asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will make available in the Library the proposed layout proposals for the South Bank of the River Thames between County Hall and Waterloo Bridge including the section where the new Government offices are to be situated.

The London County Council have not yet submitted any detailed plans to me, but they propose to zone this area for public buildings.

In view of the Minister's reply, would he not agree that it is not unfair to suggest that the South Bank Exhibition cannot be continued into 1952 because of the early development of the site for other projects, and will the right hon. Gentleman bring that information to the attention of the Lord President of the Council?

That request is going a little too wide, but I will mention the matter to him.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the undertaking, which he obtained last autumn from the National Coal Board, that for at least five years there will be no coal working which could cause any damage to Astley Church or Castle; if he is satisfied that the plans submitted by the Board are consistent with that undertaking; and if he will take all steps within his powers to preserve these ancient buildings from injurious subsidence.

The National Coal Board gave me no undertaking. They told me last June that they estimated that their programme would not take them up to the church and castle for five years; they now think that they may be there in two years. The Board are already taking steps to protect the church, and I am considering the question of protecting the castle.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman write to me on 9th October saying:

"The Coal Board have now told me that for five years there will be no coal working which will cause any damage to either of these two buildings"?

If that is not an undertaking, what is?

I do not think we ought to blame the Coal Board for getting on more quickly than they said they would.

Is the Minister aware that the Coal Board have obtained a faculty to sever the tower of the church from the nave and to put each portion on a separate concrete raft, but are not prepared to take any steps whatever for the protection of the castle?

No, Sir. I said that I am looking into that matter myself.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether, in view of the revised development charge exemptions shown in pamphlet No. 1233, dated 11th July, 1950, he will refund development charges already paid by people between the passing of the Act and the above amendment where such charges would not now apply.

No, Sir. I have no power to make regulations with retrospective effect.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning why his regional officer has insisted on the reduction of a tender submitted to him by the Worthing Corporation for the erection of nine houses, under Circular Letter 92/46, from £1,364 to £1,296, a reduction of 5 per cent., in view of the fact that approval was granted for five similar houses in December, 1949, at a price of £1,330, and that such a reduction cannot represent the saving on overheads and other costs inherent in the construction of four additional houses.

Because the risk of a rise in prices of materials fell on the corporation in the first case, and on the contractor in the second.

Is the Minister not aware that the bill of quantities has already been agreed between the regional officer and the Corporation, that the specifications have already been cut to the bone, and that any procrastination will incur an increase in the cost of these houses? After all, we must get on with house building.

Nobody is stopping them getting on with it. It is a question of the form of the contract.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will make a statement with regard to the provision of mobile housing which will be required when the expected transfers of labour due to the rearmament programme take place.

I am considering various methods of accommodating any such transfers.

Does not the Minister recognise the extreme urgency of this matter and that great personal hardship was caused previously when the transfer of workers took place at short notice from one town to another?

We will do our best to avoid it.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning why no record of demolished housing accommodation is kept.

For the reason I gave to the hon. Member on 25th January.

The right hon. Gentleman's conversion to the needs of economy is welcome, but is it not a fact that if these figures are not produced, a misleading impression of the net housing position may be gained?

The hon. Gentleman need not insinuate. He can take my answer.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he is aware that in many districts there is so great a demand for council houses that no private building licences can be granted, whereas in other districts the demand for private building licences is far greater than that for council houses; and whether, in order to provide greater elasticity, he will arrange for regional pools to be set up to permit the interchange of licences between one local authority and another in each region.

My predecessor agreed to a transfer of licences between local authorities and I am continuing this arrangement.

Is the Minister aware that under the present system this transfer reduces the total number of houses that any one local authority can build, and that there are residential districts where the local authority, in order to get one private building licence, has to build four council houses which are not wanted?

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning what steps he had taken before he sent out Circulars 7/51 and 4/51 urging the increased use of coke-burning stoves for domestic purposes to ascertain that there was an adequate supply of coke in prospect.

All these stoves will burn well with at least one fuel other than coke.

Could the right hon. Gentleman write a convincing letter to the Ulverston Urban District Council and other authorities who do not like to advise people to use these stoves or to instal them lest there should be no fuel?

I happen to have a note about the Ulverston District Council in preparation for this supplementary question. I understand that their complaint is that householders are not allowed to have more than one such apparatus.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate one alternative fuel that will burn in these stoves?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where any of these fugitive alternative fuels are available?

I could not say until after consultation with my colleagues.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he is aware of the difficulties placed in the way of mobility of labour through the inability of intending workers to exchange their existing local authority house for another in the area where labour is needed; and whether he is prepared to take steps to overcome the unwillingness of local authorities to sponsor the exchange of houses.

I am wholly in favour of such voluntary exchanges, and am taking the matter up with the local authority associations.

In regard to the administrative arrangements, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to decide upon a suitable scheme, circularise local authorities and invite them to submit suggestions?

I am in consultation with them, and I will take their advice and will consider the best method of popularising and encouraging these exchanges.

Is the Minister aware that certain local authorities are encouraging interchanges of tenancies of council houses? Could he follow on that kind of development?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he has yet been able to ascertain whether the Durham County Council are continuing to require the production of evidence of membership of a professional association or trade union from their present and prospective employees; and whether he will make a statement.

No, Sir.

Is not the Minister aware that, on 26th January, circulars were sent out in this county laying it down that priority of redundancy should be accorded to employees of the school meals service who are not members of the appropriate trade union. Does not that action amount to the operative action of which His Majesty's Government said they would take serious notice?

Ministers are concerned about the action of a local authority only when it appears to endanger services for which the Ministers have responsibility. No such danger has developed in County Durham, where the services are highly efficient.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he is aware of the urgent need for a revision in the structure of local government; and if he will now say when the Government intend to make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Members for Wembley, North (Wing Commander Bullus) and Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott), last Thursday.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is unsatisfactory to make these considerable functional changes in local government and at the same time take no steps to bring about changes in his Ministry?

For that reason I suggested last Thursday that the local authority associations should continue to discuss the matter.

asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to start the preservation of Donnington Castle, Newbury, so that visitors may gain a proper appreciation of this historic monument.

Donnington Castle has not yet been transferred to my Ministry but negotiations are proceeding. In view of the urgent need to carry out repairs, I have sought the present owners' consent to carry out works before the deed is completed, and I hope that work will begin as soon as this permission is given.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is now prepared to approach the trades concerned with a view to ensuring that all portable gas and electric fires are fitted with suitable guards.

My Department is in touch with those concerned. The next step is the publication of British Standard specifications for the guards. I am informed that the British Standards Institution have this in hand.

Knowing the Minister's regard for speedy action, might I ask him please to make use of it in this matter, because parents of young children are concerned about these accident guards?

I am most grateful for the hon. Lady's advances in this matter.

Can the Minister tell the House whether the proposed guards will eliminate the use of steel, which is urgently wanted for other purposes?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Works how far the premises at 2, Park Street are exempt from all other statutes and the regulations under the Catering Wages Act, as well as from the provisions of the Licensing Acts.

Except in respect of the sale of intoxicating liquor, which is now undertaken by the Crown, the managing contractors are required to comply with all statutory rules and regulations in force in relation to the running of an hotel.

Why is intoxicating liquor left out of control?

Because I wanted it to be.

asked the Minister of Works whether at 2, Park Street, Mayfair, he sells alcoholic liquor to all applicants for consumption on, or off, the premises, and during what hours; and what other entertainments are provided for non-residents.

No. 2, Park Street has always been used for small functions of hospitality—by which I mean lunch or dinner or a reception—given by the Government or Government-sponsored persons, and liquor has been supplied at them. In all other cases, the practice is to sell liquor to residents only. Liquor must be consumed on the premises, and the licensing hours for the district are complied with.

Are guests and residents also supplied at all hours?

Yes, Sir; certainly not at all hours, but very naturally within the licensing hours, and during the performance of their lunch or dinner, or what-ever it may be.

Performance?

asked the Minister of Works what has been the total cost of constructing and equipping Clive House; how far this has exceeded the original estimates; and whether the time taken to erect the building exceeded expectations.

Clive House is leased to my Department at an agreed rent and I cannot give its capital cost. The estimated capital cost of equipping the building as a passport office is £40,000, but the figures of actual cost are not yet available. The building took about six months longer than the original estimate owing partly to the decision to allocate it to the Passport Office who have special requirements.

asked the Minister of Works how many houses with sheet copper roofs have been built by his Department in the last 12 months; how many are in course of construction; and whether he consulted the Ministry of Supply before embarking on this method of house construction.

No houses with sheet copper roofs have been built by my Department in the last 12 months, except the four now under construction to which I referred in my reply of 30th January to the hon. Member. These houses were planned over a year ago, and as there were no restrictions on the use of copper at that time, consultation with the Ministry of Supply was then unnecessary.

Why was it that these houses were continued at the time when copper was extremely scarce, in the summer and autumn?

I have explained that already. They were put in hand in the first place because of the desire to save timber, and indeed there was also a saving in the overall cost of the houses. Now they have been continued with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

asked the Minister of Works whether, and for what reasons, the Lion and the Unicorn are to remain on the steps in Westminster Hall.

The curtain in the southern arch of Westminster Hall will be removed this month when the removal of the scaffolding from St. Stephen's Porch will be begun. The Lion and the Unicorn will be removed at the same time.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give consideration to the idea of opening Chequers to the public on specified weekdays this summer during those months in which Parliament may be sitting.

The Trustees of the Chequers Estate, of whom I am one, have considered this suggestion, but have decided not to open Chequers to the public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer will cause great disappointment to many people in the locality and particularly to the many foreign visitors, of whom it is imagined some may yet come during the course of this summer? Will he look at the matter again?

I cannot promise to do that because it would be misleading. All sorts of complications arise, including the whole question of security, and I am not prepared to recommend that extra money be expended on Chequers.

Would it not be better to leave the matter over for a short time, in view of the impending change of tenancy?

asked the Minister of Works what is the purpose of the concrete wall now being erected round Parliament Square; and why the statues are being erected so that pedestrians can only see the backs.

The dwarf walls and kerbs which are being erected in Parliament Square are not concrete, but Portland Stone. They are required because of varying levels in the scheme approved by Parliament in 1949. The statues have also been erected in accordance with this scheme, to face the broad paved walk in the new central garden and to face the Houses of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Polish volunteer miners, who have finished their training, are now employed in the mines in this country; how many are still unemployed; and what is the cost hitherto incurred of maintaining trained Polish miners who are unemployed.

Approximately 8,000 Poles are at present employed in the, coal- mining industry. It is over two years since there was any delay in employing Poles immediately their training was completed. I have no record of the cost incurred by the National Coal Board at that time in maintaining them pending employment after training.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of retired officers of the three Services, with high technical qualifications, are finding it very difficult to obtain employment on account of their age; and if he will endeavour to utilise the services of these officers in the rearmament programme.

The number of such officers registered with my Department is less than 50, and about half of these are at present under consideration for suitable posts. I hope employers will make the greatest possible use of the services of these officers.

As there may be a number of officers who do not know where to apply, can the Parliamentary Secretary say to which branch or Department they should make application?

There is an Appointments Department Advisory Council on which each of the three Services is represented. The Council does its best to look after these ex-officers.

Up to what age are they looked after?

Half of these people are already over 55 years of age. We have no maximum. They are represented on the departmental committee and we are trying, along with the Service representatives, to secure employment irrespective of age.

In view of the appeal made by the Minister of Labour the other day to employers to do their best for these men of a certain age, will the Minister have another shot at it to see whether more can be done? The stories and letters on the subject that we receive are very terrible. Little employment seems to be achieved by these officers.

We are most concerned about the incidence of unemployment among older people, and we are taking the advice of both sides of industry. We will do everything in our power to help these men.

Yes, but cannot something be done in the Government's services? The Government appeal to private employers but do not take similar action themselves.

If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the figures which I gave in a recent Adjournment Debate, he will find that the Government have a very good record indeed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed in the City of Bradford; and what is the number of building operatives unemployed with their respective occupations.

As the reply includes a Table of figures, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour why some firms are informed when a visit of inspection will take place, so enabling tidying up, the proper fencing of machinery and necessary whitewashing.

It is not the practice of factory inspectors, except in special circumstances, to give advance notice of an intended visit. If the hon. Member will let me have the details of any particular case he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the proposed protection of Class Z Reservists against loss of employment or holidays will be made available also for Territorials.

This matter, together with many others arising out of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 29th January, 1951, is being urgently considered.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Territorials give not only their 14 or 15 days a year but also one or two nights a week, and that it would be very helpful indeed if they had the same privileges?

Can the Minister say whether it would be possible to give an answer next week in the Defence debate?

I cannot say. I can only repeat that the matter is under most urgent consideration and that a statement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether all men and women who are physically unfit for active service will, wherever possible, be given some Civil Defence part-time or full-time job which they will be expected to carry out.

In the event of war, it may be assumed that steps would be taken to ensure that men of military age unfit for active service, and women without domestic responsibilities, were employed to the best advantage in the national interest. The claims of Civil Defence would certainly not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement of the circumstances in which Mr. R. W. Hargreaves, 27, Lincoln Street, Leeds, 9, was placed in grade I after a medical examination on 30th June, 1950, in view of the fact that there was evidence showing that Mr. Hargreaves had been advised not to undertake strenuous exercise for two years, and is now being invalided from the Royal Air Force.

I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

is my hon. Friend aware that I had a letter from him on this subject last August? Does not he consider it not only a waste of public money but an injury to the men concerned to treat them in this manner?

Yes, Sir, but I also know that in the same letter we pointed out that this man was placed in medical grade I on the finding of the consultant to whom he had been referred by the chairman of the medical board.

asked the Minister of Labour what is his most recent estimate of the number of building workers in the Armed Forces and employed in working for the Armed Forces.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is the Minister aware that I was told only a month ago that there were 20,000 building workers in the Armed Forces? Will he convey to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour the suggestion that just as miners have been released to dig more coal, we need the building workers out to build more houses?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what directions he has given to Scottish farmers as to the proportion of the acreage of potatoes grown in 1950 that is to be grown in 1951; and what steps he is taking to guarantee labour to farmers to lift their crops.

Scottish farmers are being asked through the agricultural executive com- mittees to grow in 1951 about the same acreage of potatoes as they grew in 1950. As in the past all practical steps will be taken to help farmers to secure the harvest labour that they need.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain local authorities are passing resolutions which will reduce the amount of child labour available for the lifting of the crops? What steps does he propose to take to deal with the matter? Does he realise that it is necessary to take steps now in order to secure the planting of the crops?

I understand the conflicting objectives which appeal to local authorities—and they are conflicting—but we have experienced a good deal of co-operation. However, I will act as speedily as possible.

What is the good of growing the large acreages of potatoes when at present seed potatoes in Scotland are held up on railway sidings because of the failure of British Railways—for three years in succession—to provide tarpaulin sheets to cover them?

If the hon. Gentleman gives me a specific case, I will look into it. The movement of seed potatoes from Scotland is of great national interest, and I watch it carefully with my right hon. Friends.

In view of the conflicting interests in regard to child labour, is my right hon. Friend taking any steps to reduce child labour and to employ people who will not be denied further education during that period?

My hon. Friend knows that I have never consented to any demand for children which could he met otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what answer he has given to the memorandum of 3rd January from the Scottish Schoolmasters' Association in regard to the inadequacy of the proposed salary increases for the teaching profession; and whether he is prepared to reconsider the draft statutory instruments.

I am considering this memorandum along with other representations which I have received.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will bear in mind anyhow that the present salary scales are quite inadequate to attract the most suitable entrants to the profession or even to retain the competent teachers already in the profession, with the consequent depression of our traditional educational standards in Scotland?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that I must primarily have regard to the recommendations of the National Joint Council, whose comments, criticisms, and recommendations on that I am still considering.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, in recent months, house building in Ayrshire has been delayed by shortages of timber, cement, copper, plaster boards and water pipes; and what steps he is taking to meet this situation.

I have no knowledge that there was any general hold-up. of building progress in Ayrshire last year, but I would be glad if my hon. Friend would give me details of the specific instances he has in mind. Whenever and wherever shortages are disclosed I attempt, along with the Production Department concerned, to repair the deficiencies on the affected site.

Has not my right hon. Friend received a letter from the Ayr County Council saying that the timber shortage is worse than it was in 1950, and can he give an assurance that these deficiencies will be remedied in the near future?

I have a letter from the Ayr County Council referring to one particular matter but now I am asked about a general hold-up, and I repeat that I have no information about a general hold-up.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, on receipt of a letter from the county clerk, I took the matter up with the Scottish Office over a fortnight ago and listed all the materials mentioned in my hon. Friend's Question, showing that there was a complete shortage and that practically every housing scheme in Ayrshire was being held up?

The letter from the county council referred to a shortage of timber. I am, in addition, investigating a letter from my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has given to the letter addressed to him on 27th January by the Scottish Inshore White Fish Producers' Association, drawing attention to the recent further increase in the cost of seine net rope and its harmful consequences.

Prices of ropes are kept under review by the Central Price Regulation Committee, but the Government do not control the price of sisal. We are now considering the release of dollars for the purchase of a limited quantity of manilla from which gear having a longer life can be made. I am writing to the Association more fully in this sense and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my letter.

Does that mean that the Government feel that they are quite powerless to put any brake whatever upon this galloping increase in the price of the fishermen's gear?

I have pointed out repeatedly that the Government, with the co-operation of the trade, were keeping this continuously under exacting review, but over the raw material price, which is determined from outside, we have no direct control.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee on the Law of Succession in Scotland; and, if so, when it will be published.

I have received the Report of this Committee and I hope to present and publish it next week.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will make a statement of the progress of the claims made by the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association, B.L.E.S.M.A., submitted for his consideration.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

Will my right hon. Friend expedite the statement which ought to be made in relation to the difficulties of disabled ex-Service men? Is he aware that an ex-private, a widower, who lost his leg in the 1914–18 war and was pensioned then at £1 4s. a week, today receives only £1 7s. 0d. Is my right hon. Friend prepared to allow such a situation to continue?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the statement because, in addition to the representations made by the organisation mentioned in the Question, representations have been made by other bodies, and they are at present under active consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that these limbless ex-Service men have been waiting too long for an increase in their pensions?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will now review the war pensions paid for amputations, with a view to increasing the rates.

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the provisions of the pension code as they affect all classes of pensioners are under constant review, and I am giving the matter my personal attention.

Does the Minister mean by "under constant review" that the reviewing will go on so long that no action will be taken in the near future? Does he not realise that this matter is one of urgency, and will he please take action?

I can only repeat what I said earlier, that the representations of the various bodies on the National Advisory Council have been made to me and to my predecessor. It is only two weeks now since I took office, it is only a few days since those conferences took place, and I am under a pledge to that Advisory Council to report to them as quickly as possible.

Will the Minister try, with the co-operation of the Chancellor, to report to the House when the debate takes place on 16th February?

I am sure the hon. Gentleman will appreciate it when I say that I hope to be able to do so.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that even the British Legion admits that the disabled ex-Serviceman is better off today than ever before?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensions are now being paid by his Department in Accrington, Rishton, Oswaldtwistle, Clayton-le-Moors and Church; and how many of them include unemployability supplement.

I regret that the records of my Department do not enable me to give such information for individual towns without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. Information regarding war pensioners in the north-west region will, however, be found on page 43 of the Ministry's Twenty-fifth Annual Report.

asked the Prime Minister if he will visit Moscow immediately and discuss the problems of world peace with Marshal Stalin personally in the same way as he discussed them with President Truman in Washington and with the object of reducing the threat of a third world war.

No, Sir. I do not think that such a visit would be useful at the present time.

Does not the Prime Minister agree that the nation would be all the more willing to bear the heavy sacrifices that rearmament must entail if it were sure that every step had been taken to prevent it from drifting into a war?

The hon. Member will realise that we are in consultation at the present time with the United States and France for discussions with the Soviet Union on outstanding questions. It would obviously be wrong to cut across those and, in general, discussions of this kind need preparation. It is not much good rushing into a thing of this kind.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if, as we all hope, such a conference takes place, this country will render its best services at the conference by stating its own independent opinion on the matters discussed, without thinking it necessary to agree them in advance with any other nation?

No, I think that is not a very wise suggestion. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] When there are matters that concern the world generally—quite a number of countries—it is obvious that the more you can get agreement, the better.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet received the interim report of the Government Actuary under Section 39 (1) (b) of the National Insurance Act, 1946.

Yes, Sir. It was laid before the House on 2nd February. Copies will be available tomorrow.

That being so, would my right hon. Friend now, in view of the increase in the cost of living and the desirability of increasing the basic rate of pensions, give directions under the Act for an immediate review of the status of the National Insurance Fund instead of waiting until 1953?

I have no power under the Act to give directions. It would have been possible to have directed the Actuary to make a comprehensive review at an earlier date than 1954, but that has not been done and this is an interim report.

Is it the case that all the assets of this Fund have already been lent to the right hon. Gentleman, and has he not spent them all? Therefore, if he wants any money, he will have to borrow again.

Well, Sir, it is, of course, profitably employed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the poster appealing for national savings to finance the East African groundnuts scheme was printed and published; and when it was withdrawn from exhibition; and why.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a poster dealing with the part national savings play in the development of colonial resources. The poster was printed in June, 1949, and had a limited distribution in September, 1949. In October, 1950, the National Savings Committee decided on a further distribution to schools but the Committee have since given instructions to withdraw the poster as part of the letterpress no longer accords with the facts.

Will the Chancellor agree that the poster stated that two million acres would be reclaimed and that it was published after the decision to abandon that scheme? Was it not, therefore, a grossly misleading prospectus?

If the hon. Member will study the answer I gave to his original Question. I think he will see that the dates indicate that it is not the case that the poster was printed after the decision was taken.

Was the Treasury responsible for the issue of this poster or was it the Ministry of Food?

The National Savings Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will enlarge the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Taxation of Incomes to include consideration of taxes on capital gains.

The Royal Commission have been informed, in reply to an inquiry received from them, that their present terms of reference entitle them to consider the question of charging to Income Tax or Profits Tax any profit ranking as a capital profit under the existing law which might reasonably be brought within the scope of those taxes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage the allowances of those serving under the Foreign Office in France have recently been increased; to what extent this was according to a scale based on the cost of living recently decided upon, and how many officials were involved; by what percentage have the allowances of those members of the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force serving at present in France been reduced during the same period and how many people were involved; and why one service should have an increase and others a decrease.

The allowances of Foreign Service officers employed in France were increased by rather less than 10 per cent. last April in the light of the local cost of living and the effect of the devaluation of the pound in September, 1949. This affected about 150 staff.

There are about 450 members of the British Armed Forces serving in France. They received an interim increase in their allowances in September, 1949, immediately after and in consequence of devaluation. On a review in January, 1950, new consolidated rates replaced these interim rates, being slightly higher in some cases and slightly lower in others. There has been no subsequent change except that in July, 1950, a special increase of about 35 per cent. was made in the ration allowance of those members of the Forces who were stationed in Paris.

The allowances of members of the British Armed Forces employed abroad are assessed on a different basis from those of the Foreign Service and are designed to cater for different circumstances and requirements. Changes in the allowances do not, therefore, necessarily take place at the same time or to the same extent, but I have no reason to believe that there has been any unfairness resulting from the recent changes I have described.

Surely members of the British Forces who are serving abroad, and who may be attached to embassies or consulates or are working very closely with them, ought to be looked after in the same way as are the Foreign Office officials in France when the cost of living is going up.

I have no reason to believe that the present arrangements are in any way unsatisfactory so far as the members of the Armed Forces are concerned.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the increased cost of living referred to in this Question applies only to Socialist countries and not to capitalist countries?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much dollar currency has been made available to the National Coal Board for the purchase of coal from abroad.

On their current import programme, the National Coal Board had by 22nd January spent 3,345,440 dollars on purchases of coal from the United States of America.

Has any limit been imposed by the right hon. Gentleman on future expenditure under this heading, and if so, what is that limit?

They have been authorised to purchase up to 1.2 million tons of coal.

Was not the Chancellor rather disappointed to find the Coal Board buying coal at £7 a ton and selling it at £4 a ton?

Is the figure which the right hon. Gentleman has quoted based on an f.o.b. or a c.i.f. basis, and was the coal transported in British or American ships?

The figure is the cost including the freight figure and it includes such dollar freight as there was.

Is not the position that, because of the efficiency of the National Coal Board, coal produced in England is about half the price of coal produced in the rest of the world?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that before these transactions are completed, dollar expenditure by the National Coal Board will be at least twice as much as that which was indignantly refused by the Government for increasing the basic ration of petrol last year?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps His Majesty's Government have taken to induce the Czechoslovak Government to fulfil their obligations in respect of their guarantee to pay their share of the 4½ per cent. Austrian Government Guaranteed Conversion Loan, 1934–1959, entered into in the Trade and Financial Agreement signed in London by the British and the Czechoslovaks on 28th September, 1949.

The Czechoslovak Government's obligations in respect of this loan arise not from Trade and Financial Agreement with His Majesty's Government, but from the guarantee which they gave through the Trustees to the bondholders when the loan was issued in 1934. In reply to repeated protests, the Czechoslovak Government have maintained the view expressed in 1949, to the effect that their guarantee was conditional on the continued operation of certain measures of international control over the Austrian Government's finances, which have lapsed. His Majesty's Government have rejected this contention entirely, but have taken all possible steps in the course of negotiations on the subject of Austria to secure a solution of the wider problem of Austria's foreign indebtedness.

In view of the coming trade negotiations, in or about May I believe, with Czechoslovakia, will the Government try to bear this particular point in mind and do all they can to see that Czechoslovakia this time pays what it has not hitherto paid?

We will certainly lose no opportunity of pressing this particular point upon the Czech Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the representations made to him, he has any statement to make regarding the effect of Death Duties on engineering and other firms whose capital is held in a few hands.

I have received the representations to which the hon. Member refers, but so far no concrete evidence in in support of them has been produced.

Is not the Chancellor aware that the incidence of Death Duties upon these small firms in private hands both discourages them from expansion and encourages them to distribute their profits, and surely he can get plenty of evidence of that from the Midlands, at any rate.

It is precisely the lack of evidence to which my original answer referred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will repay post-war credits to those applicants whose needs are certified by the Assistance Board, and so save the expenditure of public money.

I have nothing to add to the reply given on the 13th November last to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Smithers).

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of applicants for assistance need small sums occasionally for the renewal of clothing and household goods, and would it not be better to give them their own money in the form of the repayment of their post-war credits rather than to pay them out of the Assistance Board funds?

I very much doubt whether the small numbers of persons who would be able to claim post-war credits in those circumstances would justify the expenditure of effort and administrative man-power in arranging the particular scheme which my hon. Friend suggests.

Is the Chancellor aware that there is widespread anxiety on this matter on both sides of the House, and will he bear in mind when framing his Budget the possibility of reform?

If the hon. and gallant Member will study this, he will see that it is really a very narrow point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this question has the further advantage that it might encourage people to accept payments from National Assistance, which at the moment many of them, for perfectly honourable reasons, are reluctant to do?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to subject to tax the bounty to be paid to Reservists to be recalled for service this year.