asked the Secretary of State for War what allocation of nylon stockings is to be made to the members of the Women's Royal Army Corps.

At present the first issue is three pairs of rayon for No. 1 Dress and four pairs of lisle for working dress. It is proposed, as soon as stocks permit, to substitute nylon for the rayon and issues of nylons in certain sizes have already begun. We have also changed the colour.

Is not the Minister ashamed of that statement? Is he not aware that the issue of nylons has been granted for some time to women in the Navy and that from 1st March all the women in the W.R.A.F. will be getting nylons? Why must these women continue to be the Cinderellas of the Services?

They are going to get nylons, and for the first time their recruiting has passed that of the W.R.A.F.

Does the Minister expect to change over from rayon to nylon before or after all other women have changed over from nylon to terylene?

asked the Secretary of State for War what consultations he had with the trade unions on the new terms for recruitment for the technical branches of the Women's Royal Army Corps; and whether the rate for the job is embodied in the rates of pay.

None, Sir. The changes being made are an extension of existing arrangements for recruitment of women for technical duties. Women who qualify for and carry out such duties receive the rates of pay already fixed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that as this is a new recruitment it would have been more appropriate to discuss the matter with the trade unions? Now that it appears that it has not been so discussed, will my right hon. Friend consult the trade unions, and if they recommend the rate for the job in technical trades, will he accept the recommendation?

These rates were fixed some time ago. The changes to which the hon. Lady is referring are merely that a recruit to the W.R.A.C. can select her trade and be guaranteed that she will go to it before she joins instead of after as was previously the case.

Can the Minister say whether there have been consultations with the trade unions on this matter?

We are in the closest consultation with the trade unions on all rates of pay and they are very cooperative on this question of conditions and rates of pay for both men and women and recognition of qualifications after they leave the Services.

asked the Secretary of State for War why local authorities are being asked to pay the cost of ammunition for Royal Salutes to be fired by Territorial units at Coronation celebrations.

Royal Salutes fired from authorised saluting stations are paid for by the Army. Where permission is given for troops to fire guns at the special request of local authorities, the cost, as on previous occasions, is borne by the local authorities.

Fortunately, Coronations do not happen very often, but would it not be an added attraction to the local celebrations and at the same time an encouragement and an incentive to recruiting if local units of the Territorials were allowed to fire salutes at the cost of the War Office on this very special occasion?

Many salutes have been requested and we have not received complaints about payment. If I were to undertake payment for all salutes throughout the country it would amount to a very considerable sum.

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that whoever pays for these salutes, contrary to recent experience, the salutes go off with a bang?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made with the payment of the pension increase granted to Army personnel in 1952; and how many pensioners have still not received the additional pension that is due to them.

Awards have been made in about 29,300 cases. It is hoped to deal with the remaining 2,900 applications during the next few weeks. There are also some 6,000 possible cases which are being examined although no application has been made.

Will my right hon. Friend consider making some announcement to the Press to allay the fears of those who think that they may not be eligible for this award and are consequently very worried?

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend's Question may have the effect he wishes. The proportion of applicants who have not yet received an answer is very small.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will reconsider his decision to operate York aircraft on North Atlantic trooping contracts until the completion of the inquiry which is pending into the recent loss of one machine.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to receive a report on the inquiry into the loss of the York aircraft carrying soldiers and Army families from this country to Jamaica.

I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation who expects the results of the preliminary investigation of the Chief Inspector of Accidents within about a week. Meanwhile, no flights are scheduled to take place.

Whilst reserving detailed questions on previous answers until the debate on the Army Estimates, when I hope to go into more detail, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that his present answer, which I gather means that no more flights will take place until a fuller inquiry is made into this loss, displays more wisdom than the replies he made on 5th February?

There is no change from my answer on that occasion when, as the hon. Member will see if he refers to HANSARD, I said that no flights would take place subject to this inquiry and that nobody would be placed in danger.

When the right hon. Gentleman receives the report, will he bear in mind that an operator of this service was advised by the largest operator on the route that these aircraft were not fit for this service in winter? Will he also bear in mind that B.O.A.C. had plenty of pressurised aircraft available which could have done the job in safety? Was it purely doctrinaire considerations which led him to provide a profit for private enterprise even at the cost of greater safeguards?

I am not personally qualified to speak about the suitability of aircraft and there is an inquiry going on. but I would point out to the hon. Member that prior to this unfortunate and tragic accident Yorks had made 112 flights across the Atlantic without any incidents at all.

Not in winter.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that three or four years ago the South American Airways Corporation were flying these aircraft across the Atlantic at a much higher all-up weight?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that South American Airways Corporation made a special point—and Air Vice-Marshal Bennett made it quite clear some years ago—of never operating these aircraft at any time over the North Atlantic in winter?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received any requests from Scotland for assistance, either by organised parties or by the release of individual personnel, in dealing with the problem of blown-down timber.

No, Sir.

May we take it from that reply that if any requests are received from the Scottish Office my right hon. Friend will give them sympathetic consideration?

Yes, Sir. I think that the Army has already shown that it is always most willing to co-operate in dealing with flood and storm damage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent television programme there were pictures of soldiers beating tin cans in preparation for some procession? Does he not think that it would be better if they were sent to Scotland to help in clearing timber?

I am wondering what was this television programme and what was the procession.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' premises situated on the Up Park Camp site, Jamaica, has, on instructions from the commanding officer locally, been partitioned into two sections, one for the use of British Forces and the other section for the use of coloured local forces; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this attempt at racial discrimination in the British Army located in Jamaica.

I have called for a full report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also ask why the arrangements were changed in this case and whether there are any other indications of racial discrimination as between United Kingdom and Jamaican troops at this place?

I think those points will be covered by the report for which I have asked.

I commanded a mixed unit on the North-West Frontier for a few years. Half were Gurkhas and half were British all ranks. Although the British would not very much have liked to share their canteen with the Gurkhas, the Gurkhas would have been horrified if they had had to share their canteen with the British. There is some ignorance of the realitles in a Question of this kind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on the whole, Jamaica, unlike some other Colonies, has been singularly and happily free from racial discrimination or colour bars or anything like that? When he has his full report, if he finds that the statements made in this Question are substantially true, will he give an undertaking to take immediate steps to put an end to the practice?

I think I had better see the report first.

asked the Secretary of State for War his estimate of the extra expenditure he proposes to make on military arrangements in connection with the Coronation.

About £450,000.

Did the Minister receive the circular on economy which the Chancellor sent out to Departments—or did the Communists capture it on its way between the Treasury and the War Office?

I think it is right that the Queen's soldiers should be properly represented at her Coronation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is a source of great disappointment to all units that the number of soldiers they can send to the Coronation is so limited?

Yes, but, if I were to allow all those who wish to be present at the Coronation procession to do so, I should probably spend about £4 million.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that to spend £450,000 in this manner and then to sabotage the work of the W.E.A. for £25,000 is a great reflection upon his Government?

asked the Secretary of State for War what saving there has been in motor spirit used in Army establishments in Great Britain during 1952, as compared wih. 1951.

About 1,610,000 gallons.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this announcement will be very welcome throughout the whole country?

Whilst welcoming the economy in general, may I ask my right hon. Friend for an assurance that it has not been effected as a result of impairing the training abilities of armoured regiments in particular?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements have now been made to provide an adequate guard for the Women's Royal Army Corps camp at Richmond Park.

Yes, Sir.

Is it not a disgraceful state of affairs that so many robberies and assaults have taken place in this camp during recent weeks? In the circumstances, will the Minister consider transferring this unit, which consists largely of women waiting for overseas postings, to other quarters where, without considerable expenditure, they could be provided with rather more effective protection than they have been getting?

No, Sir. There have been only two such incidents. I am satisfied that the guard arrangements are all right. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman visited the camp, especially by night, I think he would find that the members of the W.R.A.C. are well able to look after themselves.

Can the Minister say whether the guard is to consist of ladies or gentlemen?

There are a few gentlemen. but the majority are ladies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the British Forces in Korea are still short of up-to-date newspapers and periodicals from home and that air mail rates, even those reduced for Forces mail, prevent families sending papers by this method and if, as surface mail takes so long to reach Korea, he will make further inquiries as to the possibility of reducing air mail rates for newspapers and periodicales sent to our Forces in distant lands.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the cost of sending newspapers by air to members of Her Majesty's Forces in Malaya is so high: and whether he will reduce the charge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider a reduction in the air mail rates for newspapers despatched to our Forces in Korea and elsewhere, in view of the particular appreciation of this news from home and the prohibitively high current charges on such packets.

The air mail rate for newspapers to Korea, Malaya and other distant theatres is subsidised. My Department sends out weekly by air to all overseas theatres Sunday newspapers on the scale of one for every five men. The cost of air conveyance is borne by public funds and the papers are issued free in Korea and elsewhere sold at the same prices as in this country. In addition, a variety of periodicals are sent out to Korea by sea. I think that this scale is adequate and do not feel justified in asking for more money.

Is the Minister aware that when the Quartermaster-General returned he said that what the men in Korea wanted were up-to-date newspapers from home? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the public feel it is most unfair that the cost of sending the newspapers should have to be borne by the men and their families? They are quite prepared to contribute to this cost. Will the Minister discuss the matter with the newspapers to see whether they and the Government together can make this a better service?

I am only too glad to go into particular items of that kind, but we are already spending about £1½ million on postal concessions, and to send daily newspapers by air would be an immense added burden.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it costs 3s. 6d. to send the "Observer" and the leader page of "The Times" once a week in a parcel? I feel that that is a very high charge to fall on the parents of anyone serving in Korea.

I see that we do send 153 copies of the "Observer" to Korea, and I am told that, in general, the selection of weekly newspapers sent to Korea is satisfactory.

Is the Minister aware that to send a moderate sized bundle of local newspapers—and his scheme will not cover local newspapers—it costs over 4s.? Could not some arrangement be made so that a man has the opportunity to receive these newspapers from his friends, parents and relatives?

As I have said, such a scheme would have to be subsidised, and, unfortunately, large quantities of news- paper are very heavy and the sums involved would be very big.

Is not the Minister aware that there is great indignation among the parents about this matter, and that to send a small newspaper of local interest to the boys in Korea is costing 2s.? While the Minister says that it is costing £1½ million, will he bear in mind that it is costing the lads a lot more?

The dilemma is quite a clear one. To send the number of papers that would be needed would cost a very large additional sum of money. They can go by sea, though they arrive very late. The Sunday papers include Welsh and Scottish papers.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of cemeteries in Korea in the care of the Imperial War Graves Commission at the latest convenient date.

There are no cemeteries in Korea in the care of the Imperial War Graves Commission. The dead of the Commonwealth Division are buried in the United Nations cemeteries.

In the case of people who served in our own Forces, whose deaths occurred more than two years ago and who are buried in Korea, can the Minister arrange that some detail of their burial places might be made known to their parents? A case of this kind has been reported to the right hon. Gentleman's Department.

I think that the hon. Member has another Question on the Order Paper dealing with that specific case. It is one which presented peculiar difficulties because operational conditions at the time made identification extremely difficult.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to care for the graves in the British section of Taegu cemetery, Korea, and to inform the next-of-kin.

The graves in the British section of the United Nations Cemetery at Taegu, Korea, were removed during 1951 to the United Nations Cemetery, Pusan, where they could be properly maintained. The next-of-kin have been informed in all cases where identification has been established beyond doubt.

Is the Minister satisfied that after that clearance of the cemetery the graves of British troops were tended and cared for, as no doubt they would have been in the care of the Imperial War Graves Commission? Will he have another look at this case, because the evidence which he has submitted to the House does not agree with his own Departmental reply?

I have been into this matter very closely and my answer agrees both with what we have written and with what we know about this case. It was difficult to maintain the previous burial ground, which was near the front line, and therefore we removed the bodies to the new burial ground in this area near Pusan where I am assured that they are being looked after adequately.

asked the Secretary of State for War if means can be found to despatch promptly to their next-of-kin the personal effects of men killed in Korea.

The personal effects are sent back by the unit as soon as possible to Japan. From there, they are sent home and are normally delivered within two to four months of the date of death.

Is the Minister aware that in the case which he evidently knows death occurred in September, 1950, and that after very many applications some of the effects were delivered to the parents more than two years later and that the complete effects still have not reached the parents? Would he please do his utmost to clear the channels and get these things sent home at the earliest possible moment?

I have been into this case and I admit that it is a most unfortunate one. I ought to point out that the very long delay initially was due to this problem of identification, on which we must always be very careful, because any false identification might lead to difficulties in the future. Now that the identity has been cleared up every step is being taken to have the effects returned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case, where the death occurred as a result of an unfortunate error on the part of an American bombing squadron, this soldier died in our hands in a casualty clearing station and there is no question here of identification? Is he aware that therefore he cannot explain the facts by that suggestion of a difficulty in identification?

This man died on the way to an American hospital.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of aircraft spares and materials purchased from the United States during 1952; and what proportion of this amount was for the use of British Overseas Airways Corporation

Imports of aircraft parts from the United States during 1952, excluding those imported under the Mutual Defence Assistance agreement, were valued at £5,492,000. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend, however, that this figure includes substantial imports by foreign airlines, for the maintenance of aircraft operating in this country, which do not represent purchases by us. I regret that no information is available about aircraft materials as such. With regard to the second part of the Question it would be contrary to normal practice to disclose the purchases of individual firms whether private or state-owned

That answer does not tell us very much. Will my hon. Friend say how many of these spares were intended for the Royal Air Force or what was their value? Secondly, if he cannot give us the information regarding B.O.A.C., will he ask his right hon. Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation to have this item included in the balance sheet, because hon. Members of this House represent the shareholders in the Corporation and we should like to know.

As far as the defence element is concerned, I should like to consider it to see whether there is any possibility of answering without infringing security. As tar as the other matter is concerned, perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a Question.

Will the hon. Gentleman do nothing at all to impose restrictions which might impair the high safety standards of this Corporation when operating over the Atlantic?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations he has received from the Cinematograph Films Council about the quotas for British first feature and supporting films for the year beginning October. 1953 and what action he will take.

The Cinematograph Films Council have recommended that the quota for the supporting programme for the year beginning on the 1st October, 1953, should be 25 per cent. as at present. They were unable to make an agreed recommendation for the quota for first feature films. My right hon. Friend is carefully considering this matter and will make a statement soon.

Can the Minister say how soon the President of the Board of Trade will make his statement? Is he aware that this accumulation of uncertainty about the quota, the Eady scheme and Entertainments Duty will have a most harmful effect on the film industry? Will he press his right hon. Friend to make a statement as soon as possible?

My right hon. Friend will be making a statement at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade his estimates of the numbers of British first feature and supporting films to be produced in 1953; and if he is satisfied that production will be sufficient for the maintenance of the quotas.

My right hon. Friend has not sufficient evidence for such an estimate. Films produced in 1953 will not in general be available for the current quota year. My right hon. Friend will make a statement soon about the quota for the year beginning on the 1st October, 1953.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that one of the reasons why he is unable to make an estimate is because of the uncertainty generated in the film production industry by the lack of any decision on the effect of the Eady levy'? Will he therefore pay some attention to these protracted neotiations with the film trade about the future of the Eady levy, in order that producers may begin to make some plans about production this year and next year?

We recognise the importance of these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to give an assurance that applications for the import of sack kraft paper for re-export will be allowed, as the quota system is not sufficient to cover the demands of both the home and export markets.

I am always willing to consider applications to import materials needed for the export trade where these needs cannot be met from supplies available in this country. I am advised, however, the present supplies of sack kraft paper from home production and imports are in general adequate for both home and export needs. In these circumstances additional expenditure of foreign currency would not be justified.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that there are two types of sack kraft paper? There is the low stretched creped sack kraft paper which, I understand, is suitable for home needs, and the micro-creped sack kraft paper which, I understand, is used entirely for re-exporting? If I give my hon. Friend an example will he look into the matter, because at the moment the supply is completely insufficient for export needs.

Yes, I shall look into the matter. I was not aware of the technical details. My hon. Friend might like to know that we have had no representations on this matter from the industry. If he will let me have particulars I shall be pleased to look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requests the members of the French Government, who took part in the recent talks in London with Her Majesty's Government, made for this country to relax restrictions on imports from France; and what answer Her Majesty's Government has given.

The French Ministers asked Her Majesty's Government to consider the possibility of relaxing import restrictions in any way which would enable France to export more goods to the United Kingdom. As stated in the communiqué issued at the end of the discussions, we undertook to give sympathetic consideration to the position of France when considering our future import arrangements.

Can the Minister say how soon any decision is likely to be reached?

I could not say.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it will help our trade with the sterling area as a whole if we allow the traditional pattern of trade with France to be resumed and permit the French to earn more sterling?

We are looking into this matter very carefully.

Whilst welcoming the extension of our trade with France, may I ask my hon. Friend also to bear in mind the paramount needs of the horticultural industry in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain statistics and other information published in the Reports of the Monopolies Commission have been of assistance to our international competitors; and whether in future he will consult with the Commission with a view to ensuring that the industries concerned are enabled to see the Reports before publication so that their opinion may be expressed on these matters.

No, Sir; though I agree that published information could, on occasion, have that effect. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that Section 9 of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948, lays on my right hon. Friend the duty of laying before Parliament only so much of a Report as in his opinion can be made public without injury to the public interest. When he thinks it necessary, he will be prepared to discuss with the industry concerned the possible effect on the public interest of revealing certain information.

Is the Minister not aware that already some damage has been done to our exporting industries by the publication of extremely confidential material? Is he not aware that it is essential that our exporting industries should be safeguarded against this giving away of vital information to our international competitors?

I am aware of the possible danger to which my hon. and gallant Friend draws attention, but I think it right to say that no representations about such damage have been made to the Board of Trade.

Is not far more damage being done to our exports by the failure of the Government to take effective action against these monopolies?

asked the President of the Board of Trade to give an estimate of the effect upon British trade of recent Australian decisions to increase import quotas.

Australian import quotas are not tied to particular countries, so that it is not possible to make any reliable estimate of the likely value to our trade of the recent relaxations.

It is fair to assume, is it not, that there will be considerable benefit to British and Australian trade?

Yes, certainly, but it is difficult to obtain an estimate as those quotas apply not only to this country but to many other countries.

Is the Minister making any new representations to Australia on this question? In the motor trade, for example, the Australian cut amounted to about half of their normal imports. Is the Minister aware that that is of vital importance? Are any representations being made?

Constant discussions take place on this subject, and it was fully covered in the report of the Commonwealth Conference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to the Australian Government on behalf of the Lancashire cotton industry with regard to the continued severe restrictions on the import of cotton goods into Australia.

The difficulties of our textile industries have been stressed in all our discussions with the Commonwealth Government.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the value to Lancashire of the recent Australian import relaxations? Is he not aware that the main relaxations have been in the field of raw materials for secondary industries instead of in the field of textiles and other consumer goods? Is it a fact that cotton textiles stand to benefit only by about £2 million?

I should like to have notice of the last part of the question. This is a matter for the Australian Government, upon which they must use their own discretion in view of their balance of payments situation. We are aware, naturally, of the anxiety of everybody in this country to sell as many textiles as we can to the Australian market.

Is not this another example of the failure to use the opportunity of the Commonwealth Conference to get a proper balance of production and trade between this country and the other Commonwealth countries?

I am sorry, but I cannot join with the hon. Lady in criticising the administration of an independent Government

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much was expended in re-equipping British textile mills with new machinery in the last complete year before the abolition of initial allowances, and in a comparable period of 12 months since then.

Deliveries of textile machinery to the home market during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1952, amounted in value to £34½ million. Deliveries during the six months ended the 30th September, 1952, were at an annual rate of £262/3 million.

In view of the heavy unemployment prevalent in the textile machinery making industry and the fact that the initial allowances were removed at a time of full employment, would the Parliamentary Secretary try to convince the Chancellor of the Exchequer that a restoration of the initial allowances might be a contribution towards reducing unemployment in that industry?

In view of the fact that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer heard what the hon. Gentleman said, I do not think any communication will be necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what items on the list which the China National Import-Export Board wished to purchase in this country and which was submitted to the Board of Trade on 2nd October, 1952, were refused a licence for export; and why.

It is not possible without research to identify particular applications for export licences as relating to orders placed by the China National Import-Export Board. I can say, however, that of the items in this list, which was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT Of 10th February in reply to a Question by the hon. Member, all but half-a-dozen would be refused export licences, either under the embargo imposed on certain exports to China in accordance with the United Nations Resolution of May, 1951, or, in a few cases, because the goods are scarce and we need them for our own use.

Can the Minister tell us why the number of items on the list of goods which may not be exported to China has increased so much during the past year? Is he not aware that the list now greatly exceeds that suggested by the United Nations organisation in the Resolution to which he refers?

I could not accept that statement without looking into the matter. Broadly speaking, these are strategic goods which both this Government and the previous Government agreed not to export.

Is the Minister not aware that in many cases these goods which we refuse to export are being supplied to China from within the Commonwealth? Is he aware that Manila rope is an example of what I mean.

We are not exporting Manila rope because we need it ourselves. The refusal in that case is not for strategic reasons.

Are we able to get from China the goods which we require?

No, Sir. There are quite a number of things which we cannot get.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of small herrings, canned sild, imported into this country in 1938, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

Imports of canned sild in 1950, 1951 and 1952 were 64,769 cwt., 28 cwt. and 7 cwt., respectively. Imports under this heading in 1938 were not separately recorded in the trade statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to implement the recommendation of the Copyright Committee that the tariffs payable to collecting societies of a monopolistic or quasi-monopolistic character should be subject to independent review.

Legislation would be required to give effect to this recommendation. All the recommendations in the Report are being carefully considered.

In the consideration given to this matter, will the Board of Trade take into account the fact that the gramophones which are played at shows, and meetings and on other occasions, have an extremely high fee charged upon them, fees which are described in the Copyright Report as arbitrarily imposed? As the Copyright Report suggested that there should be a review of these fees, can nothing be done about it in the meantime before legislation is introduced?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is an important recommendation, but it would require legislation. All the recommendations of the Report are being carefully considered. I dare say the hon. Member will recall that there are no fewer than 67 principal recommendations in the Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the foreign exchange allowance for United Kingdom tourists travelling outside the sterling area in the course of the present year.

The basic travel allowance was fixed at £25 for the year beginning 1st November, 1952. I have no further statement to make.

As the plans of a great number of people depend on this, is there any reason why the Chancellor should not make up his mind reasonably soon?

Is the right hon. Gentleman planning his holidays as early as this?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in addition to individuals, the tourist agencies, too, have to make arrangements? Is he aware that a situation in which they were informed only about two weeks before the currency allowance came into operation last year is quite unsatisfactory from all points of view?

In answer to my hon. Friend, the position which this Government inherited was so serious that he should not have been surprised by any action of that sort.

I am not on the merits of the question. May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to be unduly influenced in this matter by the Prime Minister who has already had a very nice holiday and who ought not to be selfish at the expense of ordinary citizens? I am not on the merits, but may I ask the Chancellor whether people are not entitled to know this information? Many people have to make arrangements now for their holidays. Cannot the Chancellor say whether or not any change in the allowance is to be made? Surely the public are entitled to know one way or the other so that they may make their arrangements accordingly.

I have nothing further to add to my answer, namely, that I have no statement to make, but that does not mean I do not understand the great difficulties under which people are labouring. The situation is that, as it applies to foreign countries, representatives of certain countries have already visited us and talked it over with us.

Does that mean, or does it not, that the right hon. Gentleman has the matter under consideration? If he has the matter under consideration, can he give some indication as to when he will be able to answer the Question put by my right hon. Friend?

The right hon. Gentleman may realise that, being on top of my job, I have all these matters under consideration all the time. When I have a statement to make I will make a statement.

Will the Chancellor treat both the House and the country with rather more courtesy in this matter? Does he realise that there are a great many people who want to know what the allowance is going to be as soon as possible, and will he, perhaps, consider telling the House, say, before we rise for the Easter Recess, what the allowance is likely to be?

To Russia?

I have no intention whatever of being bullied or badgered by the right hon. Gentleman. He has accused me of lack of courtesy to the House, but what the right hon. Gentleman is trying to do now is to push me into making a statement when I do not propose to make one. The initiative arose simply through a perfectly legitimate Question of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), which I answered by saying that I have no statement to make. No bullying of any sort will make me make a statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if an individual is entitled under his regulations to the extra statutory wartime concession relating to time limits notified in Command Paper No. 6559 if he shows that the failure to lodge a notice of loss within the prescribed period of 12 months was due to disorganisation resulting from the bombing of his office premises;

(2) whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are entitled under his regulations to discriminate as between one taxpayer and another in the application of extra statutory wartime concession relating to time limits notified in Command Paper No. 6559;

(3) whether, under his regulations, there is any right of appeal to the general commissioners from a refusal by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to grant an application under the extra statutory wartime concession relating to time limits notified in Command Paper No. 6559.

The first two Questions can only be answered against the background of a particular case, and the answer to the third Question is No, Sir. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case which he has in mind, I will cause inquiry to be made and communicate the results to him.

Does the Chancellor realise that I am grateful to him for his helpful reply?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the rate of compensation for loss of remunerative time made to persons who serve as members of tribunals and committees under various Acts of Parliament has not been changed for some years; that this compensation should be increased in a manner comparable to the increased cost of living; and if he will take steps to increase it accordingly.

I am looking into this question in consultation with the other Departments concerned.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer agree that persons who give their services in this way should not be put to any financial loss, and will he take steps to ensure that that is so?

I am aware of the services rendered by these persons. That is why the question is being looked into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman include Scotland in his inquiry?

I should not be likely to forget Scotland, but that is a question for the Secretary of State.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many points the salary rates for women in the Civil Service, teachers and local government service rose between December, 1951, and 1952; and what were the comparable figures for men in the same professions.

I can give my hon. Friend only the percentage increases. Between December, 1951, and 1952, Civil Service rates for both men and women were generally increased by 10 per cent. on the first £500 of pay, 5 per cent. on the second and 2½ per cent. on the third. I understand that the increase received by women qualified teachers was about 9.5 per cent. at the minimum and 6.4 per cent. at the maximum of the basic scale. Corresponding figures for men were about 10.6 per cent. and 6.4 per cent. No figure can be given for local government staffs generally, but I understand that increases in the basic general and clerical grades for both men and women were about 5 to 6 per cent.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that increases in certain commodities such as coal, and light and heat, and certain foodstuffs, bear more hardly on women than on men in the Civil Service, in the teaching profession, and in the local government service—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—and will he kindly, therefore, give them the same facilities for meeting those increased costs as he has given in industry, where women's rates have risen higher than the men's?

I am aware that there have been certain increases. It is also the fact that for a long time the Government have held the cost of living down. It is further the case that men feel some of these increases just as much as women.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the best way of overcoming all these difficulties would be by granting equal pay at once?

>: Hear, hear.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated loss of tax revenue in the United Kingdom in 1938–39 and in 1950–51 from wives' earned income rebate, from children's rebate, from dependent relatives' rebate and from life assurance rebate, respectively.

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.