asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the qualifications required by physiotherapists employed under the National Health Service.

No, Sir. The Committee set up by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and myself, and announced in the House on 19th May, 1949, is expected to report early next year.

Will the report be published?

I would require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to expedite the payment of land drainage grants by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland.

I am not aware of any general delay in the payment of land drainage grants; but if the hon. Member has some particular case in mind, I will be glad to look into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been cases where more than a year has elapsed before payment has been made, and that in the interval the proprietors concerned have been embarrassed by having to bear the whole cost themselves?

Of course, where a delay of that kind takes place there is probably a reason for it, but I will look into any question the hon. Member raises.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Committee on Land Drainage, under the chairmanship of Dr. Duncan.

I expect to receive this report very soon.

Can my right hon. Friend say if the report, when published, will be available in the Vote Office?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to amend the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1947, so as to prohibit members of local authority planning committees from appearing before such committees as their own agents.

No, Sir. This is a matter which I consider should be left to the good sense of members of the committee.

Has my right hon. Friend seen the reports of the Edinburgh Planning Committee and is he aware of the expressions of concern which have been made, by members of all parties, at this particular practice? Will he look into this again?

This is a matter which is largely in the domain of the local authority itself and there is no reason why they should not make standing orders if they desire to make provision for such events. It is rather difficult to make general legislation on the basis of something committed by someone which someone else thinks is wrong.

But is it possible to make regulations and standing orders concerning them?

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of houses and their cost built for county or Ministry officials since January, 1946, in the parishes of Kirkcudbright and Kelton in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.

I am informed that no houses built by the local authority in these parishes have been let either to county or to Government officials as such. One or two houses have been let to junior county employees who were entitled to them because of their position on the waiting list. Since January, 1946, licences have been issued for the building by private enterprise of two houses for county officials and one house for a technical officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The licensed costs of these houses were £1,300, £1,450 and £1,700, respectively.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that in two of these cases the amount expended exceeded the authorised limit and there has been considerable dissatisfaction among the rate-payers of the district? Will he take steps to show his disapproval of this kind of thing in the future?

I think it would be the duty of the hon. Member, if he has information of that kind, to bring it to my attention in the proper way.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the starting dates for rural water schemes in the counties of Aberdeenshire, Angus and Kincardineshire where the schemes have been approved but work has not yet begun.

In the three counties mentioned, no rural water supply schemes are at present at the stage when starting dates can be fixed, but I foresee no difficulty in arranging early starting dates for the urgent local schemes which are expected to be contracted for in the immediate future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is awa that there is a shortage of metal parts for ploughs in the North-east of Scotland; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

I am not aware of any general shortage of metal parts for ploughs in the North-east of Scotland. I understand that the main distributing agents in the area for a particular firm of manufacturers have an outstanding demand for steel shares, mould-boards and slades for heavy ploughs. Increased production of these parts has been arranged by the manufacturers who hope to supply all orders within the next two or three weeks. If the hon. Member cares to let me have details of any particular cases he has in mind I should be glad to look into them.

Yes, Sir, but has not the Minister heard that the local branches of the National Farmers' Union are at their wits' end about this shortage of all types of metal parts of ploughs of all makes? How can they be expected to undertake the Government's expansion programme if they have not got the spare parts for their implements?

All I can say is that if there has been this general feeling it is rather curious that they have not brought it to the notice of the people concerned.

Can my right hon. Friend give any estimate of what proportion of such parts are cast in Scottish foundries?

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one step which could and should be taken immediately is to get the Tullos factory for making agricultural machinery re-started as soon as possible and have the men who were declared redundant there, restored to productive work?

Tullos did specialised work. I do not think that this particular factory deals with the spares under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the allowance to the Lord High Commissioner for Scotland in the years 1947, 1948, 1949, respectively; and what economy cuts he is contemplating in this respect.

The allowances paid from the Consolidated Fund to the Lord High Commissioners in 1947, 1948 and 1949 were £2,000, £4,000 and £4,000, respectively. These sums were wholly utilised in meeting the necessary expenses of the office. The allowances for future years will be fixed, within the maximum prescribed by the Lord High Commissioner (Church of Scotland) Act, 1948, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time.

Is not the Secretary of State aware that he is losing a magnificent opportunity to set a glorious example of economy in Scotland?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that from my experience I can say that whatever the allowance is, it does not enrich the holder of the office? Is he also aware that if he continues to defend this office against malevolent criticism and attack he will be doing what is in keeping with the feelings of the majority of Scots?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what expense he incurred with regard to pigs in purported pursuance of the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Bulls) Act, 1931, before 24th October, 1949, the date appointed by S.I., 1949, No. 1911, s. 131, for the application of the said Act to pigs as to cattle; by what authority he incurred this expense; and what was the date upon which such authority commenced.

The net expenditure incurred before 24th October, 1949, in administering the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Boars) (Scotland) Regulations, 1946, was approximately £1,000. This expenditure was incurred under Section 12 of the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Bulls) Act, 1931, Section 6 of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1944, and the regulations made under these Acts. The date upon which such authority commenced was 1st May, 1946.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman forgot to appoint a date until he appointed 24th October last for this legislation to become applicable to pigs? In those circumstances how could he have any authority to incur expense before that date?

The hon. Member is thinking of two different orders. The second order dealt with that matter in one way and the first order dealt with it in another way.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the regulations of 1946 carried with them any authority to incur expense.

So far as I know the regulations made under that Order were in order.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are employed in the Department of Agriculture on the work of dealing with vermin; and of the total number so employed what proportion are executive and what proportion employed in other capacities.

The number of persons employed in the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in the destruction of vermin is 65, of whom 10 are technical and directing officers and 55 are foremen and trappers.

How many of the people concerned come under the Minister of Health?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the mid-week football matches in Scotland, with attendances of 90,000; how often these events will be planned for the future; and what disturbance to work and trade is caused.

I am aware that an International football match between Scotland and Wales was played at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Wednesday, 9th November, at which the attendance was just under 74,000. The only other international match in Scotland this season will be played against Switzerland on Wednesday, 26th April, 1950, in the evening. With regard to the last part of the Question, I have received no representations since the match of 9th November.

Has my right hon. Friend looked for any evidence in regard to the last part of the Question?

I should have thought that if anybody had a grievance they would express it, as is usually the case in Scotland, and so far that has not been done.

Does the right hon. Gentleman quite frankly think that in these difficult times this is desirable, particularly in view of the clearly expressed opinion of the Home Secretary in England some time ago?

Has my right hon. Friend really any direct evidence to show that mid-week matches affect attendance at factories, for there is none in East Anglia?

There are various and strong opinions expressed on this point. The Government have considered this matter from time to time and I must confess that the amount of evidence that has come forward against the holding of a mid-week match from time to time has not been sufficient to justify the Government in considering any action. In Scotland the Football Association has behaved with discretion in this matter, and this has been the only big mid-week match played this winter.

asked the Minister of Pensions if it is the practice of his Department to adjudge on the case of a man who was conscripted for service in the mines, although he wished to serve in the Army, and claims to have developed tuberculosis as a result of service in the mines.

No, Sir. The war pension instruments do not enable compensation to be granted in the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether this young man has any redress if as a result of his compulsory service he has contracted this disease?

That is really not a question for me. It was clearly stated in 1944 by the present Foreign Secretary, who was Minister of Labour, at the time when these men were taken on, that the same rights of compensation would apply in respect of injury or death as in the case of other miners.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that work in certain mines renders people more liable to tuberculosis than do ordinary occupations?

That again is not a question for the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in view of the increased cost of living as a result of the devaluation of the pound, he will now reconsider his decision not to appoint a Select Committee to consider war disability pensions.

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it is his intention to make any increases to meet these new circumstances or alternatively, whether he is quite satisfied with the position of these pensioners?

The only people who so far as I am aware have suffered from devaluation are pensioners living in hard currency countries, and I have already informed the House what I propose to do about them.

Then is the right hon. Gentleman arguing against the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement that the cost of living is bound to rise?

We cross our bridges when we come to them.

While the Government may not favour the machinery of the Select Committee which is suggested in this Question, does not the Minister feel that the time has now come for a complete and comprehensive review of this question, particularly in view of the remission now being contemplated for Surtax payers of a certain kind?

I am fully satisfied that all information that can be made available has already been made available to this House.

asked the Minister of Pensions why an ex-soldier, William Fuller, 11/M/248961, who has suffered the loss of both legs and left arm, has not been allowed a free car; and when his case is likely to be considered.

I am making further inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

While recognising the work which the Minister is doing for these ex-Service men, I should like to ask the Minister whether he will get into touch with the Minister of Supply to see that cars for these limbless ex-Service men will have priority over luxury motor cars as the appearance of photographs of £6,000 Rolls Royce cars in the newspapers is making these ex-Service men wonder whether they should not have priority?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any disabled ex-Service man who has lost both legs and arms has been given a special car in view of the difficulty of ensuring that the handling of the controls is safe for him and for the public?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now consider providing refresher courses in staff training for officers in the Regular Army Reserve.

This proposal has again been considered but the position remains as stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on 22nd February, 1949.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give this matter further urgent consideration in view of the fact that there are a large number of ex-staff officers who are only too willing and anxious to avail themselves of this opportunity, and also in view of the vital importance of keeping up to date the junior grade staff officers who are now in civilian life?

I appreciate the fact that the Reserve officers are anxious to undergo these refresher courses, but it is not a practical proposition at the moment. However, the matter will be kept under review.

Can the Minister say on what grounds this idea was turned down? Was it because of finance or otherwise?

It was because of a combination of circumstances. I could not reply in detail at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that the standard of medical attention provided for military personnel stationed in Gibraltar, and in particular for their families, is of the necessary quality.

I am satisfied with the standard of medical attention provided for the Army and for military families in Gibraltar. No criticism of the standard has been expressed to me, but I should be pleased to investigate any specific complaint.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Service families have to seek treatment from civilian doctors owing to the inadequacy and inefficiency of the military service provided, and will he make further inquiries upon that point?

I think that in the circumstances the hon. Member might furnish me with some details. I myself visited the hospital in Gibraltar some time ago and in my judgment it seemed to be efficient.

I will with pleasure give the right hon. Gentleman examples to show that this Question is not without substance.

asked the Secretary, of State for War (1) if, in view of the difficulty of housing accommodation for officers and their families transferred from one station to another, he will grant 75 per cent. of legal expenses and of purchase of a new house and sale of old up to a maximum of £140 as allowed in the Civil Service;

(2) why officers who are moved from one station to another are not reimbursed the cost of the transfer of tenancy at the old station or of lodging allowance for continued liability until termination of tenancy as granted in the Civil Service.

As in the case of similar Questions addressed to me by the hon. Member on 21st June and 31st May, I would refer him to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on 13th April to a Question by the hon. Member for North Blackpool (Mr. Low).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Service families incur a great expense by continually moving about, and can he say why it is that they, with more moving to do than the Civil Service, should be at so much disadvantage? Cannot this matter be looked into again?

It has been looked into several times. We do take account of the fact that these frequent postings cause expense to be incurred but, on the other hand, we take account of the frequent postings in determining the nature of the emoluments.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many Service pensioners are now on the waiting list for employment as barrack store accountants and barrack inventory accountants;

(2) how many Service pensioners have obtained employment as barrack store accountants and barrack inventory accountants since 22nd February, 1949.

There are now 455 individuals on the waiting list for employment as barrack store accountants and barrack inventory accountants. No Service pensioners have obtained employment in these posts since 22nd February, 1949.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of there being employment in these grades for any substantial number of these pensioners in the near future?

The position fluctuates. I would not care to say off-hand that we could give a definite guarantee of employment in the near future. However, there will be a Question on the Order Paper later in the month, and I may be able to give some information then

asked the Secretary of State for War how long young conscripts are expected to be kept in distant stations like East Africa; and how many he intends to bring home for Christmas.

National Service men must continue to be sent to distant stations abroad, so long as the fulfilment of our overseas commitments renders this necessary. Such men are at present liable to serve up to a maximum of about 13 months in the Far East, or 15 months in the Middle East. There can be no question of bringing home National Service men specially for Christmas. On present plans, men called up in the latter part of February, 1948, will be released in time to spend Christmas at their homes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are now the conditions of award of the Meritorious Service Medal; and what steps have been taken to speed up the award to those who have been recommended for it.

To qualify for registration for the Meritorious Service Medal, a candidate must have 21 years' Colour Service, be at least a sergeant, possess the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and have an exemplary character. A candidate is registered on the recommendation of his commanding officer and remains on the waiting list until his turn for an award occurs. The waiting list is long and the method of selection adopted is to take the oldest eligible candidate belonging to the branch of the Army to which the vacant award is allotted. The question of speeding up the award of this medal to those who have been recommended for it, has recently been investigated by a Working Party within my Department and is under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 13th April, 1948, he gave me an answer on this subject and he said then that the conditions were under consideration; further, is he aware that one old soldier recently received this medal after waiting for 33 years and that he died within a week of receiving it? Will the right hon. Gentleman cause this method to be really speeded up and, in view of the small sum involved, will he cause the issue both of the medal and of the annuity to be very greatly accelerated?

The position is that in the past, generally speaking—there may have been exceptions—the medal was awarded simultaneously with the granting of an annuity. It is precisely that point that we have been investigating. I think that a conclusion may be reached, which will be implemented shortly, that we may award a medal without regard to the granting of the annuity which may come later on.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the widespread hope that mess kit will be reintroduced in the near future; whether he has considered the possibility of making mess kit available through Army channels at cost price; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the desire of the Army for a smarter alternative to battledress. It is, however, the policy of my Department to give prior importance to the introduction of No. 1 dress, which is suitable for evening wear in the mess, rather than to mess dress, which is at present in abeyance. All young Regular officers may buy No. 1 dress on appointment to first commission and there is a quota system whereby not more than 20 per cent. of other Regular officers may buy the dress each year as Service dress and the pre-war blue patrols wear out. In present circumstances, I cannot agree to the reintroduction of mess dress.

Does that mean that the Secretary of State for War has dismissed the idea of reintroducing mess kit? Is he aware that blue patrols and No, I dress are both dull and unattractive, and does he not agree that a brighter uniform would be most desirable?

I have not dismissed any of the matters referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, but in present circumstances I cannot agree to the reintroduction of mess dress. When the circumstances change the matter will be reconsidered.

If the Minister cannot meet the desire expressed by my hon. and gallant Friend, would he consider devising a mess kit suitable for the consumption of a dish of fish and chips?

If the hon. and gallant Member will make representations to me about the consumption of that very edible commodity, I will give them my sympathetic consideration.

In view of the obvious desire of my right hon. Friend to oblige the Opposition in their continued demands for economy, can we have a specific assurance from him that in no circumstances will public money be expended on providing a subsidy for evening dress for officers that is not worn more than once in every six weeks?

I am not prepared to give my hon. Friend that assurance. As I have said, we operate in accordance with circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for War what economy in labour and money it is expected will be achieved by the removal of the regimental pay office from Shrewsbury to Ashton-under-Lyne; and if he will give an assurance that no further move is contemplated.

The regimental pay office, Shrewsbury, is being closed and the work transferred to Chester and Ashton-under-Lyne. This is part of a general reorganisation of pay offices recommended in the interests of economy and efficiency, by a Departmental Committee, which will reduce the number of offices in the United Kingdom from 26 to 15 and will result in a saving of staff of approximately 10 per cent. Practically the whole of the staff at Shrewsbury have been offered transfer to Chester, and no further move of the Chester office is contemplated. No further move of the office at Ashton-under-Lyne will, it is hoped, take place until the pay office moves to its permanent location, which has not yet been decided. The staff at Ashton-under-Lyne are not disturbed by the present reorganisation.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman has abandoned the scheme for centring the Pay Office of the Army in Leicester?

We are at present considering as much centralisation as is practicable, in order to reduce the staff, and, at the same time, effect substantial economies.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the cost and advantage of removing the Royal Army Medical Corps' pay office from Kidderminster to Aldershot, Aldershot to Oxford, Oxford to Nottingham, within two years; and if he will give an assurance that no further moves are now contemplated.

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

Would the Minister agree that, if these people returned their magic carpet to Kidderminster, they might settle down?

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are made for men demobilised from the Forces in Malaya to be shipped with suitable clothing in view of the change of temperature between Malaya and Great Britain.

The articles of clothing which should be in the possession of a soldier moving from one station to another are defined in Clothing Instructions. They include woollen gloves, jersey, battle-dress and greatcoat, and, during the winter season, woollen underwear for soldiers drafted from tropical to temperate climates. Stations overseas are periodically reminded of these instructions.

In view of that answer, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the case of certain Scottish soldiers returning from Malaya, who were issued with two blankets for the voyage but were otherwise in tropical kit until arriving at Aldershot, where they were issued with battledress and greatcoat, which were so dirty that they refused to have them, with the result that they caught colds?

It was only in July of this year that we issued these precise instructions to the Far East Command, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will let me have specific information I will certainly look into it.

Is it in order for a Scottish soldier to wear woollen underwear?

asked the Secretary of State for War the average number of young men, per year, who have been invalided from the Army since the end of the war.

The average yearly number of men who have been invalided from the Army since August, 1945, is 32,616. This figure excludes 9,518 men who were invalided out as a result of wounds between August, 1945, and December, 1946.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient care is taken in the examination of recruits to prevent this waste of manpower?

Every recruit has an examination and the number of rejects is substantial.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many county boroughs have established or approved caravan sites within their boundaries.

I regret that the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks is not available, and could not be secured without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the housing shortage, many caravan sites are seriously overcrowded, and will he consult the local authorities to see if additional sites can be made available in proper places?

That is not really a matter for my Department.

Is the Minister further aware that certain authorities are withdrawing licences for caravan sites just as the winter is beginning, thereby causing great hardship, and would he go into the matter and perhaps issue some instructions?

This would be interfering with the work of some other Departments, such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he has considered the application made to him by the brickmaking interests in Bedfordshire for an extension of the area of their activities; if, before approving it, he will consult with the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that agricultural production will not be adversely affected thereby; and what has so far been done to restore areas already affected by brickmaking.

In considering applications of this sort, I always consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, and I always look carefully into the possibility of restoring the land afterwards. Complete restoration of these brickfields is not always likely to be possible, however, because of the depth of working, the flooding by water and the lack of adequate supplies of suitable filling material within a reasonable distance; but where such material is available, we make the best use of it we can.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that reply is all right as far as it goes, but that it does not go very far? May I ask him whether he is aware that, until the past depredations of the brickmaking interests in Bedfordshire are cleared up better than they have been so far, there is not much local confidence that his Ministry is going to do much about the new application on which my Question is based?

The planning Acts under which we are acting relate to present depredations, not to past. These things to which the hon. Gentleman refers took place before the Act was passed.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that, in this particular area, it is not invariably possible to replace the top soil after excavations?

No, it is not, and if my hon. Friend will read the answer to the Question he will see that I have given the reason in some detail.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the considerable depth of these disused brick-fields, they will probably be considered best for water conservation and possible game preserves, and will he bear in mind the possibility of using them for those purposes?

Each case is considered on its merits, and the most suitable form of restoration is provided for.

Does my right hon. Friend give the necessary instructions or draw the attention of these people to the possibility of utilising the top soil from these excavations, and not burying it in deep holes under water?

Certainly, wherever possible.

Owing to the rather lukewarm approach of my right hon. Friend, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he has considered the proposal of the Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire County Councils that a joint advisory committee be set up for the Peak District National Park instead of a joint board; and if he is satisfied that this form of machinery is applicable in this case.

No such proposals have been made to me. The question of the appropriate organisation will be a matter for consideration if the area is designated as a National Park when the Bill now before Parliament becomes law.

In order to avoid waste of time and labour, will my right hon. Friend remind the authorities of the assurances given to this House and in Committee that a joint advisory committee should be set up only in exceptional cases, and will he make it clear that the Peak District will not in any case be considered an exceptional case?

My hon. Friend will not expect me to give a decision on a matter before it has actually reached me, but I certainly would remind all local authorities of Clause 8 of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will give the reason for the delay in announcing the result of the local public inquiry into the Service land requirements at Castell Martin, Pembrokeshire, held over 12 months ago; and when his decision will be made known.

I regret the delay, but I hope to announce a decision in the very near future.

May we have an assurance from the Minister that his decision will be expedited, because of what happened in Pembrokeshire, and because nearly all this land is in proposed national park areas?

I will certainly do my best to give a very speedy decision.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware of the decision of the Harting Parish Council to fell the beech trees at the Warren at Harting in West Sussex; and if he will take immediate steps to secure the preservation of this beauty spot.

I understand that the felling referred to was carried out by the parish council on the advice of a forestry expert that the trees concerned were dangerous, but that replanting with standard hardwoods will be undertaken.

Is the Minister satsified with the professional advice to which he refers, because there is some doubt whether any professional advice was officially taken or not, and has he further considered the necessity for devastating this lovely beauty spot?

Of course, it is not for me to judge of the adequacy or otherwise of the advice given to the parish council, but the fact is that these trees have been felled as dangerous and that nothing I can do can restore them. I can only make sure that replanting takes place.

Is the Minister aware that all the trees are not yet felled and that he can stop the process and, if he is satisfied that the professional advice was insufficient, will he do so?

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is satisfied that a development charge is rightly asked from Mr. Leonard, of Meopham, particulars of whose case have been sent him showing that he built riding stables on his land in 1938 and, since being prevented from securing feedingstuffs for horses, has converted these into bungalows.

I regret that I cannot undertake to answer Questions about individual cases involving payment of development charge. These are the responsibility of the Central Land Board. I am however, arranging for the views of the Board to be communicated to my hon. Friend.

As there is a principle involved in this in that the man in question was encouraged to go ahead by the local valuer who advised him confidently that no development charge would be made, will the Minister do his utmost to make sure that the decision when reached by the Land Board is in favour of this man?

I have explained that I cannot deal with an individual case, but in so far as any question of principle is involved, I will certainly look into the question.

Can the Minister give us an idea when the date of this will be because it has been before the right hon. Gentleman and the Land Board for some months?

I will do my best to expedite the matter.

On a point of Order. Does my right hon. Friend's answer mean that this is a further restriction on the right of back benchers to ask Questions of Ministers, and that the Table will in future refuse Questions of this nature?

I have no idea. This is the first time I have heard this answer, and, therefore, I should like to have time to consider it.

May I give notice to my right hon. Friend that if he does find it necessary to refuse to answer Questions of this kind, and to refuse responsibility for them, it merely means that the list of Adjournment Motion subjects will be very gravely overloaded, because they will all have to be raised on the Adjournment?

Does the right hon. Gentleman's undertaking to look into cases where questions of principle arise, mean that he is willing to answer Questions affecting individual cases which also raise a special principle?

No, Sir, it does not. I have said quite clearly that I cannot undertake to answer Questions about individual cases. In this particular case, I am informed that a question of principle is involved, and I will discuss that question of principle with the Central Land Board.

Does the Minister's answer imply that he will examine every individual case where a matter of principle arises?

No, Sir, it does not imply that. The individual cases are the responsibility of the Central Land Board, and I am not prepared to take that responsibility away from them. But where a question of principle arises, then I think it is right that they should be considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who decides when a question of principle arises? Is it the hon. Member who puts the Question who takes the responsibility of saying that a question of principle is involved, or does the right hon. Gentleman have to examine the case in order to see whether that principle is there or not?

I have to make the decision, and I make it on such information as comes to me in a variety of ways.

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, if you will be ruling that the Central Land Board now falls within the same category as the nationalised industries?

I cannot answer such questions offhand. I should like notice of that.

On a point of Order. May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether you have noticed the growing revolt on the back benches of the Labour Party?

That is not a point of Order.

In view of the merits of this case, and in order to test the position of the Minister in this matter, I wish to give notice that I shall try to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, in relation to the sale of land are carried out, and that would-be purchasers are not asked excessive prices by vendors who have lodged claims for compensation from the £300 million fund.

Purchasers of land for development are strongly advised to buy only on the terms recommended in the Central Land Board pamphlet, "House 1," with which the hon. Lady is familiar. Where approved development is being prevented because an excessive price is being asked for the land, there is a case for consideration of purchase, either by the local authority under Section 38 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, or by the Central Land Board under Section 43 of the Act.

It was very difficult to hear the Minister's reply. Will my right hon. Friend say whether he will take steps to see that the Central Land Board do use the powers entrusted to them under Section 43 to the 1947 Act to acquire compulsorily land in the circumstances I have outlined; and can he be sure that up to the moment the result of the 1947 Act has not been to inflate the price of land rather than to restrict it to existing value?

I am quite satisfied that the Central Land Board are using their powers under Section 43 where appropriate, and I am also satisfied that the effect of the 1947 Act has not been to inflate land prices.

Has it not been my right hon. Friend's experience that almost invariably, people who deal in land have had to pay too much under his regulations and that only when local authorities are concerned is a fair price paid?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of National Insurance in view of the increase in the cost of living, actual and anticipated, from the devaluation of the pound sterling in relation to the dollar, what increase he proposes to make in amounts paid for old age pensions.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the basic rate of retirement pensions under the National Insurance scheme. This would involve an increase in contributions which I am not prepared to contemplate in present circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, through his National Insurance officers, he will see that he is accurately informed of the effects of the increase in the cost of living on old age pensioners?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what persons are empowered by his regulations to refer cases to regional medical officers for a second medical opinion.

The regulations empower me to require sickness benefit claimants to undergo examination for a second medical opinion. The local office manager refers the cases selected to a senior medical officer of the Health Department who consults the patient's own doctor when deciding whether a case should go to the regional medical officer. The patient's doctor is invited to be present at any examination.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some medical practitioners would like to be able to refer some of their own patients to regional medical officers for a second opinion on fitness for work just as they refer cases to their professional colleagues for a second opinion on diagnosis and treatment, and will he discuss this matter with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health with a view to making simple arrangements whereby general medical practitioners may refer cases to regional medical officers?

Some of the general practitioners do refer cases to the regional medical officer, and that is a practice which we seek to encourage on every possible occasion.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) if he is aware of the hardship caused to sick people and the aged by the inadequate allowances now granted for winter clothing; and what steps he will take to prevent these people suffering greater hardship because of the change created by the 1948 Act;

(2) if he is aware that applicants to Appeal Boards for clothing on the pre-1948 scale, are now told that this must be refused on instruction from the Labour Government; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent political prejudice being brought into the day-to-day working of these Appeal Boards.

I have been in touch with the National Assistance Board on the matters raised in these Questions. On the information before me, I cannot accept the general implications contained in them. If my hon. Friend has individual cases in mind, I should be glad if she would let me have particulars, in order that I may cause any necessary inquiries to be made.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the appointments of chairmen to the appeal boards are made on the basis of non-political allegiance, and whether, in view of the fact that in most boroughs the chairmen of such boards have been the leaders of the Conservative Party in those boroughs for a period of years, this is political allegiance, or whether it is only political allegiance where a person happens to be of Labour politics?

These chairmen are appointed because of the experience they had of the work before the new scheme started. My hon. Friend has made certain allegations against one of the chairmen. It is impossible for me to inquire into the matter until I have the particulars. When I have the particulars, I will make inquiries.

Is there anything wrong in saying that these are the instructions of the Government of the day? It seems perfectly normal.

The business of the tribunal is to adjudicate between the Board and the applicant, and not to issue political statements.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that the present scale of assistance grants is insufficient to enable pensioners without other income to purchase their full entitlement of rationed foodstuffs; and if he will investigate the matter with a view to arranging for increased grants in cases of need.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether consideration is being given to amending the existing National Assistance Regulations respecting the assessment of need to meet the increasing difficulties of old age pensioners and others falling within the provisions of the regulations.

I cannot accept the statement that the present scales do not enable pensioners to buy their full share of rationed foodstuffs. These rates, which were a considerable improvement on those previously in operation, were generally welcomed when they were approved by this House last year. In addition, the Board have wide powers of discretion to meet the special circumstances of any individual case, which they exercise on an extensive scale. The position is, of course, kept under constant review by the National Assistance Board.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while I agree that the present scales are far in advance of anything previously applied, if one allows for rent and unrationed foodstuffs and such things that people must have, the present allowances are not nearly sufficient for an old couple living together? Will my right hon. Friend consider this matter again and, as was suggested previously, ask his officers to ascertain whether there is not some hardship involved at present?

I would call my hon. Friend's attention to what the Board say in their report. When they made a test in November, 1948, 25 per cent. of all the pensioners were receiving special allowances over and above the supplementary scale. From my experience, what very often causes most distress is the number—perhaps a large number—of old age pensioners who are not making application for the supplementary allowance to which they are entitled. I appeal to hon. Members in all parts of the House to encourage old age pensioners to apply for the supplementary allowance.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there has been a change—I do not know to what extent—since the regulations were made more than a year ago? Must my right hon. Friend await the decision of the Assistance Board before he himself can come to a conclusion?

I would remind my hon. Friend that the scales which were adopted in July, 1948, meant an increase of 20 per cent. for single persons and 14 per cent. for married persons. There were substantial improvements for most people concerned in the country.

What were the increases since that date?

As I have said, there is power to make discretionary payments, and the matter is continually kept under review by the Board.

Could my right hon. Friend give us any idea of the scope of discretionary payments which are being made, either in terms of the average per person or the lump sum as a whole?

The total amount given last year in discretionary payments was £2,900,000. If my hon. Friend would like further details and will put down a Question I will do my best to supply them.

In view of my right hon. Friend's influence in this matter, would he consider giving a lead to the National Assistance Board and review the regulations?

The initiative rests the other way.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what he intends to do to remedy the unfairness to merchant seamen who have to pay full contributions under the National Insurance scheme, but who, being mostly outside the United Kingdom, are unable to obtain treatment under the Health Service.

It is a fundamental principle of the National Insurance scheme that the contributions paid by insured persons should be at flat rates and should not be related to individual circumstances. Special provision has been made for merchant seamen under this scheme, in consultation with the two sides of the shipping industry, and I am satisfied that they are not unfairly treated.

Does the Minister think that it would be more fair to these men if he could remit that portion of their contributions for which they can get no return?

No. That would be a complete departure from the scheme. We have discussed the special position of the seamen with the Mariners Board. We have made certain concessions for them. They are allowed sickness benefit and unemployment benefit while they are outside the country, and we remit a certain sum to the Mariners Board to be used for the welfare of seamen.

Would my right hon. Friend point out the fallacy underlying this Question, since the National Health Service is not for the most part financed out of the weekly contributions to the National Insurance scheme? Since this fallacy is widespread—although it has been repeatedly exposed—could my right hon. Friend take steps to make the facts further known?

It has been pointed out, but I will look into it further.

Is the Minister aware that a seaman, in order to obtain his sickness benefit, has to appoint somebody at home to apply for it while he is abroad? Is the Minister further aware that there are many seamen who are not aware of that regulation, and would he publicise the fact so that no hardship may accrue?

This arrangement has been made after full consultation with both sides of the industry, and I think it is well known. I will discuss the matter with them further in order to find out whether further publicity should be given.