asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the long waiting list of Service pensioners for employment as barrack store accountants and barrack inventory accountants, he will now transfer the established civil servants at present holding posts as barrack fuel and light accountants to other posits and reopen this type of employment to Service pensioners.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to his Questions on this subject on 22nd February last. There is no longer a grade of barrack fuel and light accountant, the posts in question having been assimilated to the general clerical class of the Civil Service. To regrade these posts to barrack accountants would be contrary to the general policy that clerical work shall be done by clerical grades.

In view of the fact that something like 455 pensioners are on the waiting list for employment as barrack wardens, will not the Under-Secretary reconsider this decision, which has caused great dissatisfaction?

I think we must look at the question as a whole. It should be remembered that, in the general clerical class to which these posts have now been assimilated, there are vacancies reserved for ex-Regular Service men.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the qualifications of Major-General C. D. Packard, Director of Military Intelligence, for command of the British Military Mission in Greece.

Major-General Packard has had a distinguished career both as a commander and as a staff officer. Among his many appointments he has commanded an Infantry Brigade, has been Deputy Chief of Staff in the Mediterranean theatre and Chief of Staff to the Allied Commander in Austria. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that in view of his extensive command and staff ex- perience, Major-General Packard is particularly suited to be the Commander of the British Military Mission in Greece.

Will the Under-Secretary say what is the purpose of sending an officer who held the post of Director of Military Intelligence in this country to the Military Mission in Greece, whose aim, we are told, is only to advise the Greek Government on military matters?

As I have already pointed out, the particular qualification to which the hon. Member refers is only one of a number of qualifications held by this officer.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long before the end of their whole-time service will National Service men be told to which Territorial Army unit they will be posted for part-time service.

National Service men will normally be told at least six weeks before they complete their whole-time service, to which Territorial Army or Supplementary Reserve unit they will be posted.

Would it not be a good thing if they were told much earlier than that, and would it not be a good thing if the War Office quickly made up its mind about the Territorial unit to which these men are to be posted, in order that they might tell the Territorial unit itself?

We shall certainly tell the Territorial unit itself within at least six weeks. I am endeavouring to put it at a minimum.

Would it not be desirable, if possible, to let them know earlier, so that they can receive training in the technical branch of the Service to which they are to be posted after their National Service training?

Certainly, it is desirable to let them know to which unit they are to be posted.

Will the Minister ensure that, as far as possible, these men will be posted to the same arm of the Service as that in which they served their National Service in the Regular Forces?

Yes, Sir, as far as is possible, but the hon. and gallant Member will realise that a good many other considerations will have to be taken into account in determining in what unit a man will serve in the Territorial Army.

Once they have been told to which unit they will be posted, are they then allowed to volunteer for another Territorial Army unit, or is that option to volunteer taken away from them?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Order Paper.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the normal National Service man will be allowed to go to the unit of his choice?

That is not always possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men will be posted at the end of their whole-time service to the Territorial Army; and how many to the Army Reserve.

The proportion in which National Service men will, at the end of their whole-time service, be posted to the Territorial Army and to the Army Supplementary Reserve, respectively, will depend, to a considerable extent, upon the response which is made by volunteers for the Territorial Army and for the Supplementary Reserve. Present plans, however, envisage that between 75 and 80 per cent. of National Service men will be posted to the Territorial Army, and the remainder to the Supplementary Reserve.

In view of the present shortage of volunteers for the Territorial Army—which is likely to continue for at least another year—would it not be wise if a higher proportion than 75 per cent. were posted to the Territorial Army?

It is 75 or 80 per cent., and, as I stated, that figure is subject to modification, in the light of the response to recruiting in both organisations.

Would the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the 20 per cent. which it is proposed to send to the Army Reserve will be men who are known to be going into reserved occupations, and whether those who will be sent to the Army Reserve will normally be men in reserved occupations?

Not necessarily.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will review the sentence of 112 days' detention passed on Private Gilbert Edward Watson, Parachute Regiment, for conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline in failing to prepare for action in an aircraft when ordered to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether consideration can be given to the possibility of transferring to another regiment Private Gilbert Edward Watson, of the Parachute Regiment, who has been sentenced to 112 days' detention for refusing to jump from an aeroplane.

This sentence will be reviewed by the Command concerned under normal arrangements next month. Private Watson will be transferred out of the Parachute Regiment.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that is a most unsatisfactory answer; that this soldier, according to the Press reports, asked to be transferred from the Parachute Regiment and said that he did not think he could jump, that he was then ordered into an aircraft and was subsequently ordered to jump and failed to do so? Does not my hon. Friend realise that it is a great honour for anybody to belong to the Parachute Regiment and that if he feels that he has to transfer himself he loses the honour, and that it is absolutely disgraceful for the Government to be responsible in any way for a sentence of detention against a man who refuses to jump?

I have some sympathy for the feeling behind what my hon. Friend has said, but I do not think that he has the story correct by any means. The position is that this soldier was sent on a refresher course—he had previously done work of this kind—and it was made clear to him, as to other men on that course, that he could at any time honourably withdraw from it. But, of course, once he had decided of his own free will to complete the course and was posted to an airborne unit, he was then expected to carry out the ordinary duties of that unit. As I have said, the sentence is subject to review.

Is not the procedure which the hon. Gentleman has laid down the normal procedure in these cases? Is it not usual to review a case?

That is so.

He ought not to have been sentenced.

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether, in fact, this man asked to be transferred from the Parachute Regiment?

That is not my information.

While the Secretary of State for War is carrying out his tour of the Middle East, will the Minister invite his right hon. Friend to bale out himself and then to review the sentence?

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is causing great concern and much comment up and down the country, and that the last has not been heard of it? It is most disgraceful that this man should have been sentenced.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that even during the war it was not the practice to court-martial soldiers who refused to jump, and that it really seems absolutely stupid to court-martial them now in peacetime when there is no danger to the country?

Does not the Minister realise that it is quite clear that Private Watson is not a suitable member of the Parachute Regiment and that it is quite futile to sentence him to 112 days' detention for not carrying out a task for which he is obviously unsuited?

I fully appreciate the opinions expressed in all parts of the House on this matter, but I do not feel that any injustice has been done so far in carrying through the normal procedure where a soldier, for whatever reason, does not fulfil the duty required of him. I shall, of course, convey to my right hon. Friend the feelings expressed by hon. Members in many parts of the House, and I am quite sure that my right hon. Friend will be capable of dealing with this matter with justice and humanity without the advice of the hon. Member opposite.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many candidates sat for the Civil Service Commissioners Army Entrance Examination during the May-October period; how many candidates were successful in the written examination; how many have been accepted for entrance to the Royal Military Academy; how this compares with the eight previous periods; and what action will be taken to encourage sufficient candidates to come forward in future.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Minister recollect that some three weeks ago his right hon. Friend, in reply to an inspired Question, sought to prove how many benefits had been conferred on Army officers? Is not the proof of the pudding in the eating, and does not the Minister agree that the shortage of potential officers is an extremely grave matter?

I think the hon. and gallant Member should first study the answer which will appear in the OFFICIAL REPORT, from which he will see that the number of candidates—when it is fully known for this year, which it is not yet—will compare favourably with that of previous years.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the original Question and say what steps are being taken to encourage recruitment?

We are arranging talks to individual classes and meetings between headmasters and senior officers at the War Office and the Royal Military Academy. It is mainly by approaches to schools of that kind that we are likely to get useful results.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how soon a decision will be arrived at in regard to the development plan for the Shoreham and Lancingbeaches.

I hope to give a decision to the local planning authority within the next three weeks.

Is the Minister aware that the county council's proposals were drawn up within four months of the scheme being suggested, since when the matter has hung fire for practically a year, and does he not consider that deplorable in view of the state of mind of the residents in this particular area?

This is a very complicated proposal. There were 70 objectors at the public inquiry, including a number of important local authorities. The matter Statistics in respect of the examinations held since entry to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, was opened in December, 1946, are as follow:

is very controversial and a certain amount of time is inevitably taken up in going into the various objections raised.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that the file was lost between the right hon. Gentleman's Department and the Ministry of Health for something like seven months?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my constituents, like those of my hon. and gallant Friend, are disturbed at the delay and that there seems to be some mystery about the matter? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the mystery is, and why he has taken so long to come to a decision?

I have not taken up all the time; the local authority has taken up a good deal of it. The right hon. Gentleman's own constituency is against the proposal; it is one of the objectors. I have now promised to give a decision within three weeks.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning (1) whether he is aware of the need to restore the land devastated by ironstone workings in the Midlands; what progress has been made by the two Standing Conferences appointed to co-ordinate the views of those concerned; and when he expects to receive any report;

(2) whether he can now make a statement on his policy as to the restoration of land worked for ironstone in the Mid- lands; and what steps are being taken to ensure working in such a way as to admit of full restoration to agricultural use.

I am aware of the need to restore this land, and the Standing Conferences, which have been examining this question, have prepared interim reports, of which I have received advance copies. I will make a statement as soon as possible.

Is the Minister aware that this matter is really urgent, that there is very considerable and widespread feeling about it throughout Northamptonshire, including feeling among the steel workers themselves, and that a statement of policy was to be made "at the earliest possible moment" over three years ago? In the circumstances, will my right hon. Friend do his very best to produce both a satisfactory and a rapid statement?

In answer to these many questions, I have promised to make a statement as soon as I have had an opportunity of considering the reports which have been submitted to me.

Will that be before Christmas?

asked the Minister of. Town and Country Planning how many many public inquiries have been held about iron ore workings in the Kettering Division and for what purpose and with what present result.

Two local inquiries have been held for the purpose of obtaining the views of the parties and other interested persons. I am now considering the Inspector's reports.

Is the Minister aware that a number of other local inquiries have been held or are being held in the neighbourhood, and when does he expect to reach any decision on any of these local inquiries?

The two local inquiries to which I referred are the only ones which have been held. There are two more which will be held before the end of the year.

Is it not about time that some decision was come to about these matters? At present the inhabitants of Kettering and the neighbourhood. who are accustomed to walking in this part of the country, are unable to do so, and nobody knows what is going to happen to the fine woodlands which concern everyone in the countryside.

Does the Minister ever make any decision, except hopelessly wrong ones?

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many trees have been felled at the beauty spot known as the Warren, at Harting, in West Sussex; and whether the action he has taken has resulted in a cessation of the felling.

Ninety-four trees have been felled. Since, as I informed the hon. Member, the trees concerned are dangerous, I do not propose to intervene in the matter.

In view of the fact that there were only 88 trees to begin with, is the right hon. Gentleman quite sure that his Departmental mathematics are correct? As the trees have now been felled, will he ensure that the country planning of this area includes the reafforestation to which he previously referred?

The hon. Gentleman must have miscounted, because there were 200. If he cares to pay another visit he will see that there are still 106 trees left. Due regard is being had to the need for re-plan ting, and that will be pressed on.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of cutting of trees and reafforestation going on in Sussex at the present time, and that those who are taking part in it, like myself, believe that it is in the best interests of the country?

I am very much obliged for the assistance of the noble Lord.

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the local authorities in this area are made aware of the fact that they can, if necessary, issue tree preservation orders in order to keep the 106 trees which he has mentioned?

I must assume that the local authorities in this, as in other areas, know their powers.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that two ex-Service men employed as temporary clerks in the Central Pensions Branch, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, who have been successful in the written examination for establishment and have been interviewed by the Selection Board, are having their services terminated as from 24th November on grounds of redundancy; and whether he will suspend the discharge of these men until such time as Parliament has had an opportunity of debating the whole question of the discharge of ex-Service temporary clerks under the provisions of Treasury Circular No. 14/45.

The chances of these officers in the competition, the results of which will not be available for some time, are in no way prejudiced. They are being dealt with under special provisions in a national agreement governing the establishment of temporary officers, and their retention out of turn would be a breach of the national agreement on redundancy.

Can the Minister say if the head of the Department was consulted before notice of discharge was given to these men, and whether account has been taken of their professional abilities?

As I have indicated in answer to previous Questions on this matter, the question of discharge of redundant staff is governed by a national agreement to which both sides are parties.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I wish to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will now issue a comprehensive booklet explaining the provision for entitlements to pensions, benefits, etc., and the procedure for application required by the various National Insurance, National Assistance and National Health Service Acts and by the relevant regulations made thereunder.

Any publication about the Health Service would be a matter for my right hon. Friends. As regards the Acts administered by my Department, I would like to issue comprehensive booklets in due course, but I do not think that I should be justified in doing so in present circumstances.

Can my right hon. Friend give the House any idea of when he is likely to issue this comprehensive booklet which would be so valuable to Members and others who have to refer to a very large number of leaflets of all sorts and sizes at the present moment?

I appreciate that, but the production of a booklet would require quite a large staff, and I think that I shall have to wait until the organisation and administration are running more smoothly before that is done.

In the meantime, will my right hon. Friend issue leaflets all of the same size so that they can be kept together reasonably well?.

Yes, that is being done now.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how much increase in unemployment benefit it is estimated would be necessary to make it equivalent in purchasing power to the pre-war rate of 17s.; and what consideration he has given to increasing the amount accordingly.

I cannot add to the information given on 8th November by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his reply to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on the purchasing power of the £. Any increase in the rates of benefit would involve an increase in contributions which I am not prepared to contemplate in present circumstances.

Is the Minister aware that in order to meet the increased cost of living, according to official figures, the amount required would be about 5s., and that that 5s. would only bring the figure up to the pre-war figure in buying terms? Has not the Minister, therefore, responsibility at least to provide the pre-war unemployment benefit?

The unemployment benefit was raised with other benefits when the new Insurance Act came into force. I would remind the hon. Member that the benefit not only of unemployed persons, but also of their wives and children was also raised. In addition, those benefits can be supplemented by assistance.

My Question was related particularly to the single man who today receives only 20s. If the Minister examines that category he will see that the single man gets no additional benefit whatsoever.

A single man is also entitled to national assistance.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) if he will give the number of old age pensioners in receipt of supplementary pensions during the quarters ended 31st March, 30th June and 30th September, 1949, respectively; and the amount of money paid in each quarter and the average amount paid during the nine months, excluding rent allowances;

(2) if he will give the number of old age pensioners in receipt of rent allowances in the four regions, stating the number in each region separately; and the average amount paid to each person.

As the answer is somewhat long and contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he has taken since 3rd November last to consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the National Assistance Board for a general review of the regulations of the Board.

I have taken note of the views and suggestions put forward by my hon. Friend in the Debate on 3rd November. I am regularly in touch with the Board on the working of their regulations, but I cannot add to what I said on this subject in reply to questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Taunton (Mr. Collins) and Ilkestone (Mr. Oliver) on 15th November.

Is the Minister aware that there is grave disquiet in the country about the treatment given to old age pensioners when they have to receive assistance from the National Assistance Board area offices? Will the Minister get some determination and some kick into this matter, and get the thing settled?

I think that, on the whole, the Board are doing their work very well indeed. In fact, they are very generous in regard to the discretionary allowances, as I indicated in my reply last week.

While joining in the tribute to the work of the National Assistance Board, may I ask my right hon. Friend to bear in mind that the Board's general scales were fixed as being just sufficient to maintain health and to avoid malnutrition, and that since then there has been a rise of a number of points in the cost of living index and a further rise is projected? Therefore, by definition the scales are insufficient to maintain health and avoid malnutrition.

My hon. Friend is assuming what is not correct, and that is that all the pensioners are existing on these scales. There is provision for discretionary allowances. I would also remind my hon. Friend that the disregards which we permit are very much more generous than they have ever been before.

Will the Minister realise that the regulations are so rigid that an extra allowance can only be made in exceptional cases, and that consequently because of the scaling there is need to review the regulations again?

I do not think the regulations are being applied rigidly. One-third of all the pensioners receiving supplements are also receiving a discretionary allowance. That does not indicate much rigidity.

In view of the demands that are being made for an increase for lower-paid workers, will the Minister not realise that old age pensioners get less than half of what is paid to the lower-paid workers, and that they cannot possibly live on the amount that they get. even with assistance from the Assistance Board?

I think the Ministry, the Board and this Government have every right to be proud of what they have done for the old people.

Arising from the replies given to the Question and from the apparent complacency of the three Departments referred to on 3rd November, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Hear, hear.

Why are hon. Members opposite cheering? They starved them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that the building labour force in Scotland is sufficient for the building of the married quarters programme without interfering with the housing programme of the local authorities.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable disquiet among local authorities in Scotland about the slow progress on married quarters for miners? What steps have been taken to see that there will be an increase of building labour to meet this demand and other demands?

I thought the Question on the Order Paper was directed to married quarters for persons in the Forces and, as far as that programme is concerned, no delay has occurred in the local authorities' housing schemes because of the building of married quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet received the report on public libraries and other cultural services in Scotland from the Advisory Council on Education; and whether it is his intention to publish this report in due course.

The Advisory Council have informed me that they are now engaged on drafting the Report but that they will be unable to complete it until next year. The Report will, in due course, be published as a Command Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to exercise more supervision over the regional hospital boards in their increasing appointments of administrative and medical chiefs and if he will take steps to halt the advancing of salaries of administrative and medical chiefs particularly at a time when the Trade Union Congress is constantly exercising restraint on the wages increase appeals of the workers.

Regional hospital boards cannot increase the number of their senior administrative appointments, medical or lay, without my approval and in recent months there has been no substantial increase either in this category or in the number of their senior medical appointments in hospitals. As regards the second part of the Question, I can assure the hon. Member that the Government's policy as regards salaries and wages applies in the Health Service as in other fields.

Would my right hon. Friend give us some figures to show that there has been no substantial increase? On the second point, is he aware that very large increases have already been made in the salaries of people under the hospital boards? Surely, if we call a halt to the old-age pensioners and to the assistance boards, we should call a halt to this.

I think the hon. Member is mistaken. He is probably mistaking the fact that a great many scales have been settled by the Whitley Council—the Council for settling what these scales should be under the National Health Service. These may only now be becoming applicable in his district, but no increases have been granted.

If the Chancellor of the Exchequer calls a halt to the proposals for increases for higher civil servants, then if these increases have not yet been made operative, surely it is the time to call a halt here, too. These increases are very high indeed.

I want to make it clear to the hon. Member that these are not increases. These are the rates for the job, which have now been established and which are being paid for the first time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Were the respective numbers of specialists attached to the Royal, Victoria and Western infirmaries in Glasgow on 1st July, 1948; what are the corresponding numbers today; and what changes in management and administration have made necessary the engagement of additional specialists.

The Royal, Victoria and Western Infirmaries in Glasgow are now managed as key hospitals of three separate groups of hospitals. The numbers of specialists on the staffs of the hospitals in these groups in July, 1948, were 109, 55 and 141, respectively. The corresponding numbers today are 103, 58 and 142, showing an over-all net decrease of two. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of staff engaged on health administrative work in the area now designated the Scottish Western Regional Hospital area on 1st July, 1948; what is the total number of staff employed today under the supervision of the Western Regional Hospital Board; and why there has been an increase in personnel.

The number of administrative and clerical staff employed on the administration of the hospital and specialist services in the Western Region on 1st July, 1948, could not be obtained without undue labour. Many of the technical and financial staff, for example, in the employment of local authorities were partly engaged on this work and partly on other work altogether. The number employed at 31st August, 1949, in the offices of the Regional Board and the 37 boards of management is 475.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Glasgow we now have 14 hospital management committees, each with its full-time administrative secretary and deputy, and that this body is performing the work which was formerly largely done by one health committee, with three sub-committees, one chief officer and a deputy?

I think my hon. Friend had better put down that question. Glasgow is a big and important city and I would not accept that picture of the change without verification.

The Secretary of State indicated in his answer that the administrative staffs numbered just over 400, but the Question I asked said, "under the supervision of the Western Regional Hospital Board." I therefore think I am entitled to include in that all the hospitals in the Western Regional area. Have I to take it that we have only a little over 400 engaged on the administrative work over that entire area?

Might I repeat the last sentence of the reply. It was:

"The number employed at 31st August, 1949, in the offices of the Regional Board and the 37 boards of management is 475."

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to reduce the maximum number of patients on a doctor's list from 4,000 to 3,800, or some agreed smaller number.

I am arranging to explore this possibility with the profession in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is prepared to publish lists of areas in Scotland which are over-doctored, under-doctored and adequately doctored; and to revise the lists annually.

I have asked the Scottish Medical Practices Committee to let me have, for early publication, lists of the areas which they consider most in need of additional doctors. Published information will be kept up to date as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of schemes he has embarked upon since 30th June for the recovery of lost agricultural land.

Twenty-five arterial drainage schemes initiated since 30th June will result in the improvement of some 1,900 acres of agricultural land at present in a low state of productivity. In addition, I have since that date approved 1,597 applications from proprietors and tenants for 50 per cent. grants to help them with land drainage works estimated to cost £240,000. Agricultural executive committees have been asked to examine whether there are acreages in their areas which might be considered for reclamation in terms of Section 57 of the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948.

Is it not obvious from that reply that the Minister is not replying to the Question I put on the Order Paper? May I ask him whether he recalls the words he used in the important Scottish Economic Debate on 30th June, when he said that at that moment he was considering land reclamation free of cost to the land owner or to the tenant? It is those schemes about which I am inquiring.

If the hon. Member will put down a specific Question on that point I will endeavour to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish an illustrated booklet dealing with recent Scottish statistics in the same way as the facts about our finances were portrayed in the booklet "The Budget and Your Pocket."

Statistics relating to employment in the principal Scottish industries, to the output of raw materials and manufactured products, to the progress of factory building and to shipping movements are published each year, together with a wide range of information about economic developments in Scotland, in the White Paper on Industry and Employment. I am afraid that this information would not readily lend itself to pictorial treatment.

Is the Minister aware that the Lord Provost of Edinburgh has recently been in Canada talking about the "grim facts" of Scotland? Is my right hon. Friend aware that the grim facts are that the death rate has gone down, that infantile mortality has gone down and that the tuberculosis rate has gone down? Cannot he publish that in picture form so that the Lord Provost can understand it?

I think that is a possibility. I will look into the question of whether such a document could be prepared.

In answer to the supplementary question the right hon. Gentleman said "that is a possibility." To which possibility does he refer—the intelligence of the Lord Provost or his own ability to produce this booklet?

For the moment I was referring to the publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the harbour at Keiss is silted up and that the sea channel and bar is in a similar state, and that craft returning to harbour can only enter at high tide, thus involving danger to fishermen who may be compelled to seek refuge from storms; and if he will have this situation remedied.

My information is that the silting up at this harbour is not such as to interfere seriously with fishing. The harbour is privately owned, and it is for the proprietor to undertake any necessary works.

Will the Secretary of State accept my assurance that the information on which this Question was based was given to me by a deputation of fishermen? Surely, the men who use the harbour are the best judges as to the facts? Can the right hon. Gentleman bring any pressure upon the proprietor who is responsible?

Oh.

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have a lot of pressure not to interfere with private enterprise in these matters.

That is about the silliest remark possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the harbour at Brora has become silted-up with sand; that fishing craft can only enter and leave at high tide, and that small coastal vessels which formerly used the port are no longer able to do so; and if he will take steps to have the sand removed and protective groynes erected to prevent a recurrence of silting.

I am aware of the silting up at this harbour, but I understand that the few fishing boats based on it are still able to work regularly. The harbour is privately owned, and while this continues it does not qualify for assistance from public funds.

asked the Lord Advocate the effects of the decision to postpone the coming into operation of the Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Act.

Discussions are proceeding with the interests concerned as to which parts of the Act can be brought into operation, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

In view of the very full information given to the House last week concerning England, can my right hon. and learned Friend say why it takes so long, in the case of Scotland, to make a statement?

Because we have a different procedure and a different jurisdiction in our courts in Scotland, and we are anxious to get the best possible results having regard to those differences.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, with a view to helping to give effect to the Government's policy of preventing taxation entering into industrial costs, he will refund Purchase Tax paid by firms for equipment, stores and other items required in connection with their business activities.

No, Sir. This is not practicable; nor do I think it would make any material difference to industrial costs.

In view of that answer will the right hon. and learned Gentleman desist from making statements to the effect that taxation does not enter into industrial costs?

If it is relevant to the matter being discussed at the time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate total foreign holdings of Government stocks and, in view of the large sales from these accounts since the pound was devalued, if he will take steps to restore public confidence.

I regret that this information is not available. In reply to the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 17th November last to Questions asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) and my hon. Friend the Member for Ashton (Mr. Wyatt).

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that this sale of gilt-edged securities by foreigners has been stopped now? Or can he take any steps to stop it?

No. I have no evidence that any took place at all.

Then will the Chancellor read the editorial columns of "The Times," which paper is regarded as responsible?

That is not evidence.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman make it clear to holders of British Government securities overseas that they are quite free to do what they like with them?

They are free, subject, of course, to control restrictions. They are not wholly free.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon which public funds has fallen the cost of raising the level of gilt-edged stocks under his predecessor to permit the issue of 2½ per cent. Treasury Stock at par in 1946; and how much public money was used to achieve this object.

Purchases and sales of Government securities in the market by official funds have taken place from day to day under this Government as under previous Governments but in accordance with long-established practice I am not prepared to disclose details of these transactions, or add to the information given to Parliament in the statutory accounts of official funds.

Could the Chancellor say whether it is true that it cost about £800 million to put the gilt-edged market right in order that his predecessor's vanity could be satisfied?

That is not true, but I cannot say whether anything else is true or not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purchase price of the £28.2 million 2½ per cent. Treasury stock held in the account of the Fund for the Banks for Savings, and of the £21.7 million, £201 million, £1.6 million, £1.1 million, and £1.2 million, of the same stock held in the accounts of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund, the National Insurance (Reserve) Fund, the County Court, the Crown Lands and the Supreme Court, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statutory accounts of these Funds, which are laid before Parliament. I am not prepared to add to the information contained in the accounts.

Is it not a fact that the Chancellor will not publish these figures because they show the enormous loss to the taxpayer; is the Chancellor not aware that this is due to the cheap money policy followed by himself and his predecessor; and will he Set up a committee, under the chairmanship of his predecessor, to inquire into these losses?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why in view of the erroneous figures contained in Command Paper 7697 concerning Government Information Services, that document had not been withdrawn by 15th November although the errors were known to his Department in June; and when a corrected Command Paper will be presented to Parliament.

For reasons of economy, and because the error was small in relation to the total figures, it was thought sufficient to report the facts to the Public Accounts Committee, at whose recommendation the White Paper had originally been presented. I do not now propose to present a corrected Command Paper, which would, in view of the Government's economy proposals, be quite out of date, but the corrected totals for Departmental expenditure will be shown in next year's White Paper.

Will the Chancellor agree that there were six mistakes in this document, and that the salaries and expenses of the Air Ministry's information staff were shown at a third of the correct figure, a total error of £30,000? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman regard this as a small drop in the ocean of inaccuracy of Government statements?

There was an obvious misprint in which certain figures in one line were repeated in the next, instead of a new lot of figures.

Is it not a fact that members of the Public Accounts Committee, as appears in the published minutes, express the view that this document should be withdrawn and a correct version issued? Was it not a fact? May I have an answer?

Answer.

I am not aware, without having the document before me, whether that was so or not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what Vote are included rewards paid to persons giving information with reference to alleged offences under the Exchange Control Act.

Any such rewards which are paid in future will be charged against the Treasury Vote, Subhead H, Exchange Control.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this practice of paying people money to give information about alleged offences is on the whole repugnant to ordinary people? Will he ensure that in no case is money ever paid to informers who have incited to the commission of an offence?

I am not aware, especially in view of the fact that every Government for many years past have had such a system in operation in regard to Customs, the Inland Revenue, the Post Office, the Metropolitan Police, the Board of Trade, and the Ministry of Food.

Would not the Chancellor look at this question again and see that it is the extension of this system which is repugnant to many people at the present time? Would he not look at it again?

I am not inclined to look at it again. I see no reason why offenders against the Exchange Control Act should be particularly lightly dealt with.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the offences themselves are repugnant to the people of England?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent his regulations make informers about breach of the exchange regulations liable for Income Tax on the rewards they receive from the Treasury, and what expenses may be deducted.