asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many Forms L.39 have been sent to owners of property by the Central Land Board; how many have been withdrawn; why they were sent; and why withdrawn.

One hundred thousand and eighty-three, of which less than 300, sent in error, were withdrawn. The forms were sent to owners of single dwelling houses to ascertain whether their claims to compensation were admissible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it required a new form —R6/82—to withdraw these forms, will he agree that the issue of these forms caused a number of claimants to answer questions which were optional under Form S.1, and in the circumstances will he give an assurance that the information which they gave will not be used to their disadvantage?

No information is ever used to anybody's disadvantage in this held. The percentage affected is remarkably small—less than 300 out of 100,083 —and will surprise the hon. Member by its smallness. It is less than one-third of 1 per cent.

Does the Minister not realise that there is great indignation about these forms and that many people feel that they are now being compelled to make a valuation which they chose not to make on Form S.1 and thereby forfeited the contribution for their professional fees?

I have no evidence of that.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer to this Question, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many officials are engaged on preparing surveys under Section 30 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947; and what is the estimated cost of this work in the year 1950–51.

Twenty-four, and about £13,000.

Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate this work and see whether it cannot be done more economically and with less inconvenience to local authorities?

This work is the scheduling of buildings of special architectural and historical merit and, I am told, is going forward very well. There is, in fact, a staff reduction taking place which was agreed by my predecessor and was confirmed by me; the numbers will be shortly reduced to about 15. I am satisfied that they are doing their work very well.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why, when the development charges to be paid on houses built on one of Stafford's municipal housing estates are £18 per house, the development charges on houses of almost similar size and construction built by private enterprise run sometimes as high as £210.

The value of a piece of land, with permission to build a house on it, naturally varies with the situation of the plot and the expenditure necessary on the site, but if the hon. Member will let me have details about the Stafford sites, I will ask the Central Land Board for a report.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he proposes to make an announcement regarding the composition of the committee to investigate complaints against the operation of the development charge under the Town and Country Planning Act; if the committee is to meet in public; and what procedure should be adopted by anyone who wishes to lay evidence before the committee.

I do not propose to set up a committee, but as I informed the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 28th March, I have asked the Chairman of the Central Land Board to report to me on possible administrative improvements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of my Question as to what procedure should be adopted by any person who feels he has a grievance against the operation of this charge?

He should communicate with his Member of Parliament.

Could the right hon. Gentleman yet issue any form of words which would give some indication of how these amounts are arrived at?

I think it would be easy to issue such a form of words, but it would not be the first time it had been done.

Would it not be better to repeal the whole of this miserable Measure?

No, Sir. I seem to remember that the present party in Opposition supported the Bill when it was going through Parliament.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that the Horsham Rural District Council, at its meeting on 22nd February last, passed a resolution to the effect that he should appoint two members from the local authorities, which have been closely associated with the Crawley Development Corporation since its inception, as members of that Corporation; and if he proposes to take action to that effect.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and, if the council care to submit names to me, I shall be glad to consider them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Sussex County Council, in addition to the rural district council, feel they have been treated with lack of consideration in this matter? Will the right hon. Gentleman go very carefully into the whole circumstances in view of the need for improving relations between local authorities and development corporations?

That is most important, and I am most anxious that these arrangements should always be cordial and harmonious. I think both sides gain by that. I am most anxious that there should be a fair proportion of local government representatives on the corporations, and I will be glad to receive their suggestions.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning to what extent it is the policy of his Department to refuse permission for the establishment of grass-drying plants in farms which are in or adjacent to villages.

I wish to put the minimum of restrictions on the erection of farm buildings, including those required to house grass-drying plants.

What is the Minister doing to carry out his wishes in this matter? Is he aware that the planning authorities are refusing permission for the establishment of these grass driers and will he take action?

No, I have no evidence that refusal is taking place, but if the hon. Member will send particulars I will, of course, look into them.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning to what extent the proposed limitation on capital investment in the building of shops and commercial premises will affect the rebuilding of the bombed central area of Liverpool.

This matter is now under consideration as regards the central areas of this and other war-damaged cities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that Liverpool is not only a heavily-bombed city, but is also near a development area?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will issue, for the guidance of parish councils and others, information about rights of way in language less difficult to comprehend than that of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

A pamphlet on this subject has already been issued for the information of all local authorities, including parish councils. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pamphlet is taking a very long time to reach parish councils and has not reached them?

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the Parish Councils Association have stated that the pamphlet is excellent and all they needed. I do not know whether he is also aware that it was issued to the parish councils on 21st February.

It has not reached many of them.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many applications to develop land received by the Central Land Board have fallen into abeyance.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that land is being offered for development purposes far in excess of existing use value and will he inquire into the matter to see what can be done and inquire particularly to see whether local authorities can give help by purchasing land by compulsory acquisition where development is necessary?

I am very anxious that there should be no exploitation through charges being made in excess of use value. I have that very much in mind and a number of cases are under study now.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will consider making it optional for local authorities to use the services of the district valuer in connection with the acquisition of land under the Town and Country Planning Act.

The regulations now in force since 26th January require, as a condition of grant to local authorities, that the latter should use the services of the district valuer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why cities cannot use their own valuers?

I gather we may have a Debate on this matter in a few days' time. I received a deputation the other day from a number of local authorities who put their views before me and I gather we may have a Debate next week. Perhaps in that case I had better reserve my observations.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why half the loss, amounting to £6,904, for the half-year ended 31st March, 1949, on the revenue account of Welwyn Garden City Development Corporation has been capitalised instead of being left as a balance on revenue account.

The Corporation was established to provide a capital asset in the shape of a new town, and I regard it as proper that the balance of expenditure on general revenue account not covered by grant, should be treated as having been incurred in securing such an asset.

Will the right hon. Gentleman examine the amounts which made up the total and see whether he does not think that there has been some watering of capital in the first six months of the Corporation's existence?

I do not think so. I have taken advice on the matter and I think the hon. Member will agree it is purely a matter of accountancy and presentation. I will look at it again, but I am, so far, satisfied on the point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these corporations borrow money from the Treasury for the purpose of paying interest to the Treasury on the money they originally borrowed?

It is not quite so simple as that.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning (1) whether he will use his powers to permit persons whose freehold land and property are acquired by new town develop- ment corporations to be given an equivalent freehold plot in exchange and compensation sufficient to replace their property:

I have already reaffirmed my predecessor's promise not to acquire property at Basildon before it is needed for actual development, but, where acquisition takes place, I cannot undertake to provide an equivalent freehold plot in exchange.

Is the Minister aware that the chairman of the development corporation has stated categorically that the policy of the Government is ultimately to take over all freeholds in the area? Is he also aware that the population of 17,500 makes is unique among new towns and that most of them are freeholders, and these people object? They consider there is no moral justification for having—

Supplementary questions are not the occasion for speeches.

Will the Minister, therefore, consider using his special powers under the Act to safeguard freehold rights in the area designated?

I think the freehold rights are completely safeguarded until the time comes for actual development by the undertaking to which I have referred. This area, I must assure the hon. Member, is more in need of decent planning, clean-Mg up and bringing up to date than any other area to which we are bringing a new town.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is being most unjust to owner-occupiers under this provision?

I do not think so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is no more satisfaction to a man to be told he will be robbed in 10 years than to be told he will be robbed tomorrow? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware of the action of the Central Land Board in compulsorily acquiring a building site at Colchester for £25 on behalf of a man who had already been refused the site by its owner; and whether he will prevent the Board using such sweeping powers to dispossess owners in this manner in the future.

A compulsory purchase order for this piece of land has just been made. The owners may lodge an objection within the statutory period of three weeks, in which case there will be a public inquiry. As this order will come before me for confirmation, I cannot at this stage make any comment.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that both the Middlesex County Council and the Harrow Urban District Council have unanimously protested against permission being granted for the erection of an advertisement hoarding at the corner of Bridge Street and Chapel Lane, Pinner, on the grounds that it constitutes both an eyesore and a danger to traffic; why he has overruled their objections; and if he will now reconsider his decision.

I have received no official protest from either of the local authorities about this, but it is always open to them to submit for my confirmation a draft order requiring a discontinuance of the use of the site for advertising. I would consider such an order in the light of any fresh evidence they can produce.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware of the hardship that is caused to many chronic sufferers from industrial disease who fail to establish their claim owing to technical reasons under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and what provisions can be made in such cases.

The particular time limits to which I think my hon. Friend is referring have been removed so far as cases arising under the Industrial Injuries Act are concerned, but I have no power to modify the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts to bring them into line. I do not think that any question of hardship can arise as the people concerned will be covered by other provisions of the Social Security Scheme.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if she has no power to deal with it under existing legislation, she always has power to initiate new legislation? Will she also bear in mind the more limited but very serious cases of persons who suffer from a recurrence of disease after 5th July, 1948, and are debarred from compensation under either Measure?

I think my hon. Friend has in mind two cases which, I agree, have certain sad features, but he will agree with me that when a new scheme is introduced there are bound to be certain people whose benefits are governed by the old scheme and who cannot be brought into the new scheme because that would introduce new anomalies.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the amount of actuarial value computed on the basis of normal expectation of life of a full retirement pension payable to an adult male worker under the National Insurance Act on retirement at 65; and the actuarial value computed on the same basis for an adult worker who retires at the age of 70.

By full retirement pensions I assume by hon. Friend means a pension of 26s. for which a man can qualify at 65 and a pension of 36s. for which a man reaching 70 after June, 1953, can qualify at that age. The actuarial value of the former is £670 and of the latter £750.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what discussions she has had with the Minister of Health regarding the erection by local authorities of special housing accommodation for the aged.

I am constantly in touch on matters of common interest with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health. But I do not think there is any need for me to make special representations to him about a matter of the importance of which he is fully seized.

As presumably both the right hon. Lady and the Minister of Health have the interests of the old age pensioners at heart, would it not be of benefit to institute such discussions?

I would remind the hon. Member that the powers which my right hon. Friend exercises, and to which I referred, are conferred by Part III of the National Assistance Act, and concern the administration of the local authorities. Therefore, the matter does not come within my province.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what representations she has received from the National Federation of Old Age Pensioners' Associations subsequent to the recent amendment of assistance benefits.

I have received a letter from one of the regions of the Federation, to which I shall soon reply.

Could the right hon. Lady tell the House briefly what was the effect of that letter?

Certainly; they wished to have the basic scales increased.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the real distress now being suffered by old age pensioners results from the perpetual increase in the cost of living? Is she further aware that the matter will not be remedied while the present Government are in power?

The hon. Member has forgotten that a proposal to increase the National Assistance scales was announced recently, and these old age pensioners, numbering 750,000, will be able to apply for the new scales.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether arrangements have yet been made for prisoners in gaol to maintain their insurance contributions.

On admission to prison, insured persons are advised that they may pay contributions themselves or may arrange for someone to pay on their behalf or may pay retrospectively on discharge. The time limits to be prescribed for retrospective payment are still under consideration, but I intend that they should be as generous as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is desirable that these young people in prison should not be penalised and have to pay two penalties for an offence by being debarred from the benefits which would come to them were they allowed to pay their contributions during their period in prison? I hope that my right hon. Friend will make arrangements to that effect.

I fully agree with my hon. Friend. As I said in my answer, I intend that those men who wish to retrieve their position shall be able to do so.

asked the Minister of National Insurance with which foreign countries Britain has made such reciprocal arrangements as provide insurance benefits for our nationals in those countries; and what information she has as to the kinds and degrees of the benefits, as well as the conditions of contributions, in comparison with those for foreigners in this country.

The only reciprocal arrangement so far made with a foreign country for providing insurance benefits for British nationals in that country is with France. Negotiations are proceeding with a number of other countries. For this purpose information about the matters referred to in the last part of the Question is obtained as a matter of course.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the increase in the prices of butter and bacon will now make it almost impossible for old-age pensioners to buy these commodities; and what he proposes to do about it.

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by myself and my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Food on 4th and 5th April, respectively.

Does the Minister realise that the cost of living has been going up ever since the Socialist Party came into power, and that these poor people cannot afford to go on living with the cost of living going up all the time? There was a penny before Christmas, a halfpenny now; what is it going to be after today?

asked the Minister of Labour if he can now give the result of his further efforts to reach agreement with the Banque Belge pour l'Etranger on the question of recognition of the National Union of Bank Employees as representing the majority of their staff.

Since my hon. Friend's previous Question on this subject, I have had correspondence with the bank, which I am considering. At the moment, I am not able to say whether there is any further action which I can usefully take.

Is there any way in which the right hon. Gentleman can see that foreign concerns in this country give conditions of employment comparable to those of British concerns?

I do not think that question arises. So far as I am aware, the question in this case is not one of wages and conditions but of recognition of the trade union membership of the staff.

asked the Minister of Labour how far the present factory inspectorate falls below the proper establishment; what is the commencing salary; and whether he is satisfied that the conditions are good enough to attract the right type of candidate in sufficient numbers to maintain an adequate supervision of industrial undertakings.

There are at present 51 vacancies on the establishment of the factory inspectorate. Commencing salaries vary according to age, area and qualifications. I will send my hon. Friend details of the rates of pay. Steps are being taken to bring the attractions of a career in the inspectorate more widely to notice. I am not satisfied that it is necessary at present to vary the conditions of employment.

Is this not a difficulty of long standing, which would seem to show that there is something wrong with the conditions, and will my right hon. Friend have them looked at again?

No, Sir. I have looked at these conditions, and they comply with the general Civil Service conditions for comparable ranks. The manning of the inspectorate has been more difficult since the war than before.

asked the Minister of Labour why assistance by his Department to ex-Regular Service men in training in business or trades on their leaving His Majesty's Forces depends upon the private means of the officers and men concerned; and if he will end this means test at an early date.

This is not the practice in the case of men taking vocational training for skilled trades. In the case of business training, maintenance grants are payable, where necessary, in order to provide broadly the reasonable requirements and standard of living to which the applicant is accustomed. For this purpose, as in the case of other comparable resettlement schemes, other income, including the pensions and retired pay payable in a large number of cases, is one of the factors taken into account. I see no justification for altering these arrangements. In all cases the training is provided free.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that in pamphlet P.L.309 issued by his Ministry last year, it is quite clearly stated that the object of the scheme is to ensure that those men and women who serve a period of Regular service in His Majesty's Forces should have short courses of training with a view to assisting them to obtain posts? If that is necessary, why should the men and women who have helped themselves and saved up a little be penalised compared with those who have not done so?

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. As I have previously made clear to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Low), savings are not taken into account. If the hon. and gallant Member will look at my answer, he will see that we wish to maintain the requirements and standards of living to which the applicant is accustomed. As applicants are in various walks of life, we cannot have a fixed rate, otherwise we should be over-generous to some and under-generous to others. Each application is considered on its merits.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to request the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation to make provisions from the Remploy centre in Glodwick Road, Oldham, for the provision of work for those disabled persons in Oldham and in Chadderton, whose disability confines them to their homes.

Remploy Limited, will be considering the introduction of home workers' schemes in any district where it is practicable. They have so far established such schemes in connection with nine of their factories. I understand that it may be some time before it is possible to introduce such arrangements at Oldham.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind there are a large number of disabled persons in Oldham still registered as totally unemployed, many being confined to their homes? This is a magnificent scheme which my right hon. Friend has provided in Oldham, for which we are grateful. The scheme is working very well, but will my right hon. Friend have a word with me to see whether he cannot step it up in Oldham, where it is so important?

I should be glad to have a word with my hon. Friend. The problem is whether the kind of work done in the Remploy factory is such as to lend itself to out-working schemes—in this case it is woodwork and upholstery. Where the work is not suitable, we have to look around for some alternative. We now have some 200 out-workers employed in the country, and it is the Corporation's intention that such work shall continue.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make on the recent decision of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions to seek the opinion of their members by ballot as to whether to strike or submit their claim for a wage increase to the National Arbitration Tribunal.

Yes, Sir. But as the answer is long and involved I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it a fact that the proposed ballot would contravene the provisions of the National Arbitration Order, and if that be so, can the Minister say whether the Government are taking any steps in that respect?

May I confine myself to the second part of that supplementary question, and assure the hon. Member that we are in very close touch with the parties? We have had contact with them all the time and are still in contact with them, and we hope to be able to avert any trouble.

Following is the answer:

Neither of the parties has reported this dispute to me but I have felt obliged, as a matter of public interest, to draw the attention of the executive of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Trade Unions to certain issues raised by the terms of the ballot. The alternatives presented to the voting members imply that there is a choice between strike action and reporting a dispute to the National Arbitration Tribunal, whereas in fact under the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Orders strikes and lockouts are in general prohibited unless and until a dispute has been reported to me in writing and I have failed to take action prescribed under the Orders. Moreover, the reference of any dispute to the National Arbitration Tribunal is a matter for me and is not left to the choice of either party; in certain circumstances there may be other steps that I could take if they seemed expedient and desirable. The Executive of the Confederation have explained that the terms of the ballot were decided under the Confederation rules but each union is at liberty to send an explanatory note to its membership participating in the ballot. In illy view, in a matter of this importance, affecting as it does a very large group of our workpeople, it is essential that there should be no room for misunderstanding as to the law and I have pointed out to the trade unions their responsibility to their membership in this regard.

I also took advantage of these discussions to ascertain both from the Engineering Employers' Federation and the Confederation the position that had been reached in the negotiations for a new wages structure for the engineering industry. The House will recall that a Court of Inquiry, whose Report dated 25th August, 1948, was laid before this House, recommended that the parties should re-open negotiations on this subject. It seemed to me desirable in the light of this recommendation to see whether even at this stage any steps could usefully be taken to assist the parties to reach some mutually satisfactory agreement on this subject. I found that although the discussions have not so far yielded any satisfactory result, the matter is still open for negotiation. The employers, however, state that they are not in a position to resume discussions while the claim for a £1 a week increase is a live issue.

I regret that the harmony that usually characterises these great and important industries should he disturbed, particularly at the present critical time in our economic situation. I am keeping a close watch on developments and I need hardly say that I shall he ready at any time to do what I can to assist the parties in arriving at a proper solution to their problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the salaries and conditions of service of health visitors, domiciliary midwives and domiciliary nurses have been excluded from the consideration of the Whitley Council dealing with salaries in the nursing profession; and what action he intends to take to deal with the claims of the members of these excluded branches of this profession.

Salaries and, conditions of service of these categories of nurses are not excluded from the consideration of the Whitley Council. As stated in reply to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire West (Mr. Spence) on 28th March last, a claim for salary increases has been rejected by the management side of the Council and is now awaiting arbitration by the Industrial Court.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to increase the salaries of those nurses above the rank of ward sister to prevent the anomalies which are now occurring in the nursing profession in Scotland?

Those salaries are being considered by the appropriate methods.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the resolution passed by the Convention of Royal Burghs on 4th April last to the effect that the development of existing burghs was in the national interest to a degree not less than the creation of new towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Yes, Sir. I fully recognise that the national interest can be. served by the development of existing communities as well as by the creation of new towns. Various burghs and other communities in Scotland are being expanded in pursuance of the Government's policy to secure a better distribution of population and industry and this policy will be continued.

Has the right hon. Gentleman met representatives of the Convention to discuss this special point, and will he recognise the view of the representatives, which is very widely held in Scotland?

I have already noted the resolution passed by the Convention and, as usual, I shall be accessible for any representations upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will, despite the financial stringency, consider a larger annual grant for road making and improvement in the seven crofter counties, in view of the urgent need for this basic facility throughout the whole Highland area.

I regret that I cannot consider any increase on the amount of £120,000 included in the Estimates for the current year for public works under the provisions of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897. The existing provision, however, enables greater progress to be made with works of this character than was made before the war when the highest provision in any year was £30,000.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the amount proposed is not enough to cover the more urgent needs of the Isle of Skye, let alone the seven crofter counties, and cannot he do something about taking seriously the problem of roads in the Highlands? Could not he take steps, for example, to see that some of the money from the Road Fund is available for this purpose?

I quite understand that there are conflicting priorities in this area, but I cannot accept the suggestion that the problem is not being taken seriously. I repeat that this is four times more than was voted in any year before the war.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is impossible for any district council to put its roads in order so that they may be taken over by county councils; that there are 200 communities without any roads at all in the Highlands, and that very special treatment must be given to the Highland region?

I agree that this is a special problem and special provision, not perhaps as much as anyone would like, but special provision, has been made for this situation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the roads in Sutherland are in a disgraceful condition and that there are many unemployed road workers; and would not it be better to put them to work rather than to keep them on the dole?

I know the roads of Sutherland intimately and love them as much as, no doubt, does the hon. Gentleman. If he has any practical proposition to offer, I shall be glad to listen.

Will the Minister give an assurance that no special privileges will be given to reactionary local authorities who have neglected their responsibilities in the past?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the present school population in Glasgow Corporation's housing schemes at Priesthill, Househillwood and Pollok, respectively; and what school accommodation has been provided in these three areas;

The present school population is about 2,300 at Priesthill, 900 at Househillwood, and 4,700 at Pollok, and the number of school places in these areas is 3,210. All secondary pupils and the primary pupils for whom places are not yet available are attending schools in other parts of Glasgow. The cost of transport is at present about £25,000 per annum, and is expected to remain at this figure during the new financial year.

Three temporary buildings are at present being put up. The Glasgow education authority, who are primarily responsible for providing the necessary schools, estimate that in addition, when housing is completed, nine primary and three secondary schools will be needed. Of these, one primary school has already been started and one secondary school will be started soon, and I hope that it will be possible for the authority to begin at least three more of the primary schools and one more secondary school in 1950. The main buildings will be of traditional construction; the primary schools will take about 21 months to finish, the secondary school three years. Some will have prefabricated annexes which should be ready before the end of this year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it comes about that when there is housing provided for a population of over 30,000 and a school population of over 8,000, the proper number of schools was not provided at the same time?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, there is a dual responsibility on this subject. However, I am not really concerned to try to find who was blameworthy. I am concerned to co-operate with the local authorities in trying to redress the unbalance to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has quite properly drawn attention.

In effect, is not it a deplorable example of the lack of planning by a Socialist local authority who have been in power for a number of years?

I remember the hon. and gallant Gentleman had a very prominent place in that local authority on which he now throws the blame.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the administrative reasons for the recent change in women officers' titles.

The recent change whereby male rank titles were extended to women officers serving in the Army was made primarily in the interests of administrative simplicity.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the women's organisations themselves sought this change, and is he aware that it has caused some resentment among serving officers as tending to make not only the women but the Army also look a trifle ridiculous?

No, Sir. I think the change meets the wishes and views of the women officers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he is aware that the replacement of civilian clerks by National Service men in Army pay offices is leading to unemployment among these temporary civil servants; and if he will reconsider the decision to employ young soldiers on this type of work;

Soldiers must be employed in Army pay offices in this country in order to provide trained staff for pay offices overseas. Enough National Service men are employed to make good the shortage of Regular soldiers and to produce a trained military reserve to meet the requirements of the Pay Services on mobilisation. The rundown of work and the reorganisation of pay offices make it inevitable that some temporary clerks should become redundant.

National Service men are employed in pay offices according to a phased programme and are fully trained before taking up full duties in an office. The accounting system now being introduced is designed to allow for the employment of National Service men and I am satisfied that their employment is not detrimental to efficiency.

Has the Minister received any representation from the Civil Service Clerical Association on this matter-about efficiency?

No, Sir.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will agree that this is a complete waste of the use of National Service men. If he wants trained men on mobilisation, he could get them by taking them from civilian firms where a lot of men have been doing this sort of thing. Is it not a complete waste of the Services of National Service men?

I should have thought it was wise to provide a certain limited number of National Service men trained in this work for use immediately on mobilisation.

Are the men selected for this particular sedentary job, medically unfit for any other active service?

Not necessarily, but I think it is right that a certain number of men suitable for this type of work should be se used.

asked the Secretary of State for War what expenditure will be incurred by his Department in the current financial year for reconditioning Service vehicles; and what steps he is taking to overcome the criticisms of the Select Committee on Estimates on this type of expenditure during the financial year 1949–50.

Provision has been made in Army Estimates 1950–51 for the expenditure of some £10 million on the reconditioning and normal repair of wheeled vehicles. The recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates are being considered by my Department and a report will be made to the Committee in the near future.

In view of the fact that the figure estimated for this year for the Army is about the same as last year, will not the right hon. Gentleman speed up the consideration of this report and review the whole policy of reconditioning wheeled vehicles, which is what the Committee recommended?

We could, of course, cease to recondition wheeled vehicles, but that would mean very heavy purchases of new vehicles, to which there are great objections.

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints have been received regarding the accommodation and conditions generally in the s.s. "Empire Test," s.s. "Eastern Prince" and s.s. "Empress of Australia," trooping to the Middle East; what is the average number of persons accommodated in each cabin; and whether he is aware that trooping conditions in these ships are worse than were trooping conditions between the wars.

The number of complaints regarding the accommodation and conditions on these vessels is very small compared with the number of passengers carried and in most cases they concern matters which can be rectified during the voyage. The average number of berths per cabin is, in the "Empire Test" 4.4, in the "Eastern Prince" (now renamed "Empire Medway ") 5.5, and in the "Empress of Australia" 7. The shipping position since the war has necessitated the continued employment of these vessels and other troopships which were part of the war-time fleet. They have been considerably improved, but they are scheduled to be withdrawn from service as soon as possible.

May I ask the Minister not to judge conditions by the small number of complaints he has received, bearing in mind the normal Service procedure? Is he aware that trooping conditions before the war could have been much improved but they are far worse now than they were then, and will he look most carefully into this question?

I would not agree with the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's statement. The solution is to get into service the new troopships which are fitted to quite a new standard. Some are coming into service, and we hope to have all troopships on this new standard within the next two or three years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the retention in service of these out-of-date troopships is a very poor introduction to foreign service for young National Service men posted overseas?

Yes, Sir. That is why we are bringing these new ships into use.

Will the Minister explain exactly what.5 of a berth means in actual practice?

Evidently the hon. Member is not familiar with the conception of an average.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many single other ranks are living in tents in the Canal Zone; and what percentage this is of the total other ranks strength in that area.

I have called for this information and will circulate an answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it takes so long to get this information? Have the wireless and telephone broken down? Is not this information readily available as soon as he asks for it?

The hon. Gentleman's Question appeared on the Order Paper only on Saturday, and I do not think it an unreasonable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state how many married officers or other ranks in the Canal Zone who wish for a married quarter have not been allotted one; and what is the average time that these families have been waiting for a quarter.

There are 470 officers and 993 other ranks in the Canal Zone who wish for a married quarter and have not yet been allotted one. The average time that these families have been waiting is rather more than a year. We are providing at least 300 more temporary married quarters in the Canal Zone during this financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of duty ad valorem would have to be charged on Empire tobacco to bring in the same amount of revenue as the present specific Duty.

On the basis of current conditions the present specific Duty is equivalent to about 164 times the import value. But there are variable factors which introduce a considerable amount of uncertainty into the comparison.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that a monstrously high rate to put on an Empire product, and will he consider having it reduced?

I am afraid I cannot anticipate this afternoon's Business.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under his regulations, if an author arranges that money due to him for literary work for a foreign company is paid not to him but to a recognised British charity, he is then liable for Income Tax and Surtax on that money.

Yes, Sir.

Is the hon Gentleman aware that if an author assigns the rights of a work to a charity, he is, apparently, not liable for Surtax? Is there a valid reason why there should be a distinction between the two different transactions?

I gather from the hon. Gentleman's Question that in this case the money was due to the writer in question for literary work. In that case he is liable for tax whatever he desires to do with the money.

The Question was specific. It asked whether, if an author allows money due to him from a foreign company to be paid instead to a recognised British charity-in which case he never sees the money himself-he is liable for Income Tax and Surtax on that money?

It depends on the precise arrangement by which he does it.

Is it not a fact that when somebody is paid to broadcast over the B.B.C., he can ask for the fee due to him to be paid to a charity, in which case the person concerned is not liable for tax?

That is another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Pay-As-You-Earn liability of a number of employees of a Surbiton firm, particulars of which have been sent to him, has been raised notwithstanding that their pay remains the same.

I have written to the hon. Member.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his letter does nothing except disclose a practice under which the Inland Revenue raise a man's tax liability in an attempt to obtain the return of an Income Tax return form; and is it not a fact that in this particular case drastic action was taken without any inquiry being made as to whether the taxpayer had received the demand at all?

That is not what my letter says at all. It says that unless, after repeated reminders, the taxpayer makes the necessary claims, it is not possible to allow them.

Is it not a fact that in this case no inquiry was made whether the demand form had been received before this drastic action was taken?

In this case repeated reminders were sent, and therefore I think it reasonable to assume that they were received.

Oh, no.