asked the Minister of National Insurance how many names have been transferred from the register of unemployed people to the register of people drawing sickness benefit in each of the quarters during which the National Insurance Act has been in operation, to the latest available date.

The number of claims for unemployment benefit disallowed on the ground that the claimant is not capable of work is about 850 a quarter. These numbers are small in relation to the total number of persons changing from unemployment to sickness benefit in normal course. No statistics of such transfers are available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in certain districts the statement is being made that these figures are being "cooked," that people are being transferred from the one register to the other in order to make the employment situation in this country look better than it really is? Would he give the direct lie to that propaganda?

The fact of the matter is that under the old scheme it often paid men better to go on unemployment benefit than on sickness benefit. I think hon. Members on both sides of the House will have had experience of men who badgered their doctors saying, "Please say I am fit for work so that I can get unemployment benefit at the higher rate." Now the benefit rates are the same, and this is in the interests of the men themselves.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what was the average number of people drawing basic public assistance in Great Britain for the years 1919–23, 1935–39 and 1945–49. respectively.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many non-contributory old age pensioners are receiving additional financial help from the Public Assistance Board in the Manchester City area.

I am having prepared such information as is available and will write to the hon. Members as soon as possible.

In view of the fact that there are a considerable number of old age pensioners on the contributory list who are compelled at present to go to public assistance, would the right hon. Gentleman consider some means of increasing the basic pension so that they will not be forced to do so?

That is another question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate when it is that he is likely to have this rather important information available, and in what form he proposes to publish it?

One hon. Member asked me for some figures a fortnight ago and he has had them well over a week ago. We are preparing these figures now. If any hon. Member would like to have them circulated, perhaps he would put a Question down and I will have them circulated.

Would my right hon. Friend publish them in the OFFICIAL REPORT as a result of these Questions?

If the hon. Members who asked the Questions desire that, certainly I will do so.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he proposes to take in order to ensure that employees in His Majesty's Dockyards do not lose their National Insurance and Pension rights when serving at foreign stations, in view of the fact that during such times, no National Insurance contributions are paid either by them or by the Admiralty on their behalf.

Workers sent abroad to His Majesty's Dockyards are generally covered by the new scheme. I have consulted my noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty, who is not aware of any general difficulty in the application of the scheme in this respect. My noble Friend and I are looking into an individual case, particulars of which have been supplied by my hon. Friend.

I understand that when men go abroad in this way their benefits are continued for only one year and then they have to pay as non-employed people. Would it not be better for the Admiralty in those circumstances to continue paying throughout in order that these men might be maintained in full insurance?

That is a matter for my noble Friend, the First Lord of the Admiralty, but I am discussing this individual case with him and will take the opportunity of discussing the matter generally.

I would like to say that I put this Question down to the Admiralty because I wanted to put that point to them.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps he has taken to ensure that temporary civil servants in his Department, who are deemed to be redundant, are safeguarded against unfair charges of inefficiency as a ground for their dismissal when, in fact, they are dismissed on grounds of redundancy.

Any officer who is reported as inefficient is given particulars in writing and has a right to an interview with a senior officer, at which he may be accompanied by a friend or a representative of his staff association. In practically all cases a trial on fresh duties is arranged before a final decision is taken. These arrangements are in accordance with standard practice agreed with the recognised staff associations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from time to time persons are told that they are dismissed on the ground that they are redundant and there is no further need for them; that on one particular occasion a person who had completed seven years' satisfactory service as a temporary clerk received on the same day as the notice of redundancy a notice to say that she was inefficient, even though a month previously she had been recommended for the establishment examination; and will the right hon. Gentleman see that things of that sort do not happen in his Department?

Perhaps the hon. Member will send me particulars of that case. All cases are dealt with in accordance with the arrangements with the staff associations.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he has considered the communication from the National Assistance Board concerning a review of the National Assistance Regulations in view of the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what changes in the regulations relating to the National Assistance Board scales are proposed by his Department.

I am informed by the Board that they have sent a letter in reply to representations made to them by my hon. Friends on 7th December. The Board do not think that the change in prices since the present rates of assistance were approved by Parliament last year is sufficient to justify them at present in submitting fresh draft regulations to me. The Board are, however, continuing to watch the position closely.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great disquiet throughout the country, as is indicated by Questions on the Order Paper from time to time, about the suffering of these people who cannot make ends meet because of the increased cost of living; and will he, along with officials of his Department and the Assistance Board, consider this matter very seriously?

The Board have considered this matter very carefully on representations made by my hon. Friend and several others of my hon. Friends. I have given the Board's considered reply, to which I have nothing to add.

But in view of the fact that the Board are either unaware or unconcerned about the great hardship and distress caused through the rising cost of living, would my right hon. Friend recommend to the Board an increase of 10 per cent. in these scales, which would cost only about £10 million a year?

I would not accept the view of my hon. Friend that the Board are either unaware or unconcerned. Since they took over the administration of National Assistance in 1948, the Board have done a very good job indeed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many old people in areas like Lancashire, which were depressed before the war, have no savings and have only these scales on which to live, and as they were already inadequate before devaluation will he treat their review as a matter of urgency?

I have said that the Board are looking at them. My experience—I believe the Board will confirm it—is that there are still a number of people who are not applying to the Board for assistance, and I think that those are the hard cases. Very often people do not apply because they feel it is undignified to do so. I hope that Members in every part of the House will encourage such people to apply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rising cost of living gives anxiety on all sides of the House?

I appreciate that. I am also aware of what this Government have done for the old people.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us are in much closer touch with these old people than are the members of the Board, and that the best thing I can suggest to the Minister is that the members of the Board should give a month's trial to living on the allowance?

Do we understand the Minister to say that there has not been a sufficient rise in the cost of living to ensure a rise in the corresponding rates of assistance?

I had better repeat my original answer:

"The Board do not think that the change in prices since the present rates of assistance were approved by Parliament last year is sufficient to justify them at present in submitting fresh draft regulations to me. The Board are, however, continuing to watch the position closely."

Is the Minister aware that, whatever the National Assistance Board have decided, it is physically impossible at present for a person to live on 26s. a week?

The Board have power under the regulations to supplement the allowances.

Were not the Board appointed to avoid political capital being made out of the sufferings of these people?

The Board were appointed, of course, to administer the scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of insured workers in Bedford who received holidays with pay in 1939 and 1949, respectively.

I regret that information is not available in respect of particular areas.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the Government's continued exhortations to those in industry for increased productivity and lower costs, he will give a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT, or in the form of a White Paper, of all restrictive practices of trade unions and employers which are adversely affecting production and costs.

There is no such list as that referred to by the hon. and gallant Member nor would it be practicable to compile one.

Could not the Minister do anything about these continued restrictive practices in view of the clamorous and almost pathetic appeals for more production and reductions in the cost of production? Do not the Government know that these restrictive practices are standing in the way of their objectives? Why will the Government do nothing about them—are they afraid?

Why does not the hon. and gallant Member put down the Question he wants answered? I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. The hon. and gallant Member asked for a list. There is no such list. I said that it is not practicable to prepare one, and so far as restrictive practices are concerned, a great number of them have been "put up." If those who throw the stones at the trade unions would recognise what the unions have done in this connection and what they are still prepared to continue to do, they would be a little more generous.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Question does not refer only to trade unions, and why does he make political capital out of it?

Why does not the hon. and gallant Member, in making his allegations, make it more clear exactly what he is saying? It is true that the Question refers to restrictive practices by employers. The House should already be aware from the information given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary that we have asked the employers' organisations and the trade unions to examine these matters. They are doing so, and I think they are having a job to find the practices.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the policy of the Government remains what it was in the White Paper of 1947: namely, to do everything to get rid of these practices, on whatever side of industry they exist?

Yes, Sir, and it is for that reason that some time ago we asked the National Joint Advisory Council to conduct an inquiry. They made preliminary investigations and got together some data which they are examining I understand that they are likely to report to me early in the New Year. We are still trying, therefore, to remove any objectionable practices on either side.

When my right hon. Friend has this list of restrictive practices exercised both by the trade unions and by employers, no doubt he will be in a better position to answer the Question

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent mass radiography is now used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Over 300,000 chest examinations have been carried out by mass radiography since 1944. In the last year for which figures are available, up to 30th June, 1949, over 97,000 examinations were made as a result of which 670 persons were found to have active tuberculosis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of extra school children for whom he will need to find extra places in 1950, 1951 and 1952; and what steps he is taking to meet the need for additional accommodation.

The total school roll will not rise in 1950; it will rise by approximately 16,000 in 1951 and by a further 24,000 in 1952. Not all of these additional children will require additional places; in many country areas the necessary places are already there. The precise needs for each area must be determined by the education authority, with whom the responsibility for erecting the necessary schools rests. I have asked all authorities to review their needs and to draw up revised building programmes for the years in question; it is hoped that the labour and materials required can be made available within the limits imposed by the capital investment programme.

When my right hon. Friend gets the necessary information from the local authorities will an opportunity be given to the Scottish Grand Committee to discuss any recommendations before they are put into operation?

It is, of course, the duty of the education authorities to go ahead with the building of schools so far as is possible. The Scottish Grand Committee will in due course have an opportunity of discussing this matter.

When the Secretary of State talks of the limits of labour and material that will be available, can he give an assurance that no labour and material will be diverted from the housing programme?

That is rather difficult, because quite clearly if the whole of the building trade of the country is fully occupied the production of one type of building can be increased only at the expense of some other type.

Has not the Secretary of State assured the House previously that the building programme will continue as at present?

The building of houses will continue as at present. The point is that if schools are to he built, that may prevent an increase in the number of houses beyond what is contained in the present programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of general practitioners who are acting as assistants under the National Health Service scheme; and the number who are principals.

At 1st October, 1949, the number of assistants was approximately 250, and the number of principals was 2,411.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has any evidence that assistants are finding it difficult to become principals?

No, Sir. There has not been much change since the introduction of the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of hospital beds taken over from Glasgow Corporation and the voluntary hospitals in Glasgow, respectively, by the Western Regional Board; the number of staff, medical, pharmacists, clerical, etc., formerly employed by the corporation; and the number of additional staff, in similar categories, now required.

The numbers of beds are, respectively, 13,000 and 4,200 in round figures. The policy of the National Health Service is to develop an integrated hospital service with the smaller hospitals associated with the larger ones so as to raise the general quality of all hospital services to that of the best. The Glasgow hospitals have therefore been regrouped and it is impossible to obtain comparable figures for all grades of staff employed in the former corporation hospitals at 5th July, 1948, and today. Because of the new policy a larger specialist staff is now available at the former corporation hospitals and the part-time nursing staff has increased by some 170.

Does the larger specialist staff mean that the ordinary practitioner who formerly gave his services to the hospital has now become a specialist?

No. It means that these other hospitals are now available for the carrying out of operations, and the specialists can be there in attendance

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the very large proportion of the working population engaged in the distributive trades, he will consider including in the 1949 White Paper on industry and employment a section dealing with these trades.

The distributive trades cover a wide range of economic activities and the information available to the Government about them is limited. For this reason a Census of Distribution is to be taken in 1951 and when its results are known, consideration will be given to the inclusion of further details about these trades and about the value of their services in the White Paper on industry and employment in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the official announcement in May last with regard to arrangements made by him under Section 77 of the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948, for providing assistance by way of grants towards the erection and improvement of dwelling-houses and other buildings for landholders and cottars in the Highlands and Islands, he will state the number of applications for grants which have been received, the number of grants which have been approved, and the number of cases in which the work of rebuilding and improvement is now in progress.

One thousand one hundred and twenty-three applications have been received. Consideration of applications involves correspondence with landowners and county councils followed by local inspections and it has not been possible to approve more than 64 applications so far. I hope, however, that a very much larger number will be approved before the end of the winter but I regret that I cannot state the number of cases in which work has actually commenced.

I presume by that reply that the Secretary of State is not satisfied with the speed of this excellent scheme? Will he make sure that the scheme is not postponed or delayed because of our present financial difficulties?

This is a valuable part of our agricultural development, and there is no question of that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication of the average time taken between submission and carrying out of the 64 schemes he has mentioned?

No, the scheme has been in operation for too short a time for any such estimate to be given.

Is there any undue delay in considering these applications?

Not so far as it lies within my power, but as the hon. Member will understand a great number of people are involved in the consultations who are not under my direction and that has to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the number of motor cars provided for seriously disabled pensioners which have been allotted to Birmingham; and how many are being made available for the Haig Homes, Moseley.

Thirty-two eligible pensioners are at present living in Birmingham and 22 of them have already received cars. One eligible pensioner lives in the Haig Homes and he will shortly be provided with a car.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that Birmingham is getting its. appropriate allocation of these cars for disabled men?

Certainly. The cars, are given according to categories of disablement and our records show that on these standards 32 pensioners in Birmingham are eligible, of whom 22 have already been supplied, which I think is rather a good record.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) why S.R. & O., 1949, No. 2025, permits the allowance for prolonged abstention from work to date back to 1st December, 1947, whereas the allowance for lowered standards of work is only to date back to 1st May, 1948, and the supplementary allowance to the unemployable to 18th August, 1948;

The new Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme incorporates all improvements which have been introduced and applied at varying times in the last few years. The different dates specified in the Order are, therefore, determined by the dates on which the particular improvements were introduced.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the supply of stump socks is now adequate to meet the needs of disabled ex-Service men and of National Health Service patients who have suffered amputations.

During recent years, owing to the demands of the National Health Service and to certain difficulties in supply we have been able to issue only four stump socks every six months. Supplies have been so increased that in January next patients will be able to receive eight socks in one issue.

Has it been possible to consider the employment of disabled men in meeting this need?

Yes. Two hundred dozen socks per week are being manufactured in the Remploy factories, about one-third of our total supply from all sources. We may eventually double that output.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider whether our prisons, in which socks of high grade are made, cannot help in this matter?

The making of stump socks is a specialised job requiring specialised machinery. One firm has been making them for a long period of years. We have installed the machinery at Remploy factories, and they are now providing us with all the socks we need.

asked the Secretary of State for War if 14473176 Private G. E. Watson has now been released; and to what regiment he has been transferred.

Private Watson has not yet been released. His case will be reviewed on 16th December. While held at the military corrective establishment he remains on the non-effective strength, but on his release he will be posted to the Black Watch Regiment.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the employment of European voluntary workers in the establishments administered by his Department is conditional on such persons joining a British trade union; and whether this instruction was issued by his Department.

My Department, in common with employers in outside industries, discussed with the trade unions concerned, the terms, conditions and safeguards under which foreign workers should be employed and an agreement was reached. One of the conditions agreed was that the foreign workers should be selected for employment by my Department only if they were prepared to join the appropriate British trade union. This condition was included in the instruction which was issued by my Department dealing with the employment of foreign workers.

Does that condition obtain in the other Service Departments, and if people are doing their work satisfactorily is it right to issue to them a letter to say that they will be discharged unless they join a union by Friday next? Is that in accordance with the ordinary practice of the Ministry of Labour?

I cannot speak for other Service Departments but no doubt the hon. Member can put down a Question to them. The National Joint Advisory Council, a body comprising employers' and workers' representatives, approved the principle of the employment of foreign workers in this country, and advised that consultations should take place with a view to their membership of the appropriate trade union. The arrangement has worked very well, and so far as I know the European voluntary workers are giving satisfaction.

Is it not just as intolerable that an employer should compel a man to join a union as that he should, as he did in earlier days, forbid him to join one? Is the Minister aware that we do not want this sort of thing in the public service? We have never had it. We can do all our own organising without any help from Ministers. This is intolerable.

This arrangement is working very well and there is no reason why I should interfere with it.

Is it not a fact that if we are to get the maximum production and the greatest harmony in industry these men should be members of the organisation responsible for making agreements between the employers and the trade unions?

So far as I know, these workers have not protested against this arrangement, and if they are quite satisfied and everything is working well, why should not we leave it alone?

May I say that the only knowledge I have of this matter was a protest signed by five of these men and their friends about being forced to join this union? The local union officials do not want it.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of National Service men taken into the Army during the last year or convenient period; the number who have been discharged on medical grounds; and the number who have died before their training was completed, giving separate figures for discharges and deaths due to accidents.

The number of National Service men taken into the Army between 1st November, 1948, and 31st October, 1949, was 114,856. Statistics are not available to show how many of these have been discharged on medical grounds or have died before their training was completed, but in the same period a total of 5,506 National Service men were discharged on medical grounds and 229 died. Separate figures are not available for discharges and deaths due to accidents.

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that he will take all possible steps to reduce the number of unfit men taken?

We are giving great care to this matter and are in close consultation with the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the prisoner-of-war camp at Willsworthy in the parish of Mary Tavy has now been derelict for many years; and whether he will take steps to have the unsightly buildings and rusty barbed wire removed.

Willsworthy Camp, the site of which is owned by my Department, is used as a tented camp site for training. The range area is also in constant use. Certain buildings are required as permanent structures for the tented camps, but the hutting and barbed wire used for the prisoners of war cage during the war is being removed as quickly as labour can be spared from more urgent tasks.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how muck land is owned by his Department in the island of Alderney; for what purposes it is now used; and how long he proposes retaining it;

My Department owns some 180 acres on the island of Alderney. Most of the property owned is let, the buildings for habitation and the land for grazing. The future of the property is still under consideration. No land is held under Defence Regulation 51 or Defence Regulation 52.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a recent committee of the Privy Council recommended that all land that was not required should be handed over to the island so that it could be used for cultivation, and would he if possible get out of Alderney as soon as possible?

We cannot give up land if we require it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities for local leave are available to British troops in the Suez Canal Zone other than to the island of Cyprus.

Leave centres for British troops in the Suez Canal Zone exist at Cairo, Suez, Port Fouad, Ismailia and Cyprus. Individuals are also at liberty to make their own arrangements for leave.

In view of the somewhat restricted facilities available, could not some of those camps built by us during the war in the territories of Cyrenaica, the Sudan, Aden and British Somaliland by opened up again as leave centres for these troops?

I should imagine that some of those places are hardly suitable for leave centres.

Is not Alexandria included in the list of leave centres for troops in this area? It has many more attractions to offer than Suez to men overseas.

Apparently it is not in the list I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the hardship which will be caused by the cessation of the Indian transitional allowance on 31st March, 1950; and what steps he is proposing to take to alleviate this hardship.

The Indian transitional allowance which was introduced with effect from 1st July, 1946, was a special concession designed to mitigate the effect of applying United Kingdom Income Tax rules, instead of Indian Income Tax rules and to give the officers and other ranks concerned time to adjust their budgets to the new conditions. It was given only in those ranks where the net loss of emoluments would otherwise have been unduly sudden. The rates were on a diminishing scale and it was made clear in a statement by the Prime Minister in the House on 30th May, 1946, that the allowance would cease altogether on 31st March, 1950. In the circumstances I do not consider that there is any question of hardship arising on the cessation of the allowance.

Is not it a fact that when these transitional allowances were made it was expected that Income Tax would be reduced and various other expenses would be lessened for these people; and in view of that, will not the Minister reconsider this whole situation, because there is a very real grievance here?

I think the hon. Member has been misinformed. This was a special concession attributable to special circumstances relating to British officers in the Indian Army. It was made clear at the time the concession was made that it would be gradually tapered off and it is being tapered off, so that nobody can reasonably complain.

Is not that causing the hardship?

There are, of course, compensations on the other side in the way of a local overseas allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of his staff were concerned in the recent irregular performance of photo-printing work for a private firm; whether they received or were promised payment; whether any of them were associated with, or related to, a person engaged in the management of the said firm; and if he will make a full statement upon their conduct.

Four members of my staff had some personal responsibility in this incident. There is no evidence that any payment was promised to any individual, or that any payment was made to anyone, apart from a sum of £2 purported to be for time worked by some subordinate employees outside normal office hours. One of the four persons introduced his brother, the managing director of the firm concerned, to the technical officer of the sub-section, with a view to his receiving some unofficial advice about photo-printing methods and equipment, but without any intention that actual printing work should be carried out. I have already made it clear that in my opinion the carrying out of the work in question was very irregular. The individuals concerned were not blameworthy to an equal degree and I am satisfied that suitable disciplinary action has been taken in each case. The value of the work done has now been paid for by the firm.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really suggest that there was any degree of innocence in this matter, having regard to the fact that the value of the work, as he admitted last week, was £140? Surely this is a case where someone should have been sacked, if not prosecuted?

There were no degrees of innocence, but there were degrees of blame and I have acted accordingly. The payment of £115 has been made by the firm to the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to increase the number of surgeons needed for treatment of the wounded in fighting in Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement with regard to the medical services provided for British troops in the Malayan campaign; and if he will state what improvements can be expected in the immediate future.

The medical services in Malaya include an adequate number of Service hospitals and medical officers to maintain the normal health of the troops and to care for the sick and wounded. Difficulties, however, arise in securing the immediate surgical treatment of battle casualties. Since fighting is carried on by numerous small columns of troops which operate in difficult country and are frequently on the move, it is impracticable to provide surgical facilities for carrying out operations in the immediate vicinity of the fighting. Consequently it is necessary for casualties to be evacuated to the hospitals where surgical attention can be given.

There are three Service hospitals in Malaya district, which covers the mainland of Malaya, but there is only one Army surgeon and it has accordingly been necessary to utilise the services of civil surgeons. In Singapore island there are three Service hospitals and three Army surgeons. To meet the deficiencies of surgeons in the Army as a whole, arrangements have been made to engage immediately a number of civil surgeons for short-term contracts. Three have already accepted the terms and conditions of service, and, subject to their being physically fit will be sent to the Far East as soon as possible to complete the establishment in that theatre.

The evacuation of casualties presents great difficulties in view of the nature of the country and efforts have been made for a considerable time to devise a suitable means of air transport from the jungle to the nearest hospital. Various tests have been undertaken and work is now proceeding on the modification of three helicopters to make them suitable for this task. They should arrive in Malaya in April, 1950. In the meantime, the effects of delay before surgical treatment are being minimised, as far as possible by the use of penicillin and other drugs.

Is the Minister aware that there are a large number of Scots soldiers in Malaya; that there is great disquiet as the result of a report by a special correspondent in Malaya about the very poor surgical treatment afforded to the soldiers, and that this is causing a great deal of alarm? Could he tell us exactly how many surgeons are in Malaya itself, apart from Singapore, and will he look into the whole question, which is causing considerable disquiet?

First, I must say that I make no distinction between Scots and any other class of soldier. We treat them all alike. I have looked into this matter very carefully, not without some anxiety, but there are special difficulties. First, there are difficulties in procuring the type of surgeon required who will go out to Malaya. I think that we have now got over that difficulty. As regards the general services, I agree that we have only one surgeon in this area, but there are civilian surgeons in the neighbourhood who can be made available if casualties require to be treated.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the first announcement that the War Office made was that there were seven surgeons active in the Malaya district when the establishment is only for three and there is actually only one surgeon functioning? This gives great anxiety not only to every unit out there, but also to relations in this country, and would the right hon. Gentleman say why it is not possible to have evacuation by air before April next?

The public relations department of the War Office were correct in the statement they made. They referred to the strength in the whole area, and that was seven. There is one in the Malaya district, three in Singapore and three in Hong Kong. They referred to the whole theatre and not to Malaya in particular. That was what was said and, so far as this was concerned, they were correct. Nevertheless, I agree that it is insufficient, but I can assure hon. Members that we are taking all possible steps to deal with the situation.

Could I ask the right hon. Gentleman about the helicopters? I understood last March when I was there that they were soon to be expected. Why it is that these helicopters cannot be there until next April?

I regret very much that difficulty in this connection. We were promised the helicopters, as the right hon. Gentleman has said, last March or April, but unfortunately it was discovered that the type of helicopter which was to be made available was unsuitable and modifications have had to take place ever since. I cannot hope to procure them before March or April.

Are there any surgeons available in this theatre from the other two Services—the Air Force and the Navy?

I cannot say off-hand but, as I have said, there are civilian surgeons available in the neighbourhood.

Is the Minister aware, so far as the helicopter matter is concerned, that where it is a question of aid for British wounded, the fact that it has taken nearly a year to modify them is just not good enough?

I regret the delay, for which we must accept responsibility. Nevertheless, it must not be assumed that the wounded are not being taken care of.

The right hon. Gentleman will realise how immensely important from the point of view of the morale of the troops is this question of helicopters. Could he not tell us what is the cause of the hold-up? What Department is concerned—the Ministry of Civil Aviation or the Air Ministry or what?

We were promised these helicopters by the Air Ministry. Obviously, it must be the Air Ministry. It was discovered that modifications had to take place, and it has taken some time to effect those modifications.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are not capable surgeons in the R.A.M.C. who could be flown out there at once so that, at any rate, there might be a sufficient number of surgeons able to deal with those who are wounded?

First, I must emphasise that we have experienced no serious difficulty in Malaya. Attention has been drawn to the shortage of surgeons, but it must not be assumed that anything serious has resulted from that shortage, although at the same time I regret the shortage. On the question of flying surgeons from the R.A.M.C. out to Malaya, unfortunately, for some considerable time we have had to give attention to the shortage of surgeons in this country and in other theatres.

The right hon. Gentleman in his first answer concentrated almost entirely on surgeons. Can he give us some idea of other medical attention available? For instance, how long does it take for the casualty to get back to a R.A.P.? Are there casualty clearing stations and advanced dressing stations? What is the general picture? I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will realise the amount of anxiety his answer has caused.

The hon. Gentleman must not be hot and bothered about this. There is no occasion for engendering heat about it. We want to deal with this matter as speedily as possible, and that is precisely what we are endeavouring to do. As regards the availability of medical services—dressing stations and the like—I can assure the hon. Member and other hon. Members that the position is by no means unsatisfactory.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many surgeons in this area hold consultant status; further, could he not perhaps look into the matter of offering adequate remuneration in order to procure the highest possible type of surgeon specialist to be flown out to that area?

We are in fact offering excellent terms to civilian surgeons in this country. For service abroad we are offering from £1,800 to £2,200 a year, according to qualifications. In addition, they will receive a foreign service allowance and an outfit allowance. On the whole, the terms are rather good.

Owing to the neglectful attitude of the War Office in this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Chancellor ot the Exchequer on what date it is intended to publish an Economic Survey for 1950.

It is intended that the Economic Survey for 1950, should be published about the middle of March, as was this year's Survey.

Will the Survey take into account the possibility of a change of Government during 1950?

It will take all material matters into account.

In view of the fact that it takes a number of weeks to get such a Survey through the printing process, especially if a General Election is in progress, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that it is done, nevertheless?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what dollar allowance has been made available to Pam Tabberer, an English journalist, who is providing tendentious and false material for the American Press; and whether, in the interests of preserving good Anglo-American relations, he will take steps to withdraw the sums granted in this and similar cases.

As ! have stated repeatedly, it would not be proper to disclose details of individual applications for foreign currency allowances made to the Bank of England under the Exchange Control Act, 1947.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that it is an abuse of the facilities granted by the Treasury to facilitate visits to the United States for silly women like Pam Tabberer and others to go over there and traduce and denounce this country on the other side of the Atlantic?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the separate total yields from Purchase Tax on Christmas and New Year cards for the years 1946, 1947 and 1948; and what is the estimated yield for 1949.

Christmas, New Year and other greeting cards, form part of more than one Purchase Tax class. It is not possible to sort them out for the purpose of giving the figures of yield asked for in the first part of the Question. But receipts from all kinds of greeting cards may be estimated on the present basis at about £3½ million.

Does the Chancellor realise that this taxation of Christmas good will is abhorrent, and will he take steps to ensure that a future Budget will eliminate this form of taxation?

Judging by the number of cards purchased every year, that cannot be so.

Is the Chancellor aware that his recent decision to increase the Purchase Tax on many of next year's Christmas cards will cast undeserved opprobrium on the Conservative Government which will then be in power?

It would be impossible to cast undeserved opprobrium.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plays at present running at London theatres are exempt from Entertainments Duty under Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1946.

The following plays at present running at London theatres, being promoted by bodies which qualify for exemption from Entertainments Duty under Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1946, are exempt: "The Beaux' Stratagem," "Death of a Salesman," "The Golden Door," "The Heiress," "Hindle Wakes," "The Lady's not for Burning," "Love's Labour's Lost," "The Seagull," "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Treasure Hunt."

While I have no objection to the last named play in the list, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman really satisfied that all these plays need the substantial financial assistance which he is giving them?

I am satisfied that they come within the provision which was laid down by Parliament.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that a comparison between the list which he has just read out and a list of the plays which are not tax exempt, completely vindicates this system of tax exemption, and that, if the junior Burgess for Cambridge University (Mr. Wilson Harris) is not careful, I will read out the alternative list?

May I ask the Chancellor whether the theatre-goer is being relieved? Is there a drop in price in regard to exemption from Entertainments Duty, or is the Entertainments Duty swept into the "non-profits" pool?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put that Question on the Order Paper.

Will the Chancellor look into the administration of this Section of the Finance Act before the introduction of the next Budget?

I am perfectly satisfied with the administration; I have looked into it many times.

In regard to "A Streetcar Named Desire," if it gives rise to "An Autobus named Salacity" or "An Aeroplane named Lascivious," will the right hon. and learned Gentleman claim that this is really cultural education and say that we can now withdraw from U.N.E.S.C.O.?

I should not like to forecast the cultural value of plays which have not yet been written.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the annual sum which would be lost to the Inland Revenue were no Income Tax to be paid on overtime earnings; and the extent by which this loss would be offset as a result of increased production because of the greater incentive created.

I am afraid that this information is not available.

Might it not be well if the Chancellor were to tax his ingenuity in order to devise some method whereby it might be possible for productivity to be increased as a result of the alleviation of the tax on overtime?

Looking at the matter quite objectively, I think my ingenuity is sufficiently taxed already.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether, in fact, if he did what is proposed in the Question, the tendency would not be for everybody to work overtime and nobody to work during the daytime?

That may be so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now formally indicate his intention that he will introduce into his next Budget a provision whereby payments made to directors of companies in consideration of their agreement not to become directors of other companies, will be treated as income, and not as a capital payment.

As my right hon. Friend explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 24th November, I am looking into this matter, but I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that I hoped that he could anticipate that he will himself be making the next Budget statement; and, secondly, in all these circumstances would he not consider setting up a committee to inquire into tax evasion?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any further cut is proposed in national expenditure to compensate for the discovery that the annual saving to the Exchequer from reducing the number of electoral registers from two to one will be £650,000, not £800,000.

No, Sir. Further economy in Government expenditure generally is being pursued irrespective of any reductions already announced in specific services.

As the Government have made three shots at this estimate already—first £800,000, then £400,000 and now £650,000—and as it is clear that some other estimates—for instance, the yield from the shilling tax on prescriptions—will be very far out, does he think that there is any chance of the total saving from cuts being realised?

I do not think that a variation of £150,000 in £280 million is very excessive.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he anticipates that the recent officially-announced change of policy by the Government of the Irish Republic, as regards their position as a member of the sterling group, will affect this country.

I am not clear what official statement the hon. Member has in mind; but if he is referring to the recent speech by the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic I have nothing to add to the reply given on 1st December to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher).

If the proposal is to withdraw sterling balances, may I ask the Chancellor whether he has called the attention of the Government of Eire to the losses which this country sustained in providing for their defence by means of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, whereas Eire's withholding of the use of the ports caused the loss of thousands of lives and innumerable tons of shipping?

That is a hypothetical question which I am afraid I could not answer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the scale of distribution of a leaflet issued by the Central Office of Information entitled, "What's all this?"; how many copies have been printed; to whom they have been distributed; and what is the cost to public funds.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to the leaflet "For Women Only." The print order is for one million copies at an estimated cost of £1,800. The main distribution is through women's voluntary organisations but copies are also being made available through the regional offices of the Central Office of Information, who are paying particular attention to the needs of housewives and women in industry.

Is it not a fact that this document is also being distributed to the women's Services on the basis of one copy per woman, and is not that an excessive distribution?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much has been paid out in war damage in the City of Liverpool to owners of privately-owned damaged sites; how much has been paid to the local authority for war damage; and how far the. payments include clearance of sites where necessary.

The following amounts have been paid to the local authority: For repairs to war damaged houses, £6,718,000; for demolition and clearance, £1,407,604; for war damage to highways, £146,845. No separate records are kept of war damage payments to private owners in particular areas.

Is the Minister aware that the leader of the Conservative Party in the Liverpool City Council says that they have no way of getting money from the Government in order to clear sites in the Liverpool area?