asked the Secretary of State for War how many men called up for service under the National Service Acts are at present employed in pay offices; and how many civilians have been replaced by them in these offices.

It is not the practice to make public the numbers of soldiers engaged on particular duties and it is not possible to say how many civilians have been directly replaced by the employment of National Service men in pay offices. It can, however, be said that some 2,500 more civilians or regular soldiers would at present be needed in these offices in the United Kingdom if National Service men were not used.

May I take it that that answer means that in fact in a certain number of cases the right hon. Gentleman has replaced civilians by men called up under the National Service Acts, and is not this attempt to obtain cheap labour a gross abuse of the purpose of the National Service Acts?

I think not. This is part of the training of some of the National Service men. We may require these men on these duties in the event of an emergency, and obviously they must have preparatory training.

Is not it clear that the right hon. Gentleman would not require National Service men for these duties if he had permanent or temporary civil servants doing them? May I ask him again to assure the House that the National Service system is not being abused in the way in which his first answer indicated?

No, Sir, I am quite satisfied that there is no abuse, and I should like to tell the hon. Member that the National Service men in the Pay Corps do receive a certain amount of military training.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the admission of the right hon. Gentleman as to the use which he is making of National Service men, I shall—if the Government last long enough—raise the matter again.

We shall last long enough.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many married families, officers and other ranks, respectively, are accommodated in War Department quarters in the Suez Canal Zone; and how many live in private quarters.

Three hundred and sixty-six married officers' families and 484 married other ranks' families are accommodated in War Department quarters in the Suez Canal Zone. The numbers living in private quarters are 444 and 536, respectively.

What is the right hon. Gentleman doing about providing more War Department quarters so that these men and their families can be properly accommodated?

We are doing as much as we possibly can in the circumstances. We are putting up temporary quarters which perhaps are not entirely satisfactory, but which are adequate for our purposes at the moment; and we are stepping up the provision of married quarters in all theatres as fast as we can, but it is a long-term job.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the total cost of the expedition to Aqaba.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his similar Question on 26th April last to which I have nothing to add.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable time has elapsed since April last and that there is need for national economy; further, what proposals has he in mind for reducing this expenditure?

This was a quite specific Question about the total cost of a particular expedition, and I have told the hon. Member that I have nothing to add to what I told him on a previous occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of repairs to billets and barracks are at present carried out by Royal Engineers' services; and what proportion by civilian contract.

Approximately two-thirds of the repairs to War Department accommodation, installations and roads are carried out by Royal Engineers' services using directly employed labour as against approximately one-third by civilian contract.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any change of policy in this matter in recent months and, if so, what is the reason for the change?

We are considering whether it is possible to reduce the amount of directly employed labour though obviously there are a number of duties which the Royal Engineers have to perform.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will give further consideration to extending the time in which claims for loss of development value can be made.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question on 31st May last by the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton).

May I ask the Minister whether in cases where there has only been a matter of a few days' delay, arising out of the heavy rush of work at that time, he will—even in those cases—reconsider this matter?

I am sorry but I have no power to grant any latitude, apart from making an entirely new order.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of particulars which are asked for and which have to be sent in is very large and that in a few months' time all these claims and other charges may be so much waste paper?

What is the legal position of a person who does not listen to the wireless and does not read the Press and who then finds himself dispossessed? What happens?

I am afraid that he is a very ignorant man.

No. Mr. Speaker, with great respect, does my right hon. Friend know that I never listen to the wireless and rarely read the Press?

My answer still holds good.

Following upon that question, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what happens to the person who believes that this is a matter for the local authority?

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning the aggregate amounts of claims for loss of development rights in respect of properties in England and Wales and in Scotland respectively, submitted by 30th June, 1949.

Claimants were not required to state the amount claimed in formulating their claims and the majority have not done so. The information desired is therefore not available.

Can the Minister give the House any information about the total of the claims in respect of which amounts have been formulated?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that under the approved society system societies arranged statistical data showing periodically the incidence of sickness and disablement among their membership, separating males and females for the purpose; and if he will give similar details showing any disparity between the statistics under the old and the new system.

Arrangements have been made to collect and publish periodically comprehensive statistics of sickness experience under the National Insurance Acts. But comparison with the figures obtained under the old system will not be possible as detailed statistics were only available in respect of a few approved societies.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how the local advisory committees he is setting up under the National Insurance Act, under Section 42 of the National Insurance Act, 1946, will be constituted; and whether old age pensioners will have the opportunity of being represented on them.

The Committees will consist of about 20 members, of whom six will represent employers and six employees. There will be two or three representatives 'of local authorities and one or two of friendly societies. These will constitute nucleus committees and will be asked to select four or five persons with suitable local knowledge to complete the full committee. Any local old age pensioners' association or other organisation who wants to put forward names for consideration by a particular local committee should forward them, with particulars of their qualifications, to the appropriate regional controller of the Ministry.

Will my right hon. Friend say how the local organisation will get to know if this is the method to be adopted for the appointment of the advisory committees?

We shall do our best to make this as widely known as possible.

In view of the fact that employers and trade unions are to be represented, is it not desirable that the old folks' organisations should have representation as organisations because they will be very much affected by the work of these committees?

I think that we have provided in the best way for representation on these committees and I hone that the associations will send forward names to the regional controllers.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will state the total amount of unemployment benefits disbursed in the year 1938; give an estimate of what the disbursements would have been in 1938 had the current rates of benefit been then in force; and the total benefits granted in respect of unemployment in the year ended 5th July, 1949.

The total amount of unemployment benefit paid in the year 1938 was £52,400,000. It is estimated that if the current rates of unemployment benefit and family allowances had then been in force the disbursements would have been rather less than £90 million. The total amount of unemployment benefit paid in the year ended 2nd July, 1949, was approximately £21,500,000, including £4,900,000 in respect of extended benefit under Section 62 of the National Insurance Act, 1946.

Does not my right hon. Friend realise that although the payments for the individual unemployed person have gone up, the total expenditure has gone down, and does not he agree that this is the finest way of economising in the use of the taxpayers' money?

I hope that the nation will note the figures, for they show the success of the policy of full employment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also give the figures showing the purchasing power of the pound in 1938 and 1945?

That is not a question for me to answer.

Would the right hon. Gentleman send a special message to the United States of America to thank them for this policy which they have helped to make so successful?

These payments are made from money which we provide in this country.

Has not the Minister made out a good case for an increase in unemployment benefit?

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps are being taken to supervise sickness claims and to prevent abuse of the provisions of the insurance and health services.

The steps taken to supervise sickness benefit claims under the National Insurance Act are broadly the same as those followed by the approved societies under the old National Health Insurance scheme, namely, careful scrutiny of claims, sick visiting in selected cases and the use of the regional medical service of the Health Departments to obtain second medical opinions in cases of doubt. Responsibility for the administration of the Health Services rests, of course, with my right hon. Friends, the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

What is the good of referring to old methods? Is it not a fact that under the policy of Socialism the administration has completely broken down, as I warned the right hon. Gentleman on 2nd November, 1944, that it would?

The administration is working very well.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the present position of the original insurance funds taken over by the terms of the National Insurance Act; and how much of them has been applied to extraneous purposes.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 1st February last, a copy of which I am sending him. The position as stated then remains unchanged.

Will the Minister give an assurance that none of these funds has been used to implement Socialist theories or to uphold tottering Socialist policy; and will he say how much of this money is invested in "Dalton two-and-a-halfs"?

The position is that so far the scheme is working under its own steam and it has not been necessary to touch a single penny of the money we took over in 1948.

asked the Minister of Labour what reductions he proposes in labour control.

I hope shortly to make a statement about the Government's intentions with regard to labour controls.

Will the Minister give an assurance now that there will be no increase in control?

I can add nothing to the answer I have already given.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people have been directed to work since the coming into force of the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1947.

Nineteen men and 10 women since 6th October, 1947, the date of coming into force of the Control of Engagement Order, 1947. In addition, directions have been given since that date to 581 men to remain in their normal employment in agriculture or coal mining.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in many hundreds of cases, the mere threat of direction has the same effect?

There is no threat of direction.

Has not the Minister given an undertaking to all hon. Members of the House that he will personally investigate any cases of victimisation due to the threat of the use of this power, and has the Minister had a single case of victimisation which has been proved?

The only case was in the early days of the scheme, when one of the exchange managers made a mistake and we promptly put it right.

Can the Minister give an undertaking that on no occasion in the past or in the future has the threat been used or will be used?

I can give that undertaking. We have never threatened anybody.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that direction into labour is a new thing in this country, and that in the past it was the policy to direct people out of labour?

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has received advocating a more vigorous enforcement of his powers of direction of labour; what reply he has given to such representations; and whether any change in policy is contemplated.

The answer to the first part of the question is "None, Sir," and the second part, therefore, does not arise. As I have already informed the House I hope shortly to make a statement about the Government's intentions.

Can the Minister indicate how it has arisen that responsible newspapers have printed rumours, which they say were well authenticated, to the effect that the trade union movement has asked him to increase these powers?

No such thing has happened, but we are accustomed to rumours in the newspapers. I can say that I have never had a single complaint from the trade unions about the operation of this particular power.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman observed the statement of his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to the effect that, in the event of his party being returned to power, the Transitional Powers Act will be replaced by a permanent Act in which Regulation 58A will become a permanent part of our law, so that an Order for the direction of labour can then be made without this House having the power to alter one word of it?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that statement which has just been referred to was to the effect that the particular Act would be passed in an amended form?

May I say that I should still prefer an answer from the Treasury Bench to one given by an aspirant?

The hon. and learned Gentleman has asked me if I noticed that statement. I have noticed that statement.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of the registered male unemployed in Scotland is over 40 years of age; and what plans he has specially in view to deal with this class of persons.

At 13th June, 1949, the latest date for which details are available, 51 per cent. of the men registered as unemployed were over 40 years of age. The majority of the men concerned are in the Development Areas, and will benefit from the special efforts being made under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, to increase the level of employment in such areas. In the rest of Scotland also many new industries are being set up. Apart from this, Appointments offices and employment exchanges take special pains to assist men over 40 who find it difficult to obtain employment, and local employment committees in the West of Scotland have been specially invited to consider this problem.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the cost of advertising for labour for his Department in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

The expenditure incurred by my Department on advertising for labour, including the estimated cost of administrative staff, is approximately as follows: 1947, £7,000; 1948, £9,000; 1949 (January-July), £8,000.

Is the Minister satisfied that a Department which is organised for the provision of labour should itself have to resort to other methods to secure it? Is it not a Department organised to secure its own labour?

Yes, Sir; this is indeed part of the organisation. If an employer comes along and wants a certain class of worker and we have not got that class of worker on our registers, we advertise to let the people know that the jobs are going.

May I take it that it is a fact that the daily Press is more useful in securing labour than the Ministry's own Department?

Not in the least. The daily Press is often used as an adjunct to my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour why it is necessary for his Department to advertise for females between 15 and 45 when the vacancies of all Ministry of Labour offices and officers are at his disposal for such recruiting of staffs.

The advertisements are being issued on behalf of the Treasury and Civil Service Commission. Their purpose is to call the attention of women and girls—whether they are registered at employment exchanges or not—to new opportunities for shorthand-typists and typists to secure permanent posts in the Civil Service in London.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman take a very poor view of his own Department having to engage in advertising for girls to work in his Department when he has the resource of registering them?

The answer is the same as that which I have given to a previous Question. We have a number of young people leaving school who do not register at the exchanges; therefore, we advertise to let them know that these jobs are going.

Is it not a fact that people only apply to the employment exchanges when they are out of work, and that these advertisements are intended for those people who want a better kind of job?

I could not put the answer better than the hon. Gentleman has done.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in Rugby at a recent convenient date.

Sixteen males and 23 females at 12th September.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the cause of the dispute at the Windsor Hosiery Company, Dagenham; and what action his Department has taken to try and get it settled.

The dispute arose out of a request by the union for a meeting to discuss wages and conditions of employment. Officers of my Department have been in close touch with the parties, and a further meeting between an official of the union and a representative of the firm is taking place today.

asked the Minister of Labour why applicants at the local employment exchange have been sent to the Windsor Hosiery Company's works when an officially recognised strike is in progress.

Submissions to these vacancies were made in accordance with the established practice of the Employment Service which maintains strict impartiality towards trade disputes. Vacancies notified by an employer which are affected by a trade dispute are brought to the notice of suitable applicants, but in every case the applicants are warned of the existence of the dispute. No person is prejudiced in any way if he is unwilling to accept a vacancy because a trade dispute affecting that vacancy exists.

Will the Minister look into the complaint made by officials of the union about the way in which the local employment exchange behaved in this matter?

Most certainly, if my hon. Friend brings the matter to my notice.

Could the Minister say how many people are involved in this strike? Will he also make it clear that the hosiery trade has for many years been free from strikes and has had good relations with the trade unions?

Yes, Sir. The number of persons involved is about 125. I would like to endorse what the hon. Gentleman has said about the good relations which have existed in this industry. This dispute really arose because the employers did not give a reply for some eight or nine weeks to a question whether they would meet the union or not, and then did not give a definite date, with the result that the workers came out. I hope we shall get back to the industry's old position.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many shipyard workers were unemployed in the Tyneside area at the latest available date; and what are the prospects of them obtaining work in their trade;

(2) how many ship repair workers were unemployed in the Port of London area at the latest available date; whether other work has been offered them; and what are their prospects of work in their industry.

The latest official figures of insured workers in the shipyards registered as unemployed relate to 12th September and are as follow: Port of London area, 344; Tyneside (including Blyth), 1,276.

As regards the Port of London, there is no reason to expect an appreciable increase in the number unemployed, but as regards the Tyneside, a considerable number of workers have recently been paid off. Special efforts are being made to find suitable employment for these men and it seems likely that most of the skilled men can be found such employment in the near future.

Does the Minister mean by that reply that there actually are plans for more work going to the shipyards of the north-east? Will he bear in mind the fact that many orders have been going abroad, including Germany, where labour is cheaper, and will he not go into the whole question again?

I cannot very well comment on the second part of the supplementary question, because I have not given it special consideration. As to the first part, it is correct that efforts are being made, and I think will be successful, to get other work taken into the Tyneside area. So far as London is concerned, the number of unemployed has not added one to our unemployment figures.

Will the Minister inquire whether there are not many scores of thousands of railway trucks and wagons which cannot at present be repaired because the workshops are full up? Is this not very suitable work for certain kinds of dockyards?

It depends on particular circumstances, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that whatever work can be sent there to be done will be sent.

Will my right hon. Friend keep his eye on the Clyde on this question, because there is a good deal of unemployment among those who are engaged on repair work, which is now pretty well used up? Will he keep his eye on this matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the declining manpower, what special steps he is taking to recruit more workers to the coalmining industry.

Coalmining continues to have first call on all available manpower. Recruitment publicity continues and coalmining employment is offered to all suitable unemployed men.

Is the Minister aware that the manpower in the coalmining industry is still 65,000 less than it was 10 years ago, and that, in view of this fact, the miners are to be congratulated on the present output? Will he circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the vacancies which now exist in each coalfield?

I will not give an undertaking on the second point until I have considered it. As to the first point, it is true, of course, that production is being maintained, but there has been a good deal of mechanisation in the industry which leads to a reduction in manpower.

Will the Minister bear in mind in this connection that many pits are being closed as well?

Will the Minister explain exactly what he means by the phrase "first call" which he used in his answer.

The one before the second.

It means that out of the list of priority jobs offered to men going to the employment exchange coalmining is the first job offered to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many schoolchildren in Scotland, during the school year ended 31st July, 1949, were treated by school dental officers; and of that number, how many were treated for fillings, extractions and other dental operations, respectively;

(2) how many children were on the school registers in Scotland during the school year ended 31st July, 1949; how many were inspected by school dental officers; and how many were recorded as requiring treatment.

Of some 780,000 children on the registers during the school year ending in July, 1949, over 268,000 were inspected by school dental officers. Of these 188,000 were recorded as requiring treatment, which was provided for 136,000 children. I will circulate more detailed figures, with an analysis of the treatment, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will authorise the erection of outhouses for council tenants in coastal villages where the provision of shelter for line baiting and of storage facilities for fishing gear is essential.

Yes, Sir. I am prepared to consider any plans submitted by local authorities in which provision is made for special accommodation for fishermen's gear. I have already agreed to this in several cases.

Why should there be this long delay? Is the Minister aware that a great many of the Cruden houses and others erected long ago by county councils have no outhouses because they are prevented from putting them up by his own Department of Health and that, as a consequence, the fishermen are baiting their gear in the houses themselves?

I think the hon. Gentleman must be mistaken. For instance, in his own constituency where the county council have put forward these propositions, my Department have agreed to them. I would like the hon. Gentleman to give me details of any contrary decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider revising the date under which the ploughing subsidy is payable in the North of Scotland, having regard to the fact that much of this work is done in the early spring.

As the date, which is applicable over the whole country, was fixed by statute, I have no power to revise it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to the fact that this season the Scottish farmer has to decide whether he will use his grazing to the full or whether he will have to cut it up in order to get the ploughing subsidy; and, further, swill the Minister receive representations on this matter with a view to reconsidering it?

We are always prepared to consider any matter, but I must point out that the Scottish farmer received notice in August last year that the ploughing subsidy would come to an end this year, and he had to make his provisions accordingly. We will consider the matter, but I cannot hold out any great hopes.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is in the national interest that grass should be grazed for as long as possible, and that the better the grass the longer the grazing? Does not this decision penalise efficiency and run counter to his own exhortations?

This has been an exceptional year and one cannot always budget for exceptional years. Moreover, the arrangements for this are always taken into account when settling other prices, and, therefore, what the farmer loses on the swings he gains on the roundabouts. In other words, he gets the price for his cattle if he keeps grazing them.

Has the Minister received any representations from the Opposition to cut out these ploughing subsidies in the interest of economy?

No, Sir.

The Minister says that the whole country is subject to this Order under statute. That being so, is it not a perfect example of how stupid it is to treat the country as one unit?

No, Sir. It may surprise the hon. and gallant Gentleman to learn that quite a lot of grass grows in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he is curtailing the powers of local authorities to requisition empty houses.

Local authorities now have powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act, 1949, to acquire and improve premises with Exchequer assistance, and I am satisfied that, they should normally rely on these powers rather than on requisitioning powers, which in any event are due to expire in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while local authorities have power to requisition premises, the power to requisition empty single houses—which is the point in question—is now being withdrawn from them, a fact which will create severe hardship in industrial districts in Glasgow?

The point is that under the Act passed by this House local authorities now have power to acquire these houses permanently. The requisitioning of them would only be a temporary measure, which would be much less satisfactory to the incoming tenant.

That being so, will my right hon. Friend make it perfectly clear to the local authorities—for they are not clear about it now—that they have the power to requisition these houses? The Corporation of Glasgow last week refused to requisition a particular house at my request.

No doubt my hon. Friend's Question will call the attention of local authorities to their powers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that most of the houses are not worth requisitioning by the local authorities, and that night after night they are being advertised in the Scottish newspapers? The local authorities well know that these houses are condemned in their records, but the public do not know.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will set up a special medical inquiry into outbreaks of infantile paralysis at Strathdon, having regard to the unique circumstances of which he has been informed.

Medical officers of my Department are in touch with the local medical officer of health, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as their expert assessment is available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this matter will be given the highest possible priority, and will he assure the House that he does realise the exceptional opportunity now being offered of getting some information on the cause of infantile paralysis?

The hon. Gentleman well knows that the whole country is very anxious to find out the causes and cure of infantile paralysis. The facts which he has put before us are of an interesting nature, and the medical research people are busy on the job.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is the Government's policy to remove air-raid shelters in Glasgow where the inhabitants complain of their presence.

The present instructions to local authorities are that for the time being work on the demolition of shelters and the collection of Anderson and Morrison shelters should be discontinued. I am, however, willing to consider any special cases affecting public health or safety.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are numerous cases of these shelters becoming in-sanitary nuisances, and will he therefore arrange that in such cases the overriding instruction will be to take them away?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many war pensioners live in dollar or hard currency countries; and what proposals he has to help them in view of devaluation.

About 3,700 in the U.S.A.; 11,000 in Canada and 750 in other hard currency countries. The amounts of pension and allowances are stated in sterling in the War Pensions instruments, and I have no power to vary them in accordance with changes in exchange rates. I am, however, considering whether any means can be found of assisting pensioners in special cases, such as those receiving unemployability supplement, who may suffer hardship.

If the American Legion, the Canadian Legion and other associates of the British Legion can bring particulars to the attention of the Minister, will the right hon. Gentleman see how far any of these men may receive higher assessments or some of the new allowances which those in this country have had?

My own officers in Canada are already collecting information, but if the sort of organisations which the hon. Gentleman mentions can give me more information, I shall certainly be prepared to consider it.

Since the Ministry of Pensions undertook various responsibilities for payment in this country on behalf of allied Governments who had troops stationed here during the war, is it possible to make any reciprocal arrangements?

I hardly think so.

In view of the great importance of this matter, could the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is likely to be in a position to give a definite answer? He mentioned in his reply that he was giving consideration to this matter.

It is a little difficult to, promise a definite date, but I am making inquiries with all speed. Several countries are involved. Perhaps a Question could be put down in about a fortnight's time.

In view of the fact that dollar pensioners in this country have had a very substantial increase and sterling pensioners in dollar countries have had a very substantial decrease, will my right hon. Friend discuss with the American authorities some way of sorting out this situation?

The numbers are by no means equal, nor are the amounts.

asked the Prime Minister whether legislation will be introduced to give effect to the recommendations of the Porter Committee for the amendment of the law of libel.

Effect has already been given to all the recommendations of the Committee relating to practice and procedure which can be dealt with by Rules of Court. I regret that I cannot hold out any hope that it will be possible to deal with the remaining recommendations during the lifetime of this Parliament.

Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to a declaration by a high legal authority as to the inequity of the present law and the desirability of amendment? Will he consider whether appropriate legislation could usefully be introduced in another place?

I have considered that matter, but I am afraid that the legislative programme in both Houses does not allow of that.

asked the Prime Minister the relationship between our Parliament and the British delegates to the Council of Europe; and in what way their activities at Strasbourg will come under review in this House of Commons.

The United Kingdom representatives in the Consultative Assembly speak and vote in the Assembly as individuals, and are not responsible to this House for the speeches which they make in the Assembly. His Majesty's Government, under the terms of the Statute of the Council of Europe, decide how the United Kingdom representatives shall be appointed and, of course, are responsible to this House in that respect. The general principles governing the appointments on the recent occasion are contained in the statements made by the Lord President of the Council on 5th May, and by myself on 2nd June. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, as the representative of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on the Committee of Ministers, is answerable to the House for his actions in that body.

Could a report on the proceedings at Strasbourg be placed in the Library so that we can read what is happening there?

Nothing happens.

That is hardly a question to put to me, but I will look into it and let my hon. Friend know.

After the recent experience we had of what took place at Strasbourg, are the Government not prepared to reconsider this question, especially in view of the irresponsible statements dangerous to the welfare of this country which were made by people who were thought by the Continentals to represent this House?

While agreeing with the Prime Minister's statement, may I ask whether it will be possible in the near future to have a Debate on the question of foreign affairs covering the matters that were raised at Strasbourg?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that Question to the Leader of the House some time on Business.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the issue of medals to delegates whose services were not required at Strasbourg?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the refusal of the United States Government to give His Majesty's Government information in the technical use of atomic energy, he will consider approaching the Soviet Government in order to obtain this information.

My right hon. Friend does not accept the statement in the first part of this Question. The answer to the Question is, "No, Sir."

Is it not the fact that a few months ago the British and the Canadian Governments requested such information from the United States and were refused it? Is it not also the fact that in the Soviet Union atomic energy is reported as being now used for industrial purposes? As there is a need in our country for increased productivity, should we not seek this information?

So far, the Soviet Government have shown themselves reluctant to part with information of this kind.

asked the Lord President of the Council, in view of the economic difficulties of the country, if it is still proposed to proceed with the arrangements for a fun fair in Battersea Park during the Festival of Britain.

Yes, Sir, but "fun fair" would be a misleading description of the Festival Gardens as a whole. The so-called fun fair, which is better described as the amusement section, will be only a small part of the Festival Gardens. It will take up only about a sixth of the whole area. It is clear that some people are still thinking of the Festival Gardens project as one huge hurdy-gurdy. But the rest of the Festival Gardens—about 30 acres out of the 37 earmarked—is to provide rest, refreshment and amusements and entertainments of other kinds for visitors to the South Bank exhibition. These amenities would normally be provided on the same site as the exhibition and as an integral part of it, but because of the limited site on the South Bank this is not possible.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 12th July, most of the attractions in the amusement section are to be provided by concessionaires who will pay rent for them. It is not expected that this section of the Festival Gardens will result in any loss.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in these serious and difficult times it would be better to divert this effort into something which would bring economic help to the people? How does he expect the people to appreciate the seriousness of the situation when this sort of rubbish is put over to them? Is he trying to impress upon them that we are now round "recovery corner" completely?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman adopts this point of view he ought to advocate the closing of every cinema and every form of amusement in the country. Taking this project by and large, it is a sound economic proposition which will also bring dollars into the country. I very much hope that this will not be the subject of partisan consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that his use of the term "amusement section" instead of "fun fair" does not mean that those who enter the amusement section will be expressly forbidden to have any fun?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement upon the present position of National Savings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement upon the present position in relation to National Savings.

I shall be making such a statement tomorrow evening at the National Savings Rally, but if the hon. Member has any particular points as to which he desires information perhaps he would put a Question down.

Is not this the proper place in which a statement should be made? I should like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman in particular whether he is prepared to make the terms offered more attractive to savers.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Paper.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman deal with the week-end speech of his colleague the Minister of Health who said that people's money would be redistributed by way of retribution? Will that help savings?

I shall hope to deal with my own speech and with that of nobody else.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman make it clear—it is not clear from his answer—that this House is the proper place in which to make important statements?

I do not propose to make any important statement. I propose to make a statement at the National Savings Rally, at which representatives of other political parties will also make statements.

Are we to understand that the right hon. and learned Gentleman does not propose to make any announcement whatsoever, and does not propose to make any departure from his existing policy with regard to National Savings?

Certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to protect the tourist industry, in view of devaluation and the possible resulting rise in costs to hotels, restaurants and places of entertainment for foreign visitors bringing dollars and other foreign exchange to this country.

None at present. I hope that increases in internal costs and prices will be avoided as far as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Empire and foreign Governments he consulted and informed, respectively, before he announced the decision of His Majesty's Government to devalue the pound.

Either directly or through the International Monetary Fund, I informed all Commonwealth Governments, all members of the Fund and of the Or-ganisation for European Economic Co-operation, and the Governments of Burma, Iraq and Israel. Communications were made by His Majesty's Government to the Governments of Belgium, France and the Netherlands in accordance with the provisions for consultation in our Monetary Agreements with those countries.

Did the right hon. and learned Gentleman delay that announcement to all the other countries because he did not dare admit the utter failure, owing to his folly, of the Socialist administration?

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the great dissatisfaction expressed by the French Government at the lack of notice given to them on devaluation? Was the notice in accordance with the Treaty of Dunkirk?

Yes; we gave the notice in accordance with the practicabilities of the situation. seeing that we had to safeguard our own reserves. We gave as long a notice as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the losses to the nation, in the period leading up to devaluation, due to absence of exchange control or ineffective control; what percentage of such total loss is attributable to transactions involving sterling by persons not susceptible to the jurisdiction of British statutes; how much attributable to the transactions susceptible to such laws; and if he will estimate the amount, if any, lost by reason of transactions by British citizens ineffectively controlled.

I cannot give any reliable estimates of losses which have been incurred, either as a result of activities of persons outside our jurisdiction, or through evasion of Exchange Control regulations on the part of our own residents; nor would it be possible to estimate the proportion of the losses caused by the first category as compared with the second. I am satisfied, however, that the great bulk of the losses that occurred were due to operations by traders outside our control, and that those due to deliberate evasion on the part of our own nationals were relatively small.

May we not all be gratified, then, that exchange control in itself and the acts of those who have been working at it have been very satisfactory and that nothing has been left undone, either in regulations or in the administration of them?

I am sure the Exchange Control authorities will be most grateful to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are currently in force to ensure that exports of capital from Britain to the rest of the sterling area do not result in a drain on our gold and dollar resources; whether he is satisfied with these measures; and what steps he proposes to take to reinforce them.

Every Government within the sterling area exercises exchange control powers similar to our own with the object of preventing a drain on our gold or dollar resources. While I am satisfied that the existing system of control is very effective in achieving this object, the system is kept constantly under review in order that concerted action can be taken to strengthen it whenever the need should arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give any estimate of the amount of tax lost to the revenue in a year through the free distribution of coal to miners by the National Coal Board and the provision of free travel facilities to railway employees by British Railways.

I regret that I cannot say what tax would be paid if benefits in kind like those referred to were made liable to tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what form the sterling balances of India are held in the United Kingdom; and what rate of interest is paid or credited.

The sterling balances of India, which include the holdings of commercial banks and other commercial and private holders as well as those of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India, are in the form of bank balances and holdings of short-term and other debt, such as Treasury Bills and British Government or other securities. In so far as the obligations held by Indian institutions or residents are those of His Majesty's Government, the interest at present payable on the holdings is at the rate current for each type of debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement concerning His Majesty's Government's policy in relation to Article 6A of the Final Act of the Paris Conference on Reparations of 21st December, 1945.

Not yet, Sir, but I hope to be able to do so shortly. I will let the hon. Member know as soon as I am ready to answer a Question on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Dr. Hart, of Alne, is being pressed to pay £61 as Purchase Tax on streptomycin sent as a gift, from December, 1947, to March, 1948, from the United States in an unsuccessful attempt to save the life of his three-year-old daughter who was suffering from miliary tuberculosis; that Streptomycin was prescribed by the Streptomycin Regulations, 1948, as being within the scope of the Penicilin Act, 1947, and was exempted from Purchase Tax in April, 1948; and whether, in all the circumstances of this case, he will abandon his claim for Purchase Tax on a gift of an essential drug sent in order to save life.

Purchase Tax was legally chargeable on Streptomycin at the time these consignments were imported, whether or not they were sent as a gift and it was duly paid by the agents who acted for Dr. Hart. No claim has been made for its refund.

Surely the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that Dr Hart has protested vehemently ever since the tax was levied on this life-saving drug and that he holds letters from the Customs and Excise acknowledging the fact that he has so protested? It is quite wrong to say that he has not