asked the Minister of Pensions if the Government have now considered the representations made by the British Legion in their deputation of 27th January; and if he can now inform the House of the result.

Yes, Sir. The standard rates of war disablement and widows' pensions were increased last year and I am afraid that I cannot hold out much hope that a further general increase will be found possible at the present time. The Government are keeping the various aspects under continuous review, against the background of our general economic position.

While thanking my hon. Friend for his advocacy, albeit unsuccessful, may I ask him if he will get authority from the Cabinet to enter into unprejudiced discussions with the British Legion in the hope that we may between us settle this long standing grievance which is so widely felt?

I should like to assure my hon. Friend that I require no authority to discuss these matters with the British Legion. I have done so on several occasions, and I am going to see a deputation from the British Legion in a week or two, when I shall be perfectly prepared to discuss this problem in all its aspects.

But will the Minister recollect that when he receives a deputation he generally listens very patiently but says very little? Will he not enter into discussions as between man and man, one old soldier and another?

When one sees some delegations it is very difficult to get a word in endways. I think my hon. Friend will agree with me that, generally speaking, the attitude he has mentioned is a model attitude on the part of someone receiving a deputation. I have never refused to hear the case that has been put forward, and I shall be very glad to consider any further representations that are made, any new points, anything like that, and I have promised that those representations will be considered by the Government, and I renew that promise whenever any further representations are made.

Is the Minister aware of the fact that if he could persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer to replace the Income Tax reduction that he made in the Budget, and to give all these pensioners an increased pension out of that money, we on this side would be very happy?

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Northern Ireland Area Council of the British Legion are bitterly disappointed that the Budget made no proposals for an increase of war pensions as they consider that their claims are just and long over due? I hope the matter will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he ought to convey to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the extreme disappointment felt in this matter, and that he ought to convey to him our sentiment towards the fact that while it was found possible to give to those who have taken plenty he found it impossible to give to those who have given practically their all?

I do not think anybody can be more disappointed than the Government are that it is not possible in present circumstances, in the Government's opinion, to give a further increase of pensions this year, but my right hon. Friend will, no doubt, read what hon. Gentlemen have said.

If the Government's failure to respond to what is the overwhelming and almost unanimous opinion of hon. Members is due to a lack of finance, is it not possible for them to reconsider the Budget position?

I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that last year, at a moment of particular financial difficulty, and at the height of the financial and economic crisis, the Government did find it possible to make a bigger single increase in war pensions than, I think, had ever been made all at once before.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the review of parents' need pensions has been completed; and whether he will now make a statement.

The review is virtually completed. Of about 52,000 pensions in payment, increases have been made in 16,650 cases. The amounts of the increases average about £13 15s. per year in the case of parents of officers and about 3s. 7d. per week in that of other ranks. About 700 pensions had to be reduced and about a similar number withdrawn owing to improvements in income which came to light during the course of the review. As the average age of parents of the 1914 War is 82, special arrangements were made for the review and every parent was visited by a welfare officer, who in many cases was able to help in other directions.

Can my right hon. Friend say when was the last review of these parents' needs?

From memory, I think it was shortly after the last war.

asked the Minister of Pensions what would be the estimated additional annual cost to his Department of increasing the basic rate of war pensions paid to disabled war pensioners to 75s. per week, 80s. per week, and 85s. per week, respectivey; and the estimated additional annual cost of increasing such pensions to the sum of 90s. per week as advocated by the British Legion.

The figures are £13,840,000, £17,300,000, £20,760,000 and £24,220,000 respectively.

Would the Minister agree that, when compared with the vast figures involved in a modern Budget, some of these figures are not unduly high? Would he see whether something can be done to assist this body of the community to whom all owe so much?

I am sure my hon. Friend will realise that there are a number of other kinds of pensions for which the Government are responsible and that the Government are inevitably faced with an enormous number of calls on our resources at the present time.

Can the Minister persuade his hon. Friends to put down a Motion censuring the Government for their policy in this connection and voting against the Government in order to show their convictions?

I certainly would not presume to give my hon. Friends any advice on what their conduct should be,

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider making a grant to extend to at least 25 per cent. the 14 per cent. reduction offered by the Railway Executive in the standard return fares for relations attending the unveiling of the Runnymede Memorial.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware of the great disatisfaction in the country about this? Is this the best which either his Department or the Chancellor can do to alleviate the distress where parents and widows are unable to make the train journey to pay their last respects at the unveiling to the memory of their lost children?

The Imperial War Graves Commission approached the Railway Executive and a reduction of 14 per cent. was given. In addition, there are facilities for cheap fares and day returns. Under the circumstances, after considerable thought, the War Graves Commission did not feel they were justified in asking for an increase over the 14 per cent. rebate which was given.

May I not appeal to the Minister to make further approaches in this respect and to see if something more cannot be done?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that these matters arise very frequently. If a rebate as high as suggested were to be given in such a large number of cases, it would be asking a great deal of the Railway Executive.

Does not the Minister think it completely wrong to rest the basis of his case on an appeal to the Railway Executive to do something instead of standing on his own feet and, through his own Department, giving the necessary relief?

I am prepared to try to stand on my own feet in these matters, but it is the Railway Executive who have to give the reduction unless some direct subsidy is given, which is not contemplated at the moment. I would point out that for this ceremony in most cases the day return fare gives a reduction well in excess of 14 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many United Kingdom soldiers now serving in Kenya have their wives and families also in that Colony.

The number is 468.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many of these wives and families have been brought to Kenya since the start of the Mau Mau activities? What opportunity has been given to them of repatriation to this country?

When the Lancashire Fusiliers moved from the Canal Zone to Kenya their wives went with them. I am not aware of any large number who have asked to come back to this country. I am sure that the wives and families are carefully looked after in Kenya.

asked the Secretary of State for War what categories of men are exempt from Territorial Army training following their whole-time service under the National Service Act for occupational reasons.

None are legally exempted, but it is impracticable to train men serving in the Merchant Navy or as lighthouse keepers, and those preparing to enter the Church are not called for training.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many underground mineworkers, who were called up whilst otherwise employed, are at present under a statutory obligation to do training in the Territorial Army; and if, in view of the general exemption of mineworkers from National Service and the unavailability of these men to the Army in wartime, he will bring forward amending legislation to exempt them from Territorial Army service.

It is not possible to give the figure asked for in the first part of the Question without a special and laborious inquiry, but it is probably not large. Although these men could be excused Territorial Army training without amending legislation, we cannot assume that men who have become trained soldiers will not be available to the Army in the event of war.

In view of the general exemption of underground mineworkers from call-up because of the crucial importance and arduous character of their work, and because they would not be available to the Army in any circumstances, does not the Minister agree that those circumstances also apply to this category of men? Is it not clear that they would not be available to the Army in any circumstances as long as they are underground mineworkers, and is it not therefore unnecessarily irksome and wasteful to call them up for training with the T.A.?

These men were not engaged in this type of work at the time of call-up. They went into it afterwards. A great deal of thought has been given to this question of exemption from part-time training. If we start a differentiation between various types of job we can get into very great difficulties. I am satisfied that, by and large, the present policy is a wise one.

Can the Minister say what would happen to an underground worker who said, "I am going to have the same exemption as everybody else and I am not going to do my annual training"? Would his Department prosecute in that case and, if they did and the man went to prison, who would get the coal which we so badly need?

I think the hon. Gentleman is under some misapprehension. These are men who have done two years' full-time service when they were not in the mines and who entered the mines subsequently. They are in a different category from those who are exempt. As far as exemption from part-time service is concerned, it may well be that these men may subsequently leave that form of employment. This regulation has been adhered to under some difficulty for some time, and, quite frankly, I believe this is the right policy to pursue.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many colonels of regiments receive personal services from one or more soldiers in the regiment concerned; and whether he will take steps to bring this practice to an end.

One, Sir. Steps have been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will allot free Coronation seats to all wounded British prisoners returned from Korea, provided that they are fit enough to travel.

I am arranging for a number of free seats to be allotted to men who are now in military hospitals in this country as a result of wounds received on active service: this allocation will include prisoners of war returned from Korea.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate what great pleasure it will give to these ex-prisoners to know that they will each get a free Coronation seat?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many seats will be available to the public for the ceremony of Trooping the Colour; whether he will give an estimate of the unsatisfied demand for these tickets; and what plans are being considered to increase the accommodation erected for this annual occasion.

About 1,000 places are available to the general public. Applications are at present about double this number, but it is often possible to give tickets for the Final Rehearsal to many of those whose applications cannot be met. An additional stand, added last year, will again be put up this year. To put up more stands is impracticable if the ceremony is to be held on the Horse Guards Parade. To hold it elsewhere would destroy the whole character and setting of the ceremony.

May I ask my right hon. Friend not to be content with this present state of affairs in which so many are disappointed but to look at the matter again and to invite some of the many contractors who are putting up stands throughout London at the moment to put forward their suggestions, which might be followed in future years?

I think, in general, the principle of these stands is the same. If we put up bigger and higher stands they stretch further into the parade ground. This has been investigated very carefully. I do not think there is ever a chance of sufficient stands to accommodate all those who would like to see the ceremony.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the hardship involved, he will reconsider the case of Private Osell, 114, Dial Lane, West Bromwich, who has applied for release from National Service.

I have carefully reconsidered this case but I can find no grounds for reversing the decision given in my letter of 31st March to the right hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man's father died some two months ago, leaving a daughter of 16 and four boys—one aged 11, one 14 and twins of nine; and that one of the boys is seriously ill in hospital? If this is not a compassionate case, will he tell me what is?

As I understand it, this case falls under two heads—firstly and mainly financial, and secondly, the illness of one brother, which I think is not likely to be prolonged. As far as finance is concerned, there has been no application for a National Service grant nor does Private Osell make any allotment to his mother. As far as the illness is concerned, I am told that his brother is likely to recover and that it is not an incurable illness. We cannot grant compassionate leave from National Service because of widowhood per se.

I fully realise all the difficulties, but does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be of some help to this woman to have her son at home during a time of exceedingly great hardship?

I have looked into the case, but if the right hon. Gentleman would like to talk to me about any special points I am certainly prepared to consider them. From what I have heard about it, I could not grant this man release at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for War why only 17 men of the 43rd County of London Battalion of the Home Guard have been fitted with uniforms; and why second-hand shirts are being issued to all ranks.

Sixty-nine men of this unit were completely fitted out by 22nd April. New clothing issued for the two weeks period of Z Reservist training is cleaned or laundered, inspected and, if satisfactory, issued to units.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not a little ashamed of his rather shabby treatment of the Home Guard, and is not he aware that it is bad for recruiting and morale if men have to buy their own shirts and other articles of equipment? Is it really his intention to turn these public spirited volunteers into the position of the old clothes brigade?

No, that is the very reverse of my intention. The point is that these shirts and other equipment have been issued for two weeks Z Reserve training, and it would seem very wasteful that they should never be used again, if after laundering and repair they are perfectly serviceable. It was found that in this particular case there were some shirts which should not have been issued and they have been withdrawn and replaced by others.

May I ask if this is not a second-hand Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, to encourage the use of phosphatic fertilisers, he will remove the 10 per cent. import duty on basic slag.

The Board of Trade is always ready to consider applications for variations in rates of import duty. In this case an application has recently been submitted, but we have not yet received all the information we require in order to give the matter full consideration.

Will the Minister bear in mind that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is subsidising phosphatic fertilisers, and that it seems a pity that an import duty should be put on them at the same time? But if my hon. Friend is going into the matter in the near future, I am satisfied with his answer.

May I ask the Minister, in order to get a fair proportion, what is the total home production and what, in 1952, was the total amount of imports?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would put that question down. The point is that the N.F.U. only wrote to the Government last month. If there is a prima facie case we must, of course, consider the views of all the interested parties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered what measures are necessary to provide light industries within the Easington rural area.

I am not yet in a position to add to what my right hon. Friend said in reply to the right hon. Member on 10th of March.

That is astonishing. I have asked this Question on many occasions and I have got the same reply. Can the hon. Gentleman tell me and the House when he expects to be able to make, if not a favourable reply, at any rate a considered reply?

The Government are anxious to help the right hon. Gentleman and his constituents in this matter. I will not make the obvious remark about the six years after the war but I assure him that we are going into this matter and we must be careful not to encourage firms which would try to exploit his constituents by giving Government assistance before we have had an opportunity to think the matter over very carefully. We have various alternatives in mind.

I thank the Minister for that more favourable reply, but he can be assured that my constituents are quite willing to welcome assistance and can look after themselves. There is no fear of exploitation.

Will my hon. Friend say what was done for this deserving constituency in the six years after the war when the right hon. Gentleman was in the Cabinet and could have helped himself?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of our need for dollars, he will make a further statement on the rejection by the United States authorities of the tender by the English Electric Company for generators and transformers at the Chief Joseph Hydro-Electric Scheme, Washington, in spite of this tender being $932,000 below the nearest United States price quoted.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement on this matter on 20th April during the debate on the Budget proposals. Since then the United States Secretary of the Army has stated that it has now been decided to call for new bids on this contract. This decision was also referred to by President Eisenhower at his Press conference on Thursday last. I gather from these statements that the American authorities felt that they could not assess the comparative quality of the British and the American plant. I can only say that in my view every effort should be made in such a case to obtain the necessary information for this purpose from the firms concerned rather than to invite fresh bids and thus, in effect, give another chance to the firms whose prices were too high.

Will the hon. Gentleman say if it has been made plain to the American authorities that not only is this business bad in relation to the Chief Joseph contract, but that this is bound to have a most discouraging effect generally on British manufacturers who are anxious to compete in the American market in the spirit of trade and not aid?

The decision has now been taken by the United States Administration and I think that we should await developments. I should be very sorry to say anything that would exacerbate feelings in this matter.

The statement made by the Minister seems good so far as it goes, and the House was satisfied with the statement of the President of the Board of Trade last week, but can he say whether since then an assurance has been given to Her Majesty's Government that this policy of discrimination by the Americans will cease against British firms which are quoting?

My right hon. Friend made a pretty forthright statement on this subject and I should not like to add anything to what I have said.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has received to the representations made by Her Majesty's Government to the United States authorities on the rejection of the tender of the English Electric Company for equipment for the Chief Joseph Dam project.

The United States Government have informed us of their decision and they will no doubt be letting us have an explanation of the reasons for which they decided to issue new invitations to bid on this contract.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the United States technical, health and safety regulations are frequently used to prevent the passage of goods across the frontiers from one State to another? Does not Her Majesty's Government now think that the time has come for us to use further discriminatory measures in order to make sure that we can render the British economy independent as far as possible of dollars?

Of course it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that this country should be independent. I can only say that at the moment we have received notification of the decision but not of the reasons.

Does the hon. Gentleman's first answer mean that the United States have given no official reason for the rejection of the tender, and if they have given official reasons may we know what they are?

No, Sir. Up to now we have only had the decision officially. In answer to the last question, I was, of course, referring to Press statements and not to official statements.

Does that reply mean that Her Majesty's Government have received no assurance whatsoever from the United States on this matter?

We have simply been told that it has been decided to invite new tenders.

Has any assurance been sought from the United States Government, in the event of the E.E.C. winning the contract on the next round, that there will be no interference from the United States Government in the matter?

The answer is, No, Sir. We have not at present got so far. We have had the decision but we have not had the official reason for it. That is at present the extent of the reply we have had from the American Administration.

Will the Minister reconsider the matter and invite the United States Government to give the assurances to which I have referred?

I will certainly consider that.

In view of the attitude of the American Government to this particular contract, and bearing in mind their attitude in regard to Comet No. 3, is the hon. Gentleman prepared to tell the Americans that unless they make it possible for us to trade on a fair basis we shall have to contract out not only of the Battle Act and in other directions but we shall refuse to acknowledge the right of the Americans to interfere with British shipping trading in any country they please?

I do not think that supplementary question arises out of the original answer.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state the value of Britain's exports to China for the first quarter of this year; and how it compares with the comparable period for 1952.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the increase in United Kingdom exports to China this year as compared with the same period in 1952; to what causes he attributes this increase; and what steps are contemplated to increase it still further.

Exports to China in the first quarter of this year amounted to £2¼ million compared with £200,000 in the first quarter of 1952 when they were abnormally low even having regard to the greatly reduced level of our trade with China at the present time. The larger figure this year is the result of large purchases notably of textiles and fertilisers, which were made last summer by the Chinese. While I should be glad to see trade with China expand provided that it is confined to goods which will not assist the Communists in their war against the United Nations forces, it is clear that in present conditions any such expansion depends essentially upon the trade policy of the Chinese Government and that there are no immediate steps which can usefully be taken by Her Majesty's Government.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us whether this great development in trade was in any way connected with the visit of the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman)?

I anticipated that supplementary question. I have been unable to trace any evidence of that.

In the interests of the accuracy of the record, will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the orders to which he referred in his principal answer are precisely those which we had the honour and success to negotiate at the International Economic Conference in Moscow a year ago?

As I said, while I have taken considerable trouble over this, I cannot substantiate that statement. [Interruption.]

On a point of order. Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, for an hon. Member to call the Minister an ass?

I did not hear that expression.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number of persons, men and women, separately, are employed in North Eastern Trading Estate Company factories.

On 28th February, 1953, the latest date for which official statistics are available, 18,063 men and boys, 25,590 women and girls, making a total of 43,653 were employed in these factories.

Is not the hon. Gentleman disturbed that the factories are still employing fewer people than they did when the present Government took office, as, contrary to this, we expected the factories now to be employing about 15,000 more had they continued the rate of progress made under the previous Government?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the statistics he will see that there has been an increase in employment.

Will the hon. Gentleman compare his figure with the figure the Parliamentary Secretary gave about 30th September, 1951?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the discussions following the trade agreement with the Argentine.

Provision was made in the Supplementary Trade Protocol concluded with Argentina on 31st December last about import quotas for United Kingdom manufactured goods to the value of £3 million, the details to be settled later. Agreement has now been reached and the industries concerned will be informed as quickly as possible of the import quotas which have been secured. The licences are to be issued in two equal instalments, the first £1½ million by the 6th June and the balance by the 30th September.

How much of the £3 million will be spent on textiles?

The Argentine Government do not intend to buy any textiles from us or any other country after June. However, they have given an assurance that if they buy textiles from anybody we shall have a share.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of dollars made available during the last six months to British manufacturers of fully-fashioned hose for the purchase of new or secondhand United States machines; and what dollar limit he placed on the purchase of each machine.

The value of licences issued for imports of fully-fashioned hosiery machinery from the United States during the six months ended 24th April, 1953, was £42,000. Only imports for essential purposes have been licensed; no limit has, however, been placed on the value of individual machines.

Were not all or most of those dollars given to one firm as a preference? If so, why was that preference given?

I have no knowledge of that. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question on the Order Paper.

Would the hon. Gentleman say exactly what he means about licences being issued for essential purposes? Is it not essential that all women should have fully-fashioned stockings?

The answer to the hon. Lady is that the determining factor is whether machinery can or cannot be made in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to make a statement on the recent meeting of the Economic Commission for Europe.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what offers have been made by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the trade talks now going on in Geneva; and what has been the response of Her Majesty's Government to those offers.

The recent trade talks in Geneva under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Europe between experts from Western and Eastern European countries were purely exploratory. No specific offers were made to the United Kingdom by the Soviet Government, but there was an amicable and useful exchange of information between the United Kingdom and the delegations of the U.S.S.R. and other Eastern European countries on the possibilities of expanding trade. As Her Majesty's Government have already made clear, they would welcome an increase in trade in goods not subject to our stategic export controls and they will certainly be prepared to follow up any proposals made as a result of the Geneva discussions.

In view of the brighter prospects of peace and trade, why did no Member of Her Majesty's Government dealing with trade matters attend the meeting?

It was a meeting of experts and officials and not of Members of Governments.

It is unnecessary for me to add to that admission by the hon. Gentleman. Is it not a fact that on this occasion the Russians, rather than indulging in political propaganda, were prepared to talk trade and that, for that reason, we ought to have had a Minister there? May I have an assurance that he and the President of the Board of Trade will do all that is possible to increase trade between our two countries?

Yes, Sir. I can certainly give the right hon. Gentleman that assurance. The conversations took place in a most amicable and constructive atmosphere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of our engineering and shipbuilding exports in 1951; by how much did we benefit from the improved terms of trade for comparable exports in 1952; and if he can give an estimate of the degree to which our balance of payments would suffer by a return to the 1951 terms of trade on our present volume of exports of these products.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that during the first four months of this year there has been a certain worsening in the prices which we can obtain for engineering exports? If that continues, will it not have a most adverse effect on our balance of payments? What is the estimate of the Treasury and the Board of Trade for the rest of the year?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will look at the figures for which he has asked. They are fairly complicated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct the Export Credits Guarantee Department to assist United Kingdom merchants further by simplifying their present arrangements in relation to sales overseas of foreign goods.

Yes, Sir. In order to encourage earnings of foreign currencies it is intended that the Export Credits Guarantee Department shall, as from 1st May, dispense generally with detailed examination of such transactions when merchants, whose trade is 90 per cent. or more in United Kingdom goods, seek cover for their trade in foreign goods. There is, of course, no change in the Government's general policy of refusing cover for transactions which compete with the sale of United Kingdom goods

While thanking my hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him if the change will, in practice, apply to all classes of goods?

Yes, Sir. The object of the decision is to try to expedite the work of the E.C.G.D.

Did this change in policy originate with officials within the Department, and has it been supported by the Advisory Committee?

It has been carefully discussed with the Advisory Committee, other Government Departments and the Exports Credits Guarantee Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated cost of paying out post-war credits to men at 60 years of age and women at 55, and of paying to next of kin all postwar credits on the death of the holders, respectively.

Post-war credits are at present being repaid at a rate of just over £16 million per annum. If the age for repayment were reduced by five years the total repayment in the year of change would be about £100 million and the annual repayment thereafter would be £17½ million. If repayment were made immediately on the death of the holder the total repayment in the first year, including repayment in respect of deaths which have already occurred, would be about £86 million and the annual repayment thereafter would be about £21½ million.

Is there not a moral obligation on the Government to repay this forced loan to the old men as quickly as possible, particularly as unemployment among aged men is growing and their balance of payments problem is greater than the Chancellor's? Will he give the problem further consideration?

This is always a subject of anxiety to me and to the Government and, I suspect, it was to previous Governments, but I am afraid that in present circumstances I am unable to go any further.

Will the Chancellor consider applying to these credits the law against perpetuity? As matters stand, the credits can be passed on from one generation to another, and, in my opinion, that would offend against the law of perpetuity.

I am aware that if death occurs just before 65 there will be this perpetual—I will not say "motion"— delay in these matters, and I agree that there are very great difficulties.

Is it not clear that the vast majority of the people whose money was loaned in this way during the war years will never be repaid in their lifetime? If that is so, would it not be honest and decent of the Government to repudiate any liabilities more frankly?

I do not see that that would make things any better. Naturally, if there is a hope of dealing further with the matter, one would like to keep the hope alive. I repeat that this is not a matter which has concerned this Government only; it has concerned previous Governments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are in force at Poplar Wharf for Customs examinations; and whether he is aware that delays frequently occur, resulting in heavy demurrage charges to importers.

Poplar Railway Dock is approved for the lading and unlading of certain goods in bulk, and a Customs officer attends for any necessary Customs business as required. I am not aware of any complaint that the present Customs facilities are inadequate for the approved traffic. I have no evidence to suggest that delays such as are alleged are attributable to the Customs.

Would my right hon. Friend be kind enough to look into a specific case if I bring it to his notice?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that manufacturers are taking advantage of the reduction in Purchase Tax to increase the cost to wholesalers, so that the price to the consumer is the same as before tax reduction; and if he will take action to prevent this.

It may be that there are cases in which the benefit of Purchase Tax reductions is not passed on to the consumer at once. But the present competitive conditions of the market should serve to prevent this except for adequate reason.

Is the Chancellor aware that Gillette Industries Limited have raised the price on their blades to such a figure that it makes it impossible for the retailer to sell to the consumer at a lower figure than that prevailing before the Budget, and does he not think that such razor-like practice on the part of Gillette Industries Limited nullifies the whole purpose of granting tax reductions?

I cannot be responsible for individual practices. The object of the Budget was to see that these prices were reduced, and I very much hope that the state of the market will ensure this reduction in due course.

Have the Chancellor or the Government taken any steps, as the Government did after the Budget of 1951 by means of price control, to see that the reductions are handed on to the public?

Yes, Sir, I have studied the device used but from my study of market conditions I realise they are now very different, and I do not think that the device previously used could be effective.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the estimated reduction of £60 million of civil expenditure for the year 1953–54 is accounted for by the estimated reduction in food subsidies.

As I explained in my Budget speech, £60 million is the net reduction in Civil Estimates in 1953–54 compared with last year's Estimates adjusted for the effect of the Budget changes. These changes both on subsidies and on social benefits were in operation for only part of the year 1952– 53 and direct comparison of individual elements in them between the two years is misleading. The reduction this year in the annual rate of food subsidies aimed at last year is £30 million.

Does not the Chancellor think it is equally misleading to compare the proposed expenditure this year with the rate of expenditure at the end of last year, and would it not have been much more frank and in accordance with the Chancellor's customary frankness to say that the proposed expenditure this year will be of the order of £112 million less than the total expenditure last year?

If the hon. Member follows the explanation I gave in my Budget statement he will see it was absolutely frank and that it corresponds to the statement I have made now. He will further see that, in fact, the consumer benefited from the deferment of the application of the reduction in food subsidies until the latter part of last year. He will also see that I was not comparing the out-turn of 1952–53 with the Estimates of 1953–54. I sympathise with the hon. Member on the complexity, but there is no desire to avoid a frank statement of the position.

But there is no complexity about this at all. He said quite definitely that the figure was £220 million this year as compared with a rate of £250 million, whereas, in point of fact, expenditure last year was £112 million more than the Estimate for this year?

If the hon. Member would take into account the fact, first, that I have said I was not comparing the out-turning to 1952–53 with the Estimates of 1953–54, and, second, that the difference between £30 million and £110 million follows from the fact that the 1952 Budget will be operating for a whole year instead of part of a year, he will see the explanation of those figures. If he would like me to illustrate it by a chart outside I would be glad to do so.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why his Department, by Statutory Instrument No. 352, restored, as from 9th March, 1953, the exemption of the Birmingham Municipal Bank from certain disabilities imposed upon it by the National Assistance Act, 1948; if he can furnish an estimate of the illegal payments made by the National Assistance Board between 13th May, 1948, and 9th March, 1953, through the fact that the National Assistance Board ignored the provisions of the National Assistance Act; and if he will introduce an indemnity Bill to relieve the National Assistance Board from the consequence of its illegal acts.

By regulations made under the Determination of Needs Act, 1941, the Birmingham Municipal Bank was prescribed as a savings bank for the purposes of that Act and the Assistance Board was therefore enabled to disregard savings in that bank, within the Statutory maximum of £375, in dealing with applications for unemployment assistance and supplementary pensions. When it repealed the 1941 Act by the National Assistance Act, 1948, the then Government did not realise that these regulations consequently lapsed. The National Assistance Board continued to disregard such savings in connection with national assistance though the number and amount of the payments involved cannot be ascertained. It is not thought that there is any need to take steps to indemnify the National Assistance Board. The present regulations regularise the position from 9th March, 1953.

But the National Assistance Board did an illegal act through the neglect of the late Government to introduce the necessary Statutory Instrument, and does my hon. Friend not think that there is a risk of an action for making illegal payments?

It is quite impossible to estimate precisely what payments were made which in strictness ought not, in the absence of these Regulations, to have been made. In any event such payments must have been very small and are certainly within the general purpose of the National Assistance Act.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now initiate measures for the reform of local government.

My right hon. Friend has this matter under examination, but there is no early prospect of legislation.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the important recommendations which have been made by the local government associations and that there is a widespread concern at the operation of the local government system? As this is a matter which is supported on both sides of the House, is it not possible to take it up at a much earlier date?

The report that was given was not by the associations but to the associations, and the Association of Municipal Corporations, who took part in the recent discussions, subsequently withdrew. Until the associations referred to by my hon. Friend have endorsed the report and until we hear what the Association of Municipal Corporations say, it would be premature to introduce legislation.

Would the Minister agree that the time is opportune for a Royal Commission to examine the whole structure of local government and the need for reform?

It would be better if the associations could agree among themselves.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the decision of the Cardiff City Housing Authority to build a wall across the Coed Glas Road to separate council houses from those privately owned; and what representations he has made to the local authority on this subject.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Llewellyn) yesterday.

Is the Minister aware that the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Llewellyn) took the precaution of putting down a written Question for written reply, and that there is deep resentment in the city of Cardiff at this decision, which is based on snobbery and class distinction? Will the Minister take steps in connection with the decision of the authority in view of the fact that council house tenants throughout the city are indignant at the attitude which is being taken?

Without entering into the controversy of whether a Question is put down for written answer or not, I must point out to the hon. Gentleman that the local authority do not need the approval of my right hon. Friend, and that hon. Members in all parts of the House are constantly asking for local authorities to have more jurisdiction over their own affairs. Perhaps I might repeat part of the answer made by my right hon. Friend? He said, and this is his own opinion—

"I should very much regret if anybody were at this time to employ labour and materials on building such a wall or any other smiliar barrier."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th April, 1953; Vol. 514, c. 92.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the total amount of rates paid to all local authorities last year; what was the amount paid by agricultural and industrial hereditaments, separately, which enjoy derating; and what was the amount of rates that would have been paid without derating in both cases.

The total amount of rates for 1951–52 was £318 million. I regret that information is not available as to the distribution amongst the various classes of hereditaments. Valuations of agricultural hereditaments have not been made since 1929.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous increase in rates that has taken place in the country during the last 18 months since the Government came into office? Is he also aware that the exemption which is enjoyed by the larger industrialists and the farmers has to be paid, whether it runs into hundreds of millions of pounds or not, by the ordinary ratepayer throughout the country in every town and village?

I cannot give the figures asked for by the hon. Gentleman in his Question because no Government since 1929 has thought fit to ask for them to be compiled.

Does the Minister consider there is any excuse whatever for continuing the derating of industrial hereditaments?

That is scarcely the Question on the Order Paper.

But that is the Question I want answered.

Does my hon. Friend realise that the effect of re-rating agricultural land will inevitably be to put up the price of food?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to speed up slum clearance in our large towns.

My right hon. Friend has told local authorities that they ought now to be turning their attention to slum clearance. It is primarily for each authority to decide the pace of its own operations according to the needs of its area, but he is studying the whole question of unfitness and disrepair with a view to a comprehensive plan in which a renewed slum clearance drive would have a prominent place.

I am sure the House will be glad to hear what the Minister has said, but does he realise that even the mere carrying out of the law in connection with slum clearance involves work for nearly two years before we can begin to build anything, and are the Government considering speeding up that part of the slum clearance procedure?

My right hon. Friend is considering all those points, and if the hon. Gentleman has any specific point, I shall be grateful if he will write to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a letter to his Department dated 20th April from the town clerk of Newcastle-under-Lyme on the subject of land for housing development; and what action he is taking.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has called this case in for decision and is in consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. My right hon. Friend hopes to issue a decision in the very near future. He fully understands the urgency of this to the council.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of bricks in the Rugby district; and what steps he is taking to overcome this.

No complaints of shortage of bricks in the Rugby district have been received by my Department.

If the Minister would talk to any town councillor or even to any master builder, he would find that there is at least six months' delay at the moment in supplying bricks; cannot he do something about that now that I have told him?

If any town councillor or builder will bring his complaint to me, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Works what complaints he has received from Scotland of shortage of cement during the last month; and what steps he has taken.

I have received only one complaint, referring to a temporary shortage in South-West Scotland. The position has been remedied.

May we take it from that reply that this matter is no longer giving cause for anxiety?

Not at the moment. Scotland has done very well, having had 35 per cent. more cement this year than in the corresponding period last year.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that there is an acute shortage of building materials and cement in the Rotherham and district area?

Yorkshire is another question. I am aware that there is some difficulty there, and I have asked the cement makers to increase their deliveries.

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange for the repair or demolition of the Receiving House of the Royal Humane Society near the Serpentine, which in its present condition detracts from the amenities of Hyde Park.

A building licence has recently been granted to the Royal Humane Society for the reconstruction of their Receiving House.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the ground floor of the Memorial Hall, Wallsend, was used up to 1939 for the playing of badminton, general meetings and recreation; that this part of the building has been requisitioned by the Government from 1939 up till now; and, in view of the need for such buildings in Wallsend, if he will take early steps to derequisition this building so that it may be put to the best use.

The Swan Memorial Hall which was requisitioned in October, 1941, is at present held by my Department on behalf of the Ministry of Food who are using the premises for the storage of egg boxes. The building will be de-requisitioned as soon as other arrangements for storing these boxes can be made.

Although that may seem all right on the face of it, is the Minister aware that something ought to be done? The Department have had that building long enough and are restricting the activities of Wallsend people who have few amenities. They want the Minister to take particular notice of the fact that they require the building urgently.

My right hon. Friend and I are trying to find alternative premises.