asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that some students entering colleges have been insured for several years and that, while in training, they are obliged to stamp their cards or lose all benefits for which they have paid, and that this is a great hardship on young men without any income; and if he will take steps to exempt these students for their training period.

No, Sir; students are neither compelled to pay contributions while attending college nor are they deprived of any title to benefit earned by contributions previously paid. I am sending my hon. Friend a leaflet on this subject, which I am sure he will find useful.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him if he is aware that I received my information from a student who suffered this hardship?

Does the answer of the hon. Gentleman mean that during the time they are in these colleges students have the same rights and privileges as if they were working and paying their contributions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee, which sets out in detail the position of students.

Is it not necessary for these students to have their cards stamped?

Many concessions have been made to students. They are not compelled to pay their contributions, but for three or four years after they have left college they are given time to enable them to make good their contributions if they so desire. If they wish to retain themselves in benefit it is necessary for them to pay a non-employed contribution.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that students undergoing one year emergency training for teachers have their insurance cards franked so that no loss of benefit is suffered by reason of their training, and that there is no such scheme for those students taking a longer period of training; and if he will provide for the franking of the cards of the long-term students on similar lines to the short-term.

The question of giving credits to students attending training courses has been considered on several occasions and my right hon. Friend is not prepared to extend the concessions already made. The emergency training scheme to which my hon. Friend refers is a temporary measure, and as it had received special treatment under the old Acts this was continued for the remainder of the period during which it will operate.

Why is there this difference between a one-year student, who does not have to pay any contribution, and a two-year student, who is asked to pay contributions while in college or make up his payments subsequently?

The comparison is not between the one-year student and the two-year student: it is between the student who is in an emergency teacher training college and one who is not. Under the old Act the former got credits, and we thought it would be unfair to students who started their course after 5th July not to give them the concession as well.

Would my hon. Friend consider franking the cards of students who are at college for two or three years, on the lines which are followed in the cases of those who are there for one year?

asked the Minister of National Insurance what compensation is payable under his regulations to a workman who has lost his right thumb during the course of his employment.

The amount of benefit payable in respect of the loss of a thumb may vary with the place of amputation, the condition of the stump and whether the man can qualify for a special hardship allowance. I regret, therefore, that I cannot answer the Question without knowledge of all the facts.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a man who accepts another job temporarily loses all his compensation? Is he further aware that a man in my constituency is suffering because of this, and that although he has been out of work for a considerable time he cannot get a job? If he had been directed into the Army he would have received a pension for the rest of his life, amounting to 13s.6d. instead of 18s. in the case of a private, 25s. if he was a warrant officer?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would send me particulars of that case.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that his Appointments Office issues advertisements relating to quasi-Governmental positions, in which age limits from 28 to 45 years are stipulated; and whether, in view of the need for conserving the nation's resources in the effective use of manpower, he will issue an instruction forbidding the issue of restricted advertisements of this nature other than in the most exceptional circumstances.

I have reviewed all advertisements prepared by my Appointments Department in the last three months on behalf of the bodies which my hon. Friend no doubt has in mind, and in no case was an age limit mentioned. Advertisements issued directly by these bodies are not my responsibility.

While these advertisements are not the direct responsibility of the Minister, is he aware that he can set a good example to industry in this matter by refusing to issue restrictive advertisements; and does he realise that the prospects of good, decent. honest citizens are prejudiced because they are over 45 years of age?

The only material point to be answered in that question is that the Government are not issuing restrictive advertisements.

Has the right hon. Gentleman discussed this matter with his right hon. Friends controlling the nationalised industries?

No, Sir, not recently, but some time back we did so, and in cases where a limit of that sort had been placed, it has been removed. The Appointments Department of the Ministry endeavour to induce employers to take people over the age of that stated in the employers' advertisements, and they have been successful in so doing.

Is the Minister aware that one Socialist Minister was sacked under this principle during the period of this Government?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of workers employed on the manufacture of machine-made woollen textiles; by what number is the industry undermanned; and what steps he is taking to encourage workers to enter the industry.

The total number of workers employed in Great Britain in the woollen and worsted industry at the end of October was about 219,000. At the same date, there were 9,900 outstanding vacancies in the industry recorded at Employment Exchanges. Steps taken to increase the number of workers include the accordance of first priority to the filling of vacancies, publicity campaigns, the recruitment of foreign workers, the encouragement of improvements in working conditions, and special arrangements such as day nurseries to enable married women with children to continue or take work in industry.

Is the Minister aware that it is the case that our famous woollen cloth, the oldest manufactured export, is bringing useful dollars to the country, and that output could be further increased by the employment of more people in this important industry? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the matter of hostel accommodation to enable workers to enter our woollen textile towns has really been fully investigated and carefully considered?

With reference to the second part of the supplementary, the question of hostel accommodation has been carefully reviewed, and at the moment there is no doubt of our ability to provide accommodation for all concerned. As to the first part of the supplementary, it is clear that this very important industry must be encouraged to develop as much as possible, but other matters as well as man-power enter into the question.

asked the Minister of Labour what correlation there is between the accident rate and working conditions in iron and steel foundries.

Although it is reasonable to suppose that, in iron and steel foundries as elsewhere, the accident rate is affected by working conditions, I know of no data on which a precise correlation could be based.

Has my right hon. Friend considered the advisability of asking his factory inspectors to investigate this for the purpose of finding out whether such data is available?

My hon. Friend will get a copy of the factory inspectors' report which will shortly be issued, and he will see that they have done a tremendous amount of work in this field in the last few months.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by that answer that the employers in those factories are, in fact, making a substantial effort to improve conditions?

Most decidedly.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of seasonal workers unemployed on the latest convenient date in the hotel and boarding house industry; and what the figure was in Morecambe and Heysham.

The number of seasonal workers in the catering industry who are unemployed is not known, but the total number unemployed in that industry in Great Britain at 10th October was 28,255. The total figure for November is not yet available, but at the Morecambe Employment Exchange (which includes Heysham) the number registered as unemployed at 14th November was 110.

What percentage is the 28,000 of the total employed?

I really could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement about the operation of the Catering Wages Act in view of the number of hotels which are to close this Christmas, and in view of uncertainty in the industry about next year's holiday season.

I hope to be in a position to give a full reply to a similar Question for answer on Thursday next.

Is the inquiry which is likely to be announced one which the Minister is satisfied will really give both sides in this industry an opportunity to improve its prospects?

I should not agree to an inquiry if I was not satisfied that it was going to cover the whole ground.

McKay asked the Minister of Labour how many foreign agricultural labourers are unemployed and living in hostels waiting to be transferred where they may be required in future; and if this prevents the introduction of any other foreign agricultural workers into this country.

There are 600 unemployed European Volunteer Workers in the only holding hostel still maintained. I have not a separate figure for agricultural workers. No further recruitment of male European Volunteer Workers is taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the last full payment was made to chemists in Ayrshire in respect of completed National Health Service prescriptions.

Payment as ascertained by complete pricing of all prescriptions has been made for April, 1949. For other months of this year, advances have been made to each chemist at a rate per form of 90 per cent. of the average rate for his April prescriptions. Some of these advances may in fact represent full payment.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be surprised to hear that I have information in my possession which shows that the last full payment to the chemists was made in September of last year, and unless a payment has been made since my Question has been put down, I reckon that my information is correct? Does he not think that that is very unfair?

I think the chances are that it is not correct, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will transfer his information to my possession I will have it looked into.

Why has a full payment not been made as in the ordinary course of business? Are the Government broke?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has on occasions shown a concern for public money, and the Government must do the same and check these things accurately before making full payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the maternity beds in St. Andrews Cottage Hospital are to be closed down on the direction of the East Fife Hospital Board; that this decision is opposed by almost every public and private interest in St. Andrews and district; that it is contrary to the terms of the National Health (Scotland) Act, 1947, Section 6 (4); and, in view of the unanimous wish of the community for the maintenance of these beds, what action he proposes to take.

I understand that the Board of Management have proposed to use these beds for other purposes in view of the substantial maternity provision now available at Craigtoun Hospital three miles from the town. The Regional Hospital Board are, however, in consultation with the various interested parties, and I am bringing the hon. Member's representations to their notice.

In view of the widespread, unanimous and deeply felt objections to this in the community, would not the right hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that, in fact, no change will be made until the fullest consultations have taken place?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman may not be aware of it, but an equivalent number of beds are available to the general practitioners in the other arrangements.

While I am aware that that alternative provision is available, is it not regarded by the local people of any class and of any section, including the doctors, as not at all equal to that which they are about to lose?

I am bringing the hon. Gentleman's recommendations to their notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what requests were made by the deputation from Coatbridge Town Council, whom he received in October; and what was the outcome.

The deputation's request for permission to make an earlier start with the houses already authorised was agreed to. They also asked for a larger allocation of houses and were told that this would be sympathetically considered when further progress was made with houses already in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far housing progress in Coatbridge has been impeded for lack of timber during the present year and 1948; and to what extent schemes under construction at present will be held back for lack of timber.

Lack of timber has not impeded housing progress in Coatbridge in 1948 or 1949. So far as I can judge at present, delays are unlikely to arise from this cause in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the average weekly maintenance cost, per patient, in the Glasgow infirmaries, Royal, Western and Victoria, and in the hospitals, Stabhill, Eastern and Southern General, during the years 1947 and 1949; and if he will make a statement on those cases where there have been increases.

With permission, I shall circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the approximate figures for 1947 and figures for 1949 which show an increase. I should make it clear that the figures are not on a comparable basis. For example, the 1949 figures include the gross cost of nurses' salaries and board and lodging, whereas in 1947 the figures available only include the net cost. There has also been a very substantial increase attributable mainly to increases in wages and in the salaries of nurses and other staff and including superannuation charges—which amount to nearly two-thirds of hospital expenditure—and to increased costs for fuel and light, drugs and food.

While it is not possible to ask a full supplementary question in view of the fact that only part of the answer is given, can my right hon. Friend give some indication by way of comparison with certain things which were left out in 1947? Could he attempt to examine that and let us know why a very serious increase has taken place and whether all these factors were taken into account?

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, there were voluntary hospitals and corporation hospitals and the methods of accounting were different. For the first time we are having these things put on a uniform basis. It is this difference which makes comparisons rather more difficult, but if the hon. Gentleman has any particular thing he would like looked into, I shall be glad to do it.

Is it not a fact that the cost of maintaining a patient in hospital is about three times the amount allowed to an old age pensioner for maintenance, and would it not be desirable for old age pensioners to go into hospital?

Old age pensioners do not necessarily want nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will re-appoint the members of the Highlands and Islands Advisory Panel for a further term on completion of their present term.

I have arranged to meet the panel on 16th December, and I should prefer not to make any statement in the meantime.

May the House be informed what this body has done, before any suggestion is made as to its re-appointment?

From time to time the hon. Gentleman will see what this Government have done for the Highlands. It has been described by a Highland paper as greater than anything done by any Government in history. That result is partly due to advice from the Highland Panel.

Would it not be fair for the right hon. Gentleman to tell the House in a White Paper or by some other means what precisely this body, which is no doubt important, has done?

It advises the Secretary of State, and he takes its advice where possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what complaints he has received with regard to the food served to the nurses of Robroyston Hospital; and if he is satisfied with the quality of this food;

I cannot find that in either case any complaints have been made to the board of management concerned, who would be the appropriate authority to deal with them.

Oh, that is not good enough. May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware—and if he is not, he should be, and therefore will he take steps to find out for himself—of the conditions and feeding arrangements of these hospitals, which are reported to me by nurses who have served in them to be most unsatisfactory? Surely that is not the way to encourage volunteers for nursing.

The nursing staff have as much responsibility for seeing that conditions are good as anybody else has under this service. Their first duty is to raise the complaint with their board of management. I should not think that the simplest way to get to the board of management was through a Member of Parliament.

May I ask whether any complaint about conditions in Robroyston Hospital was made either to the superintendent or to the board of management, of which I am a member? I think it is presumptuous on the part of the hon. and gallant Member to interfere in this hospital.

May I ask why the hon. and gallant Member is raising questions relating to conditions in North Lanarkshire?

I will explain. The nurses in question come from Ayr.

I want to know, because I was associated with that hospital for many years.

Perhaps the fact that the question has been asked will bring it to the attention of the hospital that complaint is being made. I would respectfully say that these institutions are doing a great job, and I think it is a little unfair to make public attacks upon them unless they themselves have had an opportunity of looking at the matters in question.

On a point of Order. May I have your protection, Mr. Speaker, against this charge? Am I not to fulfil my duties as a Member of Parliament by bringing to the notice of this House the complaints of my constituents?

In any case, Mr. Speaker, is this not an example of the difficulties which arise when these things are nationalised? It is not the only example.

May I ask the Secretary of State whether the conditions complained of are the same as in England, because I have had cases brought to my notice in which nurses are afraid of victimisation under nationalisation?

That seems like an announcement and not a question.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in the latest War Office circular letter dealing with redundancy in the grades of barrack store accountants and barrack inventory accountants, the proviso safeguarding the position of unestablished employees with the requisite qualifications for appointment as laid down in Regulations for Supply, Transport and Barrack Services, 930, paragraph 71, has been omitted.

The latest instructions regarding the redundancy of barrack accountants are those contained in a War Office memorandum issued in December, 1945. Under this memorandum the position of unestablished employees with the requisite qualifications for appointment, as laid down in Regulations for Supply, Transport and Barrack Service, 1930, paragraph 71, is adequately safeguarded. In considering whether these instructions require amendment I shall, of course, keep in mind the point made by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War what purpose is served in maintaining a long waiting list of Service pensioner applicants for posts as barrack store accountants and barrack inventory accountants; and whether he will end this practice, in view of the false idea which these ex-Service men may thereby receive of their prospects of employment.

There is little prospect of employment as barrack store and inventory accountants for the majority of candidates on the waiting list. Nevertheless, the maintenance of this list of ex-regular soldiers, with not less than 12 years' Colour Service, enables candidates to be considered for employment in their turn. The men are aware that registration on the list affords no guarantee of employment, and I do not consider that any harm is done by the continued maintenance of the list.

Does the Minister appreciate that no Service pensioners were taken on for either of those positions between February and November of this year, and that at the present time there are 455 on the waiting list? Is not that rather a hopeless prospect?

I agree that prospects are not too good but, nevertheless, there is an advantage on both sides in continuing the list.

asked the Secretary of State for War what changes have recently been made in the staff of his printing department; and why they were necessary.

Disciplinary action, not involving changes in the staff, has recently been taken against certain members of the staff of a subsection of my department which carries out photo-printing work, arising out of the irregular performance of some work not on the public service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say for whom this work was done, and its value?

The work was done for a private enterprise firm outside the War Office, and the value of the work is estimated at about £115. The cost of the paper was £25.

Is it not a very serious matter? Why, in the circumstances, was not more drastic action taken?

It was a very irregular practice indeed, and action is being taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions that identical twins are, as far as possible, to be allowed to serve together during their period of National Service.

Instructions are already in existence that twins who wish to serve together as National Service men should be initially allotted to the same corps, join the same unit on the same date and, subject to the exigencies of the Service, undergo their whole-time Army service together. Unavoidable exceptions arise when twins are of different medical categories and cannot be initially allotted to the same corps, or when the call-up of one is deferred. In such cases every endeavour is made, when the twins wish to serve together, to post them to the same unit as early as possible during their whole-time service.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask whether he will draw the attention of commanding officers to the particular psychological and emotional difficulties of twins of this nature?

Can the Minister give an assurance that twins will be promoted to corporal and sergeant at the same time?

Can the Secretary of State say whether his answer applies, as would appear, to all twins, or only to identical twins?

I understand that identical twins provide the largest number of twins born in this country.

No.

Will similar regulations be made applying to triplets?

If the hon. Member can make any provision for such cases, I will consider it.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the case of identical twins is of a quite separate nature from that of twins who are not identical?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of hardship caused by shortage of married quarters in Hong Kong; and whether he can make a statement on the prospects of remedying this shortage.

Every possible measure is being taken to make more married quarters available in Hong Kong both by construction and by leasing. The provision of troops accommodation up to an adequate standard must, however, be given priority for some months to come.

Can the Minister say how many married quarters have actually been built there since the war?

Off-hand I cannot give the actual figures. If the hon. Gentleman will put the question down, I will assist him as best I can.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the anxiety entertained by several families in Birmingham and South Staffordshire, on the extension of the tour of duty of British troops reinforcing the Hong Kong frontier, which include the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment; and if he will make a statement on the health and welfare of the troops now at Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much beyond the period required by the Military Service Act does he propose to retain National Service men serving in the Hong Kong area.

There is no proposal to depart from the present rules governing the length of an overseas tour in the case of soldiers serving in Hong Kong. For Regular soldiers the tour is about three years. National Service men will be returned to the United Kingdom for their release in the normal way. Although there are invariably a number of minor ailments, such as skin troubles, among the troops in Hong Kong, their general health is good and there has recently been an appreciable fall in the sick rates. Normal welfare arrangements exist including mobile cinemas, forces broadcasts, Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes canteens in all camps on the mainland and additional canteens and hostels run by voluntary organisations both in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Would the Secretary of State indicate to the House when he thinks the tour of duty of the 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment will terminate because that is giving grave anxiety to people in that part of the world?

I am afraid that that is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what period of leave is given to National Service men serving in the Army in Germany.

The period of leave granted to National Service men in Germany varies according to the date of entry into the Service. Those called-up before 1st April, 1948, are eligible for the same scale of leave as Regular soldiers and receive 42 days' leave a year in the United Kingdom and 10 days' local leave. National Service men who entered the Army in the period 1st April, 1948, to 31st December, 1948, are eligible, while serving in Germany, for one period of 21 days' leave in the United Kingdom, provided they have served for eight months in Germany and will have a minimum of six weeks to serve on return from leave; otherwise they may take their leave locally. They are also eligible, in either case, for seven days' local leave. National Service men called-up on or after 1st January, 1949, may be granted 14 days' leave during service in Germany, which, provided they fulfil the same conditions, they may take in the United Kingdom. Otherwise they may take their 14 days as local leave.

With regard to the latter group, am I right in assuming that there have been no modifications of these arrangements in recent weeks, and, if so, that a leave promised in November but withheld can be regarded as postponed rather than cancelled, provided, of course, that no disciplinary question is involved?

I know of no modifications which have taken place in recent weeks, but I will make inquiries and let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 30,000 United Kingdom troops of all services in the Suez Canal Zone are at present living under canvas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the existing accommodation for officers and men and their families in the Suez Canal Zone; and what proposals he has for improvement.

Approximately three-quarters of the officers and men of the British Army in the Suez Canal Zone are living in camps with tented sleeping quarters and hutted messes and ancillary buildings. The remaining single officers and men are living either in fully hutted camps or in pre-war barracks. Work is in hand to improve the tented camps but it will necessarily take a considerable time to bring them all up to an adequate standard. War Department accommodation exists for approximately 800 families. The provision of new married quarters is under consideration.

When the right hon. Gentleman was out in that part of the world he was reported as having said that he had no idea that the accommodation was as bad as it turned out to be. Does he not bear in mind the many occasions on which hon. Friends of his, as well as hon. and right hon. Gentlemen on this side of the House, have told him about this; and is it not now long overdue for something to be done for these men serving in a most important part of the world?

I was well aware from the information I received from the War Office and elsewhere that barrack conditions and general housing accommodation were unsatisfactory, but I did not realise that conditions were so bad regarding certain categories of accommodation. Obviously this is a very serious problem which must receive very close attention.

Are the improvements centred on Fayid or do they include other parts of the Canal Zone?

That is another matter which is under consideration.

Can the Minister tell me why it is that he is responsible for keeping these lads under such conditions in view of the fact that for so many years he held the opinion that all these lads should be at home fighting for possession of their own country?

That is another question.

The second part of the supplementary question is quite irrelevant. With regard to the conditions, I want to make it clear that it must not be assumed that the conditions are altogether unsatisfactory. Some of the conditions are most unsatisfactory, but some men are living in quarters which are quite good.

The right hon. Gentleman said that there is accommodation for 800 families. Can he assure the House that there are not more than 800 families in that area?

I referred to War Department accommodation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how his hon. Friend has discovered that there are exactly 30,000 United Kingdom troops in this area when it has been the policy of his right hon. Friends and himself to decline to tell us in this House how many people there were in a particular zone? Ought he not to deny the figure? Is there not some security interest there?

I am neither denying nor affirming the figure.

Did not my right hon. Friend read the "Daily Express" while he was out East? It has the best possible information about the number of troops.

I am not prepared to take any instructions about my literary fare.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that soldiers and officers requiring spectacles are only able to get service type spectacles whereas civilians living with them are able to get tortoiseshell spectacles with curved lenses; and whether he will arrange that soldiers and officers are treated equally with the civilian population.

Officers and men serving in the Army are at present issued with Service type spectacles. The additional issue of a pair of National Health Service type spectacles is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made at Bristol on Sunday, 27th November, that the Government had to step in at the right moment to stop the fall in gilt-edged securities, represents the Government's policy to maintain Government securities on a 3 per cent. basis.

I have been asked to reply. The statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend was a statement of fact from which the hon. Member is at liberty to draw his own conclusions.

Do I take it from that answer that the Prime Minister agrees with the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the sharp fall in gilt-edged securities was because the majority of the Press set out to mislead and confuse the people of this country?

I am a little bit apprehensive as to how far I had better get into questions involving the Press in this House.

Has not a Government broker operated in the market during the whole period that the Stock Exchange has been in existence?

Is it not very odd that the Lord President should reply on behalf of the Prime Minister about a question relating to the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Chancellor himself might have replied instead?

That is a little odd, too, in view of the fact that the Question was put down for the Prime Minister. If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman wishes to correct his hon. Friend and tell him that he should address the Question to another Minister, he might do it privately and not in public.

No, Sir. The Prime Minister could decide who should reply for him in his absence. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer is here, he himself might have answered.

Again the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is wrong. It is quite customary for me to answer in the absence of the Prime Minister.

Now we know.

May I ask the Lord President of the Council if, in view of the fact that when the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was Prime Minister—[HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]—was Chancellor of the Exchequer he, by very questionable methods, tried to get the gilt-edged market on a 1½ per cent. basis, we may take it that the Prime Minister is in favour of the policy of trying to get the gilt-edged market on to a 3 per cent. basis? When will the Government realise that if they break the law of supply and demand it will break them?

On a point of Order. May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker? The Lord President of the Council was instructing my right hon. and gallant Friend that my Question ought to have been addressed to another Minister. I was instructed by the Table that such a Question could only be put down to the Prime Minister. Is that correct, and is not the Lord President of the Council in the wrong?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Departments have not furnished their accounts this year to the Auditor General on or before 30th November as required by the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act, 1921.

The following Departments had not furnished their Appropriation Accounts for 1948–49 to the Comptroller and Auditor General by 30th November, 1949:

In view of this disgraceful revelation, what disciplinary action does the Chancellor propose to take against the Ministries concerned, and when will he realise that under Socialist State control, administration breaks down which brings ruin, and is one of the main reasons for the economic crisis? Why does he not answer?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what treatment, consequent upon the alteration in the exchange, value of sterling, is to be accorded to remittances by missionary and charitable societies to enable them to carry on their work in hard currency countries.

Missionary and charitable societies already working in the hard currency countries, namely, Canada, American account countries, the Belgian Monetary Area, and Switzerland will be allowed to increase their sterling remittances so as to provide themselves with approximately the same amounts of foreign currency as they would have received but for the recent alteration in the relevant rates of exchange.

May I ask whether for this purpose "charitable societies" includes trusts sending scholars and fellows to American and Canadian Universities?

I would like notice of that Question. I should think very likely it does.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about supplementary transfers by emigrants consequent on the alteration in the exchange value of sterling.

Yes, Sir. Since 9th April, 1948, emigrants to countries outside the Scheduled Territories have been allowed on application to transfer to their new country of residence £1,000 from their own assets in four annual instalments of £250. I have decided to allow those emigrants whose applications for this rate of allowance were either approved or were in the hands of their bankers before 19th September, 1949, to make supplementary sterling transfers from their own resources, in respect of instalments converted into foreign currency after that date. In this way, emigrants who have sufficient funds of their own will be able to receive the same amount of foreign currency, calculated at the present rates of exchange, as they would have received at the rates ruling when application for emigration treatment was made. This special concession will not apply to persons applying for emigration treatment on or after 19th September, 1949, or to those who had the benefit of the more generous allowance granted before 9th April, 1948.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what principles he applies to the assessment for Income Tax purposes of moneys used by industrial and other companies for political campaigns; and if he will state the extent to which the cost of such campaigns rank as a business expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his regulations permit the sums at present being spent by the industrial life offices, sugar-refining and cement companies on anti-nationalisation propaganda to be allocated to expenses or make them liable to assessment for taxation.

As I explained in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Symonds) on 21st June last, expenditure by traders for political purposes is not permitted to be deducted in computing profits for the purposes of Income Tax or Profits Tax, and any claim to deduct the costs to which my hon. Friends refer would certainly be contested by the Inland Revenue.

Yes, but in view of the increasing reliance of the Conservative Party on this type of contribution from vested interests, is my right hon. and learned Friend quite sure that the resources at the disposal of his Department for checking up on this are adequate?

Yes, I am quite satisfied.

In view of the complete dependence of the Labour Party on the Co-operatives and trades unions, can I ask the Chancellor whether the so-called education fund of the Cooperative Societies comes under this heading for tax purposes?

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

May I ask the Chancellor whether inquiries are being made now, particularly with regard to the industrial assurance offices and the spending they are engaged in at the moment, to see if they are complying with the regulations as laid down in the answer?

Wherever Income Tax returns are made this matter is examined in the ordinary course of business.

In view of the particular competence of the right hon. and learned Gentleman, might he not explain to the House and to his hon. Friend behind him exactly what "vested interests" means?

I will tell the hon. Gentleman afterwards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sums involved in recent prosecutions of persons obtaining payments of post-war credits by illegal means.

Since the beginning of 1948 proceedings have been taken against 41 persons involving total sums of £2,200.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases claimants for the payment of post-war credits have been called upon to produce their birth certificates since the proposal to prevent fraud by such means was first suggested in the Public Accounts Committee.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Government's decision to reduce Government staff to a minimum to curtail expenditure, he will set up a new working party so that advice from an independent source on appropriate methods can be obtained.

No, Sir. Advice from independent sources is already sought in appropriate cases.

Can the Chancellor say if the Organisation and Methods Division come into this matter and if so, could he give consideration to the advisory panel of outside people being augmented for this purpose in respect of such organisations as have a special interest in organisational problems, such as the British Institute of Management and the Institute of Public Administration?

I think we are satisfied that a large and efficient enough panel exists at present.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider that working parties are useful in curtailing expenditure and, if so, will he set up one to consider the groundnut scheme?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any further statement to make about the saving on the Government revenue account from revising the register of electors once instead of twice a year.

It is now estimated that the total expenditure falling on the Exchequer, including expenditure on printing, will be reduced by about £650,000 in a full year. A similar saving will accrue to local funds.

Does that answer mean that both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister in their statements to the House in October seriously over-estimated the saving to the Exchequer from this change, and, if so, would the Chancellor say whether any further cut is proposed to fill the gap?

No, this was not an overestimate. It was an under-estimate of the total savings because there was an equal amount saved to the local authorities.

But is not the Chancellor aware that in this House on the Second Reading of the Bill the Under-Secretary said that the saving would be £400,000, and not £800,000 as had been stated by the Chancellor and the Prime Minister?

That was unfortunately an error. There was confusion about the figure and the correct figure is the one I have now given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to announce a reduction in the duty on aviation spirit for flying clubs which provide flying tuition.

No; Sir.

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that it is now being said that the future of the flying clubs lies largely in their own hands, this is not a practical way in which the Government can show a proper appreciation of what they are trying to do?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the cost of living of an increase of 16f per cent. in railway and canal freight charges.

No useful estimate could be made of the effect of general increases in freight charges on the cost of items in the cost-of-living index until the effect on the retail price of the various individual items can be seen. The general implications of such increases have been taken into consideration by the Government, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport said in the House on 28th November.

Had the Chancellor in mind an increase of this magnitude when he made his broadcast?

This was obviously one of the matters that might influence the trend of prices. I had not this particular one in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the travel agency of Thomas Cook and Son, in New York, are selling sterling at the rate of 2.70 dollars; and what action he proposes to take to compel the firm to observe the official exchange rate.

I am having this matter investigated, but it would be helpful if my hon. Friend would let me have full details.

Was this firm nationalised under the Transport Act, and does this Question refer to a subsidiary in New York, which is in a world of reality?

I understand that Messrs. Thomas Cook & Son are owned by the Railways—

British Transport?

Yes, British Transport—and, therefore, to that extent they come under the control of the British Transport Commission. I am now making inquiries.

Then is not this a day-to-day matter for the Transport Commission?

I am making inquiries whether it happened.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the continued fall during the last week of the pound sterling in markets where the pound is freely convertible, he can state what additional action is contemplated by His Majesty's Government to ensure that transferable and convertible sterling released by His Majesty's Government is only dealt with at official parity rates.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to his question on this subject on 29th November. There has been no significant change in the situation during the past week.

Is not the Chancellor aware that in Zurich, Milan and Paris sterling has now reached a new low level? Surely, unless urgent action is taken by the Government, the Chancellor will find himself in exactly the same position as he did before devaluation, having to repudiate 14 statements which he had made that he would not devalue.

If people in this country do not go out of their way to decry the stability of sterling it will be all right.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason His Majesty's Government have departed from the policy of rendering counterclaims to countries holding sterling balances, as declared to this House by the Prime Minister on 12th May, 1947.

There is nothing in' the statement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers which commits His Majesty's Government to render counterclaims of the sort he has in mind against countries holding sterling balances. His Majesty's Government are as anxious as ever to secure a satisfactory settlement of the problem of sterling balances but, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member on 29th November, I do not think that the presentation of such counterclaims is the right way to set about securing it.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that in the statement of his predecessor, to which this Question refers, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster referred to the crushing load of these debts and to the peculiar wartime accountancy which incurred them, and said that sooner or later this mass must be very substantially scaled down and that, as far as he was concerned, he would like them scaled down? May I ask the Chancellor, therefore, whether in view of that declaration he does not think that the Government have made a completely different declaration today?

No, I do not think so at all.

Are we to understand that if these most important discussions were to take place the origin of these debts and the reasons for which we incurred them, will be pressed very strongly as a reason for having these debts scaled down?

At the moment we are discussing the matter with our American and Canadian friends. Of course, the other parties to these debts are not in the discussion.