asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that every year about 1,500 are killed and there are seldom less than 60,000 people away at any one time through industrial accidents, he will take steps in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to deal further with this position, and to take the necessary precautions to reduce the accident rate.

The factory inspectorate work in very close co-operation with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in promoting safety precautions and the avoidance of unnecessarily dangerous practices. They also give many lectures on safety matters to interested bodies, including trades councils and trade union meetings. For fuller information as to the action taken, I would refer the hon. Member to the annual report on the work of the Department published last month.

I have seen the annual report; but is the hon. Gentleman aware that these accidents are costing the country something like £70 million a year by way of lost production? Will he consult with the Treasury to see whether they will restore to this Society the sum that they were receiving before or give them a larger sum in order that they may cope with the position?

The answer to that is that the rate per 1,000 employees of unavoidable accidents is falling progressively. It fell between 1944 and 1951 from 40 in 1944 to 23 in 1951.

Could my hon. Friend say if he has yet had the result of the inquiry into the establishment of the factory inspectorate, and if he has not will he speed up the report so as to get something on the move?

Yes. I know the interest my hon. Friend has taken in this matter, and I am glad to tell him that there is only one vacancy left in the basic grade of factory inspector.

Although the rate has improved, is it not a fact that there are some individual industries which are still black spots? Has not the iron foundry industry an almost unenviable record in this connection, and will the hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of selecting individual industries for consideration to supplement the general campaign in industry as a whole?

I will look into that.

asked the Minister of Labour to make a comprehensive statement on the principles on which he acts in considering applications for deferment and extending deferment of agricultural scientists, experimentalists and research workers from military service during the pendency of their experiments and research in relation to agricultural food production.

Young men who wish to pursue post-graduate studies at a university or other recognised institution, in agricultural science or any other subject, are normally granted up to three years' further deferment of their calling up provided they would not thereby pass out of liability for National Service. In addition, deferment, which may be indefinite, is granted to a few science graduates with high qualifications for employment on certain projects of the first importance and urgency; these include some agricultural scientists employed on projects important to food production.

Has the Minister considered the particular case I sent him, and does he agree that the quantities of food which would result from the discoveries made by one agricultural scientist would naturally greatly exceed that produced by the work of one agricultural labourer, and will he in the national interest apply that principle to the particular case I have sent him?

I have considered the particular case the hon. and learned Gentleman has sent to me and I hope to write to him today.

asked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers in Scotland were registered for National Service in 1952; and how many were called up in the course of the year.

The first figure asked for is estimated at 2,500; the second is 924.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will appoint an agricultural labour supplies officer in the Northern Region such as is employed in other regions, in order to facilitate the prompt engagement or re-engagement of all available agricultural labour in that region.

An officer to meet this need has been in post in the Northern Region since 1949.

Is the Minister aware that his information is somewhat doubtful, as applying to the region as a whole? He will find that some localities in this region provide an officer for themselves but not for the region as a whole.

I think the answer to that point is that this is rather a large region. We are trying to meet that problem. For example, we are appointing a second officer in the Scarborough area for the potato harvest period.

That reply scarcely answers my point. Scarborough is only a very limited area, whereas in the whole of the North-Eastern area there are very extensive agricultural areas to deal with.

I did answer the Question by saying that an officer had been in the post since 1949.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make an early statement regarding the recent increases in charges at Brockworth Hostel, Gloucester, of 7s. per week, as from 13th April, 1953, and also regarding the discontinuance of the lodging allowance; and whether he has considered the effect of the representations made to him recently by the hostel residents that hardship will result for them, particularly for the lower wage groups, and that it will force a number of them to give up their present employment, with the consequence of creating further unemployment.

As regards hostel charges, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 26th March. As regards lodging allowances, a decision of general application was taken over a year ago to limit the periods for which such allowances should be continued. My right hon. and learned Friend has examined sympathetically the representations from the hostel residents, but the decisions in question were arrived at only after the most careful consideration of all the circumstances, and I can hold out no hope of their being reversed.

While thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask him to take into consideration the financial difficulty and even the domestic hardship imposed on the residents at the hostel and to see whether he cannot take steps to relieve the situation?

We have looked into the matter very carefully. On the other side of the question is the point that we still have to subsidise these hostels to the tune of £1 million a year.

Seeing that this situation is likely to continue, may I ask the Minister to consider whether what he is doing may not have serious effects upon men working a long way from their homes?

The charges are still below the comparative charges for private lodgings.

Mr. Speaker, for good or ill, it is quite impossible to hear what hon. Members are saying. I am not sure whether the amplifier apparatus is working.

Some of the difficulty in hearing is due no doubt to hon. Gentlemen themselves carrying on conversations which, though they may sound quiet enough to the hon. Members individually concerned, amount in the aggregate to a considerable noise. To that extent hon. Members have the remedy in their own hands.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men on the unemployed register of the Brixton and Tooting employment exchanges; how many of these are over 45 years of age; and what is the average length of time they have been registered as unemployed.

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

Is the Minister aware that there seems to be a growing difficulty for men over 45 to get employment, and that it seems to be growing considerably in South London? Can he say whether any special steps are being taken by his Department to try to find employment for these people?

It is fair to say that the figures show that, over 40 years of age, the difficulty of obtaining employment becomes much greater. The National Advisory Committee for the Employment of Older Men and Women, over which I preside, is trying to meet that problem.

Would the hon. Gentleman have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about this unhappy state of affairs, because it is the right hon. Gentleman's economic policies which are responsible?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will restrain his impatience for another half hour.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons employed in the pilchard canning factories of Cornwall and Plymouth are unemployed; and what are their prospects of early re-employment.

Fifty-six persons last employed in canning factories in these areas are registered as unemployed. The season for canning pilchards is closing and further employment in this industry will not be available until the autumn. I hope that alternative employment will be available shortly in the holiday trades.

Will the Minister bear in mind that his answer will cause consternation in Cornwall and Plymouth, because of the eight canning factories six have already ceased operations and two are considering the position? According to the season, 80 to 500 people are employed in the canning industry. Would the Minister consider the matter and ask his colleagues in the Cabinet to do the same, so as to help this important industry?

We shall certainly have a look at the problem again, but at the moment the amount of unemployment arising is not very serious, as I think the hon. Gentleman would agree.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to secure an addition to the afforestation programme of planting to compensate for the losses in growing timber caused by recent storms.

It has been made a condition of all licences for the clearing of the devastated areas that they shall be restocked. It is not therefore proposed to accelerate on account of the storm the planned increase in the Commission's afforestation programme, which is being carried out as fast as available resources in land, labour and money permit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it may be five years before the devastated areas can be restocked, and that will be five years lost to timber growing? Is he also aware that there are still many places in the Highlands which are an eyesore to the countryside because they have not been replanted, and would this not be a favourable opportunity to have them replanted quickly?

In conjunction with the very essential work of clearing up the damage due to the storm, every endeavour will be made by the Commission to keep up the programme of planting and replanting of the blown areas which, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, cannot begin immediately.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Scottish Conservator himself is advising all woodland owners that these areas must not be replanted for five years, owing to the weevil pest? Is it not essential, as far as softwood is concerned, that planting in other areas should be undertaken?

I agree that that is true, but so far as is possible we have to concentrate extra manpower upon clearing the blown areas in the first place.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not have a conference with the people concerned to see whether he can bring a more favourable report to the House?

I am very ready to have a conference, and I have already had more than one in connection with this subject. I assure the right hon. Gentleman that we are getting on as rapidly as possible.

Is the Minister satisfied that there are sufficient seedlings or seeds or young trees to carry out the extended programme, or is there only enough in the country for the present programme?

I said in my first reply that, in so far as resources permit, we will push on.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many timber houses were allocated to local authorities during 1952; and how many of these houses were completed by 31st December, 1952.

Of the 3,000 houses authorised in April, 1952, 16 had been completed by the end of the year.

Is the Minister aware that he certainly led Scottish local authorities to believe that they were to have 3.000 timber houses last year? He now tells us that only 16 are completed. What steps is he taking to deliver the rest of the 3.000 houses to local authorities within a measurable time?

I did not say that 3,000 houses would be completed last year. On 2nd May, 1952, I said that the aim was to complete the whole programme by the end of 1953. I admit there has been delay. At the end of March, 1953, 123 houses were completed and 562 were under construction.

Is it not a fact that, when the contracts were placed with these firms, one of the reasons given was that they would be able to carry out this work speedily? What action has the Secretary of State taken to see that they implement the pledge?

I have already admitted that there was delay which I regret, but it was outside the control of Her Majesty's Government. There was a serious strike of Canadian lumbermen which held up the transport of timber.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to allow of empty buildings being exempted from rates without the roofs being removed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Stirling and Falkirk Burghs (Mr. Malcolm MacPherson) on 10th March.

Can the Secretary of State give an assurance that, if there is a general review of the Scottish rating system, he will see that it is tackled, because this practice leads to unsightly buildings being left standing?

I will certainly give the hon. Gentleman that assurance in any review of the rating system. If he has specific cases which he would like to bring to my attention, I should be glad to consider them.

Is the Minister aware that many tourists visiting the region say what a great scar these unsightly houses without roofs are against the magnificent Highland scenery and that some action should be taken about them?

I have not seen the scars to which my hon. Friend refers and I am not aware of any number of cases of this nature in recent years, but I will gladly consider any cases in the future.

May I ask whether the Secretary of State is aware that, if he rated siting values, he would get out of this difficulty?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to ensure that all local authorities confine their housing schemes to houses of not less than three storeys, to minimise the encroachment on agricultural land.

No, Sir. I take every opportunity of urging local authorities to minimise the use of agricultural land for housing purposes, but obviously varying local needs and circumstances cannot be ignored in determining the type and density of houses to be built.

Is the Secretary of State aware that in Lanarkshire alone since the war more than 5,000 acres of agricultural land have been lost to local authority housing, whilst another 2,400 have been lost to the new town of East Kilbride and, furthermore, that flats as such are not unwelcome to those who are looking for fresh accommodation?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I want to do everything possible to safeguard good agricultural land. The plans are closely scrutinised to avoid unnecessary encroachment upon it, and under the 1947 Act planning authorities are obliged to consult with the agricultural executive committees. I am afraid, however, that the suggestion is too rigid and therefore not practicable.

Is the Minister aware that his reply will give very great satisfaction to most of the people in Scotland?

Is the Secretary of State aware that his reply will be read with great interest by the people of Coalburn where the plots of old age pensioners are now threatened with building although there is vacant land available nearby?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what he attributes the decline in the agricultural labour force in Scotland from 108,000 in June, 1948, to 99,000 in December, 1950, as disclosed by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland; and what steps he proposes to remedy this continued drift from the land.

On a point of order. The second date in my Question should be December, 1952.

I hope my hon. Friend will forgive me if I read the answer I have. I shall be ready to consider any alterations later.

No precise information is available as to the reasons for the decline in the agricultural labour force in Scotland, a fall which is by no means peculiar to that country. Some part of this general decline must be attributed to increased mechanisation and to normal seasonal variation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I are considering possible steps to prevent any serious decrease in the force.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the reply as written, may I ask him whether he is aware that the continued drain of agricultural workers into the Forces under the call-up is encouraging the drift from the land, and will he continue to use his influence to the end that the agricultural call-up should be minimised as much as possible?

Certainly, Sir. I would like to say to my hon. Friend that a proper comparison would be the month of June, 1948, with the month of June, 1950, or 1952, and I shall be glad to give him the figures if he wishes. The June, 1952, figure is 102,278.

Does the Secretary of State agree that it might assist in preventing the drift from the land in Scotland if Scottish farmers were forced to pay the same wages as English farmers?

That is a different question. [Interruption.] Well it is, it is simply not on the Order Paper. I have every reason to suppose that the wages paid in Scotland do not compare unfavourably.

Although the Secretary of State considers that this is a different question, surely the wages that are paid in Scotland, 10s.—[HON. MEMBERS: "5s."]—below those in England, have something to do with the decline in manpower in the Scottish agricultural industry?

It is not necessarily the minimum wages that are paid in Scotland.

Oh!

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, when the number of persons employed in the local government service in Scotland has declined from 68,000 in June, 1951, to 67,000 in June, 1952, the number of persons employed by the national government service shows an opposite trend; and whether he will take steps to reduce the number of civil servants employed.

The figures to which my hon. Friend refers relate to national government service—excluding Her Majesty's Forces and Women's Services—and local government service as defined in the standard industrial classification and exclude large numbers of employees of both central and local authorities which appear in other tables. They do not therefore provide a true measure of the trend of total employment in either case. The total number of non-industrial civil servants in Scotland was practically the same in July, 1951 and July, 1952: in my own Department there was a decrease of 100 between these two dates. The number of civil servants is under constant review.

Is the Secretary of State for Scotland aware that while what he has said will give some satisfaction, it would give still greater satisfaction if he could assure us that the number of civil servants is being drastically diminished, and that while Scottish devolution is welcome to people in Scotland, centralisation in Edinburgh is not?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish tubercular patients are receiving treatment outwith Scotland; where the sanatoria concerned are situated; what is the cost, per patient, in these sanatoria; and what is the corresponding cost in Scottish sanatoria.

The present number receiving such treatment under National Health Service arrangements is 195, in three sanatoria in Switzerland. The average daily cost of treatment is about 30s., or 34s. 4d. allowing for transport and incidentals such as dental treatment. The average daily cost in Scottish sanatoria is about 23s. 6d.

Could the Secretary of State say if there are—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speak up."] On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, I do not intend to speak up. I am sorry for interrupting hon. Members on the benches but, if they will stop speaking, they will hear my voice. Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many patients are being treated in Denmark?

I believe that there are 12 Scottish children being treated in Denmark through the generosity of the Anglo-Danish Society.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the shortage of doctors and nursing staff in tuberculosis hospitals in Scotland, and would it not be possible to do away with these shortages since it would mean a saving of the difference between 34s. and 23s, a day of the taxpayers' money?

Yes, I am aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how far the eradication of tuberculosis in cattle is detrimental to human immunity from the disease; and whether he will give an authoritative report on the value of the attested cattle scheme in relation to public health.

I know of no scientific foundation for any assertions that the eradication of tuberculosis in cattle is detrimental to human immunity from the disease. The number of new cases of non-respiratory tuberculosis in Scotland, which was largely of bovine origin, has fallen by more than 50 per cent. since the introduction of the Attested Herd Scheme.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to give publicity to these facts, because there are in Scotland suggestions that the attestation of cattle is detrimental to success in eliminating tuberculosis from human beings?

I will gladly give the fullest possible publicity.

Will my right hon. Friend go into this in more detail than his statement, in view of the figures produced by a qualified veterinary surgeon, which are causing a certain amount of disturbance in the public mind?

Yes. I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I will do what I can. Medical advice is to the effect that it is impossible to correlate the incidence of respiratory tuberculosis with the safety of the milk supply reaching the consumer. I have no reason to suppose that there is anything to support the theories to which the right hon. Gentleman and my hon. and gallant Friend have referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent in the counties of Scotland with a relatively high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, a connection can be traced between that rate and the proportion of attested cattle in the same area.

The increase in the number of new cases of respiratory tuberculosis notified since 1939 is due to a variety of causes, including better means of diagnosis, which cannot be precisely assessed. Good progress has been made with the eradication of tuberculosis in cattle, but I am advised that the coincidence of such progress with increased respiratory notifications in several areas in no way establishes a relationship of cause and effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients over 60 years of age were admitted to mental institutions in Scotland as lunatics during 1950, 1951 and 1952.

Nine hundred and six patients over 60 years of age were admitted to Scottish mental hospitals as certified patients during 1950. Corresponding figures for 1951 and 1952 are being compiled and I will send them to the hon. Lady as soon as possible.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figures are not greatly increasing, and whether these old people are really lunatics or are merely being certified as lunatics in order to gain admittance?

My information is that under the operation of the law, which is very strict, no patients can be certified improperly, and I hope the contrary is not the case. I cannot answer the first part of the question, but I shall be glad to let the hon. Lady know the answer.

Can the Secretary of State say how many certified lunatics were refused admission to these institutions, and why, and where they are now?

Perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will put down a Question on that point?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the rate for neo-natal mortality in Social Classes I to V during 1950, 1951 and 1952.

I regret that the information for 1952 is not yet available, but I will, with permission, circulate the figures for 1950 and 1951 in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions to commanding officers of units serving overseas to warn all ranks under their command that certain articles are liable to duty and should not be sent home as gifts, in view of the fact that in many cases recipients suffer hardship in paying the duty.

Special instructions about this matter have been sent out four times in the last two years. The necessity for seeing that all officers and men were made aware of the contents of these notices was particularly stressed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in spite of this the troops do not seem to understand the regulations regarding Customs charges on goods other than cigarettes and whisky not exceeding £1 in total value? Is he aware that recently I had a case with the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a soldier serving abroad sent home a packet value 21s. 6d., and because there was 2s. worth of cigarettes in the packet the unfortunate recipient had to pay 21s. 3d. duty?

I do not know about the individual case but I think that men are aware that they are sending goods which may be liable to duty because they have to fill in a form, which is a label, making a Customs declaration when they send the parcel. They are, therefore, automatically aware of that fact.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that some of us feel that men serving overseas ought to be allowed to send in goods duty free to their relatives from overseas to a far greater extent than is at present allowed?

That is another question, but I should say that the amount duty free has been increased by the Treasury quite recently from 10s. to £1.

asked the Secretary of State for War why married officers and other ranks serving in Korea are not entitled to separation allowance at the recently announced rates.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will extend the increased marriage allowance for soldiers separated from their homes to men serving in Korea; and if he will consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to exempting them from Income Tax.

The allowance to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is not a separation allowance but is an increased local overseas allowance for the married unaccompanied officer or soldier to meet the extra expenses when serving at a high cost overseas station. It applies, therefore, only to areas where local overseas allowance is paid. The allowance is tax free.

Does my right hon. Friend not feel that this privilege should be extended to all serving men, especially to those fighting for the free world and now serving in Korea?

The object of this allowance is to compensate men who might normally expect to have a married quarter and who have not got one owing to various difficulties. I do not think that a man serving in Korea would expect his wife to be in that theatre in married quarters.

Is the local overseas allowance which is paid to officers and men serving in Korea higher or lower than the local overseas allowance which is paid to officers and men in Belgium?

There is no local overseas allowance in Korea.

I understood from the right hon. Gentleman that his reference to separation allowance meant overseas allowance.

No; there is no separation allowance either. All that there is is a local overseas allowance in certain theatres and a married local unaccompanied allowance as supplementary to the local overseas allowance, for men who are married and separated.

Will the Secretary of State for War be good enough to say whether the officers and men serving in Korea are entitled to the same privileges as are afforded to the officers and men serving in Belgium?

If the right hon. Gentleman is referring to this' matter of local overseas allowance, the answer is "No," because there is no local overseas allowance in Korea, and never has been.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that the men in Korea understand the reason for this, may I ask whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Leeds following a visit to Korea that both men and officers are very bitter about this matter?

I was not aware that I claimed that every man there understood it, and I well appreciate that every man would like to have this allowance. I repeat, however, that it was intended for single men in stations which were expensive, and where there was local overseas allowance that that amount should be made up for them for their married status because they had a home to keep up in this country or elsewhere.

There has been a great deal of misunderstanding about this so-called separation allowance and my right hon. Friend's answers today have done very little to clarify it. The impression still remains that the wives of men serving in Korea are less favourably placed than the wife of a man serving in, for example, Malaya.

The object of this allowance was that a man stationed in an expensive station, where a local overseas allowance was justified by a high cost of living, should have an extra amount, so that in living his single life he should not be at a disadvantage in relation to a bachelor because he had another home to keep up in England or elsewhere.

Whatever the object may have been, does not the Secretary of State agree that an injustice has been created, and will he look into this matter again?

No. I do not think anybody would argue that the actual cost of living in Korea is very high; there is practically nothing upon which to spend money. That is why there is not a local overseas allowance. Based on that, I do not think it is unfair.

On a point of order. The right hon. Gentleman has answered Question No. 26 with Question No. 23, but he has not answered the second part of Question No. 26.

I did say at the end of my reply that the allowance is tax free.

Further to that point of order. The second part of the Question does not only refer to this separation allowance. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in the next half hour he will consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter?

There is no point of order there for me.

asked the Secretary of State for War the price at which Libby's tinned milk is sold in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' stores in the Ruhr.

One shilling and sevenpence for a 16 oz. tin.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in England the price is 1s. 5d. and the price in the ordinary shop in Germany is less than that amount? Can he explain why a Service man in Germany has to pay more at the N.A.A.F.I. stores than he would pay for the same commodity at an ordinary store in England or in Germany?

I understand that the extra 2d. is for freight, insurance and handling costs from this country to Germany. The local product in Germany, I am informed, has a much lower fat content than that manufactured in this country and is less satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that tea and coffee are rationed to Service men and their wives in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' stores in Germany; and if he will give his reasons for such rationing.

The Commander-in-Chief, in his routine orders, has limited the weekly sales of tea and coffee to reasonable amounts because the Forces, having imported these articles into Germany free of duty, are under obligation to prevent their misuse by sale or barter.

Is the Minister aware that there is an ample supply in Germany of all these commodities outside the amount allowed to Service men and that there is no question of a black market in regard to this now? Why on earth should he allow one tin of Nescafe only to a Service man's family and ration tea and coffee when there is an ample supply in Germany? The Service men are very seriously concerned about this matter.

May I point out to the hon. Member that the N.A.A.F.I. price of coffee is 7s. per lb. and the local price in Germany is 20s.? That is the situation. If I allowed unlimited supplies of coffee to go it would be asking a lot of housewives and others not to sell it to the Germans.

asked the Secretary of State for War to give details of the financial arrangements under which soldiers of the Argyll Regiment were used in the film production of "Rob Roy" by Mr. Walt Disney; and what other similar engagements have been undertaken.

The financial arrangements were such as to prevent either cost falling upon public funds or undercutting of the civilian labour market. Similar engagements have often been undertaken in the past when the request was reasonable and could be readily met.

On a point of order. Does this refer to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders? Which Argyll Regiment is referred to in the Question?

That is not a point of order.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Walt Disney is so satisfied with these financial arrangements that he is trying to make a new film of "The Big Bad Wolf" and have the Chancellor of the Exchequer in it?

asked the Secretary of State for War to make a statement of his expenditure of £670,000 on carpets, stating, in particular, how much expenditure was incurred in Scotland and for what purposes.

This expenditure by Army Commands on carpets has been described in some detail in the Comptroller and Auditor-General's report on the Army Appropriation Account, 1951–52. Of the total, some £17,000 was spent in Scotland on the purchase of carpets, stair-carpets and underfelt for furnishing married quarters, messes, etc.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this seems a very large sum and shows no sign of economy being practised in the War Office? Can he give a really satisfactory reply to the comments of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on this matter?

The orders for these carpets were placed under the late Administration; I cannot take responsibility for that. But so far as the details are concerned, they will, of course, be gone through by the Accounts Committee subsequently and a full answer will no doubt be given.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the serious feature of these transactions is the fact that the great bulk of the carpets were of foreign origin? In future would he please assure us that such carpets are bought in Kidderminster and in the other carpet manufacturing centres of the United Kingdom, and that the British Army supports the principle of "Buy British"?

I am not aware that a large quantity of foreign carpets was purchased. I do not believe that to be true, but I will certainly look into it; and I realise that certain other types of carpets may be regarded as foreign in Kidderminster.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to reopen the closed South African and Australian markets to Cornish canned pilchards.

It was generally agreed at the Commonwealth Economic Conference that import restrictions imposed by a Commonwealth country for balance of payments reasons should be relaxed as its external financial position improved. In the present state of their balance of payments, neither South Africa nor Australia has found it possible to remove the restrictions on the importation of canned pilchards, but Australia has recently raised the quota.

Will the Minister bear in mind that South African imported canned pilchards are ruining the home pilchard canning industry? Will he therefore do all he can to allow as big imports as in the past to Australia and South Africa?

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what period an open general licence for the import of South African canned pilchards was sanctioned in 1952; and what are his plans for these imports in 1953.

Imports of canned pilchards from South Africa were not admitted under open general licence at any time during 1952 but licences were granted freely to individual importers. It is our intention to continue to admit freely these imports from South Africa.

Will the Minister bear in mind that these imports were on a huge scale, that the South African canned pilchard was of such poor quality that it was unable to retain the Malayan market, and that the pilchard canning industry at home and the fishing industry itself are seriously threatened by these huge imports? Will he reconsider his policy for 1953?

The answer is that neither this Government nor its predecessor used import licensing restrictions to protect domestic industries. We do so to protect the balance of payments. If this industry has a case it wants to put forward for an increase in tariffs, of course it will have sympathetic consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the progress of the talks between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Brazil on the question of Brazil's indebtedness to this country.

There have so far been no formal discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Brazil on this question. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 22nd January, we have had certain exchanges of views with the Brazilian Ambassador in London, and Her Majesty's Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro has also had informal talks with the Brazilian authorities. But I hope to make a statement on this subject very shortly.

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind that this is a matter of very great importance, which is causing considerable anxiety to British exporters to Brazil, many of whom have large sums of money tied up in commodities they have sent out there already? Will he do his best to expedite these discussions and his statement to the House?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is well aware of that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to require Members of this House, who, in any period, receive both sickness benefit and Parliamentary salary, to surrender the amount of the former to the Exchequer.

I would suggest that this matter should be left on the basis that a Member will decide, in the light of his individual circumstances, whether it is proper for him to draw his full Parliamentary salary in respect of any period when he is drawing sickness benefit from the Ministry of National Insurance.

Would my hon. Friend agree that this is not merely an academic question, as I have drawn his attention to a particular case? Will he also agree that persons paid through public funds are not generally permitted to draw both pay and sickness benefit and that it is quite wrong for Members of Parliament to be treated as an exception?

I do not think it is any part of my duty to comment on the general issue to which my hon. Friend refers.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider suggesting to hon. Members who enjoy substantial private incomes that it would be seemly for them to keep quiet on the subject of Parliamentary salaries?

I do not think that either is any part of my duties.

Is the Financial Secretary to the Treasury aware that the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor) is quite wrong in thinking that there is anything in the general law of the land which is hostile to a sick man getting his full salary from his employer and still getting the insurance benefits for which he has paid his weekly contributions? In view of that, will the Financial Secretary say what the saving to the Exchequer would be if this very mean proposal were adopted, and whether he has had from the 1922 Committee any proposals which are more constructive than this for slashing Government expenditure?

I have answered the Question on the Paper, and I do not think it would be helpful if I pursued the matter along the avenue which the hon. Gentleman opens to me.

In view of my dissatisfaction with the answer given, I propose to raise the matter on a future occasion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that British citizens have transferred sterling for the financial assistance of Walter Naumann and other German Nazis; and if he will refuse permission for any such transfer of sterling in the future.

No application has been made to the exchange control authorities to transfer funds for this purpose, nor would I approve applications for purposes which are inconsistent with the national interest.

But is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the German Chancellor, in a speech in Bonn, stated that Walter Naumann and the other associates were receiving financial aid from Sir Oswald Mosley; and can the hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to where this money is coming from?

I understand that Sir Oswald Mosley is a resident of Eire, and therefore not subject to our exchange control. So far as any United Kingdom subscriptions are concerned, I am grateful to the hon. Member for the opportunity to make the position clear, as I have done.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the Sir Oswald Mosley who has been mentioned is the gentleman who was a Member of the Labour Government in 1930?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of free gifts from the Dominions and Colonies to this country, both during and since the late war, respectively; and the amount of interest-free loans.

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

In view of the fact that these figures are bound to be absolutely magnificent, will my hon. Friend do his best to make them well known in the country; and will they include also the large amounts given for the Red Cross and in food parcels?

I agree with my hon. Friend as to the importance of making these figures widely known. I am sure that the Question which he has asked will help in that direction.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will circularise all local authorities who are housing authorities, with a view to obtaining information as to the number of authorities who have offered their houses for sale; the total number of houses so offered; and the number of applications they have received.

I hardly think it worth while to send a circular to 1,470 local authorities at this stage. Inquiries have been made informally of about 250 housing authorities of all types, and these show that nearly 60 per cent. have decided to offer houses for sale, 20 per cent. are unwilling, and the rest are still undecided. Few houses have been sold yet, but several hundreds of tenants have asked to be allowed to buy, and I understand that many more are considering purchase.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman realises that the information which he is likely to get will be of great interest to the people of this country, or whether he is afraid that if he circularises the authorities the answer will not be satisfactory?

I am not sure what the hon. Member wants. Does he want more houses sold, or fewer?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how soon he anticipates being able to make a statement of Government policy in relation to the amendment of the Rent Restrictions Acts.

As soon as maybe, having regard to the complicated and difficult questions involved.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will be awaited with the same calm confidence with which we await all statements of this Government's intentions?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how soon he anticipates being able to make a statement of Government policy regarding the lifting, modifying or re-imposing of the restrictions on the price and rent of houses constructed under building licences, bearing in mind that the present restrictions are due to expire on 19th December, 1953.

I hope to make a statement on this matter before the end of the session.