asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of awards of the Commander of the British Empire, Order of the British Empire, and Member of the British Empire, respectively, awarded to serving officers and other members of the Territorial Army since August, 1945.

Officers of the Territorial Army have received, since August, 1945, two awards of Commander of the British Empire, five of Officer of the British Empire and seven of Member of the British Empire. One warrant officer has received the award of Member of the British Empire.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Easingwold Rural District Council require the site of Crabmill Lane Camp, Easingwold, for the urgent need of housing in their area; that this camp which was requisitioned at the outbreak of war is now unoccupied; and whether he will permit this camp to be derequisitioned so that it can be used for housing.

This camp is now no longer required by the War Department and, in accordance with normal procedure, has just been notified as redundant to the Ministry of Works. Any application by the local authorities for the use of this site for housing would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

Can the hon. Gentleman say at what date it was declared redundant?

Not the exact date, but very recently indeed.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it is proposed to continue the ban on the purchase of discharge by soldiers employed as clerks.

I regret that, in view of the present requirements of the Army, it will be necessary for some time to continue the ban on the purchase of discharge by soldiers employed as clerks. The matter is, however, kept constantly under review, and the ban will be lifted as soon as the situation permits.

Does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that, by denying this particular class of soldiers the normal right of every soldier in peacetime, the War Department is creating a great deterrent against anyone volunteering for this class of work?

The hon. Gentleman is mistaken in talking about this as a "normal right." It has always been a privilege. It can never be claimed as a right.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the cost of running No. 8 Leave Centre, British Army of Occupation of the Rhine, situated in Erwald; and how much has been expended on this centre from its inception to the nearest possible date.

The cost to Army funds of running this leave centre is about £6,000 a year. The cost since its inception amounts to some £27,000.

Is it the case that this leave camp is in the French zone of Austria? Why is it not possible to have a more economical camp in the British zone?

We were anxious to provide somewhere for the British Army of the Rhine to go on local leave where the soldiers would have a change, and be able to go outside Germany, particularly for winter sports. I should add, however, that it was not anticipated that there would be a cost like this, and we are considering whether it should be maintained any longer.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the numbers of officers, other ranks and civilians, respectively, now employed in the War Office; and what were the corresponding numbers on 1st January, 1939;

Information as to the strengths of War Office headquarters branches on 1st January, 1939, is not readily available. The total strength, military and civilian, in April, 1939, was approximately 3,700. The corresponding figure at 1st October, 1949, was 7,013, consisting of 1,346 officers, 702 other ranks and 4,965 civilians. These figures exclude certain War Office staff located at command headquarters.

In April, 1939, 13 buildings and blocks of houses, other than the main War Office building, were occupied. At the present time 17 such buildings and blocks of houses are occupied. As, however, has previously been pointed out to the hon. and gallant Member, this comparison is of little real value as the buildings concerned range from large blocks of offices to quite small houses.

Have these increases in personnel resulted in increased effIciency or increased readiness for war of the troops; if not, can either the increased numbers or the cost involved be justified; and by reducing the staffs cannot the Secretary of State reduce the buildings of the War Office to at least what they were in April, 1939, and if possible still further?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consider the responsibilities we were fulfilling and the numbers of men in the Army at the two dates he will appreciate that there were bound to be larger figures at the later date. The figures for both staff and buildings have fallen rapidly in recent years, and we are giving particular attention to not occupying more premises than are essential.

Is it not a fact that the numbers are very much greater than is actually necessary; that there is far too much pen and ink work as opposed to the practical training work now done in the War Office and in the commands; and will the Under-Secretary see that economies are made in the national interest and in the interests of the Army?

Well, in the last two years these numbers have been reduced by about 30 per cent., which suggests that we are anxious not to have excessive paper work.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that a very large number of military personnel in the headquarters of the War Office are not employed on work that could be better done by civilian staff?

That is rather a different question, but I have no reason to believe that is so.

Is not this part of the plan of the Government to implement their fallacious promise of full employment?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the remark of Mr. Justice Oliver on 7th November, 1949, when he sentenced a sergeant to 12 years' imprisonment for 31 cases of offences against young soldiers committed at Catterick Camp, and to the remarks of Mr. Justice Stable on 11th November, 1949, when he sentenced an officer of the Army Catering Corps to six years' imprisonment for seven similar offences committed at Catterick Camp; and what steps he is taking to improve moral conditions at Catterick Camp, and to reassure parents whose sons are being called up and posted there.

My attention has been drawn to these two deplorable cases, in the former of which seven young soldiers were involved, and to the remarks made by Mr. Justice Oliver and Mr. Justice Stable. I can assure the hon. Member that the military authorities at Catterick Camp, and elsewhere, are fully alive to the need for proper care and supervision to ensure the moral welfare of young soldiers, and the attention of all commanding officers was drawn, earlier this year, to their responsibilities in this matter. I am satisfied that the discipline and morale of Catterick Garrison are of a high standard, and that there are available excellent recreational and educational facilities.

Details of the conviction and sentence in the case of the sergeant have been published in District Orders as a warning to others, and the General Officer Commanding, Catterick District, has sent a personal letter to all commanding officers in the garrison. If any parents or relatives would like to visit Catterick there is a Navy, Army and Air Force hostel at which they are welcome to stay.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the officer mentioned in the second part of the Question had been previously convicted some years ago for a similar offence; and what steps do the Army authorities take to secure that an officer with such a record is not placed in charge of young soldiers?

Yes, Sir, I was aware of that. I have inquired into it and I find that at the time this officer was given a short service commission the most careful inquiries were made, as is the normal practice, Which ought to have revealed this fact but which, for some reason I have not been able to discover, did not reveal it. But there was no failure of duty on the part of the War Office to make the proper inquiries. Had the facts come to our notice, of course, he would not have been commissioned.

Do these cases not show the wisdom of the War Office policy in trying to maintain the chaplaincy, educational and welfare services at the highest available level?

Certainly.

Will the Minister review his method of inquiry into officers about to receive short service commissions to see that in future these lapses do not occur?

I will do that, but I would point out that in this case inquiries were fully and properly made. What was lacking was that we were not given the correct answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether it is his intention to allow any of the Stanford Battle Area to be cultivated for crops in 1950 as in recent years;

As much land as possible in the Stanford Battle Area will be let for cultivation during 1950, but since intensive training will be carried out there, the area let will be less than hitherto. Arrangements with the owners of land involved in the Stanford Battle Area have not yet been completed. Negotiations are proceeding. My Department is at present considering the acquisition of West Tofts Camp, consisting of 43 acres, as a week-end training centre, to be used in connection with the Stanford Area.

Is my hon. Friend aware that none of the farmers who had previously been cultivating this land have been notified that they can do so again; that if they had been notified, much of the land would have already been cropped; and is it not of the utmost importance that this land, which has grown good crops for the last three years, should be cropped again as much as possible?

Yes, Sir. As I have indicated, we shall not be able to make as much available for cultivation as in the past, but with regard to what we can make available I will see that the arrangements are pressed on.

Will my hon. Friend also see that the arrangements with the owners of the land are completed so that the boundaries of this area are defined and known, and that payment is made for it; and is he not aware that his Department has already put up notices that it is already War Department property, although it has not yet been paid for?

With regard to most of the owners, we are still awaiting replies from them.

Would the Minister confer with his colleagues upon the general policy of land acquisition, because, bit by bit, more and more of the land of Norfolk is being taken by Service Departments, and farmers are quite uncertain where it is going to stop?

That is another and a larger question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he has now taken on reconsideration of the case of Private Watson, Parachute Regiment, who was sentenced to 112 days' detention for failing to jump from an aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now make a further statement about remitting the sentence passed on 14473176 Private G. E. Watson. Parachute Regiment.

I have made detailed inquiries into this case. After confirmation of the sentence of the court martial by the General Officer Commanding, Aldershot District, Private Watson's commanding officer recommended that the sentence should be put into execution and that, subject to his good conduct, the sentence should be reviewed after 42 days with a view to suspension. The General Officer Commanding, Aldershot District, also recommended that the sentence should be reviewed after 42 days.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, who is the superior military authority in law in this case, in view of the nature of the offence and the circumstances in which it was committed, decided personally to examine the matter forthwith, and after due consideration came to the conclusion that no immediate action was called for, but gave instructions that, as the normal review after 42 days would in fact fall on Christmas Day, the review was to be brought forward and would take place before the Christmas period, on 16th December.

The steps taken to date by the military authorities have been in accordance with normal practice. I have, however, called for the papers in order to place them before my right hon. Friend on his return from the Middle East.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I correct a statement I made when this case was previously raised, as I have received some correspondence on it? I said that in time of war it was not the practice to court martial soldiers who refused to jump. That statement was not correct, made in that bald way. The fact is that it was not the normal practice to court martial soldiers in the course of their training if they decided not to jump. May I now ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that the statement he has made today, with its implications, will be welcomed by all those who are interested in this case?

Is the Under-Secretary aware that this unfortunate soldier is a constituent of mine—[Laughter.] I make that remark from the Service and not the political point of view—that his family are most distressed at the sentence he has received, and that likewise the country is shocked; will the hon. Gentleman take immediate steps to see that this sentence is again considered at once; and if he is unable to do it himself, will he communicate by cable with his right hon. Friend, who I understand is at present in foreign fields?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that this case will be considered in the very near future.

Has expert psychological opinion been consulted as to whether this is a case of phobia; if not, why not; and will it be?

Oh, yes, Sir, there was a psychiatrist's report.

Would it not be advisable, in order that he may experience it himself, that the Secretary of State should jump from one of these aircraft?

My hon. Friend will forgive me if I say that I do not think that is a very relevant suggestion. He would realise, if he had been here last week, that it has not even the merit of originality.

Will the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that this boy will, at the earliest moment, be transferred to a branch of the Army where he can prove himself to be an efficient soldier?

I did inform the House last week that he had already been transferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War what factors were taken into consideration when 14473176 Private G. E. Watson's sentence of 112 days' detention was confirmed.

In confirming a sentence of a court martial a confirming officer takes into account all the relevant factors which affect the case. In the case of Private Watson's court martial, these factors would include: The gravity of the offence; the circumstances in which it was committed; the age and character of the accused; the normal procedure by which the case can be reviewed, and the implications on discipline of a mitigation of the sentence on confirmation; the medical state of the accused at the time of the offence; whether the sentence is likely to increase or diminish the efficiency of the accused as a soldier.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the general officer commanding, when confirming this sentence, had before him a recent psychiatrist's report on this man, and if he was aware of the widespread concern that this case has caused?

Yes, there was a psychiatrist's report, and I think that everyone is aware of the concern expressed about this matter.

In order to satisfy my hon. Friend, may I ask whether there are psychiatrists' reports now for every offence in the Army, and, if so, is that necessary?

Not for every offence, but I think that most of us would agree that there was a case for getting a pyschiatrist's opinion in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War upon what basis honorary colonels are appointed; what are their purpose and duties; how many were there in 1938 and in 1948; and how many have been appointed in each of the years 1947, 1948 and 1949.

Honorary colonels who are appointed to Territorial Army units have normally had a distinguished record in the Fighting Services, and are persons of high standing in the locality in which the unit serves. They are appointed for a term of five years subject to certain age limits. They are expected to help and advise the Commanding Officer on all matters affecting the unit, but they do not exercise any executive command. There were 212 honorary colonels in 1938 and 563 in 1948. The numbers appointed in 1947, 1948 and 1949 were 141, 93 and 35, respectively.

My hon. Friend has had both military and administrative experience himself. Does he consider that these appointments are any longer necessary, and, if so, will he ask his right hon. Friend to consider appointing in future only those with military experience?

Is not the Under-Secretary aware that these appointments involve no expense to the public, and that they are very much appreciated by the units concerned?

It is the case, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman says, that these appointments do not involve any expense to the public. I think that my hon. Friend will agree that in a matter like this affecting the Territorial Army, we ought to pay a good deal of attention to the people who do the work of the Territorial Army in the locality, who have expressed the view that these appointments are of value.

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that these officers render invaluable service to units in welfare and recruiting matters?

Certainly.

Can my hon. Friend say if in the list of honorary colonels there is a well-known trade-unionist or a worker from the factories?

If the hon. Member will put that question down, I will certainly do my best to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private Boniface of the Queen's Royal Regiment, B.A.O.R.5. was not granted home leave after his return from 13 months' imprisonment in Russian hands; what sentence of imprisonment this young soldier is now serving for misdemeanours since his return; and if, in view of the hardships which Private Boniface has undergone, he will arrange for him to have home leave immediately.

In view of the hardships which Private Boniface had suffered during his confinement with the Russians he was admitted to a military hospital for rest and treatment immediately after his escape. A few days after his discharge, while waiting to go on home leave, he went absent. He was later apprehended and awarded 14 days' detention. On release from detention he again went absent, was again apprehended and awarded seven days' detention. This sentence expired on 27th November and Private Boniface is now being sent to this country on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men were in the colonel's party ordered to travel on the 10.5 a.m. train from London Road, Manchester, to Euston, London, on 11th November, 1949; how many were officers; what were their ranks; and on what duties had they been engaged or were they undertaking.

This party consisted of 21 officers of the rank of major and above. They were students at a course of instruction at the College of Technology, Manchester, and with War Office authority were visiting the Business Efficiency Exhibition in London, a visit which the college authorities considered an essential feature of the course.

Can my hon. Friend say how long that visit took and what was the cost of it?

I cannot tell my hon. Friend the cost of it, but the party was authorised to stay one night in London in order to spend sufficient time at the exhibition.

Will my hon. Friend inform his right hon. Friend and other Ministers in charge of Service Departments that this country is being carried on at present by those engaged in industry, and that it is necessary that exhibitions should be reduced to the minimum?

Yes, Sir, but I cannot see anything in this visit that suggests any profligacy. There seemed to be quite a good reason for it.

Is it the practice to send officers on courses of business efficiency, and, if so, how does the hon. Gentleman account for the present state of the Army?

Because this was not done sufficiently early.

Is it not a fact that the present state of the Army as displayed in Malaya is a very high one, and why should an hon. Member of this House sneer at it?

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will assemble the explanatory leaflets, etc., produced since 1946 by his Department and publish them in book form, at a price convenient to the general public as a comprehensive guide to national insurance legislation.

As I informed my hon. Friend recently we are taking steps to adopt a uniform size for our leaflets. I will bear in mind the possibility of issuing them as bound volumes but there would be difficulties in keeping them up to date.

Until my right hon. Friend thinks it right to publish these leaflets in consolidated form, will he make available to hon. Members a consolidated list of the titles of these leaflets, so that we shall know those which deal with the particular point of difficulty.

Yes, Sir, I will see about that.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has yet received the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee concerning provisional regulations dealing with rates of benefit payable to persons in hospital; and what steps he is taking in the matter.

Yes, Sir. The Advisory Committee's Report and the Joint Authority's statement thereon were presented to Parliament on 29th July last and substantive regulations were made and laid before Parliament on the same date.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will give the number of persons who have been refused sickness benefit on the ground that they have not applied within the prescribed period since the National Insurance Scheme came into operation.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many claims to sickness benefit were refused by the independent statutory authorities during the six months ended 29th September upon the ground that notice of disability had not been given within the prescribed time; and if he is satisfied that adequate publicity has been given concerning the time limit.

I regret that this information is not available. Very wide publicity has been given to the time limits for claiming benefit, through the Family Guide, in the Press, in radio talks and leaflets. They have also been explained in booklets sent to trade unions, advice bureaux, hospitals and other organisations. I am now examining certain other possible methods of giving further publicity to this important matter.

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot give exact figures can he say whether the number is large or small, whether he is satisfied that people are fully aware of their personal responsibility to apply and whether he thinks the prescribed period is long enough in cases of serious illness or where there has been an operation?

The number is not large and it is being reduced every week as the facts become known. I am anxious to do all I can in these cases and in connection with certain other benefits I have recently extended the time limit; but the period must not be too elastic, otherwise it will not be possible to check up claims.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is difficult for a person to put in a claim within the prescribed time when he is seriously ill? People have been refused benefit on this ground in a number of cases.

The claim is made on a certificate received from the doctor. I cannot imagine a serious illness being in progress for many days without a doctor knowing about it. If there is good cause for delay that can be accepted by the insurance officer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the responsibility lies not on the doctor but on the sick person and that in cases where there has been an oversight, and a claim has not been put in, people have been refused benefit?

I would like particulars of such cases.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that this practice worked well among the wage-earning classes for many years, and that it is too bad if the professional classes cannot carry out the same rules?

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the total number of old age pensioners, between January, 1948, and the most recent convenient date, who have had their pensions reduced by virtue of their earnings exceeding 20s. per week; and by what sum was the total of old age pensions thereby reduced.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

Would it be possible to achieve this without undue cost?

In the early stages of the administration of the Act we kept these figures in detail, and I gave information at that time to the hon. Member in reply to a Question. We thought that there was no longer any purpose in detaching staff for this work. We think that on an average 5,000 are affected each week, but we have not now the same detailed information that we had at the beginning of the scheme.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when last he received a deputation from the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners; what representations were made to him for alleviating the increasing distress experienced by the aged; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in this respect.

I received a deputation from this Federation on 30th March, 1949. They urged, among other things, that there should be increases in the basic weekly rates of retirement pension under the National Insurance Act to 30s. for single persons and 50s. for married couples. As regards the last part of the Question, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter which I sent to the President of the Federation in reply to their representations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any possibility of implementing the Socialist promise of 1945 for an old age pension of 30s. a week without a means test?

Our promise has been implemented.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when it was implemented to 30s. a week?

The promise was the implementation of the Beveridge report, and that we have done in full measure.

Will the right hon. Gentleman quote that reply in HANSARD so that we can all see it?

It is very long, but if any hon. Member wants a copy and will let me know, I will send a copy to him.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, may I give notice that I propose to raise the matter again on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that workmen who sustained accidents prior to the Industrial Injuries Act, are still paid compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and if he will take steps to discuss with the insurance companies concerned the transfer of these men to the new scheme in order to bring about uniformity of payments to injured workmen.

I have had discussions with both sides of industry on this matter, but regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Industrial Injuries Act has had the effect of dividing injured workmen into two classes? Will he consult with employers and the insurance society, with a view to bringing about uniformity?

I have for some time been having discussions with employers and trade unions, and they are continuing. I would remind my hon. Friend that men injured and receiving payments under the Workmen's Compensation Act are entitled to benefits under the Industrial Injuries Act and the National Insurance Act, and that large numbers are receiving benefits.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many old cases of workmen's compensation where the benefits payable under the Workmen's Compensation Act are, for one reason or another, very much higher than those which are paid under the Industrial injuries Act? Can he assure the House that no man who is entitled to these benefits will have his benefits reduced without his own consent?

That is one of the things we shall have to consider.

Can my right hon. Friend tell us what is the obstacle to making progress in this direction? He promised the House 12 months ago that he would consider the question of the pre-1924 cases being brought into the new scheme.

In a pre-1924 case, if a man is totally disabled he receives an unemployability supplement under the Industrial Injuries Act. Discussions are continuing, but this is a difficult matter which must be settled satisfactorily to both sides.

Does my right hon. Friend expect the global sum he mentioned earlier to be agreed upon within the next two or three months?

I cannot promise that. As I have said, discussions are still going on; no one is holding them up. We are all doing our best to find a solution, and I will let the House know as soon as the discussions have concluded.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what was the average number of people drawing public assistance in the City of Bristol for the years 1919 to 1923 and 1945 to 1949.

I am having prepared such information as is available, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Would the right hon. Gentleman add to that information the cost of obtaining these figures, so that the Lord President of the Council can know against whose Election expenses he would like to charge them?

The cost will not be very considerable, but the effect will be.

Can my right hon. Friend say what the figures are for the whole country?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the factory inspectorate is at present up to strength.

There are at present 40 vacancies in the factory inspectorate, and a competition is now in progress with a view to filling these vacancies. The normal annual requirements of new recruits are from 15 to 20.

Can my right hon. Friend say how long these vacancies have existed, and for how long the inspectorate has been short of staff?

We ended the war with a shortage of 80, as recruiting stopped during the war. We have now reduced the shortage to this figure, and we hope to fill up the gaps soon.

How many have been recruited during the past year?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of European Volunteer Workers who are stationed at Full Sutton Camp; how many were offered agricultural employment during the three months August, September and October,; in how many cases such employment was refused; and what was the total amount of unemployment benefit paid to the occupants of this camp during the same period.

The Full Sutton Camp is a holding camp for misfit, sick, disabled, unemployed and other European volunteer workers who have failed to make the grade. There are 776 workers in the camp. During August, September and October, 244 refused agricultural work for various reasons. In 175 cases these reasons were unacceptable and Unemployment Insurance Benefit was disallowed. £2,696 11s. 8d. was paid in Unemployment Insurance Benefit during the three months. I am looking into the whole position of this camp.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether, in view of that unsatisfactory record and the widespread damage being done to adjacent farms by European Volunteer Workers in their leisure hours, he will consider closing the camp?

I do not think that a wrong impression ought to be created. This is a holding camp for misfits and for persons who are difficult to place. It contains 776 out of the 180,000 foreign workers who have been recruited for British industry. I agree that this number represents difficult cases, and that the matter is causing apprehension in the minds of people in the locality. We are dealing with it, but I hope that no smear will be cast upon the vast body of foreign workers who are doing an excellent job.

Can my right hon. Friend say, without notice, how many of these workers who have either refused agricultural work or who are considered unsuitable, are capable of doing other work?

I think that those who have refused agricultural work are suitable for other work if vacancies are available.

asked the Minister of Labour what evidence has been submitted to him of restrictive practices in the printing industry; and what action is being taken by his Department.

No such practices have been brought to my notice. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in its issue of 23rd September the "Daily Mirror" drew attention to a pamphlet circulated by the political com- mittee of the Constitutional Club members, M.P.s and prospective Conservative candidates, which alleges—and here I quote—that

"For many years the N.A.T.S.O.P.A. union has restricted the rate of printing to a basic figure unless extra men are employed."

May I take it that there is no basis in fact for this serious allegation?

I can give my hon. Friend an assurance, from my personal knowledge, that that story is absolutely untrue. It is, in fact, just a Tory story.

Are we to assume from the Minister's having consented to answer the last question that he takes responsibility for the "Daily Mirror"?

No, but I should have thought that when an organisation published and took responsibility for an unjust allegation against honest and decent working men, they would have been decent enough to apologise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has now been made in the supply of Medresco hearing aids to those in need of them.

The rate of issue is now about 360 aids per month. Over 3,500 in all have already been supplied.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication of how long the waiting list is at the present time?

It is a rather considerable waiting list even now, but we are doing our best to catch up.

Can my right hon. Friend give any estimate of how many of these aids are actually being used by the recipients?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish National Farmers' Union in connection with the problem of securing increased production from marginal land and marginal farms; and what reply he has given.

A memorandum, dated 8th November, by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland on the marginal land problem has been received and is being examined. The problem is a difficult one, and my hon. Friend will not expect me now to say more than that the recommendations made by the Union will receive careful consideration in connection with the general review of the position which is being undertaken by the Departments concerned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this matter will be treated as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that 10 per cent. of all farms in Scotland fall into the category to which these recommendations refer?

It is a very important question and it will be given serious consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he contemplates taking to inform the Scottish people of the exact extent to which the dollar crisis affects Scotland.

In the past two months the Scottish Information Office has arranged over 250 meetings at which the effect of the exchange adjustments and the Government's economy measures have been explained to audiences of different kinds in all parts of Scotland. The Economic Information Unit also has published leaflets explaining the effects of devaluation in simple terms which have been distributed in all parts of the United Kingdom.

In addition to that publicity, will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving to the people of Scotland some idea of the contribution which they as a people are making to reducing the dollar gap? Could he give information as to the production of whisky, textiles and also to what extent these productions compare with other units in the United Kingdom?

Will the right hon. Gentleman send some of these leaflets, expressed in simple language, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any further information as to the effect of devaluation on the housing programme in Scotland, and what instructions, if any, he has issued to housing authorities?

As I have said several times, I am not expecting that devaluation will have any effect on Scotland's housing problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will take steps to prevent the St. Leonards, Edinburgh, Allotments Association being evicted by the Corporation of Edinburgh by exercising his powers under the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948.

There is no provision in the statutes to enable me to initiate action in a case of this kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was invested in July, 1945, in the Post Office Savings Bank, in Building Society deposits and in Trustee Savings Banks and National Savings certificates, respectively; and approximately how many separate accounts were in each item.

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

Is there any hope of these savers regaining the '4s. in the £ by which their savings have gone down in purchasing power since the Socialists came into power?

These savings were all in terms of sterling and will, of course, be repaid in sterling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to whom the profits of the play "A Streetcar Named Desire," which is exempt from Entertainments Duty, are assigned.

Any surplus from this exempt production will accrue to the promoters, a non-profit-making body, to be used for the purposes laid down in their Memorandum of Association and approved by the Customs.

Is the effect of this taxation to enable this theatre to charge a lower price for tickets than is charged by competitor theatres, or to divert from the Chancellor large sums of money which would be very useful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman? Is he satisfied that this is the type of play which should benefit by this privilege?

Parliament decided two or three years ago that this was the best way in which to administer the taxation in view of the encouragement it desired to give to non-profit-making shows, which would, generally speaking, encourage the arts.

As the theatre in England is perennially hampered by want of capital, is it not highly desirable that it should be helped to capitalise itself in this way on the sole and sensible condition that it refrains from dissipating its resources in the form of distributed profits?

That is obviously the view that this House took when it passed this legislation.

Is it not a fact that members of the advisory drama panel of the Arts Council stand to benefit from some of these plays which are tax exempted in this way, and is it, therefore, a sound procedure that we are now following?

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the procedure by which judgment is passed on the suitability and artistic merits of plays granted exemption from Entertainments Duty; and why a non-profit making amateur dramatic society in Middlesbrough is being asked to pay Entertainments Duty on its performances.

It is not necessary to pass judgment on the suitability or artistic merits of any particular play which is granted exemption from Entertainments Duty. As I have previously explained, the condition laid down in Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1946, is that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise should be satisfied that the play is provided by a body which is not conducted or established for profit and whose aims, objects and activities are partly educational. I understand that the society referred to in the last part of the Question was granted exemption on 4th November.

While appreciating my right hon. and learned Friend's reply, may I ask whether he does not realise that this particular society has complied with these conditions all along, being a non-profit-making society? Does he not therefore consider it rather unwarranted to threaten such a society with entertainment tax on its performances?

I understood that it had to be ascertained whether the objects and activities were partly educational.

Is the decision in the case of a non-profit-making body subject to any review, and if so by whom?

The Customs authorities supervise, to see that it is properly in accordance with the Act.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that if only the very foolish phrase "partly educational" could be dropped from the statutes, he would not find himself bombarded by these rather misguided questions and he would not put himself or the Government into the position of seeming to put themselves or their nominees forward as arbiters of the arts?

Is it not clear now as a result of what has happened in the case of the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" that Parliament's intentions in 1946 are not working out quite as then intended? Would the Chancellor have the matter reviewed?

I think those intentions are working out exactly as intended, but I am sure that Parliament never intended to constitute itself or me censors of plays.

Or anybody else.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken by His Majesty's Government to ensure that transferable or convertible sterling is not disposed of at rates less than the official parity of sterling with the dollar.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the extent of dealings in sterling below the official rate of exchange; and how far the maintenance of the official rate is being endangered thereby.

The devaluation of sterling has taken much of the profit out of cheap sterling transactions. Although precise estimates cannot be given, I have no reason to believe that such transactions are now being effected on a significant scale. Nevertheless, as long as sterling is not fully convertible, transactions of this nature cannot be entirely eliminated, and a close watch is being kept on the position. The precautionary measures which were taken before devaluation are being continued, and they will, if necessary, be further strengthened.

Is the Chancellor aware that this type of sterling is now being dealt with in New York at some 30 cents discount, and does he consider that this fact does not require immediate action? If he does, may I ask him what kind of action His Majesty's Government are taking?

I do not agree with the statement made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and if it were so, I should not disclose to the people who are so speculating the steps which we propose to take.

I quite agree, but will the right hon. and learned Gentleman assure the House that he is taking steps?

I have given the assurance in the answer to the Question.

Is not the Chancellor aware that the use or abuse of this sterling by non-sterling bloc nationals is again beginning to divert commodities from the sterling group to the dollar countries and is leading to a considerable loss of dollars.

I am not aware that this is happening on any significant scale.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is taken by His Majesty's Government to ensure that in allocating dollars and other hard currencies from the sterling area pool to countries within and without the sterling area, account is taken of the retention by the recipient country of any hard currencies earned by that country.

Members of the sterling area keep the Bank of England informed of their dollar holdings. It is the established practice that they only draw from the central reserves such dollars and other hard currencies as they need, after taking into account sums retained to meet their current working requirements. In cases where His Majesty's Government agrees to permit countries outside the sterling area to buy dollars from the Bank of England, the amount is always specified in the agreement.