. I have no responsibility at all in this matter. As the hon. Gentleman put the Question down, I got this information from the responsible people, but I have no position at all in the matter. I have no doubt that his supplementary question will be read in the States of Jersey, where he is well known, and that due regard will be paid to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the number of local authorities who do not permit women police to operate in their districts; and if he will give the numbers of police women now employed throughout the country compared with 1939.

There are now only two police forces in England and Wales not having an authorised establishment of police women. In 1939 there were 226 attested and 20 unattested police women, whereas the authorised establishment is now 1,471 and the actual strength 1,023.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this force serves a very useful purpose, and will he try to persuade the other two authorities to do the same as the rest of the country?.

I am satisfied with regard to the force and have done my very utmost with the two remaining authorities, but up to the present I have not succeeded.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say which are the two authorities?

Yes, Sir. The City of London and the County of Merioneth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the decision made on 10th December in respect of the case of which the hon. Member for North Ilford has already written to him; and whether, in view of the suffering caused to the mother involved, of the likelihood that the father's conduct will qualify him for leave in January under the Special Grade, and of the fact that the time before the birth is expected to take place is short, he will grant a two hours' parole, so that the young people may get married.

I have carefully reconsidered this case but I should not feel justified in making an exceptional grant of parole in this case. I regret, therefore, that I cannot alter the decision which was conveyed to my hon. Friend in my letter of 10th December last.

Will the Home Secretary take into consideration that this young man gave 4½ years' faithful naval service in foreign waters and was wounded during the course of it, and that it was only panic at the realisation that he had wronged his fiancee which made him commit the crime for which he is now suffering punishment? Is the Home Secretary aware that the doctor is gravely disturbed at the anxiety this young mother is suffering that her baby will be born without its father's name and is exceedingly concerned about the effects the delivery of the child will have upon the mother? Will he remember that this is Christmas and that the spirit of Christmas is in the birth of a child?

I have given the very utmost attention to this case and I have desired to make the concession for which the hon. Lady asks, but I am bound to point out to the House that this is no exceptional application. I have from time to time to deal with a succession of these cases. Under the law as it stands, the subsequent marriage of the parents legitimises the child.

Will my right hon. Friend explain how he is prevented from making this normally decent gesture, which would in no way hurt the penal service of which he is the head?

I am convinced that if I made the concession in this case, I should have to make it in every case of this kind—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—and that would involve such an interference with the rules about the grant of leave in the institutions, that I am certain prison discipline would be interfered with.

Would not a little kindness to a first offender have a much greater effect than harsh treatment of this description? Will not the Home Secretary temper justice with mercy?

I regret that, in the interests of the discipline of the service, I cannot reach any other conclusion than the one I have reached.

Is there any reason why the couple should not get married in the prison?

No application in that respect has been made. I do not think they could be married in the Borstal institution. Only this morning I was considering whether it would be possible to make the offer that they could be married in the parish church or other suitable place near the institution. I am considering whether that will be possible, but I must be adamant on the point that I cannot allow special leave for this youth to go home.

I asked the Home Secretary whether he would permit the marriage within the institution. The Governor was willing to allow his house for that purpose.

The Governor's house, of course, is not a registered place where a legal marriage can take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions of persons who have drugged, dyed or doped greyhounds and indulged in similar practices have been instituted during the last three years.

There were four in the Metropolitan Police District; I have no particulars of similar proceedings elsewhere.

Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient precautions are taken after dark to protect greyhounds and prevent them from being doped?

I do not want to be drawn into a controversy with regard to the way in which dog tracks are conducted, but it is no responsibility of mine to see that dogs are not doped.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bona fide night clubs there are in London.

I am not sure what my hon. Friend means by a "bona fide night club." Any registered club in central London (unless its rules provide otherwise) can supply drinks up to 11 p.m., or, if they have the necessary approval of the licensing justices, with meals up to midnight; and an extra half-hour is allowed for consumption of liquor with a meal. Applications may be made for the extension of these hours for special occasions.

Is the Minister aware that hon. Members have received a circular from the Association of Night Club Proprietors, and would these clubs come under the heading of bona fide organisations?

The hon. Gentleman must investigate each case on its own merits. I can give him no guidance on the matter.

Will not the Minister reassure the House that the night clubs referred to, are operating within the law as it stands at present, and are therefore, to that extent, bona fide establishments?

No, I cannot. I have never investigated these places myself, and my answer must not be taken as giving either a good or bad character to them.

Will not the Home Secretary himself pay a visit and take an expert with him?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police with a view to an extension of the use of his power to give consent to vehicles being parked without lights where he is satisfied that the roadway is adequately lighted.

The Commissioner's powers to consent to vehicles being parked without lights are limited to cab ranks and authorised parking places appointed by the Minister of Transport. Consent has been given in a number of cases and the Commissioner is considering whether it can appropriately be given in respect of certain further authorised parking places having regard to all relevant considerations, including the safety of other road users.

Will the Home Secretary consider consulting with a special committee of the R.A.C. and A.A. who are considering this subject in which they are interested, so that the public shall know exactly the position?

If the committee like to approach me, I shall be glad to be associated with them because, generally speaking, those organisations are very helpful.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of beds is vacant in tuberculosis sanatoria through lack of nurses.

Eighteen per cent.

Will the Minister say, in view of the urgent need for these facilities, what additional steps he is taking to try to get the necessary staff to man these beds?

Higher salaries and service allowances are now paid for nurses in these institutions, and we shall have to wait a little time to see whether these will have the proper effect. We are hoping they will.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average waiting time for entry to sanatoria by those suffering from tuberculosis.

This information is not available; and waiting time varies so widely according to individual circumstances that an average, as such, has no value.

Would not the Minister admit that, in many cases, the waiting time is as long as 10 months, and in view of the distressing results that might accrue from it, will he say whether he is prepared to institute medical priority?

I think the hon. Member will find that, as a general rule, medical priorities are in operation. I would also like to call his attention to the fact that had those changes in nurses' salaries and allowances taken place much earlier, we might have had many more nurses.

Could the right hon. Gentleman approach the Chancellor of the Exchequer to obtain foreign exchange for those who want to go to Switzerland to be cured, who are on the waiting list now, and who cannot be cured in this country?

No, I am certainly prepared to do so.

Why not?

As this question is apparently concerned with the shortage of nurses, can the Minister tell us whether any steps are being taken to get foreign nurses over here in order to relieve these difficulties?

Certainly, foreign nurses are in employment in this country, and large numbers of domestic staff from other countries are in employment in our hospitals and sanatoria in order to relieve British nurses.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the cost to the taxpayers of the United Kingdom of the free medical and pharmaceutical services provided for citizens of Eire temporarily residing in the United Kingdom.

This information is not available.

Is the Minister taking steps to ensure that citizens of Southern Ireland, and foreigners temporarily resident in this country, pay for the medical services they get?

The only thing I can do is to apply the law as it stands. I would remind the House in connection with this Question, and similar questions, that if we are to draw distinctions between people resident in Great Britain, a great deal of form-filling by everybody would be necessary.

Does the Minister mean, then, that the people of Britain are paying for the free services to foreigners resident in this country?

What I am satisfied about is that the administrative machinery necessary to distinguish between people who should or should not have this service—that is to say, those who are resident long enough although no such test is applied—would be far more than the cost of giving the service.

Will the Minister bear in mind that anything we can do to promote friendship between this country and Eire is to be commended?

Are reciprocal services given in Eire, or are they likely to be given to our people there?

The citizens of Eire are in exactly the same situation as visitors from any other country in the world, and I cannot understand this intense enthusiasm to discriminate against citizens of Southern Ireland.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to state the amount of capitation fee doctors are receiving from their patients.

There is a fund of 18s. 0d. multiplied by 95 per cent. of the civil population. From this an agreed deduction is made for mileage payments, making the distributable fund about 17s. 5d. multiplied by 95 per cent. of the civil population. The actual payment per person on a doctor's list in any particular Executive Council's area varies with the proportion of the population who are on the lists of that area. I shall not be able to say until after the end of the financial year what was the actual rate payable in each executive council's area.

Is the Minister aware that doctors were expecting that the capitation fee would be 18s. without deductions, and that in certain areas as much as 2s. or 2s. 6d. may be deducted from the 18s.? Could he put that right?

The hon. Member is quite incorrect. The representatives of the British Medical Association never expected that the capitation rate would not be less than 18s.; they knew that there would be certain agreed deductions from it.

Whatever the Minister may say, the fact remains that the majority of doctors throughout the country are suffering under this misapprehension.

Was not the amount of money available for the doctors agreed to, when it was thought that 18,000 practitioners would come into the scheme? Now that 19,000 have come into the scheme, should not a larger amount of money be available?

The information of the hon. and gallant Member is incorrect. The doctors are quite adequately represented at the moment, and discussions are taking place between my Ministry and the representatives of the medical profession. Perhaps hon. Members would await the result of those discussions before organising a single pressure lobby.

The Minister said that the actual amount paid varied in different areas; could he say between what limits it varies?

No, I cannot do so until the facts are available.

When the Minister speaks of a single pressure lobby, will he avoid making the inflammatory and insulting speeches which he did when the last discussions were under way?

I do not know what the right hon. and gallant Gentleman means by that—[HON. MEMBERS: "We do."]—but probably the Opposition will seek an opportunity of discussing these matters, and I would remind them in advance that they cannot all add to each item and expect the total to be low.

asked the Minister of Health if he will indicate the administrative difficulties which prevent the disallowing of prescriptions prescribed at the public expense but not conforming to required conditions by doctors in the State service, for private patients, while similar prescriptions by the same doctors for State patients can be disallowed.

A doctor in the service, who prescribes for patients treated under the service, substances which are afterwards found not to be drugs or not to be necessary for the proper treatment of the patient, is subject to the disciplinary procedure provided in the regulations. The regulations do not, however, apply to private patients, for whom there is no prescribing at the public expense.

Is it not clear, therefore, that what the Minister is now doing is to deprive private patients of the right to go to doctors, even though they be in the State service, by disallowing them the right to have pharmaceutical services?

I am not prepared to allow public money to be spent on any form of activity where we shall not have the power to correct abuses.

asked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to accept the recommendations of the Legal Committee on Medical Partnerships.

Yes, Sir, and so far as legislation is required, proposals will be made in the forthcoming Bill to amend the National Health Service Act.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication when he hopes to introduce the amending legislation?

I cannot at the moment, but I hope there will not be very much delay.

asked the Minister of Health what salary and expenses are paid to clerks of executive councils under the National Health Service; and to whom these clerks are responsible.

Clerks of executive councils receive salaries based on the population of their areas and the usual travelling and subsistence allowances. They are responsible to their councils.

May I ask the Minister, for the guidance of the House, whether we may ask him Questions regarding the work of these clerks of the councils and whether he can get such information from their respective executive councils?

Subject to your Ruling in this matter, Mr. Speaker, I am responsible for the administration of the whole of the National Health Service Act. All the various bodies are, in that respect, subordinate to the Minister; the Minister is subordinate to the House, and Questions may be put to me about anything concerning it.

asked the Minister of Health what moneys have been paid out of public funds since 5th July, 1948, in respect of hospital services, general medical services, pharmaceutical services, general dental services and ophthalmic services; and approximately what proportions these sums represent of the total liability incurred.

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

Would the right hon. Gentleman just tell the House how much in excess of the estimate these services are likely to cost the country?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will study the figures.

Of course I will, but I want the Minister to tell the House a very simple matter which does not require a lot of figures.

No, Sir. I asked the hon. and gallant Member and the House to look at the figures.

Has the Minister calculated how much of the greatly increased expenditure falling upon the Exchequer is caused by the fact that every time he makes a speech there is widespread gnashing of teeth?

I would also like to remind hon. Members that many of these figures may be artificially inflated by the fact that some hon. Members opposite always appear to support abuses.

asked the Minister of Health what sums have been paid out of public funds in respect of hospital services under the National Health Scheme from 5th July, 1948, to the nearest convenient date.

Up to 30th November, 1948, a total of £58,000,000 had been paid by my Department in respect of hospital services in England and Wales since 5th July last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how that compares with the estimate and whether it represents the total liability, or whether further sums have to be paid in respect of liability already incurred?

No, Sir, because it is not possible at the moment to carve up the estimates. Very many of these demands are still being examined.

asked the Minister of Health what estimates he has received from regional hospital boards for the financial year 1949–50; and the total of these estimates.

All regional hospital boards have submitted estimates for the financial year 1949–50. The total gross expenditure shown in the estimates as received is £157,680,000, of which £10,236,000 represents capital expenditure. Income is given as £9,021,000.

Would the Minister say how much that is in excess of the estimate?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put the Question down, I will give him the answer.

asked the Minister of Health how many general practitioners who have accepted service under the National Health Service Scheme were paid remuneration for the first quarter of their service under the Scheme in excess of £750 a month and of £1,000 a month, respectively.

asked the Minister of Health how many in each of the categories of dentists, pharmacists and opticians who have accepted service under the National Health Scheme were paid gross incomes over £750 and over £1,000, respectively, in any of the months of July, August, September, October and November, 1948; and if he will indicate in which cases the amounts did not represent final payment.

Comprehensive information is not available and could only be obtained by detailed returns from all executive councils, which I do not think could be justified at present.

Has the Minister estimated what proportion of the remuneration represents professional expenses?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health when the classification of specialists under the National Health Service Scheme will be complete; and whether he will make a statement on their remuneration in the interim period.

Hospital Boards have been asked to complete their review as soon as possible. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the interim rates of remuneration which were published in the medical Press some months ago.

With regard to the first part of the Question, would the Minister give some idea as to the month in which the information will be published?

No, Sir. I cannot do that.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce legislation amending the Rent Restrictions Acts in order to give protection to tenants who share a room with other tenants.

A Bill containing a provision for this purpose is being introduced tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement as at the latest convenient date, of the present position of the housing programme in Birmingham; what number of houses has been completed for occupation; how many are in process of construction; and what steps are being taken to meet the cases of the 45,000 applicants now on the register.

I would refer the hon. Member to the September Housing Peturn, Appendix B. Arrangements are being made for a continued house-building programme within the limits of the resources available.

Do I understand that the Minister is now giving more liberty to the estates committee in Birmingham to build houses than was the case before his recent arrangement with them?

That is not the case. The limit on building in Birmingham was caused not by any action of the Ministry of Health but by local building resources.

asked the Minister of Health why he has not consulted any organisation representing property-owners before preparing the Bill for the improvement of existing dwellings.

It is always open to the organisations to make representations.

Yes, but is it not the normal practice, and only fair, to approach and consult persons intimately affected by a Bill while it is being drafted.

No, Sir. It is the normal practice for Ministers to make known in the ordinary way that a Bill is being prepared and for certain organisations, if they so wish, to make representations.

When was that made known?

It was made known in the Gracious Speech.

But was not the Bill already drafted then?

Of course not. The Bill is still in course of being drafted.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to introduce legislation rendering illegal the present system of demanding a premium as a condition of the letting of flats.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the provisions of the Bill which I am introducing tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that delay in the delivery of water pipes is holding up the completion of four council houses at Ramsey Heights, Hunts, which would otherwise have been ready for occupation last July; and what steps he will take to expedite the delivery of these pipes.

Yes, Sir. Officers of my Department are in touch with the makers and are endeavouring to hasten delivery of the pipes.

Can the Minister explain why such a small item should be held up and cause such long delay?

Partly because the local authority was late in ordering the pipes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that people in Cardiff who have successfully applied to the Rents Tribunal in connection with the rent of their furnished apartments, are being turned out of their homes immediately the protective period lapses; and whether he will take steps to give greater protection to these people.

A provision for this purpose is included in the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Bill which is being introduced tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that building firms in the city of St. Albans have indicated to the local authority that their available labour force could deal with 264 houses in the first six months of 1949, whereas the total allocation made to the council for the period is only 120; and whether he will increase the allocation to 264.

I am always ready to review allocations in the light of actual progress but the St. Albans builders would first have to make a greater effort to secure the contracts available. Up to now, the council have had to let nearly half their allocation to outside contractors because the local firms were unable or unwilling to compete.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it would be much more possible to obtain continuity of progress in the housing scheme if there could be some certainty of allocations in order to place contracts?

There is sufficient certainty about enough contracts to provide for continuity. I do not know how far ahead the hon. Member wants continuity. If he wants it for the next three or four years, it is more than I know myself.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Kingsclere Rural District Council have received advice from his Department not to proceed with the council's proposed housing scheme at Headley or in any locality likely to be affected by the proposed flooding of the Enborne Valley; upon what information was this advice based; and in particular whether it included bore hole results.

It was suggested to the council in October in reply to a general question that it would be inadvisable to erect houses at the present time in the area which would be affected if the En-borne Valley water scheme were proceeded with. No bore-hole results have been reported to me.

If the right hon. Gentleman has no information about bore hole results will he request the Metropolitan Water Board to disclose these results, because otherwise Hampshire and Berkshire County Councils, which are unanimously opposed to this scheme, may themselves be driven, with the permission of the owners, to bore, which would be a waste of manpower and material and involve duplication of work already carried out?

The hon. Member is continually pressing me to do something which is entirely illegal. These results are entirely the property of the Metropolitan Water Board. The matter does not come before me statutorily until an application is made.

Surely, the right hon. Gentleman could make a polite request?

No, I cannot make a polite request. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] In fact, it is almost impossible for anyone to make a polite request in answer to some of the representations from hon. Members opposite. This Question has been put upon the Order Paper over and over again. I ask hon. Members opposite to go and read the law before asking ridiculous questions.

asked the Minister of Health what instructions he proposes to issue as to the entries to be made in registering births resulting from human artificial insemination A.I.(D.).

No fresh instructions are necessary. Registrars already have instructions to ask every birth informant for the name of the child's father: if the informant cannot give this information the columns of the birth entry containing particulars of the father are to he left blank.

Has that any bearing on the question of the legitimacy of the child?

None as far as I understand.

asked the Minister of Health how many infirm aged people in England and Wales are listed by the various county welfare departments as awaiting admission to institutions; and what steps are being taken to provide additional accommodation for such cases.

Numbers are not at present available but I have asked local authorities to include them in the schemes which they are now preparing under the National Assistance Ac and which will contain their plans for providing additional accommodation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that under the Act of Uniformity of 1662 and the Clerical Subscription Act, 1865, the Prayer Book attached to the Act of Uniformity can only be altered by Act of Parliament, as has been the case on several occasions, notably in 1872, 1922 and 1934; and, in view of the fact that the publication of the shorter Prayer Book is a violation of the above-mentioned Acts, what steps he proposes to take to vindicate the authority of Parliament.

The The answer to the first part of the Question is: "Yes, Sir." With regard to the second part of the Question, I cannot agree that the mere publication of a shorter Prayer Book or any other book of devotion is necessarily a violation of the Acts, and I do not propose to take any steps in the matter.

Without wishing to press the right hon. Gentleman unduly, may I ask if he is aware that this shorter Prayer Book wounds the conscience of many loyal churchmen? Is he not further aware that the Law Officers of the Crown unanimously recommended to the Prime Minister of the day that the deposited Prayer Book of 1928 must be submitted to the approval of this House and will he consult the Law Officers of the Crown with regard to the legality of this Book? May I he allowed to say I do not speak on this matter as a representative of Ulster, but as a member of the House of Laity of the Assembly of the Church of England representing the diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich?

As I am informed the publication of a shorter Prayer Book cannot be said to constitute any alteration of the Book of Common Prayer. It is in the same position as any other private literary work and to attempt to prevent publication by an Act of Parliament would be a gross interference with the liberty of the subject. That, I may say, was, I understand, the line taken by my predecessor, Mr. Baldwin, in regard to the deposited Book.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the view he has just expressed will he found unacceptable to many Church people and that the whole question of the relations of Church and State is raised by this issue? In those circumstances, will my right hon. Friend be good enough to represent to the bishops of the Church of England that they should give a lead in the matter by showing full respect for the law? May I have an answer to that question?

In view of the Scriptural injunction against the use of long prayers, is it not wise to be content with short prayers?

With all due respect, is my right hon. Friend aware that his second reply was factually inaccurate, since this Book, which contains portions of the illegal 1928 Book, bears upon its title-page the misleading description,

"According to the Use of the Church of England"?

I understand there has been an unfortunate use of a phrase and I understand that that is to be deleted in further editions.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the interests of both Church and State would be best served by leaving these matters to be dealt with by the Church Assembly?

I do not feel I am called upon to advise the bishops in regard to this matter.

Further to that point, while it may be desirable that the Church of England should have the same spiritual and liturgical independence as the Church in Wales and the Episcopal Church in Scotland, is it altogether reasonable for the bishops to claim that independence and simultaneously to continue to enjoy the benefits of Establishment?

That seems to be a matter of opinion.

asked the Lord President of the Council, what response has been received to the Goverment's proposal of a National Council for Wales; and at what date he hopes to announce the names of its members.

This is a matter on which it is difficult to generalise, and it was not to be expected that Welsh opinion would be unanimous. From the reports which I have received I would, however, say that the general reaction has been that the proposed Council for Wales and Monmouthshire should prove an important addition to the existing machinery for dealing with Welsh Affairs and should be able to make a valuable contribution to the life of the Principality, particularly in the economic and cultural fields. As regards the second half of the Question, as I told the House in the Debate on 24th November, it is not intended to set up the Council until the New Year.

Whilst I do not in any way criticise his proposal, would the Lord President agree that it would be possible in the interests both of Wales, first, and of His Majesty's Government, afterwards, to allow a reasonable period of time to gauge reaction in Wales to the proposal of the Government?

It is not proposed to set up the Council until the New Year and I think by that time, allowing for the time that has elapsed since the Debate, we shall be able to form a reasonable judgment on the acceptability of the proposal to Wales generally.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "early in the New Year"? Is he aware that the representatives from Wales assembled yesterday and passed a unanimous resolution asking him to defer the setting up of this Council?

I shall want some convincing evidence to show why it should be deferred. We must really make up our minds about things within a reasonable time and I think we can form a reasonable judgment by the time indicated. I hope the hon. Gentleman will not ask us to live under the doctrine of perpetual postponement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate his interesting conclusions to the Minister of Defence?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, his smart observation is totally irrelevant to the Question on the Paper.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the proposal has been very well received in South Wales, and that there are Welsh Members who are desirous of seeing this Council set up as soon as possible?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend. I have also seen some support for the proposal in North Wales. There are differences of opinion, and I understand that. We must take a balanced judgment at the end of the day.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the representations made by the Girvan branch of the National Farmers' Union asking him to reconsider the call-up of a blacksmith in the Pinmore and Barr district of Ayrshire, and in view of the inconvenience it will cause to the farmers in that district, if he will further defer the call-up of this blacksmith.

I have been unable to identify this case from the information given. If my hon. Friend will let me have further particulars, I shall be glad to look into it.

Is the Minister aware that the National Farmers Union of this district have protested to his Department in Glasgow and is he aware that grave hardship is being inflicted on farmers who rely upon this blacksmith's shop for the shoeing of their horses?

Yes, Sir, but if my hon. Friend will let me know the area in the Pinmore and Barr district where the trouble has arisen, I can find out what it is and what can be done.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, on Monday, 6th December, two unemployed British subjects of African descent, particulars of whom have been submitted to him, were refused employment as temporary postmen and informed by one of his officials that such employment was available to white applicants only; and if he will give an assurance that no racial or colour discrimination in the allocation of employment is permitted at any of his Department's offices.

My hon. Friend's allegations are unfounded. There is no racial or colour discrimination at local offices of my Department.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that assurance, may I ask—since there is clearly a conflict of evidence between two witnesses on one side and one official on the other—if he is quite certain that the allegations are unfounded?

Yes, Sir. The evidence must not be coloured by the skin of the people concerned. In this case one of the men was offered a job on 5th November and had an appointment to go to the Post Office on 6th November but did not turn up. The other said he was not interested in a casual job. The Post Office are employing a number of coloured people.

I am glad to hear it. Could my right hon. Friend say which of these men did not go for the job?

His name is James Amoonaquah.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Committee which he appointed in connection with the dispute between the B.B.C. and the Musicians Union has yet reported.

Yes, Sir. I have recently received the report from this Committee which I have sent to the parties concerned. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library as soon as available.

Can my right hon. Friend inform me if the report recommends the recognition of the trade union by the B.B.C.?

The question of recognition does not arise because there has been negotiation between the Musicians' Union and the B.B.C., but the report recommends the establishment of a joint consultative committee of both parties.

Would my right hon. Friend also consider appointing a committee to inquire into the recognition of other trade unions which the B.B.C. have refused to recognise in connection with Clause 8 of the Charter?

I should like to have notice of that; I know nothing about it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of specially recruited engineers are now being discharged by the B.B.C. on the grounds of redundancy; and what steps he is taking to place these men in other employment.

The machinery of the Ministry of Labour is at the disposal of these men.

Is the Minister aware that these men are labouring under a great grievance, as they maintain they were never led to believe they would not become established? Will he discuss the matter with the Postmaster-General?

No, Sir, certainly not. These men may consider they have a grievance about their terms of employment, but they have a trade union which is recognised by the Ministry and represented on the joint consultative committee of the Ministry and I am sure they could get the matter adjusted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in sanctioning new issues, the Capital Issues Committee assesses an applicant's requirements in relation only to the nominal value of the issue or also takes into consideration the probable proceeds.

The Committee is mainly concerned with the amount of money expected to be raised by an issue.

In a recent case Hoovers, who received sanction for £135,000, netted £900,000 by selling their 5s. shares at 34s. 6d. Does my right hon. Friend think that came within the cognisance of the Capital Issues Committee, and does he also think that it was in the national interest?

The Capital Issues Committee took all the circumstances into account in arriving at their decision.