asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in spite of the recent increase of ½d., the motor mileage allowance rate for officers and men of the Territorial Army, who have to use their private cars for journeys between their homes and their normal places of employment or unit headquarters, is still little more than half the allowance given by other organisations and by many local authorities; and if he will immediately review this situation with a view to making a more generous allowance.

The rate is now 3½d., having been increased by½d. as a result of a review last October. This rate is intended only to cover actual running expenses in petrol, lubricants, wear of tyres and extra depreciation and maintenance, as it is assumed that the car is maintained in the first place for private reasons; it is not intended to cover the cost of licensing, insurance and depreciation by age. I am not aware that there is any reason to carry out a further review at present.

Is not it a fact that local authorities and other organisations make an allowance of 5d. and 6d. a mile? Why should Territorial Army officers and men give up their spare time to do this most valuable work and be treated in such an ungenerous fashion?

But these other local authorities provide for total expenses—

No, they do not.

—of upkeep, so I understand—

It is wrong.

—as against the actual running expenses. This, on the whole, is regarded as a generous allowance. As far as I am aware there has been no discontent.

Would the Minister consider giving the same allowance to Territorial Army officers as he gives to Regular officers who use their motor cars?

I do not propose to go further than this at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases at any rate local authorities give more, and that it is solely for the use of the motor car, and for nothing more? Why should there be this skinflinting and cheese-paring in the case of the Territorial Army?

I do not regard it either as cheese-paring or skinflinting. As a matter of fact, we regard it as quite generous.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give longer security of tenure to Territorial Army adjutants than the period of three years now proposed, as is done for Territorial Army quartermasters, since many adjutants cannot afford to take the risk of a short-term engagement.

The question of granting some extension of tenure to certain existing non-Regular adjutants of Territorial Army units is under consideration. I should like to make it clear, however, that there is no question of granting longer initial tenures than the two or three years at present permitted, as it is intended that all adjutants' appointments in the Territorial Army shall be filled by Regular officers as soon as possible.

Is the Minister aware that he has already lost, and he is losing, some most experienced and skilled adjutants because the limit of tenure is only three years; and does he not agree that if he could give an extension it would be to the great advantage of the Territorial Army?

I fully appreciate what my hon. Friend said about the efficiency of some of the present adjutants of the Territorial Army. They are doing excellent work. We are considering possible extension, but I must make it clear that it is for the Regular Army to undertake this task.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the further representations made to him by the Fife and Kinross Rifle Association and by the hon. Member for Fife, East, regarding the supply of ammunition for Home Guard Rifle Clubs; and what steps he is taking to assist and offer encouragement to these clubs in the important work which they are doing.

I have considered these representations, but I regret that it is not possible to make a free issue of ammunition to Home Guard rifle clubs as suggested. As regards the last part of the Question, arrangements have been made to allow rifle clubs to use War Department ranges and Territorial and Auxiliary Forces associations and officers commanding Territorial Army units have been asked to do all they can to help these clubs.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price now charged for that ammunition is such as seriously to discourage the work of these men, and in the case probably of thousands of members of these clubs, to make it impossible for them to do the job at all? If he wants this good work to be done why does he not encourage it?

We encourage it to the best of our ability, but we cannot provide ammunition free of charge.

Is it not a fact that there are countless millions of rounds of ammunition in store left over from the war or has it been disposed of? Should not ammunition be changed and turned over from time to time, and would not this be a very valuable way of doing it?

I shall not quarrel with the hon. and gallant Member about our available reserves of ammunition.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will have immediate inquiries made into the reason why pay and allowances due to Staff Sergeant D. A. Coote, S/5335775, Royal Army Service Corps, whilst serving in India have not been settled; whether he will arrange for more expeditious methods to be adopted in dealing with these matters; and whether he will state how many such claims are at present outstanding.

As the account of this non-commissioned officer is maintained in West Africa I have called for information by cable. When it has been received I will write to the hon. Member. This claim relates to service with the Indian Army Corps of Clerks and all reasonable claims of this nature are dealt with as quickly as possible bearing in mind that the majority concern payments accounted for by the local Indian authorities before 1st November, 1944. Not more than 50 of these claims are still outstanding.

Can the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to provide money not only for this non-commissioned officer, but for others in similar circumstances, as they are deprived of what is really due to them and they have no knowledge of when this money will be paid?

This has to do with the Indian Army Corps of Clerks and not with me.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many units and formations which nominally form part of the active Army at home and abroad, are at present being used as schools of instruction for officers, noncommissioned officers, or young soldiers.

Nineteen units of the active Army are at present being used for instructional purposes in Army training. All these units are stationed in the United Kingdom. One of them is being released for normal duty in the near future.

Is it not the case that at least one unit is so employed for the training of non-commissioned officers with the British Army of the Rhine, and would it not be much better if these units were active and capable of mobilisation?

I am not prepared to give any more information on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the explanation for the long delay in the derequisitioning of the anti-aircraft site and other land occupied by his Department in Finsbury Park; and if he will take steps to hasten the derequisition in view of the shortage of open spaces in North London.

The delay in de-requisitioning the anti-aircraft gunsite in Finsbury Park has been caused by the necessity for reviewing the whole of the operational lay-out of anti-aircraft defence. I regret that I am not yet able to say when the whole or any part of this land can be released.

Does that answer mean that possibly the people in North London will never get back Finsbury Park, and is the Minister aware of the awful jumble of broken-down huts in the park? Surely, the right hon. Gentleman does not need all those?

As I have said, we are reviewing the whole question of antiaircraft defence and, therefore, I cannot say more.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many women, who served in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in the 1914–18 war, are today receiving a disability pension under the Industrial Injuries Act, Army Form O184.

I am not clear which Act the noble Lord has in mind. One member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry injured in the 1914–18 war is receiving a pension under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Acts, 1914.

In view of the very small number involved—in fact, there is only one—could not the right hon. Gentleman see his way to bring the case under the Ministry of Pensions, where, in the opinion of many people, it should have been put in the first place?

I understand that she is receiving a pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now authorise the wearing of full dress uniform by troops performing guard duties in London, or why not.

Household Cavalry are already authorised to wear full dress when carrying out guard duties in London. Authority also exists for the wearing of full dress by the Brigade of Guards on ceremonial parades attended by a member of the Royal Family and Guards of Honour mounted in attendance on members of reigning royal families or presidents of republican states. It has not so far been possible to authorise any further extension of the occasions on which full dress can be worn as it is necessary to rely on existing prewar stocks, and when these are exhausted new production would be required with consequent diversion of cloth from the export trade. I cannot give any undertaking that any further extension will be possible in the near future, though the matter will be reviewed from time to time.

May I ask the Minister whether after three years of peace and three years of Socialist Government he does not think that London should have a little of the prewar pageantry?

There has been more full colour since this Government came in than ever there was before.

Is the Minister aware that when in 1921 full dress was restored to the Brigade of Guards for duty in London, from that moment their recruiting, which had been languishing, never looked back again?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of all this, but there are compensations.

In view of the desire for colour and gaiety, would the Minister equip these gentlemen with battle-axes and bows and arrows?

Although the Household Brigade have in fact got prewar clothes, have they not khaki underclothes?

In certain circumstances it is not wise to look underneath.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is still a British task force stationed at Aqaba; and whether any permanent Army installations are being constructed in that area.

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

Was the journey of this task force really necessary? Is it not about time that my right hon. Friend considered calling off this cold war against the State of Israel?

That is not the question. I was asked whether there is still a British task force stationed at Aqaba and I have answered in the affirmative.

Was not the cold war started by the Zionists?

Is there any confirmation of the report received in this country on 3rd March that Israeli troops are advancing towards Aqaba?

Surely, that is another question.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether his attention has been called to the large display of roadside advertisements by Government Departments; and what steps he has taken, in consultation with the Departments concerned, to arrange for the removal of such advertisements by county planning authorities.

The sites on which advertisements by Government Departments are displayed are generally commercial sites and are subject to control under the Control of Advertisements Regulations. Even if such advertisements are removed, the sites will generally be available for use by other advertisers, at least for so long as the period of grace permitted under the regulations. I would agree, however, that Government Departments should set a good standard in this matter and will consider with my colleagues what improvements are possible in particular cases.

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but is he aware that at present Government Departments are the worst disfigurers of the countryside, and if he has any doubt will he have a look at Warwickshire?

I am certainly not aware of that, and I have very grave doubts.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether village halls and institutes run on a non-profit basis for entertainment and education will be liable to development charge if they wish to enlarge their buildings.

Development charge is payable in respect of any enlargement in excess of 10 per cent. of the cubic content of buildings used as village halls and institutes. The amount of the charge will depend on the location of the premises and in some cases may be nil.

Has not the matter of village halls and public or semi-public institutions and whether or not they should be liable to this charge been the subject of inquiry?

Yes, Sir. The result of that inquiry is incorporated in the answer to the Question.

Was it ever the intention of this House in passing this Act that handicaps should be put in the way of most desirable extensions of building activities of this kind, and what chance would there be of speculative gain resulting from these extensions?

The House had the opportunity, in considering exemptions and other regulations, of dealing with this point and did not do so. I do not agree that this is necessarily deterring desirable extensions.

How does the right hon. Gentleman think that having to pay a development charge, which may amount to a considerable sum in addition to the cost of the actual building, can fail to make it more difficult for these people to develop, as the whole House would like to see them develop?

Certainly, the right hon. Gentleman has misconceived the situation. This Question does not arise on the building of village halls, but on extensions, and, in the consideration of this matter, it is quite impossible to distinguish this from other types of buildings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of every single village hall in Shetland the site was presented "free, gratis and for nothings" by the proprietors, and why cannot the Government be equally generous?

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has yet considered the evidence submitted on 23rd February at the public inquiry regarding the new town at Bracknell; and how soon he will publish his decision thereon.

I am considering the Report of my Inspector, and I shall publish my decision as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the continued delay and uncertainty places farmers in the area in question in an almost impossible position, and that this uncertainty can only have an adverse effect on food production in the current year?

I am sure the hon. Gentleman would wish me to consider carefully the evidence given at the inquiry held on 23rd February, and would not wish to rush me into a decision.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations have been made to him by employers and by trades unions on the operation of the Catering Wages Act.

None.

In what respect is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this Act is achieving the object for which it was introduced?

That is another question; I have answered the Question on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour for what reason foreigners who have accepted engagements for domestic employment in this country are refused permission by his Department to take up their engagements if they are over 55 years of age.

The reason is that the period of full and useful service such foreigners will be able to contribute is likely to be limited.

Would it not be possible for permission to be granted for people to come over here on limited contracts?

We are doing that in a number of industries, where there are limiting contracts, but, in general, people coming over here at 55 would never be able to qualify for our social services, and would become chargeable to public funds on reaching the age of 65 if they were not working.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the annual report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for the year 1947 stating that guards to protect against serious injury in factories are frequently unobtainable except after delay, sometimes of several years; whether there has been any improvement in the supply of such guards; and what steps have been and are being taken to deal with this problem.

During 1948, as steel output improved, it was found possible to arrange a special scheme for providing material for guards on the basis of certificates of factory inspectors. I understand that this has cut down delays in guard manufacture, and that the position is now much easier. It will continue to be closely watched.

Is my right hon. Friend taking any steps regarding the manufacture of these guards by any Government agency?

Yes, Sir; a new factory was opened at Caerphilly about a month ago for this purpose.

Is it not a fact that there is a statutory obligation on the manufacturers of new machines to see that they are supplied with adequate guards and fencing?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the absence of these guards causes an increased number of accidents and also increases the number of claims in respect of them and the defences against such claims, and is not that an added reason for haste in increasing the supply of these guards?

If my hon. and learned Friend will look at my answer to the Question and to the supplementary question, he will see that we are doing everything we can.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons now receiving training at training centres for which his Department is responsible; and how many such persons are disabled.

Four thousand, three hundred and one men and women are training at Government training centres, of whom 2,012 are disabled.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state in convenient categories, as far as available, the number of persons in Britain whose wages and salaries are on cost-of-living basis.

It is estimated that nearly 1½ million workpeople are covered by collective agreements providing for the adjustment of wage rates in correspondence with movements in the interim index of retail prices. The great majority of these are in the building, iron and steel, boot and shoe and hosiery industries.

Does not the Minister realise that this system is one of the major causes of inflation, and, in the national interest, will he do all he can to restrict it or stop it?

No, Sir; I certainly will not take any steps in that direction.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will identify the orders now in force made under regulations 58A and 58AA of the Defence (General) Regulations.

As the reply is long and detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of unemployed registered on Merseyside at the latest available date.

Twenty-seven thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven at 14th February.

In view of the very unsatisfactory position and the continued increase of unemployment in the Liverpool area, would my right hon. Friend ask the local employment committee for a complete report of the reasons why unemployment continues to increase in that area?

It is not a continued increase because there has been a slight drop. There has been a drop of 659 from January to February, and that is a move in the right direction, though not a very big one. On the other hand, as my hon. Friend knows, it has been decided that this area is to be scheduled as a development area and that will give greater facilities for improved opportunities of employment.

Will my right hon. Friend give the separate figures for Birkenhead?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men were granted deferments of call-up on the grounds of study and apprenticeship, with separate figures for each category during the years 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1948.

The figures for 1947 and 1948 are as follow: Students—1947: 7,039. 1948: 6,713. Apprentices—1947: 45,287. 1948: 47,157. No comparable figures are available for 1945 and 1946 when deferment was not, as at present, granted to apprentices or students as such.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the figure for apprentices is expected to rise during the current year by very nearly 50 per cent. over the figure which he has given?

This is the result of pressure from both sides of the House that apprentices should be given the complete right of deferment; that is to say, they would serve their apprenticeship first and do their military service second. Because of the growth of the apprenticeship system throughout the country, we are finding that apprentices are taking advantage of the right which Parliament gave them to serve their apprenticeships first and do their military service later.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the new regulations come into force?

There was an arrangement referred to in the White Paper on the call-up for the Forces in 1947–48, and, when the National Service Act came into operation, there was a continuation of that right.

asked the Minister of Labour how many students and how many apprentices will come to the end of their periods of deferment during the year 1949; how many of these he intends to call up for National Service during the year 1949; and whether the latter figures are included in the total figures for call-up during that-year which have been already announced.

The figures asked for in the first part of the Question could be obtained only by special inquiries which would entail a heavy cost in staff and take a considerable time to complete. It is intended to call up this year all of these young men who are medically fit whose deferments expire sufficiently in advance of the end of the year; this number is estimated at 21,000, divided about equally between apprentices and students. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes."

Would my right hon. Friend give an assurance that none of these people deferred will escape their liability to military service?

I can give that assurance to the House. The machinery is the same as it was during the war in regard to students and apprentices, and the House can be assured that these people are to be called up.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many doctors and dentists, respectively, have now joined the National Health Service; how many of each profession have not joined; and how many of each of these are in the City of Aberdeen.

As the answer includes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any announcement to make regarding the scheme for distinguishing between hand-woven and power-woven tweed recently submitted to him by the Highland and Islands Advisory Panel.

I have received this proposal, and am considering the whole question in consultation with the Treasury and the Board of Trade. I regret that it is not possible to make any statement meanwhile.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the urgency of this question, in view of the fact that the hand-loom tweed industry is now at a complete standstill, and will he see if it is possible to offer further help, in conjunction with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a view to withdrawing the iniquitous Purchase Tax on hand-woven tweeds?

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's worry over this matter, but, as he knows, we have been studying this whole problem, and it would help us very much if this industry had some organisation or association that could help us in solving the technical and practical problems involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken by the Herring Industry Board to revive the Scottish winter herring fishing.

As an immediate measure, the Herring Industry Board

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food is busily engaged in sabotaging the efforts of the Herring Industry Board, and would he consult with him on the matter?

I am not aware of that, but I think that the hon. Gentleman ought to put that question to the Ministry of Food.

Is the Minister aware that the question came up last week when the Minister of Food admitted that Norwegian herrings were being imported surplus to requirements, and that, in consequence, good West Coast herrings were being reduced to fish meal and oil?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this scheme of the herring board has broken down, and can he hold out reasonable hopes that adequate quick freezing plant will be put up quickly on the West Coast as that is the only way of dealing with this situation?

The hon. Gentleman should not be so pessimistic. Certain difficulties have arisen, but, as he knows, the Minister of Food's first job in this country is to guarantee a food supply to the people, and where the returns from our fisheries are very variable, precautions have to be taken that they do not fall below the requisite standard.

Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department aware that there is a very serious lack of facilities on the distributive side for herrings and white fish, but particularly for herrings, and that not half the herrings are being distributed which were being distributed 50 years ago?

The right hon. Gentleman referred only to the action being taken on the West Coast to improve the herring trade, but may I express the hope that he is not forgetting that on the East Coast a very great winter herring fishing used to take place, and that we shall be glad to have it resumed?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been condemned as unfit for human habitation at the village of Benwhat, Ayrshire.

I am informed that demolition orders have been made in respect of seven of the houses in this village.

Is the Minister aware that this is a coalmining village and has been condemned as unfit for human habitation; and could he stimulate his Department to erect more houses in this area?

Yes, Sir.

Is this not symbolic of many other small towns and villages in Ayrshire?

Yes, Sir, the country is peppered with the tragedies of the neglect of the last 50 years.

Could you advise me, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, as to when I may put a Question to the Government with the assurance that I shall get a reply accepting any responsibility for the Government of today?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now consider purchasing a further quantity of Swedish houses for erection in rural areas in the lowlands of Scotland.

No, Sir. The building industry in Scotland is showing signs of reaching the point where it can undertake more work, and it is desirable that its labour and materials should be made full use of.

Is the Minister aware that the local authorities in the South of Scotland are very anxious to get more Swedish houses, and that some of these houses are at least £500 cheaper than other houses?

Yes, Sir, but I am glad to say that the position about prices is improving in Scotland. It is essential to see that our own labour is occupied before we bring in material from elsewhere.

Is the Secretary of State aware, arising from his last answer, that at least one local authority in Scotland is refusing to accept its allocation of Swedish houses because they cost about £950 each as compared with £1,600 for a more satisfactory type of traditional house?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in view of the fact that less than one per cent. of disability pensioners of the 1914–18 war are in receipt of the Special Hardship Allowance, he will make the conditions of this particular award less stringent for this age group.

I do not consider that the conditions attached to payment of the allowance for this age group are too stringent. The number of awards is now increasing steadily but the full effect has not yet been felt of the special measures that have been taken to bring the conditions for award of the allowance, as well as other matters to the notice of all 1914–18 war pensioners. I am watching the position closely.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many of the pensioners of the 1914–18 war by reason of their age are finding it harder and harder to hold their own in the competitive labour market, and will he also try. by the more sympathetic interpretation of the unemployability allowance and of the Special Hardship Allowance to do something to help this age group a bit more?

The regulations are administered very sympathetically as I believe all hon. Members know. I am glad to say that the number of awards of these particular allowances now being made is at the rate of 75 a week, whereas until recently it was only 50.

asked the Lord President of the Council what organisation or organisations are to be charged with the responsibility of selecting suitable exhibits for the Festival of Britain, 1951, with the object of demonstrating Great Britain's contribution to civilisation in the field of science.

In order to ensure that the British contribution to science and technology should be worthily presented in the Festival of Britain, 1951, I set up in May last year a special Council of Science and Technology to advise me on this aspect of the Festival. Sir Alan Barlow is chairman, and the members are leading men of science and technology in Britain. The Council is advised by about 13 specialist panels. The selection of exhibits illustrating the results of British scientific achievement will be carried out by the Council in consultation with the Council of Industrial Design and the Festival organisation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in future editions of the White Paper entitled, National Income and Expenditure of the United Kingdom, and similar publications, he will show the figures of rent, interest and profits, salaries, wages and pay and allowances after deduction of tax; and whether he will show corporation profits separately from other profits.

The figures mentioned in the first part of the Question can be derived from the White Paper in its present form. The answer to the second part is "Yes."

As the figures given in their present form are constantly misused for propaganda purposes—for example, by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) in his recent publication—could not the right hon. Gentleman see that the figures after taxation are given in more prominent form?

The hon. Member should have discovered that fact before he crossed the Floor of the House.

Is the Minister aware that the hon. Member for West Fife never makes any unreliable statements, and that the statements referred to by the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Ivor Thomas) will bear investigation?

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that the discovery of the truth entails crossing the Floor?

On the contrary, it appeared to me that the hon. Member had only just made the discovery.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the percentage of accommodation which has been utilised since the opening of the premises in Park Street.

The percentage of hotel accommodation utilised has varied, sometimes rather above and sometimes rather below the figure of 50 per cent. Taking the average over the period, the premises have so far been just under half-occupied.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer show that the whole project is ill-conceived; and, further, in view of the availability now of hotel accommodation, is the right hon. Gentleman able to give the date on which it is proposed to relinquish these premises?

My right hon. and learned Friend dealt with this matter a little while back in reply to a question put to him, and made it quite clear that hotel keepers consider that 1949 is going to be a difficult year for accommodation, and that as soon as the situation improves this matter will be looked at again.

Are we to understand that this is being done at the request of hotel keepers?

Nothing that I have said should lead the right hon. Gentleman to think that.

May I apologise to the right hon. Gentleman? I was only trying to attach some meaning to his answer, and that was the only meaning I could attach.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that at the present time foreign embassies in London are unable to obtain supplies of whisky in this country even if they are prepared to pay for it in gold dollars or other hard currency with the result that they are either limited to purchasing Irish or Canadian whisky in this country or to reimporting Scotch whisky via America or some other overseas country; and whether arrangements can be made to evolve a less onerous system of control.

I am aware of the situation to which the hon. Member refers; but, as the hon. Member will appreciate, the effect of any change such as he has in mind would be to encourage the diversion of supplies earmarked for the development of permanent hard currency markets.

Is it not a fact that these foreign embassies in London are prepared to pay in gold or hard currency? If that is the case, why should they not buy in Scotland, which is much nearer than the United States of America and is where the stuff is made?

There is an arrangement by which foreign embassies in London can be supplied against the export quota for payment in their own currency. If we went beyond that, we should interfere with our long-term market.

May I ask the Financial Secretary if this is not a plea for the contact man in the whisky trade?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to produce an Economic Survey for 1949.

Yes, Sir. The Economic Survey for 1949 will be published on Tuesday afternoon, 15th March, and will be generally on sale the following day. A popular illustrated version entitled "Survey, "49" will be published about the same time.

Can the Economic Secretary say what is the value of a Survey for 1949 which is published when one-fifth of the year has already passed?

It is being published at approximately the same date as has always been the case in the past.

Will there be separate figures issued for Scotland?

The great majority of the figures will apply, naturally, to the whole of the United Kingdom.

Can my hon. Friend say what the price of the popular edition will be?

Might I ask the Minister if, in the interests of economy and having regard to the accuracy of these figures in the past, he can arrange to have this Survey published as part of Old Moore's Almanac?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the monthly circulation of the publication "Target," prepared for the Economic Information Unit; if any charge is made for it; and what is the monthly cost and the cost to date to the taxpayer.

Forty-one thousand, eight hundred. No charge is made. The monthly cost from June, 1948, to January, 1949, averaged £635, and the first issue of the new series, initiated in February, cost approximately £1,250. The total cost up to and including the February issue has been £6,810.

May I ask the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the taxpayer should pay £6,810 for Socialist propaganda? Will he arrange for the hon. Member for Orpington to write the next number, and if that permission is granted, will he guarantee that it will be published unedited?

This publication contains facts of the utmost use to those who are now engaged in the great productive drive. I will, of course, pass on the hon. Member's suggestion. There are some people who think that the thing is a little heavy and who would like one or two features of a lighter nature.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what is the method of distribution of this publication?

It is distributed free to factories up and down the country.

On a point of Order. I have been criticised.

I thought the hon. Member was being complimented.

I was criticised by the Financial Secretary as desiring something of a lighter nature. It would be of a more truthful nature.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he arrived at as to the rise in dividends which would result from the policy of moderation and restraint offered by the Federation of British Industries and associated bodies, as an alternative to voluntary dividend limitation.

As my right hon. and learned Friend said in his letter to the Presidents of the Federation of British Industries, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the National Union of Manufacturers, he noted their joint assurance of co-operation for one year more in avoiding any general increase in the level of dividends. We shall watch the carrying out of this assurance with keen interest.

As the policy of the dividend ceiling, now withdrawn by the Federation of British Industries, was virtually worthless, is not the new policy of moderation and restraint just evasion of their obligations by the Federation of British Industries and completely useless?

I could not agree that the policy is completely useless, because at least 93 per cent. of the firms concerned, as the hon. Member knows, observed the undertaking and we have every hope that they will continue to do so in the future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the importance of invisible exports in balancing the overall deficit on visible trade, what action has been taken by His Majesty's Government to ensure that the proceeds of invisible exports are not frozen in the country receiving them.

It is the constant objective of His Majesty's Government in negotiations with other countries to secure the maximum freedom of remittances to this country.

In view of the importance of these invisible exports, can the Economic Secretary say what actual steps are being taken in the many treaties to see that things like royalties are, in fact, payable in currency which is convertible and returnable to this country?

We raise this matter in the course of negotiations with all countries concerned and attach a lot of importance to it.

Would the Economic Secretary say what action is taken to see that in fact, it happens. It is all very well raising it; will he say in how many cases he has achieved it?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread disquiet in the City of London at the loss to the British economy of these very important invisible exports by reason of the growth of unofficial markets in shares, in commodities and in money all over the world, due to the restrictions of His Majesty's Government?

We recognise the importance of these invisible exports. It is not restriction by His Majesty's Government which is holding them back. I can assure the hon. Member that in a number of trade negotiations we have successfully insisted on this point. If he want particulars, I can let him have them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of sterling balances at the last convenient date; and at a similar date 12 months earlier.

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the Balance of Payments White Paper which will be published next week with the Economic Survey.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the delays in bringing about a Peace Treaty with Japan, he will consult with the United States authorities as to the possibility of including the interest accrued and the capital sum due to British holders of Japanese Bonds as assets belonging to this country, in Japan, which can be used for purchases in any further trade agreement with Japan.

No, Sir. The proceeds of exports from Japan fall far short of the cost of essential imports, and it would be unrealistic to expect the Japanese economy, while it is being supported by the American taxpayer, to forego payment in foreign exchange for exports, in order to meet other claims, however legitimate in themselves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money is being lost to the British Exchequer in taxation each year, by the non-receipt in this country of interest due on Japanese Bonds since the Armistice with Japan.

The amount of interest due to holders in the United Kingdom annually on Japanese Bonds since the Armistice with Japan has been estimated very roughly at about £2 million. Income Tax on this sum at 9s. in the £ would be £900,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what countries bonds and the interest on bonds held by British subjects are used by us as assets for trade negotiations and agreements.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to ensure that the interests of bondholders are, so far as possible, safeguarded in all overseas negotiations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, under Notice No. 78N, issued by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, elaborate rules have been laid down as to the manner in which medicines and drugs must be packed if the contents are to be free of Purchase Tax, and as under these rules a person buying 100 aspirin tablets sold under a brand name is obliged to pay the full rate of tax, but a bottle of 150 of the same tablets obtained by means of a prescription from a medical practitioner is free of tax, if he will revise these rules.

The exemption from Purchase Tax explained in Notice 78N meets the request made during discussion on the last Finance Bill that certain proprietary drugs should be freed from Purchase Tax when supplied on a doctor's prescription. The exemption was granted by the Purchase Tax (No. 1) Order, 1949 (S.I. 1949, No. 46) which has been before the House.

Why this senseless discrimination in regard to the purchase of the same drug by different methods?

The hon. and gallant Member calls it "senseless discrimination," but this House decided that it should work that way and the suggestion actually came from the hon. and gallant Member's side of the House.

Is not the Economic Secretary fully aware that from this side of the House we protested against the whole system of the tax being levied on these medical articles merely because they were proprietary; and that we asked that the tax should depend entirely upon whether in fact they were essential and useful for health purposes?

This is a provision by which certain proprietary articles are exempted; therefore, it goes in the direction which the right hon. Gentleman was advocating.

Would it not now be better to go the whole way in that direction?

If these medicines are bought under prescription from a general medical practitioner, ought not the brand name to be obliterated?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a reprint of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," published and printed by The World Publishing Company, of 2231 West 110th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, is on sale in this country; and why Treasury permission has been given in respect of the dollars involved in this import.

Open individual licences for the import of books of fiction in English published and printed in any country, including the U.S.A., are issued for the most part to pre-war importers of such books, provided that an undertaking is given that no less than 50 per cent. by value of the total imports will be re-exported. It would be impracticable to distinguish between original works and reprints.

Can the right hon. Gentleman justify the use of dollars for a publication which the English publishers both can and do supply themselves without the use of any dollars?

I have tried to explain that we cannot prevent the import of these books if they comply with the licence issued. On the other hand, if we began to discriminate in this way it is quite likely that the United States would take action against books exported from this country which earn a considerable amount of dollars.