asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the shortage of police officers in Birmingham; and, in view of the fact that the burden of duties on the existing force has become heavy and exacting, if a special recruiting effort will receive the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

I am aware of the shortage of police in Birmingham, and I should be prepared to consider any proposals put forward by the police authority for a special recruiting effort. I feel, however, that any such special effort might more profitably be deferred until after the publication of the Oaksey Committee's report.

Is the Home Secretary aware that in Birmingham we have one of the finest police forces in Great Britain; and will he do everything he possibly can to strengthen the force so that it may continue to function at the high level of efficiency it has always maintained?

I have no reason to feel other than confidence in the Birmingham Police Force. I have discussed this problem with officers of all ranks in the force, and I am hopeful that when the Oaksey Committee's report is published we may be able to take steps that will enable the force to be brought up to strength.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the police experiment in the prevention and detection of crime which has been carried out in the City of Aberdeen with great success; and if he will consider steps to have this system copied or adapted in other places for the same useful purposes.

Experiments on these lines have been conducted in a number of police forces in England and Wales, and a working party consisting of His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, one of His Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary for England and Wales, and a number of chief constables from both countries recently reported on the system to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself. A copy of the report has been transmitted to the Committee on Police Pay and Conditions of Service, and it is proposed to await the report of that committee before further action is considered.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that very satisfactory reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is the police force under strength in the Hornsey sub-division of the Metropolitan Police district.

This sub-division is 73 below its full establishment of 221.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of when this deplorable state of affairs is likely to be remedied?

No, Sir. As I said to the hon. Member for the Moseley Division of Birmingham (Sir P. Hannon), we must now wait until we get the Oaksey Committee report before we can expect much improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communications have been sent by him or the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to local authorities in Greater London regarding the housing needs of the Metropolitan Police Force.

The Commissioner of Police approached local authorities in the London area in September, 1945, when they made it clear that they were not prepared to give any general priority in housing to the police and suggested that the best course would be for superintendents of police to discuss particular problems with the appropriate local authorities. That course has been followed, but the Commissioner has recently again taken up the general question with the London County Council, and has also made a further approach to all Metropolitan boroughs asking for their co-operation.

But has the right hon. Gentleman taken the trouble to find out under what appalling conditions many of the police are living, and the number that are separated from their families; and does he realise that this is probably the largest single factor why he cannot get men to go into the police force, or when they have gone in to remain in the force?

Yes, Sir, I have made myself acquainted with that problem, and the situation is very regrettable. I agree that this is one of the main causes, if not the main cause, for failure to retain some suitable recruits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Rolf Merz, of Ulm/Donau, Wuerttemburg, United States zone, Germany, advised the immigration officer at Dover that he was on a visit to a Bolton family; if Mr. Merz's documents were in order to enable him to make the visit; and why no steps were taken by the immigration authorities at Dover to obtain information from the police department in Bolton in order to satisfy themselves that a genuine visit was intended.

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the immigration officer was satisfied from his interrogation of Mr. Merz that his real purpose was to seek work and settle in the United Kingdom, and the Bolton police could have thrown no light on this aspect of the matter.

In view of the fact that the British authorities in Frankfurt had granted a visa for this German youth to visit a Bolton family, and in view of the fact that he explained his position to them when he arrived at Dover, why were not proper steps taken by the immigration authorities to see whether or not the real intention was to visit this family or to seek work?

The answers that he gave when he was interrogated at Dover made it quite clear that his intention of coming here was not to pay a short visit but to seek work, and, if possible, to remain here permanently.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the immigration authorities asked this lad if he would like to work in England if he had the opportunity? This question was asked after a lot of other questions had been put to him. That would not mean that the purpose of his visit was to stay in this country and seek work.

That is not the report of the conversation which I have had.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet heard from Poland about Mr. Sydney Stanley.

No, Sir.

Could the right hon. Gentleman ensure that while Mr. Stanley is waiting no obstacle to the sending of his fleet of motor cars to help Socialist candidates at by-elections will be put in his way?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce regulations to make eligible to receive medicines and drugs free of charge under the National Health Service those private patients who were refused admission to the panel of the doctor of their choice because he considered that they reside at an uneconomic distance from his surgery.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister of Health aware that very often a doctor has a good case for refusing to put a patient on the panel, but in the patient's case there is a very serious reason why he should remain for a time at any rate with the private doctor of his original choice?

I can see no point in that at all. If the doctor does not take the patient, the patient should seek another doctor. That is no justification for amending the whole of the Act.

asked the Minister of Health by what authority he issued N.H. 5, No. 2.

There is no N.H. 5, No. 2.

Is the Minister aware that I have here in my pocket—it is a misprint—"National Health Service No. 2," an approved paper, which is given to every alien who arrives in this country, offering him free health services? Is not the right hon. Gentleman breaking the law in offering free health services to aliens, and will he tell the House who pays for the services which are rendered to aliens, who can afford the fare to come here and then get health services for nothing?

That is not the Question on the Order Paper, but if the hon. Gentleman wishes me to answer what he asks I will do so briefly. The leaflet is for the purpose of informing persons who take out identity cards in this country, and seamen who missed the original distribution, what they can obtain through the National Health Service.

Is the Minister aware that it does not say so on the paper?

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, in some detail, what provision is made through the National Health Service for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; and what treatment centres now exist.

Treatment is given by general practitioners and hospitals; as part of the National Health Service.

Is the Minister aware that there is no centre, and that there is an alleged cure for this disease in America? Will he get some American specialists over here to treat this problem.

It is undesirable for hon. Members to awaken hopes among people in this country who suffer from this disease by making statements of that sort. If there is a cure for Parkinson's disease in the world, we shall get it as soon as anybody else.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a man in Germany claims that he has a cure for this disease, and will he, at any rate, take such steps as are necessary so that sufferers from this disease will know that the Ministry of Health are fully aware of this, and are looking into it?

There are claims made by people that they have cures for all kinds of diseases all over the world. We cannot give attention to every claim which is made, but if there is a prima facie case for investigation it is always immediately undertaken. That case in Germany is being investigated.

Is there any cure for "Bevanitis"?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the concern of members of the medical profession at the unsatisfactory response of patients to treatment with liver extracts, due to the extracts being prepared from animal livers unfit for human consumption; and whether he will arrange with the appropriate Minister that such liver extracts will in future be prepared only from healthy animal livers, which have been properly and individually tested clinically beforehand.

I have had a number of complaints of this kind. It would, I fear, be impossible to adopt the suggestion of individual clinical tests, but I propose to consider with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food whether any other action should be taken. The process of extraction makes the extract quite safe.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his obvious concern in regard to this extremely serious matter will be very much welcomed by the medical profession? Would he consider with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food the setting up of a public inquiry into this extremely serious position about which the medical profession are deeply concerned?

If the hon. and gallant Member will look at the last part of the answer, he will see that I have said that the process of extraction makes the extract quite safe. It may be that the extract that is taken is not effective, but it is innocuous in the sense that it does not cause any harm to the patient.

It is a very serious thing. Why should it be only now, and never before the war, that livers should be taken from carcases that are entirely unfit for human consumption and used for this purpose?

Once more a statement is being made which may have a frightening effect on the people who are taking the extract. On the best advice that I have taken, it appears that the extract, although it might not be effective for the purpose for which it is used, is quite safe.

I am entirely unsatisfied with the reply and I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of the fact that the vendor paid £8,000 for the Royal Stuart Hotel, Earl's Court, and that the Moorfield's Eye Hospital purchased the lease of this property for a total of £81,000, he will investigate the manner in which the latter purchase was made;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that the vendor paid £5,000 for the Constance Hotel, Lancaster Gate, and that the Middlesex Hospital purchased this property for a total of £40,000, he will investigate the manner in which the latter purchase was made.

No, Sir. The respective figures are not directly comparable. The prices paid were negotiated and agreed by the district valuer and included the purchase of the leasehold and furnishings, and in the case of the Constance Hotel, the freehold.

Can the Minister give us the details of the opinion of the district valuer on the value of the furnishings, so that we may have some idea of the actual profits gained by the vendor of this property?

It is not usual when a valuation has been made by the district valuer to give each detail of the value he has attached to every item. We usually have confidence in the district valuer. If there is any reason why we should not repose that confidence in this case I would like to have the evidence.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital beds were vacant on 1st January, 1949.

On 31st December, 1948, there were:

Beds, staffed and occupied, 398,229; beds, staffed and unoccupied, 56,215; beds, unstaffed, 52,924.

Will the Minister say how it is that there are 52,000 beds unstaffed at the present time when we have 35,000 more trained nurses in the United Kingdom than we had in 1938?

It is because we have much more hospital accommodation, many more patients in hospitals and many more people ready to take advantage of hospital facilities.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the standard hearing aid supplied to insured persons is unsuitable to enable many deaf people to hear adequately well for their needs; and whether, when some other hearing instrument is certified as necessary, some arrangement can be made for the patient to pay the extra cost, such as is allowed in relation to dental and optical treatment.

I do not accept the suggestion in the first part of the Question. The answer to the second part is "No, Sir." I would remind my hon. Friend that the National Health Service is free to all and does not depend upon insurance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this restriction to one kind of hearing aid is laid down in the interests of the persons concerned? Or are there other reasons?

We are quite satisfied that the Medresco hearing aid is an effective one. We do not see why it is necessary, as we can produce this aid, to finance any other aid.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the present average delay in the supply and repair of false teeth under the National Health Service scheme; and, in view of complaints that many patients are kept waiting several months, what steps he proposes to take to accelerate the service;

(2) in view of the inability of dentists to cope with the repair of false teeth and their refusal to co-operate with independent repair firms, what action he proposes to make it possible for the skill and experience of the 1,500 technicians employed by these firms to be used for the benefit of the National Health Service.

There is a certain delay in the provision of new dentures. No evidence of any substantial delay in obtaining repairs to dentures has come to my notice. As regards the use of independent dental technicians, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall) on 27th January.

As, according to that reply, these dental mechanics have to be supervised by dentists, how does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his present reply with the statement of the Teviot committee that it will take 20 years before the country has enough dentists?

It is desirable in my view, and in the view of those who are inquiring into this matter, that dental technicians should be under the supervision of properly qualified dentists. I do not share the pessimistic outlook to which the hon. Member has referred.

asked the Minister of Health how many complete sets of new dentures have been supplied under the National Health Service to the latest convenient date; at what cost; and what is the average gross profit made by the dentist on each set.

I regret that information as to the number of complete sets of dentures supplied under the National Health Service is not available. The fee prescribed for full upper and lower dentures is £10 10s. on the assumption that the average practice expenses for this item amount to just over £7, of which £4 15s. represents workshop charges.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make arrangements whereby applications for spectacles under the National Health Service can be graded according to medical priority, so that the most urgent cases can be dealt with first.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now state what steps are being taken to reduce delays in supplying glasses for special and urgent cases.

Production of spectacles has increased by 52 per cent. since July, 1948, and it is hoped that this can be improved by the end of 1949. Opticians have been asked to give priority to specially urgent cases.

Does my right hon. Friend's reply mean that where a case is regarded as medically urgent it will no longer be necessary for it to take its place in a queue with much less urgent cases?

I am hoping to prevail upon the opticians to give priority to cases of urgency. I do not want to work out any elaborate scheme because I believe that the opticians can be relied upon to do that for themselves voluntarily. If there is any evidence to the contrary, I would like to hear about it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that persons requiring alteration or readjustments of their spectacles under the National Health Scheme are being informed that only new spectacles will be provided; and if he will consider effecting a reduction in costs if this practice is dropped and existing glasses are, wherever possible, readjusted.

I am not aware of this practice and I would be glad if my hon. Friend would supply me with particulars. The same dispensing fee is paid where an existing frame is used so that there is no financial advantage to an optician to suggest a new frame if it is not needed.

asked the Minister of Health how many old age pensioners have been granted spectacles since the inception of the National Health Scheme.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that air beds carry Purchase Tax, even when bought for use by Red Cross medical units assisting in the health service; and whether he will consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to securing a rebate of the tax in suitable cases.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second part "No, Sir."

Is the right hon. Gentlement aware that the National Health Service Act invokes the aid of a number of voluntary bodies? Is it sensible that the Government should penalise with a heavy Purchase Tax the part which can be played by those voluntary bodies? Will he look into the matter further?

It would be extremely difficult to make a distinction between the worth-whileness of one voluntary body against another by rebatement of Purchase Tax. The present system is much simpler. Any multiplication of it would require a lot of form-filling.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now make a statement on the proposed increase of salaries to trained nurses and midwives.

This matter is now being considered by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that local authorities' building programmes include sufficient provision of one-bedroom dwellings for old people.

This matter is under consideration by my Central Housing Advisory Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that he will not overlook this matter?

Many of the housing authorities have made provision in this respect.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Amersham Rural District Council have not taken up his offer of the ex-Army camp at Pipers Wood, Amersham; and as the squatters living there are not provided with the services they need, what steps he will take in consultation with the Amersham Rural District Council, or direct, to ensure that all services are laid on for these families.

My information is that the rural district council have agreed to take over the portion of the camp which is suitable for housing and that full services will be provided as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Education when a full report of the recent U.N.E.S.C.O. Conference at Beirut will be available.

I hope that this report will be published by the end of March.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the proposal of the East Ham education authority to build two schools with playing fields on 19 acres of Wanstead Flats; and what steps he intends taking in view of the result of the public inquiry held by the Ministry of Town and Country Planning in 1947 when the West Ham authority sought powers to build houses on the same flats.

Yes, Sir. The proposal was contained in the Development Plan for the authority's area which I approved on 17th August, 1948, subject to further consideration of the details of individual projects as and when submitted to me for approval. This particular proposal has not yet been submitted and I do not, therefore, intend to take any steps in the matter at present.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that, if he will take the appropriate steps, he will short-circuit the expensive legal procedure of the last inquiry held on this matter which has not been paid for yet?

That is one of the circumstances which will be taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of children in Wales who receive free milk in schools and the number who partake of school meals; and the comparable numbers for 1939.

In October, 1948, the number of pupils in grant-aided schools in Wales taking school milk, which is now free of charge, was 310,594 and the number taking dinner was 203,541. In 1939 the number getting free milk was 73,786 and the number taking dinner was 15,978.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of extra places provided in schools in Wales since 1945; the number of canteens that have been provided at these schools during the same period; and the cost which has been incurred in both items.

Between 1st April, 1945, and 31st December, 1948, approximately 6,200 additional places were provided in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools in Wales at a total cost of about £357,500. These figures relate to places provided under the H.O.R.S.A. scheme and by the completion of permanent building projects costing more than £5,000. In addition, it is estimated that about 4,000 places have been provided by the completion of small building projects approved between 1st April, 1945, and 31st January, 1949. I regret that the total estimated cost of these minor projects is not available.

The number of canteens increased by 427 from 1,630 to 2,057, between October, 1945 and October, 1948. These were provided partly by local education authorities and partly by the Ministry of Works as an agency service. The expenditure of Welsh local education authorities on establishing school canteens from 1st April, 1945, to 31st March, 1948, was £217,459. I regret that comparable figures for expenditure by the Ministry of Works are not available.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that record of extraordinary achievement in the Principality during the past few years, may I have his assurance that he expects to fulfil his programme for 1949?

I am always expecting to fulfil my programme and, provided nothing unforeseen gets in the way, I hope to do so.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the total amount of grant paid to local education authorities in Wales during the years 1938, 1939, 1947 and 1948, respectively; and the amount of grant estimated for 1949.

The total amounts of grant paid to local education authorities in Wales for the financial years 1937–38 and 1938–39 were £3,996,167 and £3,978,217, respectively. The total estimated amounts payable for the financial years 1946–47, 1947–48 and 1948–49 are £9,024,235, £9,952,826 and £11,160,226, respectively.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, apart from the figures speaking for themselves, the Principality much appreciates this—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] Why should it not? The Principality much appreciates the interest that is being taken in the development of our education service under the 1944 Act.

asked the Minister of Education what reply he has received from His Majesty's Inspectors on the standards of religious teaching in State-aided schools; whether generally these reports indicate that the religious instruction given is of a satisfactory standard; and what action is taken when adverse reports are presented.

Religious instruction in maintained schools in accordance with the agreed syllabus is not separately inspected but is included in the normal inspection of the schools. The general indication of the reports so far received is that a satisfactory start has been made towards achieving the aims of the agreed syllabuses. Adverse reports are, as with other subjects of instruction, brought to the notice of the local education authority and the managers or governors of the school.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has seen the gross attack in the "Sunday Graphic" newspaper by W. H. Elliott on 9th January, and the repudiation by the Archbishop of Canterbury of his attack on the teachers, and whether he will associate himself with the views of the Archbishop?

Yes, I most certainly would, and would desire to express publicly my thanks to the Archbishop for taking up the attitude he did.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the difficult situation of 30 Palestinian Arab students whose families are now homeless and destitute and unable to support them at the universities in this country at which they are studying; and if he will endeavour to assist them.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 17th February.

As I have not that reply before me, can my right hon. Friend tell me whether he is able, in consultation with the British Council or otherwise, to solve this difficult but sad problem, which is just one small aspect of the general refugee problem in Palestine?

The purport of the previous answer shows that we have done our best in this country, first, through the National Assistance Board and, secondly, by referring to the Governments of the Arab States those who came here on their own initiative.

Surely, in view of the enormous sums of money quite rightly spent by His Majesty's Government in rescuing the Jewish refugees, it is possible for the right hon. Gentleman to find the small sum of money required in this instance? Is he aware that if he does not, his attitude will be much criticised by Arab friends of this country in Arab countries?

I do not see how my attitude can be criticised; I have not any money anyway.

That is a frivolous answer to a serious question.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting his right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury about the possibility of a small, possibly unofficial committee of the Treasury, his office and the Foreign Office? In view of the obviously immense strength of this case, both on humanitarian grounds and on mere grounds of political tactics, does he not think that it is really urgent now that something should be done, and done by the Government as a whole, without any riding off on this money point?

Certainly, and if that had been the question put to me, I would have given a serious answer, but when it is assumed that I have no sympathy with something over which I have no control individually, I have nothing to say.

While fully appreciating that my right hon. Friend personally is sympathetic, may I ask whether his original supplementary answer means that these students will be able to complete their university courses here?

It means that we have already made it possible for some of them to complete the course. Others might be eligible for national assistance. My supplementary means that I am prepared to explore further ways in which we can meet the remainder.

asked the Minister of Education if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Newcastle-under-Lyme, with a population of nearly 70,000, has been without a school dentist for several months; that, as a consequence, unnecessary pain and suffering has been caused to children; and if he will take immediate action to remedy this state of affairs.

I understand that the Staffordshire Local Education Authority, who now have 18 school dentists as against 19 a year ago, have so far been unable to fill the vacancy which occurred last October at Newcastle-under-Lyme. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I are giving urgent attention to the circumstances which are causing a shortage of school dentists.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the way to decrease the number of irate mothers and nagging molars in Newcastle-under-Lyme is to give a direct instruction from his Department? Otherwise I am afraid nothing will be done.

asked the Minister of Education what has been the result of his negotiations with the British Transport Commission on the question of extending half-fare travel up to the age of 15 years, in view of the raising of the school leaving age.

My concern is with travel to and from school and my information is that children of compulsory school age making such journeys are usually taken at half-fare.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will appoint a committee to investigate and report upon the extent to which Communism is instructed in schools by school teachers.

I am aware of no occasion for such an investigation.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is saying that no Communism is taught in schools; and is he aware that a letter from the London district committee of the Communist Party to Communist teachers has been urging them to promote Communism wherever possible?

I am aware of the letter to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers but I am not aware of its authenticity, which I should doubt to some extent from what I have seen of it. I am satisfied that there is nothing which calls for investigation in what might be described as instruction in Communism.

I should like to ask the Minister if he is satisfied that sufficient working-class education is taught in the schools and, if not, whether he would accept a few books from me.

asked the Minister of Education how many school dinners were served in our infant, primary, secondary, modern and secondary grammar schools during the year 1948.

521,500,000 dinners were provided in canteens in maintained schools in the financial year 1947–48. This figure includes teachers' and canteen staff meals.

asked the Minister of Education (1) what sum of money has accrued during 1948 from the economies he has enforced on our school meals service; to what degree have the quality of the meals and standard of service suffered as a consequence; and what response he proposes to make to the protests of local education authorities against this form of economy;

(2) if he will consult medical officers of health and school medical officers with a view to ascertaining to what degree the economies he has enforced on the school meals service have affected or are likely to affect the health and general well-being of our school children.

The control of expenditure on school dinners rests with local education authorities. I am called upon to fix in advance the limits of the Exchequer grant for each area by reference to the reasonable costs per meal for food and overheads after examining the estimates submitted. The limits which I fixed for 1947–48 and those so far fixed for 1948–49 have covered the costs per meal proposed in all but a few cases though I have asked a number of authorities to reconsider their costs for the future. For 1947–48 the limits fixed covered an increase in the average costs and for special reasons a further increase is likely in 1948–49, in both years partly in order to permit improvements where necessary. Certain anxieties arising from provisional criticisms of authorities' preliminary estimates for 1948–49 have been discussed with the Association of Education Committees but I have received no protest against the limits so far finally fixed. I am satisfied that school Medical Officers generally have a high opinion of the quality and value of school dinners and that no occasion arises for consultation with them regarding the effect of the grant system on this service.

How can my right hon. Friend tell the House that the question of expenditure on the school meals service is left in the hands of the local authority while in the following sentence he informs the House that he places a limit upon such expenditure? May I ask further, since the two Questions have been answered together, whether it is true that my right hon. Friend has received very strong objections from local education authorities in different parts of the country?

In answer to the last part of the supplementary question, it is true that I have received representations from certain local authorities, but in the main the representations have been such that after examination and explanation agreement has been reached. I should like the House to remember that this is a 100 per cent. grant and that, therefore, the Treasury and my Department must keep a reasonably firm hand upon expenditure.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that, despite the excellence of the service, the first priority goes to reducing the size of classes in primary schools?

That has nothing at all to do with the Question.

In view of the utterly unsatisfactory answer which has been given to both Questions, I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity.

asked the Minister of Education if he will reduce the period required to enable an uncertificated teacher to attain the status of qualified from 20 years to 10 as at present the great majority of uncertificated teachers are unable to reach the maximum salary payable to a qualified teacher and receive a correspondingly smaller pension on retirement.

The provision by which the status of qualified teacher is given to uncertificated teachers with 20 years' service is based on an agreement reached by teachers and local education authorities after careful consideration of all the issues involved. I am, therefore, not prepared to make the change suggested by the hon. Member. Uncertificated teachers with more than five and less than 20 years' service have the opportunity of attaining the status of qualified teacher by means of special one-year courses of training.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not practicable for a great many of these teachers to start training now and, in view of the fact that a great many of them have exactly the same responsibilities in schools as certificated teachers and have proved their worth, will he not give further consideration to this matter?

I have given a good deal of consideration to this question and I am afraid it would cause more intense trouble than it would remedy if I were to make a change. I would point out, however, that we are generous in our attitude to those who take the 12 months' course in order to qualify.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, in a number of cases, his officers have had difficulty in finding work for coloured men, owing to the reluctance of some employers to engage them; and if he will instruct all his officers that no labour at all is to be supplied to employers who reject, on racial grounds, otherwise suitable applicants for work.

No, Sir. In my view the good will already existing in many quarters towards coloured workers would be dissipated by an attempt to impose sanctions such as my hon. Friend suggests, even if these were practicable.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he is, in effect, condoning and conniving at discrimination when he gives that answer? Can he not—

Speak up.

If hon. Members would not make so much noise with their Order Papers, they would be able to hear me. I was asking whether my right hon. Friend could not assimilate his practice with that of the Ministry of Food, which does, after all, refuse a licence to catering establishments if they pursue a policy of discrimination?

I am afraid that such a course would penalise British workers. I do not think I could agree to a course which would penalise our own workers.

In view of the serious allegations made in the Question and the effect that they will have upon Colonial relationships, may I ask whether it is not true that, so far as there is any resentment about the employment of these men, it is due as much to the employees as to the employers, and to certain trade unions?

I must say that the blame can be equally divided. A great deal of good will is being shown in this matter and a very large measure of employment has been found for these men.

While I appreciate that, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will bear in mind, when he uses the term "British workers," that it includes a number of coloured people?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, under the recently-announced arrangements with the Amalgamated Engineering Union, Poles are to be given employment in the aeronautical construction and aviation industries in preference to British nationals who are not members of that union.

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that if customs are in any way to be relaxed, they will at any rate be relaxed in favour of British employees as soon as they are relaxed in favour of foreign employees?

The position is quite clear. No foreign worker is entitled to take a job for which a British worker is available.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the principal commodities, the increase in the price of which is responsible for the rise in the cost-of-living index between 6th October, 1946, and 31st January, 1949; and what is the extent of this price increase for the individual commodities concerned.

Particulars of the increases since June, 1947, in the price of items which enter into the calculation of the interim index of retail prices are given in the "Ministry of Labour Gazettes" for January, 1948, and January, 1949. This index replaced the cost-of-living index, which showed no change between October, 1946, and June, 1947.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the figures to which he has referred reflect the true conditions of the increase in the cost of living in this country?

Yes, Sir, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the very long, detailed explanation in this month's "Ministry of Labour Gazette."

asked the Minister of Labour if he will clarify the position of men who volunteer for the Territorial Army and who work in industries which are still affected by the Control of Engagement Order and, in particular, men engaged in agriculture.

Yes, Sir. There is no restriction on men in any occupation joining the Territorial Army. It is intended however to identify those of them whose civilian employment is such that, in the event of war, they would not be mobilised for full-time service. A list of the employments concerned will shortly be published. Employment in agriculture on food production is among them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that before 1949, many agricultural workers joined the Territorial Army, were called up and served magnificently during the war, and that there will not be very much inducement for them to do the same in future if they are merely to be called up for part-time home service? Will he bear in mind that what the men want to do when they join the Territorials is to make themselves ready for an emergency if it should arise, and to serve fully in that emergency?

I am afraid that the content of my answer has not been properly understood. We are talking about men who will not be compulsorily transferred to full-time Service in the Forces. We are dealing with the right of men now to join the Territorials. We shall publish a list indicating which men will be compulsorily taken on for full-time service in the event of an emergency.

Whatever regulations the right hon. Gentleman eventually makes, will he see that men who join the Territorial Army know exactly where they will be should war break out?

The announcement will make that perfectly clear.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that 50,000 Lancashire miners threaten to strike unless their claim for a coal allowance is granted by 5th March; and, in view of the urgent need to prevent such a stoppage, what action he proposes to take.

I am aware of the negotiations between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers in regard to this claim. There is, however, ample machinery for dealing with it and I do not propose to intervene.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the leader of the Miners' Union has said that he will not be able to hold his men in hand unless this concession is granted? Would it not be better for the right hon. Gentleman to take action now rather than wait until trouble breaks out?

It is very unwise for hon. Gentlemen in any part of the House to do anything which will weaken the machinery which exists for the settlement of this problem, and I should deplore any attempt to intervene at this stage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority Purchase Tax, in addition to Customs Duty, has to be paid on furniture entering this country which was purchased before 1939; and whether Customs officials have experts who can decide whether the furniture is British made or not.

Furniture is liable to Purchase Tax on importation by reason of Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1944, though if it had been in the importer's private possession and use for some years free admission would normally be allowed. Liability to tax is not affected by the country in which the goods were made and experts are not required in that connection.

If the father of the person in question were to give his son this piece of furniture, would that meet the situation?

It would depend on how long it had been in use. If the hon. Gentleman has a case in mind and would care to talk to me about it, I should be very pleased to help him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, due to newspaper strikes in Buenos Aires, the British Broadcasting Corporation's news commentary to that country is now obtaining an increasing audience; and what recent information on the present trade negotiations he has given to the British Broadcasting Corporation to enable it to plan this programme.

The Economic Information Unit of the Treasury is responsible for providing information to the Press and to the B.B.C. on questions of economic policy, including overseas negotiations. The hon. Member will, however, recognise that the prospects of reaching an agreement acceptable to both parties may be prejudiced by premature publicity before the opening of the negotiations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of his decision to make a start in implementing the Chorley Report by granting some increases in salary for the higher grades of the Civil Service before the end of the year, he will also now make a start in implementing the principle of equal pay in the Civil Service, to which he is also committed.

No, Sir. The current economic situation does not admit even the start of the gradual implementation of equal pay in the Civil Service.

Is it not equally important to make a gesture to the long-frustrated women of the Civil Service? In view of the fact that a start is being made in other directions despite the inflationary risk, will not my right hon. Friend make a start here, too, by at least equalising the incremental scales for men and women in the Civil Service?

The two are hardly on all fours. The cost of implementing the Report of the Chorley Commission will not be more than £400,000 spread over a number of years, but to start implementing equal pay in the Civil Service would cost at least £10 million in the first year—

Oh, no.

—and that would rise pretty considerably and would have repercussions outside.

Does not my right hon. Friend remember that in a reply which he gave me about a week ago he said that the cost would be £1,750,000 in the first year, rising to £10 million eventually? In view of the very bad answer he has given, does he not think that he ought to be on all fours?

My hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain), as often happens with him, has misunderstood the previous reply. The £1,750,000 referred to giving the same increments as to men. That would be the figure.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is exactly what I asked him for in my supplementary question? Would he mind answering the point I raised and not one which is a figment of his own imagination?

My right hon. Friend has also misunderstood my supplementary question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what reason officers and non-commissioned officers of the late Indian Army are being asked to return their gratuities if they accept positions in the Civil Service.

Members of the Indian Army displaced by the transfer of power in India were awarded proportionate pension in respect of past service, and compensation for loss of career. If they obtain permanent and pensionable employment under His Majesty's Government within a relatively short period, an alternative career has been provided, and compensation for loss of career becomes inappropriate. It was, therefore, laid down in the White Paper Cmd. 7116 (1947) that, where a person obtained permanent and pensionable employment under His Majesty's Government within two years of leaving India, he should not receive compensation, but only a resettlement grant of £500.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great distinction between a person who is offered alternative employment immediately and a person who himself, with great difficulty, finds alternative employment, very likely at considerably lower remuneration?

The point only arises where the individual concerned is offered an established and permanent appointment. Then compensation is limited to £500.

Are the relative rates of salary taken into account? If the new job is considerably less well paid than the job the man had in India, does not that constitute at any rate a partial loss of career?

These facts are taken into account. If the hon. Gentleman has any case in his mind and would like to bring it to the attention of my right hon. and learned Friend, the Treasury will most certainly look at it.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give a definite answer? Cannot he say that these gratuities will be returnable only if the job is perfectly comparable both in pay and prospects? Cannot he give an answer?

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot give an assurance in the matter of compensation for loss of employment and career, will he assure the House in so far as pension, which is also mentioned, is concerned, that there will be no loss whatsoever for any of these officers or other ranks?

Certainly not. The proportionate pension goes on.