asked the Minister of Labour what amending legislation it is proposed to introduce in connection with the Catering Wages Act.

None, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what representations he has had, either from industry or the trade unions on this subject?

I could not do so without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give a rough ap- proximation of the number of men receiving less than £5 per week exclusive of overtime payments, and including overtime, respectively.

I regret that the information is not available.

Would not the Minister agree that the time has come to recognise that there are many people getting less than £5 per week and that useful attention might be given to the consideration of a national minimum wage which would ensure a modicum—

That has nothing to do with this Question, which merely asks for a rough approximation.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of unemployed persons in the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil, giving, separately, the figures for men, women, juveniles and those signing the disabled persons register, for the months of January, 1948, July, 1948, and December, 1948; and what percentage of the insurable population do these unemployed figures represent.

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

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether those figures during the last 12 or 18 months show a reduction or an increase? If the latter is the case, will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of his fellow Ministers to the frightfully serious unemployment position in Merthyr Tydfil?

I am afraid I can only answer the first supplementary question. The figures for January, 1948, were higher than they were at December, 1948. There was a drop in the total by the end of the year.

As this tragic figure has occurred in time of full employment, will it make the right hon. Gentleman and others more charitable to those who were responsible for our affairs in South Wales before the war?

So far as my recollection goes, these figures are only a tithe of what they were before the war.

asked the Minister of Labour how many able-bodied unemployed persons have left Merthyr Tydfil since July, 1945, to take up employment in other parts of the country under the temporary transfer scheme.

One hundred and six men and 25 women. Of these all but 19 men and six women have now returned to the home area.

May I ask the Minister whether really serious attention is being paid to the temporary transfer scheme, in view of the fact that it is known locally that several times the number of persons that he has mentioned this afternoon have been compelled to leave their constituency because of absence of employment in their own locality; and will he stress on the employment exchange that this temporary transfer scheme must cover any person compelled to leave?

The temporary transfer scheme has no element of compulsion in it. It is entirely optional. It is working satisfactorily as is evidenced by the fact that 26 men and four women who have returned home took up local employment found for them under the conditions under which they registered.

Does my right hon. Friend know that unemployed persons, and men in particular, are compelled to leave that district every week? I should like to have some record that his Department has the number who are compelled to leave.

If the hon. Member will put down a Question I will see if it is possible to find out which men are compelled, and by whom they are compelled.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the acute industrial tension at the firm of Richard Sankey and Co., Ltd., Bulwell, Nottingham, in the refusal by the firm to meet the trade union representatives of 90 per cent. of the employees; and what steps he is taking in order to avert an industrial dispute.

My Department is in touch with the parties concerned and discussions are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Labour what further information he has about the state of the discussions between the representatives of the employers' and workers' organisation in the baking industry on the abolition of night baking.

A joint meeting under the auspices of my Department is taking place next month.

asked the Minister of Labour the trades of the 41,000 building workers unemployed on 6th December, 1948; what were the reasons for such unemployment; and what steps are proposed for the employment of this valuable productive labour.

As the reply to the first part of the Question includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The amount, namely 3 per cent., is not excessive for this time of year and most of it is accounted for by men changing jobs. Sixty per cent. of the men unemployed on a Monday are in work again before the end of the week.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what steps he has taken during the past six months to ensure the employment of disabled persons in Cardiff;

(2) the number of disabled persons in Cardiff who have been registered as unemployed for over 12 months; and what special steps he is taking in these cases.

One hundred and eighty-three disabled persons have been unemployed in Cardiff for over twelve months. Recent developments include the opening of an Industrial Rehabilitation Unit in Cardiff last September for those in need of a course of Industrial Rehabilitation to fit them for employment. In addition, the Cardiff Disablement Advisory Committee is reviewing, at my request, the prospects of finding further openings locally. I have also appointed a Resettlement Committee for South Wales and Monmouthshire to co-ordinate action over a wider area. All these are special steps taken over and above the normal employment exchange services for the disabled.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for the action that has been taken, may I ask him how many men have been trained at this industrial rehabilitation centre established at Cardiff last September?

I ought to have notice of that question. The information I have in mind is that up to the present 83 people from Cardiff have entered this centre.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to establish a Remploy factory at Cardiff, in view of the number of disabled persons registered at the Cardiff Employment Exchange.

There is a Remploy factory on the Treforest Trading Estate which provides for severely disabled persons at Cardiff. In addition, a special factory at Cardiff for the tuberculous is planned.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Remploy factory at Treforest is at least eight miles from the city and that he is catering for the severely disabled; therefore, is he aware that there is considerable difficulty for these people to get to Treforest, and will he consider the establishment of a Remploy factory in the city where 564 disabled persons are registered as unemployed?

Not all of them will be entitled to this sheltered employment. It is true that the factory is for the severely disabled, but in some cases the disability is not such as prevents them getting about. It might be a disability of the hands or something like that, and not the legs. In addition the Corporation pay the fares for these men who have to travel from Cardiff to Treforest. I say without hesitation that we shall not be happy until we can provide greater facilities near the centre of the city.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that those in charge of this Remploy factory are using the resources placed at their disposal with the utmost energy and to the best advantage in placing seriously disabled persons in employment?

That is quite another question. I had better answer it by saying "Yes we are completely satisfied."

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue

How little it is that satisfies the Ministry.

I would hesitate to say how much it would take to satisfy the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women were registered as unemployed on 31st January, 1949, in Lowestoft, Beccles and Southwold, respectively; and in which industries the incidence is greatest.

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

Can the right hon. Gentle-say how the transfer system is working in that area?

I am afraid that I shall have to ask for notice of that question.

The booklet "Release and Resettlement" was issued shortly before the end of the European war to explain to members of the Forces the provisions of the age-and-service release scheme and the arrangements for resettlement in civil life. As the age-and-service scheme is now coming to an end, it is not proposed to re-issue the booklet. Information on release and resettlement matters is contained in a booklet "For Your Guidance" which is issued to members of the Forces at the time of release. This booklet has recently been revised, and I will send a copy to my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend consider making arrangements whereby this booklet can be made available for members of the Forces before they are released and so save hon. Members of this House the trouble of having to answer questions which should have been answered earlier?

Arrangements have been made. The Service education officers are fully briefed upon this matter and they have supplies of this resettlement literature. A monthly resettlement bulletin is published jointly by the three Service Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour how many road workers were unemployed in January, 1948, or at the nearest convenient date.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is giving consideration to the position of National Service men who curtailed their post-graduate courses to commence service in the spring of 1947 and who will lose one year if they are not permitted to resume in the spring of 1949; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

I cannot give any general undertaking to arrange for early release in cases of this kind but I am prepared to consider individual cases brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the present period of arrears of registration in the Sasines Office; and what steps have been taken to deal with this problem;

(2) whether, in view of the recommendations contained in paragraphs 26 and 30 of the First Report of the Committee on Land Registration in Scotland, Command Paper 7451, arrangements will be made for part-time legal assistance to be utilised for the purpose of bringing the registers of the Sasines Office up to date.

The period of arrear in the registration of writs in the Sasines Office is now over six months, as compared with a normal period of 50 days before the war. Arrangements are already in operation employing part-time legal assistance on three evenings a week, and steps are being taken for the appointment of additional regular staff.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that he has got sufficient assistance, because I understand that there are a number of young solicitors available to do this work in the evenings?

Already there are about 60 young solicitors working at this, but it is not expected that we shall be able to overtake the arrears for about 12 months.

Could not my right hon. Friend devise some means of abolishing this casual labour in the legal profession?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being caused to a large number of owner-occupiers of houses in the Comely Bank and Learmonth districts of Edinburgh due to the recent considerable increase in the valuation of their houses made by the city assessor; and whether, having regard to the importance of encouraging people to become owner-occupiers, he will introduce legislation to ensure that purchasers of new houses are not suddenly confronted a few years later with large increases in the valuation of their property.

I am aware that the valuation of a number of owner-occupied houses in Edinburgh has recently been increased by the city assessor and confirmed by the Lands Valuation Appeal Court on appeal. The law provides that the valuation of such houses is to be the rent at which one year with another they might be reasonably expected to let and I see no reason for its amendment.

In view of the desirability of encouraging the ownership of houses, would the Secretary of State consider amending the Lands Valuation Act of 1854 to ensure that

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the advisability of having Duke Street Prison, Glasgow, demolished, in view of the fact that for many years now only a small part of the prison has been occupied, that the work of demolition, if speedily undertaken, would give work to a reasonable number of workers presently unemployed and signing at the employment exchanges in Glasgow, and that the site so cleared could be used for more essential community requirements.

To replace Duke Street Prison by a modern prison for women, while desirable, would need the diversion of building resources from more immediately urgent work. This is not possible meantime.

Has the Minister any idea as to the type of prison that would

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the values of the total catches during the East Anglian herring fishing seasons in 1938 and 1948, respectively; what was the volume and what amounts accrued to crews and owners respectively in each year, differentiating between Scottish and English vessels.

As the answer contains figures I shall, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I have quite a number of ideas but they would come more appropriately on the consideration of a criminal justice Measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how Scottish Forestry Commissioners are appointed and on whose nomination; and what were the qualifications of the Rev. J. E. Hamilton and Major John Stirling, of Fairburn, who were recently appointed to the Commission.

Forestry Commissioners are appointed under Statute by Royal Warrant. Both the Rev. J. E. Hamilton and Major John Stirling were appointed by reason of their keen interest in forestry and their record of public work in Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a certain anxiety amongst those interested in forestry that although the qualifications of the first named of these two gentlemen may be very good for other reasons he has no experience whatever of forestry, whereas the second is well known as a highly qualified expert in forestry?

I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman and his friends are under a misunderstanding. The Forestry Commission only requires to have four people who are expert in forestry. The Commission is an administrative body which requires people versed in the law and other forms of public administration. The gentleman named is versed in the law as well as in public administration.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, worthy as this man is, there would be somebody more useful to the Forestry Commission by reason of his background, because it is well known that this man has no back-ground in forestry?

I believe that he is a most outstanding man in administration and experience.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there is considerable anxiety regarding future employment on the part of forestry students who have been accepted by Scottish universities for training; and if he will consult with the department concerned, with a view to assuring that there will be vacancies under post-war forestry schemes, either with the Forestry Commission in Great Britain or with the Colonial Forestry Services overseas, to absorb those students who qualify for employment in those services.

Both the Forestry Commission and the Colonial Office encourage suitable University graduates to find employment in the available posts in their service.

Can my right hon. Friend say how it was that last year no vacancy was made available for these trained students: and is it true that there was an inter-Departmental slipup whereby these vacancies for forestry service both at home and abroad were not advertised?

I have no information about that, and I should be very glad to hear from the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but I would suggest that, in any public service, we must examine every post to see whether it is really necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that under the Scottish Poor Law Acts local authorities were obliged to provide hospital care for aged people but since the repeal of these Acts this service is being neglected and in consequence great suffering is caused to old people living alone and in need of attention, particularly where there are no relatives; and if he will give this matter his attention and issue the necessary instructions to those possessing this authority to exercise it in the interest of the aged infirm.

The facilities available for the hospital care of aged people have not decreased, but an increasing demand has caused some delay in the admission of old people not in urgent need of active medical treatment. The Regional Hospital Boards are reviewing the situation to see what additional facilities can be made available.

When my right hon. Friend indicates that the facilities are still there, may I ask him what body is responsible for doing this job, because we have been trying to find out in Glasgow and cannot do so? Is he aware that there are hundreds of aged people in Glasgow with nobody to care for them at all, and that this is a shocking state of affairs under a National Health Service?

I think that my hon. Friend is making a wrong reflection on the National Health Service. The facilities are no less now than before the Service came into operation, but the Regional Boards are doing their best to increase them. I understand that the trouble has arisen because a large number of old people, to whom my hon. Friend refers and who were very much in need, would not seek this refuge be cause of the stigma which attached to the Poor Law, but that they are now willing to take advantage of it because of the dignity attaching to the National Health Service.

May I ask my right hon. Friend where does he get the idea that there has been a change in the attitude of mind? Is he not aware that, for a good number of years, these aged people were cared for in hospitals, not workhouses, and that now there is evidence abroad that many of our voluntary hospitals are deliberately avoiding taking these people, who are being neglected by the community as a whole?

Is not the Minister aware that there are fewer hospital beds for these people available now than on 5th July?

I am not aware of that. I do not think anybody has destroyed hospital beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children being cared for by the local authorities in Scotland under the Children Act, 1948; the number of children in family homes; the number of children in large institutions and homes; and if he is satisfied that the local authorities are doing all that is possible to reduce and replace institutional care in favour of home life care.

The number of children in the care of local authorities in Scotland at 15th November last was 8,496. Of these, 5,623 were boarded out with foster parents; 1,112 were in children's homes provided by local authorities, and 1,480 were in voluntary homes. The remaining 281 were on that date in child guidance centres, hospitals, convalescent homes or National Assistance Act premises. As regards the last part of the Question, the possibility of extending still further the use of boarding out is at present being considered by the Scottish Advisory Council on child care, from whom I expect an early report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now state the results of his visit to Ayrshire to inquire into housing progress in the county and the burghs; and what steps he is taking to accelerate the rate of house building in Ayrshire.

My recent visits to housing authorities gave me a most useful opportunity of discussing their problems on the spot. I have authorised the immediate starting of 558 houses previously approved in Ayr County and Burghs, in addition to the 3,132 houses already under construction. I have also authorised the authorities to invite tenders for 910 new houses including 430 Blackburn houses. If the rate of progress justifies it, I hope to be able to authorise further houses during the year.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say the reason for the backward state of the housing programme in Ayrshire? Is it because there is a Socialist majority on the County Council?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, in appeals to the Pensions Tribunal, periods of 16 months have elapsed from the date the notice of appeal is entered until the hearing; and whether he will take steps to see that hearings are expedited and that there is no injustice by reason of delay of this kind.

I would refer the hon. Member to the full information about this matter which I gave to the House on the Second and Third Reading of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Bill and to similar information which was given by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in Debates on the Bill in another place. I am happy to assure my hon. Friend that an appellant does not suffer financially by reason of this delay in the event of his appeal succeeding.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that, although the appellant may not suffer financially in the end, he suffers from a serious injustice in having to wait as long as 16 months before he can get his case heard by the tribunal?

He does not always suffer an injustice if the delay is caused by a search to find information which may help him, and, in many cases, that is just what it does. The number of new cases coming forward now is a great deal less than the number of cases being dealt with currently by the tribunals, so that the arrears are being overtaken.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to put into effect all the recommendations of the Army and Air Force Courts Martial Committee.

As stated in the prefatory note to the Committee's Report, some of their recommendations have been put into effect, and some others are in process of adoption; His Majesty's Government have not yet reached a decision upon other recommendations.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has yet put into effect those recommendations which do not require legislation but are designed to cut down the delay before the trial?

Yes, Sir; some of these have already been put into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long the pay and conditions of service of the Q.A.I.M.N.S. have been under review; and when he expects to be able to make a statement.

The scales of pay of nursing officers in the Army Nursing Service have been reviewed periodically in normal course, and there have, in fact, been some increases on review within the past 12 months. The pay and conditions of service for the future are under consideration. It is a matter of some complexity, but I will do my best to expedite a statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when this consideration first began?

A few months ago.

Could he say when general demobilisation took place?

That is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the number of nursing officers of the Q.A.I.M.N.S. required to meet commitments on 1st January, 1949; and what was the number actually available on that date.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 1,892, and to the second 726.

In view of the very serious shortage disclosed is not this due to the extraordinary delay which has taken place in settling the terms and conditions of service?

No, Sir, I think not. There is considerable difficulty in securing the services of nurses even for civil hospitals.

Exactly. Is that not borne out by my question that, if these terms and conditions had been settled before general mobilisation took place, there would not have been this shortage?

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to make the best possible use of the available strength of nursing officers of the Q.A.I.M.N.S.

In order to make the best possible use of the available strength of nursing officers, convalescent wards in all large Army hospitals have been placed in the charge of non-commissioned officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps; this enables nursing officers to be concentrated on the care of acute cases. Other steps taken include the closing of maternity wards in some family hospitals, responsibility for the confinements being handed over to the civilian medical authorities.

Is it not highly undesirable that the nursing services available to the Forces and their families should be restricted in this way, and, furthermore, is not the Minister aware that, under the present arrangements, with the present shortage, a great many Army nurses are having to work unconscionably long hours, that they cannot get leave, or may have their leave cut short, and cannot always get their off-duty time?

Naturally, when there is a scarcity of nursing personnel, there must be some difficulty, but we are doing our best to overcome the difficulty. The fact is that the supply is not appropriate to our needs.

Is the Minister aware that there is some dissatisfaction among nursing officers that they are being differently treated from members of the A.T.S. and are not allowed to be released on the age and length of service basis?

That is one of the points we are now considering.

Is the Minister aware that there are now more trained nurses than ever before in the history of the land?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will provide the evidence, I shall be very glad to avail myself of it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the case of 2629262 Guardsman J. J. Alcott, and 19, of the Grenadier Guards, tried by General Court Martial at Bielefeld, British Army of Occupation on the Rhine, in January, 1949, on a charge of murder and sentenced to death, no intimation was sent to his next-of-kin of the charge; that his family learned of the charge and conviction from a private source on 7th February; and whether, as the next-of-kin may desire to provide such representation as they think fit at the trial, he will see that information of charges of a serious kind is communicated to the next-of-kin as soon as possible.

I cannot accept the statement that Mrs. Alcott received the information on 7th February about her son from private sources. In fact the charge, conviction and sentence were communicated to her by the counsel who defended her son, in accordance with arrangements made by the Honorary Chaplain to His Majesty's Forces in Brussels at the request of the Commandant of the Unit at which Guardsman Alcott is being detained pending confirmation or otherwise of the proceedings of trial. I do not agree that a soldier's next-of-kin should automatically be informed when the soldier is to be brought to trial on a serious charge or charges. There is no reason why a soldier should not inform his next-of-kin himself should he wish them to be informed. Guardsman Alcott was granted legal aid and at his request the trial was postponed from 14th December, 1948, until 5th January, 1949, to allow the counsel of his own choice to appear.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that apart from offending against every decent principle of humanity by withholding this information, the opportunity of giving proper representation to this soldier was denied? I know that able assistance was given by the Director of the Army Legal Service, but, quite obviously, relatives of a soldier might desire to have representation made by counsel.

That is a statement not a question. The hon. Member cannot make long statements.

What I desire to know is whether the Minister will see that the soldier has the opportunity, through his next-of-kin being informed at the earliest possible moment, of having the best possible representation?

In this case, as in all others, legal representation was assured, and no difficulty arises on that account. Guardsman Alcott was provided with adequate legal representation. As regards withholding information from relatives, it is obvious that it would be quite impossible in all cases to inform relatives about allegations made against a particular soldier for the simple reason that the soldier might be proved to be innocent, in which case there is no reason why relatives should be informed.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make it plain whether there are any obstacles whatever put in the way of the soldier himself communicating with his next-of-kin if he wishes to do so?

In this particular instance I have made personal inquiries. The soldier was at liberty to communicate with his next-of-kin. It may well be that because of the serious charge alleged against him the soldier did not wish to inform his relatives.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that in the case of a soldier of 19 years of age a communication ought to be sent to his next-of-kin at the earliest possible moment because, although the soldier may not desire to give the information, it may be in his interest if his next-of-kin were informed so that they could provide adequate representation?

I think it would be greatly improper, and not necessarily helpful to the soldier, if we were to consult the next-of-kin without consulting the soldier himself. Obviously, if the soldier consented, he would wish to inform his next-of-kin himself.

Would my right hon. Friend make sure that every facility is now given to the mother to see her son.

There is another Question on the Paper about that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether recruits presenting themselves for attestation in the Regular Army are still required to state whether they have been convicted by the civil power; and whether the prewar practice of discharging those who are found to have been so convicted still continues.

Before they may be attested, all recruits are required to state whether they have been convicted by the civil power. If the answer is "Yes," particulars must be given so that a check can be made. If a man has been convicted of a serious offence he is not accepted. A man does not subsequently become liable for discharge unless it transpires that, on enlistment, he made a false statement regarding a civil conviction, in which case he may be court-martialled and possibly discharged.

In view of the prospect that another Question on the Paper may not be reached, will my right hon. Friend say whether his attention has been drawn to an article written by a senior officer and published in a London evening newspaper on 4th February in which it was stated that in the prewar Regular Army there were soldiers with bad prison and Borstal records; and, further, will he make clear whether or not this article was submitted to him for his approval prior to publication; and, in any case, is not the statement incorrect?

The officer in question was retired from the Army on 3rd February, and, therefore, I can incur no responsibility on his account.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement with regard to the terms of reference and membership of the committee to be set up under the Chairmanship of Sir Edwin Herbert to inquire into the activities of contact men.

Yes, Sir. The Committee to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman refers will have the following terms of reference:

"To inquire how far persons are making a business of acting as specialists in the submission of applications for licences or permits, or otherwise as intermediaries between Government Departments and the public; and to report whether the activities of such persons are liable to give rise to abuses, and to make recommendations. The inquiry is not intended to cover the activities on behalf of their clients by members of recognised professions."

As I have already announced, the Chairman of the Committee will be Sir Edwin Herbert. The other members will be Mr. E. A. Carpenter, O.B.E., Mr. Dingle Foot, Sir George Gater, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., D.S.O., J.P., and Mr. C. J. Geddes. The Secretary of the Committee will be Mr. R. J. P. Hewison, of the Cabinet Office, Great George Street, S.W.1, to whom any persons wishing to give evidence before the Committee should write.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House that he is satisfied that the fullest possible information will be made available to the Committee by the relevant Government Departments?

Yes, Sir, everything will be done to give them the fullest information.

asked the Lord President of the Council what scale of fees or other remuneration is to be paid to architects, exhibition designers and the like for the 1951 Exhibition in London and in the provinces.

There are a number of special factors which affect the fees to be paid for this work and these will be discussed with the appropriate professional bodies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give an assurance that every possible consideration will be given to a major share of the work going to British designers rather than to foreigners, as I understand there are many who would be glad of such an assurance?

I will certainly ask that the hon. and gallant Gentleman's representation shall be taken into full account.

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the duties and powers of the Chairman of the Governors and of the Director of the British Film Institute, respectively.

The British Film Institute is a body constituted under the Companies Act, 1948, as a company limited by guarantee. The powers and duties of the Governors (of whom the Chairman is one) and of the Director are set out in the Articles of Association, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of people connected with this institute and its work who are concerned with the fact that the newly-appointed Chairman is a director of the "Daily Mirror" and "Sunday Pictorial," and will he say what qualification that gives him for the particular job? Is he also aware that there is deep concern over the fact that one of his first actions was to get rid of the existing director who happens to differ from him politically?

That question seems to me to be full of bias from beginning to end. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is perfectly entitled to like or dislike certain newspapers. I selected Mr. King because he was a competent business man. In my judgment, this organisation needed a competent business man in the chair, and I thought that it would be a good thing, although the previous chairman was an admirable chairman. There is nothing like having a change when changes happen. [HON. MEMBERS; "Oh."] That is what the country thought in 1945. With regard to the resignation of the Director, that was a decision reached by the governors as a whole.

asked the Lord President of the Council how much the film entitled "What a Life" cost; what revenue has been obtained from it; and whether he has any evidence that its declared purpose of persuading people that things are not as bad as they seem has succeeded.

£6,260, plus £2,512 for distribution. It is one of 12 films a year supplied and shown free under a long-standing agreement with the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association, so the question of revenue does not arise. This is a light little film about two men who, in the end, take a cheerful view of life's troubles, and there is no reason for thinking it unsuccessful.

Has the Lord President seen this film? Does he know that it shows two men so depressed by the conditions of life in England today that they try to drown themselves, but make a mess of it? Does he really think that that is the sort of film on which £9,000 of the taxpayers' money should be spent without any possibility of a return?

If I may say so, the hon. Member has given a very short and incomplete critical review of the film because he forgot to add that, having attempted to drown themselves—fortunately they did not succeed—they were so happy at having been left alive that they went about cheering up everybody.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has any difficulty whatever in persuading, nay in convincing, the people of this country, or does he know of anyone on these benches who has any difficulty in convincing the people, that things are not as bad as they were?

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that these two men, having failed to drown themselves at Southend owing to lack of water, finished up in a free public house where they were well treated, and that it was not a State public house?

Is not the declared purpose of this film a good deal more patriotic than the object of Conservative propaganda, which is to make things appear worse?

Are not the two men in the film redundant temporary civil servants who sought suicide instead of returning to productive employment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress and results have been achieved in the Anglo-Swiss currency negotiations.

As was announced in the Press on 4th February, we have not so far been able to reach agreement. The difficulty mainly centres on the level of Swiss less essential exports to the United Kingdom, which includes tourism. I cannot foretell whether the difference between us will be resolved.

Will the hon. Gentleman remember that these arrangements come into force on 1st May and that many ordinary people are trying now to make arrangements for holidays, as they have to do when they are employed in business?

The public can assume that tourist facilities generally after 1st May will at least not be less than in the past year.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the rivetters and labourers in the port of Glasgow are kicking up a tremendous row and asking when he is going to make these financial arrangements for them to take their holidays in Switzerland?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to avoiding penalising, by way of tax, farmers who have petrol-burning tractors, he will consider removing the tax from agricultural petrol, or, alternatively, giving a rebate of 6d. a gallon on petrol used for agricultural purposes.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget Statement.

Does the Minister realise that agricultural petrol ought not to have been made liable to this tax? Why penalise this most efficient tractor when more food is so urgently needed? We must make sure that this tax is taken off agricultural petrol without any further delay, Budget or no Budget. That answer has been made before.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of reference and who are the chairman and members of the Manpower in Local Government Committee which has just been set up; whether it is intended to take advice from any professional organisations such as the British Institute of Management or the Institute of Public Administration, which might be able to assist in making the report more comprehensive; and whether the final report will be published.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, East (Mr. E. Fletcher) on Tuesday, 8th February.

Is it intended that this should be purely an inter-Departmental Committee and, if so, does not that mean that civil servants will be sitting as judge and jury in their own case and that the committee is unlikely, therefore, to recommend any extensive cuts in manpower at present being sought by the Departments?

If my hon. Friend will read the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington he will find in it the answer to the questions he has now put.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the opinion of a great many people this Committee may well be fruitful in putting forward useful suggestions for economy without any loss of efficiency and is it not very desirable that its report should be made as widely known as possible?

It is not that kind of Committee. It is a Committee composed of Departmental and other experts who are going into this matter, and at this juncture, at any rate, it is not expected that a report will be necessary.

Will the widest possible scope be given for evidence to be heard from local government officials and local government councillors?

I think my hon. Friend can take it that evidence of all kinds that may be desirable will be taken.

If this strange Committee is not going to report, what is it going to do—not, I hope, follow the example of "What a Life"?

The question I was asked was whether it was going to make a final report, that is, a published report, and the answer is that that is not contemplated at the moment.

Is it going to make a report? If it is, cannot that report be a published report, if the right hon. Gentleman so desires?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps will be taken to publish the recommendations of the Committee appointed to consider the distribution of functions between central and local government authorities and to ensure economy in the use of manpower.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend on 8th February.

Is it not very desirable that the proceedings of this Committee should be treated seriously, and will my right hon. Friend reconsider getting them to report in such a way that the fullest use can be made of the recommendations they may put forward?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that unless the cost of living is definitely prevented from rising any further there will be serious industrial unrest in the country; and if he will therefore consider reducing and where possible abolishing the Purchase Tax on articles essential to home life and personal needs, thus relieving the tension that is gradually increasing.

The hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate the Budget Statement.

Will the Minister realise that this is a serious question? Does he know that there is a large percentage of our population whom he cannot relieve by manipulating the Income Tax because they are not paying any? Does he realise that many of these people are still getting very low wages; that the cost of living is continuing to rise beyond wages; and that, therefore, there is a great necessity for right hon. Gentlemen really to put their minds to this problem?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has paid tribute to the restraint shown by both sides of industry and that the cost of living has risen mainly as a result of the Government's own failure to keep down the cost of the nationalised services? Will he bear that fact in mind?

Did my hon. Friend listen to the wandering microphone on Saturday night and, if so, did he hear six people in a row, asked whether they were interested in the de-rationing of clothes, reply, "No," because they could not afford to buy the clothes? As that is very good evidence, will he bring this matter forcibly to the attention of his right hon. and learned Friend before the Budget, and not afterwards?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give advance notice of not less than three months when it is intended to remove or reduce Purchase Tax on any particular article, in order to mitigate the loss which falls on retail traders.

No, Sir. I cannot anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget Statement.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that is precisely what I am asking him to do in this instance, because if trade is left in ignorance it causes unemployment, and causes the loss to fall on the retailers instead of on the consumers as was intended?

I can assure the House that we have been giving a lot of thought to this question for a very long time.

Can my hon. Friend mention any trade that has been brought to a standstill?

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that there were effects in the radio and the bicycle trades in that time?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many schemes have been submitted to him for the purpose of preventing loss falling upon retail traders when Purchase Tax is reduced or removed; what' has been their general nature; and what are the reasons which have influenced him in deciding that they would be impossible to administer.

As the answer is a long one, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.