asked the Minister of National Insurance how many inspectors are employed by his Department in checking stamp contributions to the insurance scheme; and how many prosecutions for failure to contribute have been instituted since 5th July last.

The number of inspectors appointed is 764. The checking of stamp contributions is only one among many duties carried out by these officers. The number of prosecutions instituted since 5th July, 1948, for failure to pay contributions, including contributions due under the former Insurance schemes, is 320.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many people have failed to enrol to date? Has he got the information?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put that question down I will give him all the information I can.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is in a position to announce a decision on the claim to maternity benefit and attendance allowance of Mrs. Ward, about which the hon. Member for Stafford wrote to him on 31st March.

I wrote to my hon. Friend about this case on 7th May. I am looking into a further point which has now arisen, and will write to him again as soon as possible.

Can the Minister say how soon this decision will be made, as this constituent of mine has been waiting since 9th March for a decision on the claim?

My hon. Friend knows that this raises a very difficult problem. I hope to let him have the answer in the next few days.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will consider providing that widows in receipt of 10s. weekly and 55 years of age or over, who have doctor's certificates that they are unfit to work qualify for 26s. weekly pension now and without waiting until they are 60 years of age.

As a temporary, transitional, arrangement special provision for increase of pensions to 26s. was made for such widows who were incapable of self-support at 5th July, 1948, irrespective of the date of their husbands' death. The right to claim under this arrangement expired on 5th January, 1949. Fifty-seven thousand widows benefited.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that a widow of 55 who did not apply may not have applied because she wanted to test her physical ability to go out to work; that many of them did so test their physical ability and found they had grave physical disabilities and are now prevented from getting this increased pension? Does he not think it very unfair to the woman between 55 and 60?

We made this arrangement as generous as we could. There is a limit to the amount of restrospective action I can take under the Act. There was an opportunity for them to claim for six months. I am sorry, but we cannot extend it beyond that period.

Is it not possible for these women to seek the assistance of the National Assistance Board and so secure the help they need in that way?

Yes; 85 per cent. of widows before 5th July last year, who were getting the 10s. pension, are in employment.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient publicity was given to the rule which covers these pensions?

The fact that we have awarded the pension to 57,000 is clear proof of that it was generally known.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether his regulations provide that widows over 55 years of age and in receipt of supplementary allowance from the Assistance Board to bring their 10s. pension to 26s. weekly will qualify for 26s. pension when 60 irrespective of this assistance from the Board.

A widow pensioner who was over 55 on 5th July, 1948, can qualify for a full retirement pension from age 60 subject to the satisfaction of specially modified contribution conditions of which I am sending my hon. Friend particulars. The receipt of assistance in supplementation of a 10s. pension does not affect such a widow's rights at 60.

Would my right hon. Friend acknowledge that if a widow between 55 and 60 has a daughter teaching and a son teaching, it completely nullifies any benefits she may get from the Assistance Board because she is subject to a means test?

I would like to see that question on the paper.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will now give serious consideration to the revision of the National Assistance Regulations (Determination of Needs), 1948, No. 1334, made on 22nd June, 1948, which came into operation on 5th July, 1948, in view of the inadequacy of the scales contained in the regulations to meet the needs of the old people of this country.

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary informed the hon. Member for the Exchange Division of Liverpool (Mrs. Braddock) on 3rd May, any alteration in the present regulations, which were approved by this House as recently as 16th June, 1948, and came into force on 7th July, is a matter in the first instance for the National Assistance Board. The Board have informed me that they recently reviewed the position in the light of representations made to them by deputations, including representatives of old age pensioners' associations, but do not consider that there are grounds at present on which they would be justified in recommending increased rates.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the present scales are adequate to meet the needs of the old people, in view of the rising cost of living?

The scales which we submitted to the House in June last year, and which were approved by the House, showed a substantial improvement upon the scales that obtained previously. I would remind the House too, that the conditions under which assistance can now be awarded have been eased and improved considerably as compared with what they were before that time. The matter is one for the Assistance Board and they have said that, having examined the position carefully, they do not at present recommend any change.

While agreeing that there has been considerable improvement over what existed previously, is it not a fact that experience over the last 12 months has shown that the scales are inadequate to give the old people the comfort in their old age which they have well earned?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the regulations provide for people who have no resources whatsoever apart from the supplementary pension; that in those cases every penny counts, and that the recent small increases in the price of food alone cause hardship? Will he not reconsider the regulations?

It is necessary to correct the impression given by my hon. Friend that this assistance is payable only to those who have no resources at all. Indeed, we have established a standard which provides for persons who have resources beyond the supplementary pension.

But does it not include people with no other resources?

It may, but this House has always regarded it as essential in a scheme of this kind to provide not only for people with no resources at all, but to establish a standard of need which is the highest in the world.

On a point of Order. I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men capable of undertaking clerical work who are at present on the register of disabled persons in Edinburgh.

Twenty-two, of whom only a few are fully experienced clerks.

Would it not be possible to employ these men in Government offices in Edinburgh in place of married women? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider it?

That is another question, which I will look into. On that matter I can say that three disabled persons were discharged from Government service and three other disabled persons were taken on in their place.

As we have a very indifferent postal service in the City of Edinburgh could not these disabled men be employed to supplement it?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now extend the scheme for business training for ex-Regular Army officers to retired officers of the Indian Army.

The training offered under the scheme has already been extended to such officers, but I have no authority to bear the cost in these cases.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the case of a constituent of mine who was informed by his Department that this scheme did not apply to him because he was an ex-officer of the Indian and not of the British Army?

I will certainly look into that, but probably an answer was conveyed to my hon. Friend's constituent before a decision was reached.

asked the Minister of Labour how many European volunteer workers at Pool Park Camp, Ruthin, Denbighshire, run by the Young Men's Christian Association as an agricultural hostel, have recently refused all work offered them; what pay do they receive; what have they paid for their board and lodging; and what is the nationality of those who have refused to work.

There are at present five European volunteer workers of Polish-Ukrainian nationality who, since 27th May, have refused all agricultural work offered them locally on the ground that they are dissatisfied with living conditions at this Y.M.C.A. hostel. No pay or other allowances have been received by these men since 27th May, and the men concerned have not made any payment to the Y.M.C.A. for their board and lodging for this period. Our local officers are in consultation with the Police with the view to securing compliance with the conditions on which these five men were permitted to enter the United Kingdom.

Is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman reconsidered the terms and conditions of service of some of these men? Is it not the case that during last winter several of them were unemployed and were paid the full scale of agricultural wages for the whole winter? Why should they be paid the full scale of agricultural wages when they are unemployed?

My view is that the Ukrainians whom we have recruited have proved to be some of the best workers we have had in this country from foreign parts. As to the second point about their being paid agricultural wages during periods of unemployment, these men are in the employment of the agricultural executive committee, and it is for that committee to determine the conditions under which wages are paid to them.

Why should they be in a better position than unemployed British agricultural workers who are in similar circumstances?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me further details about that matter I will look at it, but the present impression is that if these men are unemployed they receive nothing at all.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to increase the manpower in the pits.

Coalmining continues to have first call on all available manpower, and my officers are instructed to offer employment therein to all suitable unemployed men.

Is the Minister aware that a prominent member of the Scottish Coal Board has said that to achieve efficiency in the coal mining industry it will be necessary to get rid of 60,000 workers? Would the Minister approve of that statement or repudiate it, in view of the necessity for workers in the coal industry?

First I would like to see the statement and, secondly, I would like to know who made it. As far as the call-up is concerned, the House may be interested to know that out of 29,434 persons recruited in the first 24 weeks of this year, 12,561 were adults who had not previously worked in the mines.

If I send the Minister the name of the official, and the actual statement, will he see that it is repudiated?

No, Sir. I will see that it is looked at, and I shall want to weigh it up.

Is not the Control of Engagement Order a deterrent to recruitment?

No, I do not think so at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour why, in view of the decline in the number of men entering the coal mining industry during the last two months, the scheme for getting foreign workers into the industry has now been closed.

I understand from the National Coal Board that the industry could not at the moment readily assimilate any additional foreign workers. Some 17,000 have already been taken into the mines.

As it is known that there are foreign workers available who could be trained and as there is a shortage of workers, to which the Minister has just referred in answer to another Question, cannot this policy be reversed, or is there some reason for not doing so?

No, Sir. It is purely a question of what might be called the internal industrial machinery. There is no objection to taking these men. It is a question of taking them when openings become available for them.

Does the Minister mean that the scheme might be re-opened at some future date if the necessity arose?

There is that possibility, but at the moment we have not contemplated restarting recruitment overseas. It is quite likely that with the ebb and flow of different industries in this country foreign workers may become redundant in some industries and become available for mining.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that it is still the policy of his Department to increase the manpower available generally in the mines?

Yes, Sir, in accordance with whatever may be the requirements of the Coal Board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the unrest among trade unionists who handle sugar distribution because of the decision of Messrs. Tate and Lyle, Limited, to use political propaganda on their packets distributed under the food rationing regulations; and what action he proposes for dealing with the situation.

The reply to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

If I bring to the Minister's notice some communications which have reached me regarding a feeling of disturbance among trade unionists will he please look into this matter? Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many people who, like myself, have a financial interest in this firm, are very shocked by the attitude of the directors in using their privileged position, which they have obtained largely as a result of State subsidies, to put over this political propaganda?

That is not in the original Question.

Is the Minister aware that any unrest among trade unionists is utterly trivial compared with the unrest among the general public at the prospect of socialised sugar?

All I can say is that had there been any unrest amongst the trade unionists I think I should have heard of it.

Will it not equally be open to employees of the distributing trades themselves, in turn, to stick on to these same packets labels advocating nationalisation?

Owing to the fact that the public interest is considerably involved in regard to this Question, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Minister of Labour what are his intentions concerning the future of Whoberley Hostel, Coventry.

As there are over 1,000 vacancies in the seven industrial hostels maintained by my Department in the Coventry area, the Whoberley Hostel, which has a capacity of 635 places, is shortly to be closed and the residents transferred to the other hostels. The premises will be disposed of by the Ministry of Works in accordance with the usual procedure.

Apart from the personal hardship caused by this decision, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the dispersal of large numbers of workers away from the neighbourhood in which they work will reduce their productivity? Will he give this matter further consideration?

I cannot accept the suggestion that because the men may have to travel slightly further to work their productivity will be affected. This particular hostel has been chosen as it is the one which will cause the least inconvenience to the residents who go to work. As far as practicable the wishes of any person removed about going to any other hostel will be considered, and he will be helped wherever possible.

asked the Minister of Labour in view of the fact that the Scottish Hotels School, Ross Hall, is a recognised school for training, what assistance he gives to those who seek to avail themselves of its resources.

Students at this school may, if eligible, receive the normal grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the only school in Scotland for the training of hoteliers, whose business it is to deal with the tourist trade, and should it not, therefore, command a little more attention than some other places of education?

I thought I gave the hon. Gentleman the assurance that any student who is eligible under the scheme is qualified to go there and to get assistance.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date he was notified of the existence of a dispute, as to the employers' right to select staff in the cinema industry, arising out of the arrangement by which unions in this industry act as Employment Exchanges; on what date the issue was referred for arbitration to the National Arbitration Tribunal; and when it is anticipated that the hearing of the case will take place.

A trade dispute regarding the operation of an agreement between organisations of employers and workers in the cinema industry concerning the selection of staff for employment was reported under the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Orders on 24th February, 1949. Endeavours were made to promote a settlement, but without success, and on 11th June the dispute was referred for settlement to the National Arbitration Tribunal. I understand that the Tribunal will hear the parties on 10th August.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of workers skilled in the making of spectacle lenses, he will consider granting deferment of call-up for National Service to skilled workers who remain in the industry.

No, Sir. It is the Government's policy not to grant deferment of call-up on industrial grounds except in the basic industries of coalmining and agriculture.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that most of the young men in National Service are grossly underemployed through no fault of their own, and does he not think, therefore, that there is a case for enlarging the trades to which exemption should be applied, particularly when their products are so badly needed?

I cannot accept the implication in the first part of that supplementary question, but young men of 17½ years of age cannot be accepted as skilled workers in this industry.

Would it be a reactionary point of view to suggest that if there is an issue between makers of spectacles and the interests of national security, the latter should come first?

Is my right hon. Friend unaware that these young men will have had at least three years' training and are, therefore, considered as skilled workers?

I cannot accept that, if they have left school at 15 years of age, and at 17½ are eligible for call-up, they commence training as soon as they leave school.

asked the Minister of Labour what information his Department has collected to account for the fact that during the war years.77 per cent. of men who were called up for the Armed Forces registered as conscientious objectors, while between 30th June, 1945, and the end of 1948 the percentage registered as conscientious objectors was only.18 per cent.

None, Sir.

Will the Minister bear in mind that it was not my intention, in asking this Question, to cast any aspersions on genuine conscientious objectors, such as Quakers, for whom I have always had the utmost respect?

The hon. and gallant Member asked what information we had collected. We have not collected any information, but it must be borne in mind that among the 8,000,000 called up were men of all ages between 18 and 40, and that the 1,000,000 called up are young men of 18 years of age, which may make a difference.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that youths between the ages of 17½ and 18 years are being dismissed from their employment before being called for National Service; and since such action enables employers to evade their obligation for re-instatement at the expiration of the service period, whether he will consider introducing legislation to prevent it.

I have received very few complaints of this kind, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I should be grateful if he would let me have particulars. The dismissal of an employee by reason of his liability for National Service constitutes an offence under Section 50 of the National Service Act, 1948. The point is, therefore, covered by existing legislation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these young men are told that if they become apprentices they can get deferment and be reinstated in their jobs after they leave the Forces but that if they do not choose to become apprentices they are usually dismissed about three months before they are called up for service?

That would be rather good evidence of interference with the purposes of the Act, and I should like to have particulars of any such case.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated labour requirement for gathering the 1949 potato harvest in each of the counties of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Angus; and the sources, in detail, from which he proposes to meet this requirement.

The estimated labour requirements, additional to the regular farm staffs, for the 1949 potato harvest in the Counties of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Angus are 8,300, 4,000 and 11,600 respectively. It is proposed to meet this requirement from adult workers recruited by farmers; labour in the employment of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, including unemployed workers specially recruited; local children; Aberdeen and Dundee children transported daily and billeted children from Glasgow.

Can the Secretary of State say what proportion of the school labour can be found by the normal exemption procedure and what proportion has to be found by the closing of schools?

Where schools are required for billeting children who come from elsewhere such schools, naturally, must be closed for educational purposes during that period. It is difficult at present to say what are the proportions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the drawing upon Dundee and Glasgow for children for these three counties will not prejudice the needs of Fife when its turn comes to have them?

Fife can usually be depended upon to look after itself.

Will the Minister very carefully scrutinise these children to ensure that no incipient Communist encourages Kerr's Pink to go red?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the acreage under potatoes in each of the counties of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Angus in the years 1939, 1948 and 1949.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to county education authorities in each of the counties of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Angus regarding the desirability of again splitting the holidays in schools under their management to provide for autumn closing during the period of the potato harvest.

I have no power to require local authorities to grant split holidays, but in May I expressed to all education authorities the hope that split holidays would again be given in those areas where it is necessary to use schools for billeting. In addition, a specific request has been made to Kincardine County Council to consider the use of six schools as billets for Glasgow school-children.

Was not that specific request made on 14th June, and does that not contradict the earlier answer given to me by the Secretary of State when he said that in certain areas schools must be closed?

I see no contradiction between the two answers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many seamen on ships visiting Scottish ports from abroad have ordered free spectacles, false teeth or wigs with a view to delivery at the time of the ship's next visit; and whether he intends to stop this practice.

It is estimated that not more than two dozen pairs of glasses have been supplied to foreign seamen visiting Scottish ports. I know of no dentures and certainly there have been no wigs. I do not consider that any action is called for.

Can the Secretary of State say whether this method whereby foreign seamen can milk the British taxpayer is, in fact, being followed?

This nation is the greatest seafaring nation in the world, and we are hoping to arrange reciprocal treatment for our seamen when they go abroad.

Can the Secretary of State give the statistics for wooden legs?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were declared bankrupt in 1948 and 1938; and how many of these were farmers.

The number of persons declared bankrupt by the Courts in Scotland in 1948 was 41, including three farmers; the corresponding figures for 1938 were 177 and 11 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for an issue of light raincoats for summer wear for the Army.

For financial and other reasons, it is not practicable to add a raincoat to the soldier's order of dress. The number of occasions on which a light raincoat could be worn in the summer over battle dress in lieu of a greatcoat would be limited, and would not suffice to justify provision at the expense of public funds.

Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend to try, in present conditions, marching around with a big pack on his back and wearing a greatcoat? Perhaps he will then consider the matter in a more sympathetic way.

I have had some experience of that kind, but I do not think that my right hon. Friend will guarantee the continuance of the present weather conditions for any considerable period.

Will my hon. Friend consider, as an alternative, borrowing an idea from the Chinese and letting troops use umbrellas?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to speed-up the disposal of books which are unwanted by the Army and urgently needed by public libraries.

Steps are already taken, in conjunction with His Majesty's Stationery Office, to ensure that there is no avoidable delay in the disposal of books surplus to Army requirements.

Will my hon. Friend investigate this position? As, at the end of the war, his Department had 1,750,000 books in their possession and has since disposed of 250,000, while, during that time, the Army has been reduced from three million to 420,000 men, does this not this constitute a prima facie case against his Department?

My right hon. Friend has already said, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend, that we have looked into this matter, and disposed of a number of books. If my hon. Friend has in mind a particular demand which is unsatisfied we should be glad to look at it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the strengths of the various sections of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces of the Army, including the Militia, as on 1st January, 1938.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the information given on pages 9 and 68 of Army Estimates, 1938.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make arrangements for the General Certificate of Education to take the place of the present Civil Service examination as the means of testing the educational knowledge of potential entrants to the Royal Military Academy.

The possibility of using the General Certificate of Education instead of the present examination conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners is under consideration.

In considering this, will the Minister bear in mind that there is very little, if anything, to be said for forcing boys to specialise before they go to the Royal Military Academy, and that that may be one of the major deterrents against boys entering the Army in the numbers in which they used to?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War in view of the fact that his Department has only been authorised to settle the claims for loss of effects in Burma of officers and men who were serving overseas in the British Regular Army on 3rd September, 1939, what is being done as regards compensation for loss of effects for those who went overseas after that date.

Compensation for the loss of effects in Burma by officers and men of the British Regular Army has not been limited to those serving overseas on 3rd September, 1939. In the case of those who proceeded overseas during the War compensation has, however, been limited to the clothing, kit and equipment appropriate to active service.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us why it has been limited to that amount? Many officers and men have lost considerably more of their own effects, such as cameras. Is that likely to be included in the £10 million for private and business firms in Burma, which is about to appear in the Supplementary Estimate?

This is not a matter which affects Burma alone. If the persons concerned proceeded overseas after the commencement of the war, it made it not unreasonable that the compensation should be limited to equipment appropriate to active service.

Is nothing at all to be done for the people who have been told in letters from the hon. Gentleman's Department that other Departments are dealing with the matter? Is anybody dealing with the matter?

I have already explained the arrangement which is being made. There is the possibility of considering whether we ought to take the date of the beginning of the Japanese War rather than of 3rd September, 1939.

We are now in 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many other ranks, showing non-commissioned officers and warrant officers separately, completed their regular engagements in 1948 and in the first half of 1949, respectively; and of those how many have re-engaged.

During 1948, 4,386 other ranks completed their original period of Colour service and 1,404 extended their service to complete 12 years' Colour service. In the same year, 568 other ranks completed 12 years' Colour service and 2,230 re-engaged to complete 22 years' service. I should explain that as a soldier can extend his Colour service or re-engage at varying periods before his service is due to end, I cannot say how many of the 4,386 and 568 to whom I have referred actually extended or re-engaged respectively. The comparable figures for the first quarter of 1949 are 761 and 292, and 178 and 662, respectively. Separate figures for warrant officers and non-commissioned officers are not available.

Do not the figures just given show that only about one-third of the non-commissioned officers and warrant officers, on whom the Regular Army must rely for its efficiency, have chosen to reengage? Is not this a very disquieting situation?

For the reason which I have given, that conclusion cannot be drawn from the figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many other ranks, showing existing non-commissioned officers and warrant officers separately, will complete their regular engagements in the years 1949, 1950 and 1951, respectively.

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in this Question.

Was not similar information given at least one year ahead by the hon. Gentleman's colleague the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty the other day?

Yes, but the terms of engagement are different there and, consequently, the security problem is not the same.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are his new regulations regarding the wearing of swords, and what arrangements he has made to enable officers to obtain swords in future.

Approval has been given for the resumption of the wearing of swords by Army officers on suitable ceremonial occasions. The rule is permissive and not obligatory. Corps or regiments will make their own arrangements to provide the swords required.

Is it not a very untidy procedure that the rule should be permissive and not obligatory? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that regimental swords now cost between nine and 12 guineas, which is beyond the purse of the junior officer? Should not this matter be tidied up and arrangements made for the provision of swords at reasonable prices if they are to come back?

I realise the expensiveness of swords. That is why it has not been possible to make it an obligatory rule at present.

Will those who do not wish to carry a sword be allowed to carry a bow and arrow?

Will my hon. Friend re-lease some of this money to pay for some light raincoats for the troops?

My hon. Friend has misunderstood me. My answer made it clear that we are not spending money on this matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a well-made bow and arrow costs considerably more than a sword?

My experience does not go as far back as that, but I will accept the hon. and gallant Gentleman's assurance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount collected for the year to 5th April, 1949, in interest paid on unpaid Income Tax, Profits Tax, and Excess Profits Tax, under the provisions of Section 8 of the Finance Act (No. 2) 1947; and whether he can make any estimate of the administrative costs of levying this interest charge.

The interest collected last year on arrears of Income Tax, Profits Tax and Excess Profits Tax amounted to about £60,000 and on arrears of Surtax to £20,000, making a total of £80,000. The levying of interest is part only of the process of assessment and collection and it is not possible to make any estimate of the administrative cost. I should add that the purpose of the interest charge is to encourage people to pay promptly and to the extent that it does so the amount of interest collected must be small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the circular issued to Departments by the Treasury concerning their retention of money paid under mistake of law.

Yes, Sir.

Do I understand that Government Departments assert their right to retain money collected under this mistake of law? If so, is not that repugnant to public policy?

If the hon. Member will read the answer given, I think, last week and the document, he will see what is the position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the great disparity between the price of gold for monetary purposes fixed at £8 12s. 3d. per fine ounce under the International Monetary Fund and the free market price of £22 10s., he will take whatever steps he may consider necessary to obtain a revision of the price fixed under the International Monetary Fund so as to accord more closely to free market prices.

No, Sir. I cannot accept the inference that the price of gold in certain limited markets is a true indication of the price for monetary gold.

Would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the free market price would probably be a great deal higher than £8 12s. 3d. per fine ounce? Is not it one of the first provisions of the International Monetary Fund that members are bound to follow a policy which will ensure full employment? As the United States is clearly not doing that, surely that alone is cause for revision.

The price is, of course, fixed by the United States Treasury, and not by the International Monetary Fund.

Is not my right hon. and learned Friend aware that he is entitled to revise it, if members of the Fund do not live up to their obligations?

The Fund cannot revise; it is up to the United States Treasury.

Does not the Chancellor think, particularly in view of the position in South Africa, that it would be most wise for him to press for some revision of the gold price?

No, Sir, not at the moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether subscriptions by industrial firms to the organisation known as "Aims of Industry" will be regarded by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue as a legitimate business expense for taxation purposes.

Claims for the allowance of these subscriptions as deductions in computing the profits of the subscribers for the purposes of Income Tax (Schedule D) and Profits Tax will be dealt with according to the general principles governing such deductions, which are that subscriptions are deductible only to the extent that they are applied to expenditure which would have been admissible as a deduction if incurred by the subscribers themselves. As I explained in reply to questions by my hon. Friend on 18th January last, subscriptions or donations by traders for political purposes are not permitted to be deducted in computing profits.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this allegedly non-political organisation is, in fact, an under-cover agent for Tory party propaganda of the most vicious kind; and will he instruct the Inland Revenue to watch with especial care this type of organisation, which is afraid to show its true colours?

M.I.5 wanted.

The Inland Revenue will duly watch, as it is their duty to do.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that what the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes) has alleged cannot be the case, because this body asked me to give a talk on the nationalisation of steel when I was an Independent and, when I became a Conservative, informed me that they did not wish to have me as a speaker?

I fully sympathise with them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that the Income Tax aspects of the growing commercial practice of charging entertainment as a business expense will receive the attention of the Committee on the Taxation of Profits, recently appointed.

The Committee will no doubt take note of my hon. Friend's desire that they should consider this question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of the sterling balances held by the State of Israel; and what is the origin of these balances.

I regret that I cannot disclose figures of the sterling balances of individual countries. The main origin of Israel's balances was British military expenditure in Palestine arising out of the 1939–45 war.

Is not it rather strange that this should be accumulated before we have even recognised Israel de jure? Is there any similar accumulation on the part of the Arab part of Palestine?

The accumulation was, of course, under the original Palestine Government which was then in operation in the country which was then Palestine. As a successor State the present Government of Israel takes over the debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of dollar leakages in the sterling areas from May, 1948; and the principal causes of these leakages.

No, Sir, it is not possible to make such an estimate with any accuracy. The principal cause is the world's shortage of dollars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent guidance or instructions have been given to the Capital Issues Committee in reference to bonus issues.