asked the Secretary of State for War whether married officers with emergency commissions who agreed to stay in the Army until the end of the state of emergency are eligible for the recently announced 6s. per diem additional allowance for those married officers not living in provided quarters.

On the assumption that my hon. Friend is referring to married officers with emergency commissions who volunteered to defer their release until general demobilisation, the answer is "Yes."

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arrangements to enable members of His Majesty's Forces and their wives in Germany when purchasing at N.A.A.F.I. stores those articles of food that are subsidised directly or indirectly in this country, to share the full benefit of current subsidies.

Rations for soldiers and their families in B.A.O.R. are not supplied by N.A.A.F.I. but by the R.A.S.C. Only a few special foodstuffs, such as sauces and baby foods, are sold by N.A.A.F.I. Those foodstuffs whose prices are subsidised in the United Kingdom, whether supplied by the R.A.S.C. or by N.A.A.F.I. are supplied to soldiers' families in Germany at prices which pass on to them the full benefit of the subsidies.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Richard Arthur Elliott was detained for over two months in Colchester Barracks without being brought to trial; and with what offences he was charged.

This case is sub judice, these questions being, as my hon. Friend is aware, at present the subject of inquiry by the High Court.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning who have been appointed to the Basildon Development Corporation; and when the work of development will begin.

My right hon. Friend has not yet set up the Development Corporation but he expects to do so this month. My hon. Friend will appreciate that much preliminary work in the appointment of staff and preparation of plans will be necessary on the part of the Corporation before they can begin actual development.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether, in view of the fact that 250 cubic feet of timber, involving as many as eight trees, can be felled without licence, that much of the countryside is being denuded of woodlands as a result and that local authorities are slow to use their powers by making Tree Preservation Orders, he will extend the licence system and circularise to local authorities an instruction to use existing powers in this connection more fully.

My right hon. Friend is not aware that the arrangements are having the results suggested but he will be glad to consider any evidence that my hon. Friend may care to bring forward. A circular has already been prepared and will shortly be issued to local authorities which, amongst other things, advises them to take effective action to protect amenity trees and woodlands.

Will my hon. Friend look particularly at the position in Bedfordshire where the County Council is setting an excellent example in preserving trees throughout the county? Will he commend that example to other local authorities so that, if possible, they may copy it?

That, in effect, is what the circular does.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if a licence has to be obtained in nearly every case where a small amount of timber is to be felled, there will be a very great deal of hardship and delay and a greatly increased staff will be needed to deal with it?

The sense of my reply is in accordance with what the hon. and gallant Member says.

Will the hon. Gentleman issue instructions to local authorities to ensure that these powers are not abused by over-enthusiastic local authorities to interfere with the proper management of commercial woodlands?

The hon. Member had better await the circular.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has considered the apprehensions expressed to him by the hon. Member for Bedford and others at his decision, following the public inquiry into the proposals of Messrs. Earles to extend their cement works in the Hope Valley; and whether, in view of its adverse effect on the amenities of a potential national park as well as on farming interests in the district, he will reconsider his verdict and in the meantime make a public statement.

The decision to allow an extension of these works was taken after very full consideration of all points of view and after a local inquiry lasting three days. My right hon. Friend is fully satisfied that the expansion of the works is necessary in the interests of national cement production, that the new works will in many ways be an improvement on the existing works, and that the conditions imposed for the landscaping and after-treatment of the land will minimise the adverse effects, if any, on the amenities of the area.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the reply he has just given will not satisfy large numbers of people in the country who believe that the decision of the Minister is a definite and heavy blow at the National Parks movement? Is he further aware that to make the top end of the Hope Valley derelict for 117 years, as will be the case if this project goes through, is an extremely anti-social thing?

This is a decision the necessity for which we naturally regret, but we must have regard to the overwhelming demand for cement and, subject to reasonable after-care of the land—which we believe we have provided in this case—we are bound to consider that, too.

Has the Minister issued, or if not, will he issue an explanation of the decision he has come to; a reasoned statement of why he has arrived at this conclusion after the inquiry?

A very full Press report was issued and it contained much of the information which the hon. Gentleman seeks.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there was any alternative put forward to this factory which would have produced the cement required? Also, could he not place in the Library a copy of the evidence given by both sides at the inquiry, because there is great concern, and hon. Members would like to form their own judgment?

On the first point, there is an overall shortage of cement and we want as far as possible to develop all practicable proposals. I will certainly consider the second point.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the representations made by the National Trust, and is he aware of the grave anxiety that the National Trust entertains on this matter?

Yes, we have given full consideration to all those representations and to many others on the other side, too. We have tried to strike a balance.

is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in deciding to destroy the beauty of this lovely valley for ever, the Government did not even give reasons for rejecting the alternatives? Does he think that is fair and just?

I must submit that we have not destroyed the natural beauty for ever, and if careful study is given to the plan it will be found that great care has been taken as far as is possible—and to a large extent it is possible—to preserve that beauty.

Owing to the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, and in spite of the fact that I am sailing to America tomorrow for some long time, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter at the first opportunity on my return.

asked the Minister of National Insurance, what progress he has made in examining the prospects of bringing within the benefits of the Industrial Injuries Act workmen disabled by pneumoconiosis or silicosis prior to the commencement of that Act.

I regret that I cannot yet make any further statement on this matter.

May we take it as an assurance that the Minister is carrying out the promise he has made on several occasions to the House to give this question sympathetic consideration, and can we expect a reasonably early statement on it?

I am examining the matter. I did promise that I would try to reach a conclusion by the middle of this year, and that promise still stands.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has received the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the preliminary draft of the National Insurance (Mariners) (Amendment) Regulations, 1948; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.

Yes, Sir, I have received the Committee's report and have accepted their recommendations. The report and draft regulations, revised accordingly, are being laid today and copies will be placed in the Vote Office as soon as they are available.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the report bears out the spirit of the answers he has given in this House?

Yes, the broad attempt of the report will be to bring these share fishermen into Class I for the purpose of the National Insurance Act, and to make special recommendations governing the payment of unemployment benefit. I would not like to summarise this; it will be set out fully in the report.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of persons in Southend who are registered under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act; the number of such persons who are unemployed; and what special steps are being taken in the area to provide additional work for the disabled.

Two thousand six hundred and fifty, of whom 440 were unemployed on 15th November last. Continuous efforts are being made to find employment for the disabled, and I have invited disablement advisory committees to co-operate with my local offices in this task.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the results of the campaigns to recruit more workers for the coalmining, textile and agricultural industries during 1948; and what further steps he is considering for the year 1949.

The labour forces of these industries showed the following net increases in 1948 after the replacement of wastage: Coalmining, 8,000; Textiles, 32,000 (to end-November); Agriculture, 42,000 (to end-November). The measures taken in 1948 will be continued this year.

Can the Minister say why there has not been a greater increase in the number of people who have gone into the textile mills; can he give some reason for it and say whether, in his view, it is due to lack of incentive or to difficulties regarding the methods employed in recruiting?

That is completely foreign to the Question itself. If my hon. Friend will put that question down, I will try to reply to it.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Poles leaving higher and ordinary schools, respectively, have failed to be placed in work owing to inadequate knowledge of English in the first and last six months of 1948 respectively; and what proportion these are of all those leaving Polish schools in this country.

The available records do not enable me to give the information in the precise form asked for. At the end of December there were 232 of these young people registered for employment, of whom 71 had come on to the register during that month.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the dismissal of a shop steward by the American Commanding Officer at Burtonwood, Lancashire; and in the interests of industrial peace, what steps is he taking to prevent trade union discrimination towards civilian employees of the American forces stationed in Britain.

This man was discharged on grounds of redundancy before his appointment as a shop steward had been notified to the Commanding Officer. I understand that he has since obtained other employment. There was no question of trade union discrimination and at a meeting held under the auspices of my Department the Commanding Officer and the trade union have now made arrangements for joint discussion of any matters of mutual interest arising in future.

In view of the wording of the Question, may I ask what conceivable interest a Communist can have in the maintenance of industrial peace?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of His Majesty's Government's support of Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he proposes to withdraw the Control of Engagement Order.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the adhesion of His Majesty's Government to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, according to Article 24 of which everyone has the right to free choice of employment, an early declaration will be made of the revocation of the Control of Engagement Order.

I would ask the hon. Members to await the reply to be given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister regarding the character of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now make a statement on the age of call-up during 1949 and 1950.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state which age groups he proposes to call up for National Service during the present year.

There will be four registrations this year. The age of call-up during 1949 will, therefore, remain unchanged at a little above 18 years and three months. I have already announced that the first registration will take place on 26th February. The other registrations will take place on 21st May, 3rd September and 3rd December. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the age-classes to he registered on these dates.

I shall announce further registrations and any change in the age of call-up in 1950 as early as I can in order to give young men the longest possible notice. I think it will clear away certain misunderstandings if I add that, after registration, medical examinations are spread over the following three months. The oldest are examined first, so that all young men, whose cases present no special features, are called up at approximately the same age.

The exact date of call-up depends on a number of factors. For example, in order to fit young men into the places in the Services for which they are best suited, their qualifications, experience and aptitudes are taken into account as well as their preference for a particular Service. Normally an enlistment notice follows completion of medical examination after an interval of between four and six weeks.

If young men at school wish to be called up early in order to tit in their period of Service with the beginning of courses at the universities in the autumn of any year, their request will be granted. This will also apply to teachers' training colleges and to full-time courses of appropriate standard at technical colleges. Boys who so desire are not called up before the end of the school term in which they are required to register or in which they reach the age of 18, whichever is the later.

Whilst thanking the Minister for the full statement he has made about the age of call-up in 1949, may I ask him if he can now say whether it is still the intention of the Government to carry out the statement made in the Defence White Paper for 1948 to raise the age of call-up in 1950 to 18 years nine months?

No, Sir, no actual decision has been taken, or can be taken, until the requirements of the Services at that period are known. At the moment I am happy to say we have it stabilised for the current year at 18 years three months and a little over.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many young men will be called up during 1949 as the result of following this procedure?

I am sorry to say I could not give that answer without notice but, making a guess, I think it is somewhere about 150,000.

As it is now proposed to give educational facilities to those proposing to enter the inshore fishing industry, will the Minister take account of the fact that fishermen should be treated on the same lines as other people in regard to calling up and educational facilities?

If I understand the question aright, it relates to fishermen who are undergoing some educational course. The answer I have given applies not only to those who are going to the universities but to those wishing to go to technical colleges, and teachers' training colleges.

Will the facilities be available for young men who wish to commence military duties at the age of 18?

Yes, where it is desired to start Service earlier so that it will enable them to complete their Service in time to take up their after-Service spheres of activity such facilities will be available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when calling up these young men, be careful that he sends them to the right places for enlistment, as several cases have been brought to my notice where young men have been sent to the wrong places of enlistment and have had to pay their railway fares back to London?

If our attention had been drawn to any such case we should have been glad to rectify any omission that had taken place.

Could the Minister say to whom the 150,000 he has just mentioned refers because, from the figures we had before, that was to be the call-up for the Army alone?

I ventured a guess without looking at my papers. I would be glad if the hon. and gallant Gentleman would put a question to me, either on the Paper or privately, and I will give him the exact information.

In view of the serious shortage of building labour in Scotland, does the Minister intend to call up any more people from the building industry to the Armed Forces?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down that Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated peak demand and peak capacity for electrical supply for this winter as compared with last in that part of Scotland which is administered by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Development Board.

The peak capacity of plant in the North of Scotland district for this winter is 220,000 kws. The maximum load recorded up to 12th January is 209,000 kws. including an export of 25,000 kws. to Central Scotland. Under extreme cold weather conditions the peak maximum demand is estimated to be 235,000 kws. The maximum load during the winter of 1947—48, was 194,000 kws., including export to central Scotland, and the peak capacity, 218,000 kws.

In view of the fact that in exceptional weather a deficiency is shown, would my hon. Friend say what steps are then taken to meet the demand?

Spreading the load as far as we can in the industrial areas.

Then the domestic consumer is not penalised in order to maintain a surplus?

No, Sir. Indeed, in the area served by the North of Scotland Board there is not this great demand in excess of capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will reconsider his decision not to allow prison officers' clubs in Scotland to be licensed for the sale of wines and spirits in addition to the beers and ciders now permitted, in view of the fact that prison officers' clubs in England and Northern Ireland are so licensed.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to change the existing rules in this matter.

Is there any earthly reason whatever why we should not treat these officers as grown-up men; and is there any reason why they should be any less free to order what they like than a citizen in a public house or we within the smoking room?

Grown-up men in Scotland act rather differently from grown-up men in England.

Are we to understand that in those circumstances the export of Scotch whisky from Scotland to England is part of a deeply laid plot against this country?

asked the Prime Minister what provisions are included in contracts made with persons appointed by Ministers to executive positions on nationalised Boards for terminating these contracts before the final date of expiry of any agreement.

The Statutes establishing the Boards of socialised industries provide that either Regulations (as, for instance, in the case of the Electricity Authority and its Area Boards) or the relevant Instruments of Appointment (as in the case of the Transport Commission and its Executives) shall lay down the circumstances in which a Minister may terminate appointments to those Boards made by him or by his predecessors. In both types of case an office may be declared vacant in certain named contingencies, or if in the opinion of the appointing Minister the holder becomes unfit to continue in office or incapable of performing his duties therein; or if he deliberately absents himself from such duties without permission.

Then is it the opinion of the Prime Minister that a member of an area board might be unfit to continue holding office if he considers himself personally unfit to continue on the board of the Bank of England?

That is clearly quite a different question.

asked the Prime Minister if he will lay down as Government policy that, in all schemes of nationalisation where industries or services are taken over and run in the public interest, revenue shall not be obtained from activities in any way harmful to the public interest.

I am not clear exactly what my hon. Friend has in mind, but it is certainly the view of the Government that the socialised industries should refrain from activities which are harmful to the public interest.

Will my right hon. Friend be prepared to recommend to his colleagues responsible for nationalisation to adopt, as part of Government policy, the relinquishing of the revenue obtained from drink advertisements in accordance with the policy pursued in relation to the Post Office? Will he recommend this policy in regard to the transport systems, particularly railway hotels and station restaurants?

I was not aware that the Post Office ran hotels.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer forgo any revenue from drink?

Will my right hon. Friend take into account that when the report of the Licensing Commission was given to this House there was a recommendation in the minority report as to how loss of revenue might be avoided in dealing with drink? Will he take into account that minority report, as it was signed by a distinguished member of the Labour Party?

asked the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of all the Departmental or inter-Departmental advisory bodies of a central or national character whose membership consists wholly or partly of non-officials; what is the number and nature of similar local bodies; how many individuals may be appointed to each body; and whether they may be remunerated.

There are about 700 central or national bodies of the nature described. The compilation of the detailed information requested is not completed. When it is I will place a copy in the Library and inform the hon. Member. The collection of the information on central bodies has involved a great deal of work in Departments; the collection of similar information about local bodies would involve even more and would not be justified.

Is the Prime Minister satisfied that with these members of his 700 advisory bodies he is getting all the advice that the Government now require?

Our 700 advisory bodies to various undertakings, I think. are doing very useful work.

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is a feeling, certainly in Wales, that the Prime Minister is very badly advised in regard to some of these appointments? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to take note of the fact that there is in Wales, after all, some talent and that we do not necessarily depend on two or three individuals to be appointed to every board and every commission?

1 had not understood that there were only one or two Welshmen on these 700 boards.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the present state of the divorce law and make recommendations.

The Government are not prepared to recommend to His Majesty the appointment of a Royal Commission at the present time, but realise that this matter is one which must be kept under careful review.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government accede to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and what changes they propose to initiate in British domestic and colonial legislation in order to bring such legislation into line with the principles laid down in the Universal Declaration.

I should perhaps explain the difference between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Draft Covenant of Human Rights. The Declaration is a statement of fundamental human rights and freedoms that the General Assembly has proclaimed as a common standard of achievement which all should strive to attain. The draft Covenant, on the other hand, is to be a legally binding Convention. It will contain specific obligations to secure the observance by all States that accede to it of those rights and freedoms which can be expressed in such a form.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly in the form of a Resolution, the United Kingdom representative voting in its favour. There is no question of any separate act of accession by States, or of an obligation to give early legislative effect to any provision with which Kingdom or Colonial laws may at the moment be at variance. Nevertheless, His Majesty's Government subscribe generally to the ideal embodied in the Declaration and will continue to work towards it.

Is the Prime Minister aware that that reply will cause very great concern among a number of people, many of them in this country, who hoped that this Declaration of Human Rights was going to be accepted by the Government as a standard for the future behaviour of all civilised nations? Is the Prime Minister saying now that we are merely going to pay lip service to it and not strive to get rid of the control of engagements and other things?

I am afraid that the hon. Member could not have listened to what I have said, because what he is stating is exactly the reverse of what I said. In fact, I stated precisely what he has suggested those people were hoping.

Then may I ask the Prime Minister if he will give a specific assurance that within a short measure of time our British and Colonial legislation will be brought into line with the standard of behaviour which is now accepted as the result of this charter?

I think, generally speaking, that-both here at home and in the British Commonwealth we approach more nearly to reaching these ideals than does any other country in the world.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether there is any hope, as the result of our adherence to this convention, that we shall get rid of all discrimination on grounds of sex in this country?

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues are striving day and night to get rid of the closed shop?

That seems to be rather begging the question.

Will my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the Secretary of State for War to the section in the Declaration where it is declared that a man is innocent until found guilty and ask the Secretary of State for War to see that his Department acts on these lines?

My hon. Friend had better put down a Question to the Secretary of State for War.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Article 24 of the Declaration lays down that everyone, without discrimination, has the right of equal pay for equal work; and can he give the House an assurance that the Government will work towards this a little more radically than they have worked up till now?

These declarations contain a great number of rights, but rights must always be considered also with regard to duties and when one is looking at the whole body of these rights one must see how far in given circumstances one must approach them. It is not, I think, accepted that every State will be able at once to realise all these ideals.

Is it not the case that one of the fundamental rights of mankind is to put an end entirely to the exploitation of man by man? Do the Tories and Liberals approve of that?

I think other things might be put into action also.

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall ask for a day to debate this matter, or raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Lord President of the Council what further steps have been taken in connection with the setting up of a National Council for Wales; what invitation local authorities and other public bodies have received to submit names for the Prime Minister's consideration for seats on this council; and who has been selected as chairman.

As I informed the House on 24th November, it was not the intention to set up the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire until the New Year. The object of waiting was to enable the Government to take into account any further views which hon. Members and others might wish to convey, and I am glad to say that the reception which the scheme has had in Wales has been such as fully to justifiy the Government in proceeding with the proposal. At this preliminary stage, no invitations to serve on the Council or to submit names for consideration, have been issued, but we shall go ahead as quickly as is practicable. It will, however, take some time to complete the necessary consultations with Welsh local authorities and other bodies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the question I put to the Prime Minister a few minutes ago when I said that there are more than one or two individuals in Wales, particularly in regard to the chairmanship of this body? If rumours are correct they are not very pleasant reading.

That observation is really not in any way justified on the record of the Government. In making appointments the Government have remembered Wales, I think, more than any previous Government. In any case, there cannot be more than one chairman.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that excessive delay would be harmful now that the Principality has had the prospect held before it; and is he aware that there are people seeking delay simply to create opposition to the proposed Council?

My hon. Friend is on a fair point. I think we have struck the happy medium between giving Wales an opportunity to express itself and that undue delay which would manifest itself in indecision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that out of 180 authorities only about 12 have expressed their approval, about 60 said that this was better than nothing and more than 60 declined, while the rest expressed no opinion at all? In view of that, how can he say that the proposal has commended itself to the public opinion of Wales?

That is a very unfair and biased summary of the opinions of local authorities. I am surprised at the hon. Member. The fact is that 79 local authorities have expressed themselves in principle in favour of the scheme and 64 against and, if we take the matter on a population basis, the numbers in favour are overwhelming.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he has any statement to make on Summer Time in 1949.

I have been asked to reply. The Government propose that Summer Time this year shall extend from 3rd April to 30th October. A draft of the Order in Council necessary under the Summer Time Act, 1947 will be laid before Parliament without delay.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given full consideration to the interest of food production, because especially in the Northern parts of the country, and in Scotland, this late Summer Time makes it very difficult for farmers to get in their produce? If he settles a term for a period of Summer Time, will he consider adding a little to the beginning and taking a little from the end, so that in any event it would cease by the first Sunday in October?

No, Sir. One has to consider the balance of interests in this matter. This represents a reduction in the period of Summer Time as compared with 1948 and, in view of the requirements of industries other than agriculture, I think this represents a fair compromise between all the interests concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late extension into October will impose a very severe handicap on Scottish producers because of our damp climate?

It is exactly the same period at the end as it was last year.

If Summer Time is to apply to Scotland, will the Minister be good enough to see that we get some Summer along with Summer Time?

asked the Lord President of the Council what further steps he proposes to take to make the public aware of the crisis in economic affairs, to which reference was made in paragraph 30 of the Memorandum submitted to the O.E.E.C., Command Paper No. 7572.

I have been asked to reply. The Government have made known to the public an unprecedented amount of information about our economic affairs. We propose to continue our policy and to maintain the efforts that we are constantly making to increase further its effectiveness.

Why has not the Leader of the House replied to this Question, which was put to him? Only a few months ago he himself said that he was not aware of this crisis, so how could he expect the public to be aware of a crisis which he said did not exist? Why did he not reply to the Question?

Because I am responsible for the economic information which is given.

Then why did the Lord President accept the Question?

Is not a necessary first step towards carrying out the aim of the hon. Member the taking of a firm stand against the efforts of the Opposition to cut down expenditure on the information services of the Government?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to the taxpayer, to date, of the Tribunal of Inquiry at Church House. Westminster.

The costs so far ascertained amount to approximately £9,000, but not all the items have yet been brought to charge.

Does not the Chancellor realise that this money has been spent to show that certain persons are not fit or fitted to be Ministers of the Crown?

I prefer to wait until the report of the Tribunal is made before making comments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of "Plain Words" have been distributed

One hundred and sixty-nine thousand.

Will the Chancellor encourage Members of the Treasury Bench to read this book so that they may always prefer plain English to official jargon?

I have, and I hope that people who put down Questions will also read it.

Could the Chancellor say how this Question could have been put in plainer English?

I am not suggesting that this Question is wrong but that other Questions are.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has reconsidered the provisions of S.I., 1948, No. 2398, which relates to Purchase Tax on floor coverings; and what action he has taken to amend it.

In accordance with the undertaking given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 13th December, I have carefully reconsidered this question. But I am not convinced of the necessity of amending this Order at present.

Will the Chancellor call a conference of the various parties affected by this Order, with a view to trying to make an improvement in it.

There was discussion with all those affected by it before I arrived at my decision.

Is the Chancellor aware that in a Debate in this House the Minister responsible for answering on behalf of the Government admitted that there was something wrong with it? In view of that how is the Chancellor able to reconcile his present statement with what was said previously by the Minister to whom I have referred.

I have made full inquiries and my conclusions are those which I have given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that married women who have their wedding rings remodelled in order to be able to continue wearing them in later life are being charged 100 per cent. Purchase Tax on the wholesale value of the remodelled ring, even where no extra material is used; and whether he will consider amending the law in this respect.

No, Sir. In such a case under Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1945, tax is payable only on the jeweller's charge for remodelling the ring.

Will not my right hon. and learned Friend consider altering this Section of the Act in order to help those married women who cannot afford to buy a new wedding ring when they out-grow their old one, and who when they try to "make do and mend" are taxed to the tune of 100 per cent.?

It would be a very small matter indeed, if it is only the charge for remodelling the ring.

Would not the Chancellor adopt the same method here which operates in the case of fur garments, which are remodelled and no tax is charged?

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in the case of one example which I sent him the tax was 10s. 6d. and that that is not a small amount to a working class woman?

It must have been a very excessive charge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his negotiations with the Scottish Football League have now been concluded; and if he is now satisfied that the Entertainment Tax concessions in the 1946 and 1948 Budgets will be passed on at the gate to the spectators.

I have impressed upon the representatives of the Scottish football clubs, that my attitude on questions of modifying indirect taxation was bound to depend upon whether remissions reached those for whom they were intended, and I have no doubt that they appreciated the significance of what I said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why officials of nationalised industries are not to be called upon to make detailed justifications of their expense allowances to the Inland Revenue authorities in the same way as employees of private firms.

The hon. Member is misinformed. Officials of the nationalised industries will be dealt with in the same way as directors and employees generally.

Will they have to make individual returns of their expenses in exactly the same way as employees of private concerns?

In exactly the same way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds the Inland Revenue authorities agreed to recognise the Society for Cultural Relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as an educational charity, thus enabling it to reclaim Income Tax on contributions made under a deed of covenant.

I cannot give information regarding the taxation treatment of individual cases.

Does not the Chancellor consider that however desirable it may be in normal circumstances to encourage cultural relations between two countries, under conditions of the cold war, to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has himself made frequent reference lately, it is highly undesirable to ask the British taxpayer to subsidise what is frankly pro-Soviet propaganda?

I still cannot give information on an individual tax case.

Was this decision taken by the Board of Inland Revenue without the intervention of the political chief of the department?

I am afraid that the hon. Member cannot even be told if there was a decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how far his regulations permit subscriptions and donations to political party funds or for other political purposes to be deducted as admissible trading expenses in computing profits for the purposes of Income Tax and Profits Tax;

(2) whether he is aware that circulars have been sent by the Midland Industrialists Advisory Council to company chairmen inviting contributions from their businesses for political purposes; how far his regulations permit such contributions to be admitted as trading expenses; and what steps are taken by Inspectors of Taxes to ensure that they are properly accounted for and do not escape tax liability.

I have seen the circular to which my hon. Friend refers. Subscriptions or donations by traders for political purposes are not permitted to be deducted in computing profits for the purposes of Income Tax or Profits Tax, and Inspectors of Taxes can be relied upon to challenge any such item which they find in examining a trader's accounts.

Is the Chancellor aware that I hold in my hand evidence that the bulk of Conservative funds come not from contributions from individual collectors, but from industrial profits? Will he therefore take care to see that the Inland Revenue make sure that these are properly accounted for? Would it not be more honest if the Conservative Party appealed for funds under its own name?

If a contribution is made accompanied by a slip saying that it is a contribution to fight against municipal trading when the letter to which it is attached shows that it is one to a fund for Conservative candidates, would that count as a donation to a political party?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would put a specific case to me, and then I might be able to give him an answer.

Will the Chancellor arrange to have the evidence produced by the hon. Member circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Would the Chancellor deny that Cooperative profits find their way into the treasury of the Socialist Party?

I am afraid that I have no knowledge of whether they do or do not.

Is the Chancellor aware that the regulations regarding Income Tax on political party funds were made in the first place by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill)? Has not the time come for some reconsideration of the plans which the right hon. Gentleman then made?

I think that they are quite satisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the specific luxuries the import of which he has notified the French Government will in future be restricted or forbidden.

No statement such as the hon. Member mentions has been made to the French Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will include in the next Finance Bill a provision to deprive the Commissioners of Inland Revenue of the power to charge interest on any special contribution which has not been assessed, and to require them to refund any interest already so charged.

No, Sir.

Is the Chancellor aware that the net yield obtainable on the money before assessment and payment is far less than the interest demanded? How can he defend a situation whereby the longer the Treasury is in arrear with the assessments the more interest they get and the more money the taxpayer loses?

This question was raised and was very effectively defended when the House of Commons put the provision into the Measure.

Is it not a fact that the arrears of assessment are much greater than was ever hinted to the House of Commons last summer, and, therefore, is not the position of the taxpayer much more difficult than anyone ever thought that it would be in this respect?

No. I cannot accept that statement at all.

A constituent of mine wished to pay something on account in order to avoid paying interest on his assessment for special contribution. The local tax office refused to give him any assistance and refused to tell him what he could do to avoid payment of interest. How does the Chancellor defend that position?

That seems to be quite wrong, and if the hon. Member will send me particulars I will have the matter looked into.

Is the Chancellor aware that where contributions have been made on time his officials have in some cases not even taken the trouble to acknowledge their receipt?

How has the Chancellor been able in this case to foreshadow his Budget statement?

That is a matter which the hon. Member will no doubt see when I come to make it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of sterling is involved in the renewal of the Financial Agreement with the Government of Egypt, originally signed in June, 1947; and to what extent our unrequited exports will be affected by this Agreement.

Financial negotiations with Egypt are still in progress and I am not yet in a position to make any statement about them.

Will the Chancellor bear in mind that this considerable handicap to our economic recovery is no longer justified, and will he see that in any arrangements which he is initiating this economic recovery takes precedence over old war debts?

We shall bear all material matters in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he is going to publish the balance of payments White Paper for 1948.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the Economic Survey for 1949, which will be published in March.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that a consistent series of statistical data on this all-important subject should be available at regular intervals?

I will certainly consider that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what non-recurrent capital grants have been paid to the universities during each of the years 1945–49; what are the major projects involved; and what are the total sums received by each university individually over the same period.

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

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that the rate of re-development is sufficient to look after the greatly increased body of students and incidentally to maintain the academic standards?

I think it is the greatest that can be achieved in the present economic circumstances.