asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will open conversations with the whisky distillers with a view to increasing the price of whisky exported to dollar countries, thus ensuring a further easement of the dollar position.

No, Sir. Her Majesty's Government's policy is to leave the determination of export prices to United Kingdom exporters.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that a great many people feel that the price of whisky could very well be increased with benefit to the people of this country; and am I to understand that if that is so it is not possible for my hon. and learned Friend just to indicate that we might get a better price, because it would help with our balance of payments?

The price at which Scotch whisky sells in those countries is greater than that at which any other whisky sells. I do not take the view that Governments understand business better than those engaged in it.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire (Mr. Boothby), at Strasbourg, offered to give away good Scotch whisky free? Is that in line with Government policy?

In view of the fact that Scotch whisky distillers are neglecting their patriotic duty and charging too low prices, is not it time they were nationalised?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the recent negotiations with the United States of America about cinematograph films: and, in particular, on the steps he is taking to reduce dollar expenditure on film imports.

The purpose of the recent negotiations was to secure a modification of the arrangements made in July, 1951, with the American film industry in order to diminish the amount which could be remitted in dollars. It has now been agreed to amend these arrangements by reducing by 5,900,000 dollars the amount which can be so remitted. I am circulating fuller particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work of the Clothing Industry Development Council.

For information on the work of the Clothing Industry Development Council, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Council's second annual report, of which I am sending him a copy. My right hon. Friend is at present in touch with representatives of both sides of the clothing industry about the future of the Council and hopes to be able to make a statement on the subject soon.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that a large section of the clothing industry feel that this Council serves no useful purpose, is a waste of money, and ought to be wound up?

I am aware that there has been some difference of opinion about this Council, but I think, in view of the discussions that are now going on, that it would not be advisable for me to say anything further on this occasion.

Is the Minister aware that this difference of opinion is not shared by many efficient firms in the industry who consider that the contribution to the industry by the Clothing Industry Development Council in the field of production efficiency has been important, and should be continued?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the policy of his Department in regard to the continuance of the Census of Production.

In order to reduce statistical work to the minimum required to meet the essential needs of Government and industry, the censuses for the years 1952 and 1953 will be based on sampling methods, as a result of which a large proportion of the smaller and medium sized establishments will not have to make returns. This is in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the need for long-term planning of film production, he will convene a conference of representatives of all sections of the film industry at an early date to discuss the continuance after August, 1954, of the British Film Production Fund.

I understand that discussions on the future of the British Film Production Fund are already taking place within the industry. We are watching the progress of these discussions with interest, and are confident that all sections of the industry recognise the importance of bringing them to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made for mooring passenger vessels in Dover Harbour for the Coronation to give additional hotel accommodation.

I am glad to say that the port authorities at Dover have planned to make one berth, or possibly two berths, available in the harbour, if required, for vessels acting as floating hotels. So far as I am aware, these facilities have not been taken up, but I am informed by the British Travel and Holidays Association that they will put any interested party of whom they hear in touch with the port authorities.

Will the Minister also consider the possibility of mooring some of these vessels in the Thames with a view to counteracting the profiteering, of which there are already signs, in connection with the forth-coming Coronation?

I am not expressing any agreement with the latter observation of the hon. and gallant Member, but arrangements have already been made for facilities on the Thames.

In view of the disgusting prices charged in London hotels to Members of Parliament, would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider mooring some of these vessels at Westminster Bridge, for example?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement with regard to the future of, and employment in, the cotton textile industry.

I am not at present prepared to make a general statement about the future of the cotton textile industry, but there are welcome signs that the worst of the recession in the textile trades is past.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say why he is not prepared to make a general statement, in view of the fact that a debate on this matter took place in this House as far back as last February or March? Would he bear in mind that although there are some signs of improvement, in Oldham certainly it is reported that Coronation orders which, are keeping some mills going will be fulfilled before February, which means that some of these mills will be closed? Will he also bear in mind that there is serious unemployment in the engineering industry, particularly in the textile machinery industry, and that this has become a matter of first-class and urgent importance?

I shall certainly bear alt relevant matters in mind, but I do not propose to make any general statement, as I do not think it would be useful at this stage.

Is the Minister aware that if the Bevanites go on making anti-American speeches we shall not be able to sell textiles in America at all?

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman say what progress he has made in his investigation of the question of whether Development Area facilities are to be given to this area of Lancashire, which is by no means as optimistic about the recovery in the cotton trade as he is himself?

The hon. Member has questioned me on an important subject, but it is a different one from that on the Order Paper. Perhaps he will put it down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the hardship caused because certain persons who have failed to lodge their claims for payment in the distribution of German enemy property within the specified time are debarred from sharing in the distribution; and whether he will now extend the period within which claims may be lodged.

Yes, Sir. The original period for making claims was fixed at three months in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, but my right hon. Friend has recently reviewed this matter and has now made an Order extending the time for all claims under the Distribution of German Enemy Property (No. 2) Order until 30th November. In justice to the great body of claimants who lodged their claims within the original period and are awaiting the distribution which can only be made after all the claims have been received and examined, this must be accepted as the final date on which any claim can be admitted.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that this decision, this humane decision, will be welcomed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to reduce the present high prices of children's clothing and footwear.

We are anxious that supplies of children's clothing and footwear of good quality shall be available at reasonable prices, and consider that in present market conditions this object is most likely to be achieved by free competition between suppliers. Prices of these goods have in general fallen since the beginning of this year.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary give some indication to the public in what respect the prices of children's clothing and footwear have fallen since the beginning of the year, because there are still wide-spread complaints?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will look at the Ministry of Labour Index of Retail Prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the latest position regarding overseas balance of payments.

The latest information on the balance of payments was given in the usual monthly announcement on the gold and dollar reserves, which was published on 2nd October.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the marked improvement which he has been able to show—and on which I for one would like to congratulate him—brings nearer the time when the £ may be freed on the exchanges, a course which has been recommended by high authorities?

The objective which the hon. Member has mentioned is no doubt a laudible one, but it is important to proceed by degrees towards it. I am very glad to be able to state that the improvement we showed in the balance of payments is already a step in the right direction.

Can the Chancellor tell us how much the improvement in the United Kingdom balance of payments position is due to changes in the import and export prices, and how much it is due to the decline in the volume of imports associated with the fall in production?

Part of it, as I have endeavoured to explain in public statements, is due to an improvement in the terms of trade in our favour. I regret that the balance of payments situation is not better by an improvement in the export position, towards which the country should certainly devote its attention in the future if we are not only to maintain our position but effect a lasting improvement. I have never exaggerated the success we have achieved, but it is gratifying that with the sterling area we are now in balance with a small surplus, excluding American aid, but we have a long way still to go.

Would the Chancellor be good enough to publish the figures showing exactly how much the improvement is due to a change in the terms of trade and how much to other factors, and what they are?

I can hardly publish more figures than are in the balance of payments papers, but I will certainly keep up the level of publishing figures established by precedent. The right hon. Gentleman may feel assured that if I see any opportunity of publishing figures which explain the situation to the public I shall do so, as that is the one thing I desire.

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I am genuinely seeking information and I should be grateful, as it would save us on this side of the House the labour of calculation, if he would publish the figures I have asked for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much dollar and other non-sterling currency he estimates will have to be made available to importers of lead during the next three years.

It is not possible to estimate precisely how much dollar and other non-sterling currency will have to be made available to importers of lead during the next three years. It is not expected that it will differ markedly either from the amount which would have been needed had public trading in lead continued or from the amounts needed in previous years.

While it is improbable that there will be any additional amount of dollars required at the moment, does the Chancellor appreciate that market conditions will change, as importers in the future will be able to buy lead from dollar sources as they want, which will tend to increase dollar imports of lead as against sterling imports, with consequential grave inroads into our dollar reserves?

In any case, a large proportion of our imports come from the sterling area, but the point put by the right hon. Gentleman was borne in mind before the decision to open the private market was taken, and, as far as I can make out, the situation is a little better, as I have stated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the monthly totals of defence expenditure since the beginning of the current financial year; and at what annual rate this expenditure is now running.

For the reasons given in my reply to my noble Friend the Member for Dorset, South (Viscount Hinchingbrooke), on 17th June, it is not the practice to publish figures of Departmental disbursements at short intervals. A monthly hgure would certainly be no reliable guide to the year's out-turn.

Can the Chancellor now tell the House what was the firm programme of defence expenditure on which the late Government had decided, and what was the relation between that programme and the programme of exports, which the Government are trying to promote?

The answer to that question would entail a public debate, but if the hon. Gentleman cares to put down a specific question. I will do my best to answer it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the simple point which is contained in the question put to him by my hon. Friend? Can he state whether the annual rate of defence expenditure this year is higher or lower than the annual rate of defence expenditure last year?

I have given my reasons for not being able to answer the hon. Gentleman's question, and therefore it becomes equally difficult to answer the question put by the right hon. Gentleman himself. I will say in general that, on the Exchequer out-turn for the past half-year, it was apparent that this year a larger proportion of defence expenditure had fallen in the first quarter of this year than in the comparable period of last year.

Would that mean that, in the first quarter of this year, the annual rate of defence expenditure was higher than for the equivalent period of last year?

Not really. If the right hon. Gentleman had been spending his vacation following up my public speeches, which I recommend to his attention, he would have seen that I have said on one or two occasions that, in the second quarter, defence expenditure showed a decline on the first quarter, and that that just shows the difficulty of making up one's mind on the year's out-turn on figures published periodically.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his further conversations with the Trades Union Congress on the question of equal pay.

I was asked by the deputation from the Trades Union Congress who came to see me on 14th July if I would authorise the Whitley Council to begin discussions on the various possible schemes for the gradual introduction of equal pay. A similar request was put to me by the Staff Side on 17th September. As I explained to the deputation from the Staff Side, in view of the present internal financial position, I do not wish to raise false hopes that it will be likely that a start on equal pay can be made in the near future. In these circumstances, I am considering whether it would be desirable to authorise the Whitley Council to discuss possible schemes.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the fact that industrial workers and civil servants, particularly a section of the Civil Service like the factory inspectors, are entitled to go to arbitration, he will consider allowing the women's Civil Service to go to arbitration in order to find out whether it is really just to continue to discriminate against women in the Civil Service?

I am, of course, aware of the troubles and anxieties of women in the Civil Service, but the situation as I now understand it is that representatives of the Staff Side, who are now in touch with representatives of the Official Side, are satisfied that, at the moment, we are doing our best to see whether it would be honourable, in the interests of both parties, to proceed with these discussions, and, if it is, we shall so proceed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the higher rates of interest now being offered on new British Government issues, he will increase the interest paid on National Savings Certificates, and so encourage the voluntary workers in the movement.

No, Sir. The present rate of interest is still generous bearing in mind that it is not subject to Income Tax. The large increase in the sales of National Savings Certificates since I raised the limit on holdings supports this view.

Surely the Chancellor is aware that the weekly wage earner gets no element of tax-free advantage on the interest, and, since it is the weekly wage earner whose savings we need to attract, will he not increase the nominal amount of interest so as to give these workers more encouragement to save?

I am always ready to consider anything which would help the Savings Movement, but I am satisfied that the steps I have recently taken have had effect, and we had better see how they work out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was distributed in dividends after payment of Income Tax during the last financial year; how much was paid in wages and salaries; and how much per week the total dividend distributions represent spread over the 23,478,000 total working population.

Estimates of dividends paid and of wages and salaries are not available for the last financial year. For the calendar year 1951, debenture interest and dividends on preference and ordinary shares paid by companies are estimated to have been £596 million before tax and wages and salaries £7,735 million. No estimate is available of the amount of Income Tax attributable to debenture interest and dividends. The total of £596 million, if spread over 23,478,000 persons, would represent 9s. 9d. per week per head.

Is that figure of 9s. 9d. not misleading, in so far as the £596 million paid out by way of interest on dividends would be subject to the deduction of more than half for Income Tax and Surtax, and could the Chancellor give us the net figure?

It has taken me quite a long time to prepare that answer, but I will certainly see if I can improve upon it next time.

Is it not the case that a large amount of debenture and preference interest finds its way back to the working population in the form of pensions scheme payments?

Would it extend the Chancellor's mathematical powers too much to ask him to break down that figure as between, on the one hand, debenture and preference shares, and, on the other, ordinary share dividends?

I will do my best to recalculate, if not break down, the figure, if my hon. Friend will put down a Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the Report of the No. 2 Tucker Committee on Taxation and Pensions.

I am not at present able to add anything to the answer given to my hon. Friend's Question on this subject on 29th July.

Could the Chancellor perhaps hurry up the presentation of this Report, so that the recommendations made in it may still be in time to find their way into the Finance Bill of 1953?

I do not give any undertaking as to what is to be in the Finance Bill next year, but I am in favour of receiving this Report as soon as it is convenient.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what special currency allowance, over and above the statutory £25 foreign travel allowance, was granted to Sir Bernard and Lady Docker for their visit to the South of France in September and for what purpose the special allowance was given.

It is not the practice to disclose details of the relations between individuals and the Exchange Control.

While realising that the Chancellor may be unable to give details in individual cases, may I ask him if he is aware that, from everybody's point of view, it would be a very good thing to clear up a mystery which is mystifying a large number of people?

Is the Chancellor setting himself up as the "Dockers' Q.C.?"

I fully understand the anxiety of the hon. Member, and I think it would really be convenient if I could answer the later Questions on the Order Paper—as there are several other Questions—and, in the course of my answers, I think the attitude of the Government and any projected action will appear.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to counter the evasion of the £25 currency limit by British citizens taking holidays abroad.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to prevent expenditure abroad by British tourists in excess of the £25 limit.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose measures taken against evasion of currency regulations. Hon. Members can be assured that whenever there is prima facie reason to suspect an offence, the matter is investigated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, firstly, that in some tourist centres these evasions are carried out on a highly organised basis by methods which are widely known and which his officers could therefore deter, and, secondly, that the great majority of British tourists abroad, who are, of course, honourable and law abiding citizens, suffer great distress from the sight of a minority of their fellow citizens who are bringing our regulations into disrepute?

As I propose to state in answer to a later Question—and I think I had better state it now—I cannot state too clearly that such evasions are contrary to the best interests of this country. I must assure the House that what I have just said in answer to the Question, namely, that whenever there is a prima facie reason to suspect an offence the matter is investigated, represents the truth about the present position.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that if he pursues this matter very vigorously he will have the support of the whole of this House and of the public outside?

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, because I am certain that these sorts of evasions ought not to be permitted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been prosecuted from the beginning of this year to the latest convenient date for the evasion of the regulation limiting the allowance of currency for a tourist to £25; how many persons have been convicted for this offence; how many have been fined and what was the average fine; and how many have been sentenced to imprisonment and what was the average term of imprisonment.

Excluding prosecutions relating to offences committed in an earlier period, there have been seven prosecutions this year and 11 cases are awaiting hearing. All the seven persons concerned were convicted and fined. The average fine was about £24, but the seizure of notes and the imposition of costs brought the total average penalty up to about £62. There were no sentences of imprisonment.

While appreciating the anxiety which the right hon. Gentleman has expressed to deal with this matter, may I ask if he does not think that the comparatively small number of prosecutions indicates that we have not taken sufficient and vigorous enough action in seeking out the offenders, and that the comparatively light penalties—and they are light because these transactions run into thousands of pounds—indicate that offenders are not being sufficiently dealt with? Could the right hon. Gentleman get some of his officers to have a confidential chat with a few of the hall porters at the larger hotels on parts of the Mediterranean coast where they will learn a great deal about this matter?

In view of the particular interest and the anxiety in the minds of the public I have been checking up the powers which I possess to deal with the matter, and for the interest of the House they derive from Section 39 of the Inland Revenue Regulation Act, 1890, as applied by Section 24 of the Excise Transfer Order, 1909. Part III of the Fifth Schedule to the Exchange Control Act. 1947, lays it down that enactments relating to Customs shall apply in enforcing exchange control. Those are the powers and I shall certainly use them to the full. If they are not sufficient, then I must look at the matter again.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many British tourists abroad, particularly in the South of France, are spending sums of foreign currency greatly exceeding the official allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. There is evidence that some British tourists are acquiring foreign currency by illegal means. As my answer to the hon. Member's previous Question indicates, a number of offenders have been detected and have had money seized or suffered other penalties. Other cases are still under investigation. I cannot state too clearly that such evasions are contrary to the best interests of the country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the staff employed on Social Surveys have been retained; and what further surveys are to be undertaken.

At 1st October, 1952, 57 staff remain, compared with a staff of 90 on 1st October, 1951. Further surveys will be confined to inquiries designed to give direct assistance to efficient and economical administration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) what was the purpose of the Social Survey on the Parliament Past and Present Exhibition: and how much the survey cost;

This Survey was undertaken in September, 1951, with a view to obtaining information as to the effectiveness of the Exhibition which it was thought would be helpful in the planning of the official exhibitions. Its cost was about £240. The answer to Question No. 40 is "None, Sir."

As a result of no action being taken, can my hon. Friend say whether in future similar surveys are likely to be held or whether such surveys have been abandoned?

On the future of such surveys I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to Question No. 26 by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the way in which exports of British-made pianos have fallen this year owing to the virtual closing down of the main overseas markets for these instruments; and if he will reduce the Purchase Tax on British-manufactured pianos sold in Britain, so as to enable the industry to restore and maintain its normal level of productivity and thus continue to provide employment for its skilled craftsmen.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the unemployment in the pianoforte manufacturing industry and of the declining number of serviceable pianos in the country, he will now remove the Purchase Tax on them.

The rate of tax on pianos has been reduced from 66⅔ per cent. to 33⅓ per cent. with effect from 22nd September. This halving of the tax was requested by the piano manufacturing industry to assist them in meeting their difficulties, and I hope it will. It is too early to gauge its full effect.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his timely decision has, in fact, already brought about some improvement in the condition of this valuable industry?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now estimate the increase in Government expenditure on debt interest in the year 1952–53, due to the rise in the Treasury Bill rate.

I am not yet prepared to add to what I said in the Budget debate and my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary said in the debate on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill.

As the right hon. Gentleman has not merely raised the interest rate b? 2 per cent., but has also increased the level on borrowing from the banks, would I be right in asking whether the increase in Government expenditure under this head must be well over £100 million a year?

The right hon. Gentleman is trying to bait me with his own figures to give one of my own. I am not willing to give a figure at the present time since, quite frankly, I have not an exact figure to give. Directly I have one to give, I think it should be in the possession of the House. Meanwhile, I would advise the House not to accept the exaggerated statements of the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet made a decision on the introduction of a D Scheme for Purchase Tax on furniture.

The trade has been made aware that it remains the intention of the Government to introduce a D Scheme for domestic furniture. Pending the outcome of discussions with the trade, I can make no further statement.

Is the Chancellor aware that there is very great anxiety in the trade particularly about the long time it has taken the Government to make up their minds on this matter and because during the intermediate period they are expecting the imposition of a heavy tax on furniture which will add considerably to the existing difficulties of the trade?

There is certainly no desire on the part of the Government to add to the difficulties of the trade. We discussed this matter during the Finance Bill and we have tried to keep the trade informed. Perhaps hon. Members will remember that the outline of a possible scheme was included in the Douglas Report which drew attention to the need of preserving quality while retaining a range of tax-free articles. That remains the general objective, and when discussions are concluded I may be able to say more, but I cannot at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the incorporation of a Welsh symbol in the design of new coins.

The design of coins is a matter within the Royal Prerogative, and I understand that Her Majesty will be signifying Her pleasure in this matter before the end of the year. Meantime, I am authorised to inform the House that Her Majesty has decided that a Welsh emblem shall be included in the reverse designs of certain denominations of the new coinage.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that statement, which will be welcomed and appreciated and will help to consolidate the unity of everybody in Wales, may I ask him if he can say when these coins are likely to be available?

I cannot give an exact date, and I am only too glad that any such action should give unity.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any decision has been reached as to the nature of the emblem—the design?

If the hon. Gentleman is interested—he will notice it is a leek—I shall be glad to attempt to show him a version of it.

Can my right hon. Friend say why the St. George's Cross is present on the silver threepenny bit?

I think that raises a separate issue. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put the question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revert to the practice of making provision on Income Tax assessment forms for stating details of trade union superannuation contributions, funeral benefits and tools for which tax allowance can be claimed and obtained.

The information given on Income Tax forms about these allowances has not been curtailed. If the hon. Member will write to me explaining in what way he considers the present arrangements unsatisfactory, I will have the matter looked into.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present time there is no space at all on the forms for inserting the superannuation contributions of trade union members?

I shall pay attention to the point which the hon. Member has raised. If he would like to elaborate it and see me, I should be only too glad to meet him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now state whether five-shilling pieces will be minted for the Coronation.

Yes, Sir. They will.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also have made—as was done in connection with the Festival of Britain—sets of coins to be sold, including 5s. pieces? They yielded a very satisfactory revenue in 1951.

I will investigate that and let the hon. and gallant Member have an answer.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what success has been achieved resulting from the in- struction to the Inland Revenue Department to take a special interest in the returns from the sale of eggs in an effort to reduce the black market in eggs.

I regret that it would not be possible to furnish this information without a detailed investigation, which would not, I think, be justified.

Cannot the Minister recollect that he gave an undertaking that this special instruction would be given early in July? Does he not think that there are important moral obligations even to the Treasury in this widespread black market, and will he not do something about it and give some undertaking?

The hon. Member is confusing an undertaking of investigation, which has taken place, with his request in this Question for a special report on it. I do not think it would assist the inspectors in their efforts to have to divert their energies to compiling a special return on this special activity.

When do we get some information as a result of the information given; or do we not get it?

Is my hon. Friend aware that the way to stop the black market is to have the so-called market prices put at the true value?

Is the Minister aware that if he gets his right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Agriculture to allocate feedingstuffs for the poultry in proportion to the number of eggs returned to the packing stations the problem will be solved?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down to my right hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the cheques sent to the Accountant and Controller General at Worthing are in the first place acknowledged by a document which is stated not to be a receipt and is then followed several days later by a document containing exactly the same information, but which states itself to be a receipt; and if he will take steps to eliminate this duplication of effort.

The procedure described by my hon. Friend applies only in a small minority of cases, generally where the taxpayer does not send with the remittance the pay slip or other identification of the particular liability in respect of which the remittance is sent. In such cases it is thought courteous and efficient to tell the taxpayer at once that his remittance has been received. An acknowledgement is therefore sent and a formal receipt follows when the liability has been identified.

Is my hon. Friend aware that his answer is in fact—I am sorry to say it—totally inaccurate? Does he know of any firm in Britain which sends two communications to acknowledge one cheque?

I know of no firm in Britain which will give a receipt in respect of a liability which has not yet been identified.

Having regard to the fact that I know of a number of cases where there is complete identification, and having regard to the fact that several years ago I had an entirely different explanation, would my hon. Friend look into this matter again, because it means a whole lot of clerks are wasting time?

I have no desire for anybody to waste their time, but I hope that my hon. Friend will appreciate that the fact that he has had a different reply on this occasion indicates that we live in a progressive world.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the cost of producing the Central Office of Information document "Women in Britain"; and the purpose it is intended to serve.

The paper was produced for, and at the request of, the Foreign, Commonwealth Relations and Colonial Offices to enable their information officers abroad to answer inquiries received.

May I have an answer to the other part of the Question, relating to the cost of producing the document?

I beg my hon. Friend's pardon. It is £77.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the Government's policy for the preservation of historic houses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the report of the National Trust, what action he intends to take to prevent further destruction of buildings of architectural and historical importance.

I regret that I cannot at present add anything to what was said by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary in his answer to the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Colegate) on 10th July, and in the Adjournment debate on 1st August. I hope to make a statement shortly.

If the Government cannot make up their minds on this matter after a year, would it not save time if they adopted the proposals of the previous Government?

Our main desire is to avoid following the example of the previous Government in every respect. Subject to that observation, if we were to find any grain of wisdom in the activities of the late Government we should certainly pick it up.

Although the right hon. Gentleman's answer may cause some amusement to his friends, this is a matter which we hope will not give rise to undue party controversy. There are enough without that. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Members on both sides of the House are profoundly concerned at the very rapid destruction of these buildings and hope that some action will be taken?

I sympathise with the right hon. Gentleman's observations, and that is why I referred to grains of wisdom which we do find occasionally and which I hope we may find in this matter.

Will the Chancellor refrain from introducing party considerations into this matter, and may I further ask him how he reconciles his insulting reference to this side of the House with the Financial Secretary's answer to the debate on this subject when, in fact, he used very similar arguments to those used by myself a year before?

If it be a question of insulting references, I should not like to compete with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he proposes to take to, arrest the danger of decay and disrepair to dwelling houses coming within the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Acts.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he proposes to take to check the serious wastage of housing accommodation resulting from the inability of many owners of rent-restricted properties to-afford the expense of carrying out necessary repairs.

The problem of maintaining the important national asset represented by older houses is one of great importance. I cannot make any statement of broad policy at present.

Will my right hon. Friend keep constantly in mind this important factor—that even the anticipated provision of 300,000 houses a year represents an annual replacement of just over 2 per cent.? Will he therefore have in mind that the successful solution of the housing problem can only be achieved by measures for preserving existing houses as well as providing new ones?

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a matter for great urgency? Does he agree that the deterioration of property resulting from disrepair is most serious during winter months, and another winter will be shortly upon us? In view of that, can he give some assurance that some action will be taken?

I agree that it is important, but I am afraid that I cannot deal with it in this Session.

When he is dealing with this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that some millions of pounds have been paid by tenants under the Rents Act in respect of repairs which the landlords should have tackled but which they have neglected? Will he therefore see that some return will be given to the tenants of these houses should any steps be taken?

I shall try to keep all relevant considerations in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the results of the atom bomb tests in Australia.

I will certainly make a statement to the House upon this subject in the near future. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put a Question down on the matter next week.

Might I ask the Prime Minister, when he does make that statement, to include in it also, besides the military aspect of this matter, what I might term the civilian prospects, in view of the very large sums of money invested by British taxpayers in this experiment?

I will certainly consider that, more especially because very large sums of money were invested by the British taxpayer without the House of Commons having any information of the purposes in view.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman intends furnishing the House and the public with the information?

I intend to furnish the House with the information which I think is desirable after the experts have returned from Australia and I have had an opportunity of conversing with them.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman in his previous reply appear to indicate that it was improper not to furnish the House with the necessary information? I ask him in view of that insinuation, if he is prepared to give the House the information.

I think it was a striking episode.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made during the Parliamentary Recess for a high-level meeting by representatives of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and this country in a new bid for peace.

I am not in a position to say that any progress has been made since the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 16th June.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's enthusiasm in 1950 and 1951 for such a meeting, will the Prime Minister state what he himself has done in the meantime to make it a practical proposition, or does he not now think that his enthusiasm was misplaced before the two elections?

I should not like to deal with such a complicated issue as that in answer to a supplementary question.

asked the Prime Minister the nature of the requests made by the Government to the Australian, New Zealand, or United States Governments for participation of British representatives in the Pacific Defence Pact meetings; and what replies were received.

The communications which have passed between Her Majesty's Government and the other Governments concerned are confidential. But the House will be aware from public statements that the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the three signatories of the Treaty of 1951, considered at the first meeting of the A.N.Z.U.S. Council in August a request by Her Majesty's Government for the association of the United Kingdom with the Council and other organisations established under the Treaty. The three Governments then took the view that they would prefer to postpone for the present further consideration of any formal arrangements for this purpose. Here matters rest for the present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the meekness and timidity with which he appears to acquiesce in this rebuff conflicts strangely with his philosophy on the election platform? Will he tell the House what will be the position of a British naval unit operating in the Pacific waters vis-à-vis a U.S.-Australasian command of whose operational directives they have no cognisance?

I thought I had made it quite clear that we have made our representations to the Governments concerned, and I am not yet in a position to announce any results.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been widely stated in the Press that the reason for this action is that the United States do not wish to be implicated in the defence of Malaya and Singapore, and will he confirm or deny these statements?

I do not see why I should confirm or deny a statement of a general character of that kind.

Is not this great lack of consideration shown to the obvious interests of this country the result of the meekness which the present Government have shown in their attitude to the Americans? The late Government was not treated like this by the Americans.

The late Government had publicly accepted the position that the United Kingdom Government could not be a party to the Anzus Treaty. They had not considered at the time of the change of Government whether, or if so how, the United Kingdom might be associated with the working of any machinery set up under the Treaty. This question had not then become a practical one, and the Treaty was not signed until September, 1951. The Labour Government had noted Article 8 of the Treaty which enables special relationships to be developed between the Treaty machinery and the other States.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he has been saying to the House is substantially what was stated by the Labour Government when this Treaty was made, and for which we were denounced by the present Foreign Secretary and other Members of the then Opposition? Are we to take it that on this and other matters the Prime Minister now gives the answer that the Government are merely following in the steps of the Labour Government which they denounced at the time?

Of course, it is one thing to do harm and another thing to get it undone.

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain to the House why he considers that the communications which have passed between this Government, the Dominion Governments and the United States Government are not matters which ought to be communicated to the public? Why are the people of this country not entitled to know what has taken place in this matter and what has passed between the Governments? Will he not consider publishing these dispatches as a White Paper or making them available in some other form?

I never heard of the demand that all communications passing between us and Commonwealth Governments or foreign Governments ought necessarily to be laid before the House. That never has occurred in any former time until this afternoon. I should not like to make a change at this moment of such far-reaching consequence. It would be a great mistake to interfere with the freedom of communications which take place. I am quite sure of this, that we should do well not to press this matter because the representatives of the Dominions are coming over here; we shall have opportunities of discussing these matters with them personally, and also the situation in the United States will be more clarified after a little time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why the Thornbury Rural District Council. Gloucestershire, have not yet received authority to proceed with their Southern and Central Water Supply Scheme for which approval in principle was given in June last.

This distribution scheme depends on the completion of major works at present in hand to provide water from Alderley, and on the delivery of pipes now on order.

Does the Minister wish the council to go right ahead with this scheme now?

This is a scheme by which a number of smaller supplies will be linked to the major one, and therefore they cannot be linked until the major one is completed.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will make a statement on the licences to be issued for reconstruction work in bombed cities during the remaining months of this year and for next year;

The work carried out in the year 1951 in the blitzed cities generally was £3½ million. The work estimated to be carried out in 1952 amounts to about £4½ million. In the year 1953 there is likely to be about £2 million worth of work carried forward to be completed. I am not yet in a position to say what additional work will be authorised, or at the moment to authorise any new works, whether or not they require steel. Steel will, of course, continue to be a limiting factor so long as it is subject to allocation, but progress is being made in various forms of steel saving construction.

Is it not a fact that the money that has been spent in the blitzed cities this year was almost entirely money which was allocated under licences given by the late Government and not under licences given by this Government? Is it not a fact that we have been waiting ever since October and the blitzed cities have been asking for a statement on new licences to be issued this year and next year, and we have not had a statement from the Government for a year? When do they think they are going to give that statement?

It is not the giving of licences but making it possible to carry out the work that matters. In this year £1 million more work has been done in the blitzed cities than in 1951.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that whereas in the period of the Labour Government there was never any unemployment in the building industry in these blitzed cities, today in most of these blitzed cities unemployment is growing? If the Minister does not issue licences very soon there is going to be serious unemployment among the building workers in those cities.

That is a very generalised statement and shows how dangerous it is to try to lump into the same category all these different places with quite different conditions of employment and other things.

Is the Minister aware that when Members representing the blitzed towns ask him to do something more for those towns, they are speaking on behalf of all the political parties in the blitzed towns? Is he also aware that public sympathy with the condition of blitzed towns has been expressed recently in the Press up and down the country, and can he not do something to meet that wide demand?

I have done all I can. I have got £1 million more for 1952 than for 1951. I have got the steel, the labour and the materials. I have got £2 million for 1953, which is a carry-forward, and which is two-thirds of the whole of 1951. I will make a statement later on what we shall do further than that.

Does the Minister appreciate that the rebuilding of the blitzed city of Portsmouth is going ahead twice as well now as it was under the Socialist Government?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will ensure that the Nature Conservancy will be represented as the conference to be held by the British Field Sports Society on 21st October to consider the effects of toxic weed sprays and insecticides on game birds and other wild life.

No, Sir. The Nature Conservancy are, however, already in touch with the British Field Sports Society about the subject matter of the conference.

As there is widespread anxiety about the effect on wild life of these toxic sprays which are so widely used, would it not be well for the Government's scientific organisation—the Nature Conservancy—to send observers to this conference so that they have first-hand information?

The Nature Conservancy were among the bodies invited by the British Field Sports Society to attend this conference; but as, with the sole exception of the Nature Conservancy, all those invited are voluntary bodies, it was obviously undesirable that the Conservancy should themselves be a party to the proceedings. The Conservancy, however, offered to discuss the subject matter of the conference, either before or after the conference, with such representatives as the British Field Sports Society might choose to appoint. This offer was accepted.

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Transport if he has any statement to make about the railway disaster at Harrow last week.

Yes, Sir. At about 8.20 a.m. on Wednesday, 8th October, the 7.31 a.m. passenger train from Tring to Euston was just starting away from the up fast platform at Harrow and Wealdstone Station when it was struck at the rear by the 8.15 p.m. express passenger train from Perth to Euston which was travelling at high speed on the same line. The adjacent down fast line was fouled by the wreckage, and a few seconds later the 8.0 a.m. down express from Euston to Liverpool, which was hauled by two engines and was also travelling at speed, collided with it.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that statement. Will the inquiry which is to be held be wide enough in its scope to cover the general question of the safety devices used by the railways—or which could be used by the railways—in case of a human or mechanical failure in operation?

I feel quite sure that the scope of the inquiry can be safely left in the very competent hands of my Chief Inspector of Accidents.

Would the Minister now consider the universal adoption of the system of automatic train control? This has been a feature which has been related to the House on innumerable occasions, and I ask him that this should be implemented forthwith in the light of this tragic accident.

I think we should be wise to await the results of the inquiry which, as I have said, opens tomorrow.

Would the right hon. Gentleman take it from me that the people of Watford, who have suffered more grievously than any other community by this accident, would wish to be publicly associated with the tribute which he has paid to the work of rescue, which was quite remarkable, and not least to the help of the American Service men, which was given when it was most needed and which undoubtedly saved lives?

Thank you very much.