asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far since the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951, Her Majesty's Inspectors of Inland Revenue have been authorised to permit as an expense for taxation purposes, expenditure compulsorily incurred in the installation of trade effluent plants.

I am advised that such expenditure is of a capital nature, and not therefore allowable as an expense for taxation purposes. Capital expenditure on the construction of industrial buildings or on the provision of machinery or plant would, however, rank for the statutory allowances given in respect of such expenditure.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some firms will have to pay immense sums to install these plants, out of all proportion to the amount of capital in those companies for production purposes, and that this expenditure has to be capitalised over a period of 50 years and is in the nature of sunk capital? Is he aware that this is really a very serious matter for many firms and will he look into the problem again?

All that I can do is to carry out the law as it stands. I am aware of my hon. Friend's difficulties. Indeed, he wrote to me about them and I sent him the best reply that I could. I am sorry that in the present circumstances I cannot go further, but I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to improvements in respect of certain types of capital expenditure—buildings and so forth—in this year's Finance Bill.

Whilst welcoming the improvements to which my right hon. Friend has referred, in view of the fact that it is the wish of hon. Members on both sides of the House that our rivers should be cleared within a reasonable length of time, may I ask if he would undertake to consider this problem when he goes into matters for next year's Finance Bill?

These and many other matters will obviously be before me, and the pressure of my hon. Friend will do no harm.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that unless industrial undertakings can undertake expenditure on this kind of machinery or equipment the rivers boards will be unable to keep the fishery waters as clear and clean as they ought to be?

I am aware of the point which the right hon. Gentleman has brought to my attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he will take to modify the high discount rate for bank bills in view of the current decline in the volume of bills discounted.

These rates are settled in the market. They are of course influenced by monetary policy which, as I have stated, is under continuous review.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that even since I put this Question on the Order Paper a further statement has been issued by the clearing banks showing another serious decline in bank bills? In view of the fact that this is a very valuable source of foreign invisible earnings, does he not think that the time has come to take steps to prevent these losses of invisible earnings to this country?

I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention, but I cannot add to my answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to avoid the disruption of the retail trade in articles subject to Purchase Tax which will be experienced in the first quarter of 1954 if traders and consumers are left without guidance about the likelihood of changes in the rate of tax; what recent consultations he has had with representatives of traders; and what current instructions his officials have to seek a solution to this problem.

I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall watch the position very carefully. I cannot add to what my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury said on this subject on 22nd June during the Finance Bill debates.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are two very serious factors implicit in this Question? One is the loss which the trader suffers when Purchase Tax is reduced, as we hope it will be, and the other is the disruption of trade by the uncertainty in the minds of traders about what is going to happen to Purchase Tax and when it will happen. Will my right hon. Friend keep these factors in mind when framing his next Budget?

Yes; of course, they have been very much in my mind, and I only hope that the traders will try to be as calm as they possibly can in these difficult circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very difficult to expect the trading community to be calm when they have this great worry hanging over them all the time? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman throw even a glimmer of light to help to relieve the trading community of their anxiety?

I cannot alter the financial procedure under which we have our Budget annually. There are, of course, powers to alter Purchase Tax at all times of the year, but I cannot alter those powers either.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now state the policy of the Government arising out of the Grant Committee on valuation of goods for the purpose of Purchase Tax.

I am still receiving representations from the trade associations, and I have nothing further to add to my statement on this matter at the Report stage of the Finance Bill.

As the Chancellor has now had this Report for about four months, and as it was thoroughly considered by this Committee for a whole year, with all these representations before it, why is it that the Chancellor cannot make up his mind even now?

The first reason is that there was a majority and a minority Report, both of which have to be examined. The second reason is, as I stated in the Finance Bill debate, that we have not received anything like a unanimity of opinion from the trade associations consulted as to their choice between the majority and minority Reports or as to alternative suggestions. When I can get a clear picture I shall make a clear decision.

How is it that the Chancellor was able to make up his mind in quite the contrary sense to all the trade representations which he had received on the Hutton Report?

The Hutton Report was a unanimous Report and we were able to accept it.

Could the Chancellor at any rate give some approximate idea of how long it will take him to reach a conclusion on this matter?

I could not give an exact date, but I am aware of the importance attached to the question by hon. Members, some of whom are personally interested in it. I shall come to a decision as soon as I reasonably can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are permissible under his regulations for the payment in the United States of America of moneys collected in this country for charitable purposes.

Charities incorporated in the United Kingdom are allowed to remit funds to the United States of America, as to other countries, according to their reasonable needs and commitments. Individual subscriptions to charities incorporated abroad are not normally permitted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a fund which has recently been established in this country whereby moneys are collected ostensibly for the relief of the children of the recently executed Rosenbergs in America? Will the Chancellor make sure that facilities are provided for this money to be sent to America in order to prevent it being spent on Communist propaganda in this country?

I will certainly consider any representations which the hon. Member makes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the amount provisionally fixed as the Exchequer grant to the Northern Ireland Exchequer for 1952–53 under Section 63 of the National Insurance Act, 1946; the amount paid so far; and also the amount of old Land Annuities collected and retained by Northern Ireland Exchequer for the last financial year.

No Exchequer grants to the Northern Ireland Exchequer are made under Section 63 of the National Insurance Act. This Section enables financial adjustments to be made between the Insurance Funds of the two countries to keep them in parity. For the year 1952–53 payments on account are being made from the National Insurance Fund to the Northern Ireland Insurance Fund on the basis of the amount determined for the previous year, namely£2,200,000;£600,000 has so far been paid.

I have no information about the amount of the Land Purchase annuities collected under Section 26 (1) of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, which is a matter for the Government of Northern Ireland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I only received this morning the figures published in Northern Ireland, and that they substantiate my remarks last week when the Financial Secretary contradicted my statement that the sum of£9 million was the amount? I find that the figure that has been audited and found to be correct in Northern Ireland is£9,628,000. I am at a loss, with debit and credit accounts, to understand the accountancy system unless I am able to get accurate figures, and I wonder if the right hon. Gentleman can confirm that£9,628,000 is accurate.

The hon. Gentleman asked about subsidies and not about the fund payment. When it is related to the fund payment, the hon. Gentleman's figure is correct.

All inclusive?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government of Northern Ireland have received by way of grants and subsidies more than is paid by way of Imperial contribution? Is that not, in effect, an effort by this Government to make the partition of Ireland work? Otherwise we might have a united Ireland.

I think that raises a different question, but there is something in what the hon. Member says.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of British capital invested in Panamanian shipping companies; and what action he is taking to discourage British investors from using a foreign flag in order to avoid their obligations under the Merchant Shipping and other Acts.

I regret that the information is not available. I cannot trace any applications for approval to remit money for this purpose during recent years. If such an application were made it would be considered on its merits.

Is the Chancellor aware of the continued reports of British capital invested in ships that carry the Panama flag and that this is done in order that the shipowner may avoid his obligations under the Merchant Shipping Act, and that the men are employed at a substandard wage? Will he discourage this practice and inform bona fide shipowners that he will do all he possibly can to help them in their struggle against these kind of investors?

Yes, I will certainly consider any information which the hon. Member can send me which will help me to investigate the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a resident in Australia is allowed every year a travel allowance of£150 in non-sterling countries; and why a resident in this country is allowed little more than a quarter of this amount.

The circumstances—such as the distance and frequency of foreign travel—are very different in the two cases.

But as it is a fact that Australians can get£150 every year, whereas other people in the sterling area distant from Europe can only get£40 a year and accumulate it for three years, can we not be told whether the Chancellor has any idea how many Australians, in fact, get£150 every year

Fortunately, I do not have to answer for the Australian Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the increasing burden of public expenditure, details of which have been sent to him; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir, I shall continue to search for all practicable economies in public expenditure.

Will my right hon. Friend always bear in mind that this is the one country in the world which is not and cannot become self-supporting, and that every increase in our national expenditure must increase our overheads and will destroy our chances of competing successfully in world markets, which we must do or starve? If he will not listen to me, will he read his own Bulletin for Industry?

The hon. Member is now making a speech. If he wishes to ask a question, will he do so?

May I ask this question? Will my right hon. Friend read his own Bulletin for Industry for the month of June, which is headed "Production Recovers, but—" and act on it?

I can answer that question by saying that I am well aware of the contents of that document, as I had a good deal to do with it. In reply to the first part of the supplementary, any expenditure on production, of course, helps us.

Is the Chancellor doing anything to keep down expenditure on the National Debt interest which has risen so steeply in the last two years?

Had it not been for the monetary policy of the Government, we should not be in the good position that we are in now.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has read the fourth annual report of the International Monetary Fund, which recommends that maximum efforts should be made by all countries to facilitate access of goods and services to their markets; what steps he is taking to implement this policy; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. We continue to free imports and markets wherever this can be done without serious risks for our reserves and our balance of payments. There are, however, limits to the pace at which we can advance, and the report to which the hon. Member refers stresses the decisive importance of action by creditor countries to permit a freer flow of trade.

May I thank the Chancellor for that somewhat encouraging answer? May I also ask if he is aware that not only the economic salvation of this country but world peace depend on removing barriers to trade, because if trade is not allowed to cross frontiers, armies will?

Yes, Sir; I am fully aware of those considerations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to relieve Territorial officers from paying Income Tax on pay received on training or in camp, particulars of which have been sent him.

No, Sir. Training expenses allowance is free of Income tax, but I am afraid that it would not be fair to others performing paid public service to treat exceptionally the pay received by Territorial officers.

If these gentlemen loyally give their service, surely we ought to do all we can to encourage them?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases during the past year goods and chattels have been distrained by the Income Tax authorities; how much tax was recovered as a result; and how the figures compare with the previous year.

I regret that this information could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of expense and effort.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider the

We do a certain amount They have training pay and allowances for exceptional periods of training. They have an annual bounty and a training expense allowance. I am fully aware of the good service which they render.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the grants of the University Grants Committee, earmarked for developments in the social sciences, were made to Scottish universities; and if he will give details.

As the answer involves giving a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I do not think I agree. I think that without this power we might be in trouble. I also remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that in the great majority of distraint court cases we do not have to press to actual levy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the widespread demand for a change in the method of repayment of post-war credits; and whether he will appoint a Select Committee to consider the problem from a human as well as a financial aspect and to make recommendations for the relief of hardship and the removal of anomalies.

I am aware of the general concern over the problem of postwar credits. The question of paying in hardship cases has, however, been fully examined under successive Administrations, and I must therefore answer the last part of the Question in the negative.

Is the Chancellor's mind closed to the possibilities of changing the present method of paying out post-war credits? Will not he offer some help to those people who feel very upset and embarrassed at the present method of paying them?

My mind is not closed at all. I am fully sympathetic with the cases, but I do not want to hold out any false hopes, and therefore I prefer to say no more.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will institute an inquiry to examine the possibility of paying post-war credits in cases of special hardship.

I do not think that a special inquiry into this matter would help to overcome the very real difficulties of which I am aware.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that such an inquiry might help him? Different Treasury Ministers at various times have said that the main difficulty is administrative. Would it not be a good thing to have a fresh look at this matter to see whether those difficulties could be overcome?

I must sincerely say that we are aware of the difficulties and have the information. If there is any fault or blame it could be laid at my door for not having been able to do this, but I have not yet been able conscientiously to do it.

Is the Minister aware that many poorer people who are suffering hardships feel, and have felt for a long time, that it would have been better for him to have repaid those post-war credits to the poorer people than to have given Income Tax rebates to the rich in the last Budget?

The object of the Budget was to stimulate production and in that way to help all classes in the country and to save our national position. I am glad to say that the Budget is already having a beneficial effect in this direction.

Does not the Chancellor agree that if any private person treated his creditors as badly as the State treats its creditors, he would probably land in jail?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of places not taken up during the session 1952–53 for students of engineering and technology in the universities and colleges on the University Grants Committee's list.

No figures are available centrally, but I have no reason to think that facilities for engineering or technology in universities and colleges have anywhere been inadequately utilised.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figure of about 250 places was given authoritatively a short time ago? Does not he agree that this is a serious matter for the country at the present time? Will he give some attention not merely to the question of extending facilities for technological education, but to encouraging students to come forward to take these places?

I agree with the hon. Member that the last point he raised is very important indeed, but I reflect that in October last year there were 8,643 such full-time students, compared with 8,580 in the previous year. Before the war there were 5,288, so the figures are improving.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present policy of the Government towards the payment of increased dividends.

Voluntary restraint rather than statutory regulation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that the iron and steel companies at present owned by the Government, through the Iron and Steel Realisation Agency, will set an example voluntarily in that respect?

I sincerely hope that they will.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the increasing cost of our imports, as shown in the monthly returns, can be met without involving us in an adverse balance of payments at the end of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the declining export figures and the rise in bank deposits, he is satisfied with his provisions against inflation; and what further steps he is taking to strengthen our balance of payments position.

It has been the constant objective of Her Majesty's Government to ensure that our balance of payments position is soundly based. In order to ensure that there will be an adequate surplus on current external account over and above the balance which we expect for some time ahead, it is essential that we should expand our exports. The rising curve of production must continue to contribute to this end. I am, of course, constantly alive to the danger of any return of inflation.

Does not my right hon. Friend also realise the possible danger of relying upon increased exports which do not materialise? Ought not consideration to be given to other measures?

I am aware that there may be difficulty in selling our exports abroad, but I am also aware that there are signs of improvement within the internal economy. The hon. Member should realise that the importance of this question is ever present to my mind.

Does the Chancellor really think that an exhortation to increase exports is enough? Does not he think that some positive steps must be taken by the Government, both to increase exports and to curb home consumption of certain types of goods?

I am glad to say that we are continually active in the task of trying to promote exports, but it cannot be done by the Government alone. In so far as the Government can help, various plans are on foot for increased credits, for improving the search for markets, and in other ways. I am aware of the importance which the hon. Member attaches to this matter.

If the present tendency for imports to increase faster than exports continues, what further steps do the Government propose to take?

I am aware that owing to the increase in production which the right hon. Gentleman and others so much wanted there has been a tendency for imports to increase. It is that particular aspect which we watch at the same time as we watch the others.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his regulations still provide that organisations receiving Treasury grants must pay Her Majesty's Stationery Office 12½ per cent. on all printing, even when this is placed direct with outside firms.

The Stationery Office are required to recover from grant-aided bodies the full cost of services provided: the addition of 12½ per cent. to prime cost is calculated to recover Departmental expenses. No payment is due to the Stationery Office for printing executed under arrangements not made by that Department.

Will my right hon. Friend see that this information is imparted to grant-aided bodies, since several directives issued in the past have given the impression that orders placed with outside firms are still subject to 12½ per cent. service fees?

I am doing my best to follow this up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make inquiries into the expenditure incurred by local authorities in floating new loans

I see no reason to interfere with the freedom of local authorities to make their own arrangements for raising loans.

Is the Chancellor aware that some local authorities want to borrow money for shorter periods than 20 years? Is he aware that these authorities have been compelled to go to the privately organised moneylenders, who make considerable charges?

There is a variety of facilities for local authorities. I am glad to say that we have now added this further one, of letting them return to their old practice of going into the market. I should not like to interfere with the discretion of local authorities to choose which method they think best.

Has my right hon. Friend observed the signal success of his policy in encouraging local authorities to go to the money market, as has been evidenced by the great success of loans floated by the cities of Birmingham and Liverpool?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that National Savings Certificates, along with all fixed interest-bearing stocks have lost two-thirds of their value since 1939 through depreciation, he will make a statement on the probable future value of the£sterling, and indicate at what level he hopes to stabilise this in the near future, and so prevent the penalising of thrift and encourage the voluntary workers in the National Savings movement.

I would hesitate to predict the future, but I can assure the hon. Member that the stability of the£sterling is one of the main objects of the Government's economic policy. By practising thrift everyone can help to achieve this object.

In view of the magnificent work that has been done for many years by the voluntary workers in the National Savings movement, would the Chancellor take every opportunity he can to assist them in their work by showing them that the stability of the£will be watched very carefully?

Yes, certainly, Sir, and we have had a considerable success in this field already.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Excise was raised by the sale of 6,300,000 gallons of whisky in 1952.

About 3·8 million proof gallons of whisky were consumed in the United Kingdom in 1952, and the resulting Excise revenue was a little more than£40 million.

May I ask the Chancellor this Question: As 6,300,000 gallons was precisely the amount exported to America, would not it have been better if rather less had been exported to America and rather more consumed here, and a higher price charged to America, thereby benefiting the dollar balance and the Exchequer at this end?

From the Excise point of view the shortage of whisky in this respect has been largely, if not entirely, made good by the increased consumption of other spirits, mainly gin, so that the Excise have nothing to complain of. In regard to the American trade, I am glad to say that we have made a large number of dollars, and the more we make the better.

Has the Chancellor really taken the trouble to examine the whole question of the export of whisky to the United States? Is he really satisfied that distillers in this country charge enough for their exports and are not maintaining an unnecessarily low price in order to assist the distributors in America?

Yes. I have been following with fascination the Questions which the right hon. Gentleman has put, mainly to my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, by whom I have been fully briefed on the subject. I shall accept any further information which the right hon. Gentleman can give me so that I can watch this question of dollar trade.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Scotch Whisky Association is a body of extremely able men, who have the advantage over the right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) of knowing all the conditions appertaining to their business?

Before the Chancellor answers that question, is he aware that I am perfectly aware of the ability of the Scotch whisky distillers, but I want to know if he is satisfied that we are not being prejudiced by their distributing all their Scotch whisky through their competitors in the United States?

I am always willing to take the advice of my hon. Friend the Member for Banff (Mr. Duthie) on this matter, particularly as I have had the opportunity of meeting the distillers and learning their wisdom. However, I shall add to that anything which the right hon. Gentleman can supply.

Will the Chancellor bear in mind that in the late 18th Century, at Boston, we priced ourselves out of the market for tea in the United States?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to provide separate returns of income derived from Wales by direct and indirect taxation to provide a reasonable basis for comparison with England and Scotland.

I have carefully considered this matter again, but I regret that the preparation of such returns would involve an inordinate amount of labour and in the result would not provide a fair basis for comparison.

Will the Chancellor bear in mind that while the Welsh economy is closely linked up with that of England, so are the economies of Scotland and Ulster? Will he carefully note the views expressed by moderate opinion in Wales, by members of all parties, including spokesmen like the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore?

I have not actually studied the noble Lord's view, but I am aware of the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary on this matter, in which he drew attention to the very great difficulty of collecting the figures and statistics to provide us with the necessary picture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish as a White Paper the full text of the statement he made on Wednesday, 22nd July, to the Ministry of Labour National Joint Advisory Council on the danger of pay increases without higher output and the consequent danger to our exporting industries.

With the approval of the National Joint Advisory Council the Ministry of Labour is printing the text of the address, which will be available to the Council's constituent bodies for distribution to their members as they think fit. I trust this will satisfy my hon. Friend.

Is the Chancellor aware that his statement was an extraordinarily good one? Will he see that the cost of printing does not prevent copies from being sent to every trade unionist and every employer in the country?

I am glad that I am still capable of occasionally making a good statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give an indication, from the figures of movements of labour or from other sources, of the success of his policy of tilting the balance of the economy towards investment.

The latest employment figures extend only to May. There has been a pronounced increase in building licences for manufacturing industry.

But the Chancellor will surely agree that the latest labour figures which we have indicate a most disturbing movement away from the metal and engineering trades and towards the consumer and distributive trades, which is out of line with the policy which he announced in his Budget? Does he propose to take any further steps to deal with that situation?

The real difficulty in analysing this result of the Budget is that we have not the figures for a long enough period to see the effect. No doubt the hon. Member will follow this up. We are just as anxious to see labour properly distributed as he is.

In view of the fact that the necessary investment should be productive investment, will the Chancellor say when he proposes to tackle the question of finance for the Government housing programme and whether he intends any change in the interest rate?

If we had not supported the housing programme, we should not have achieved a success which hon. Members and right hon. Members opposite were unable to achieve.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the maximum sums in dollars which he is prepared to make available to tobacco importers in this country for the purchase of United States and Canadian tobacco, respectively, in the current year.

The disclosure of such information inevitably affects the market. It would be imprudent to publicise our intentions before the auctions are completed.

I am sorry that I did not hear the whole of that answer because of the noise going on. May I ask the Chancellor whether the encouraging growth, proportionately, in the amount available for Canadian purchases will go on? Secondly, is he satisfied that all available tobacco in the sterling area is being imported by British tobacco importers so as to save dollars?

We are certainly doing our best to buy tobacco where we can at the best possible price.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the longest and widest terms that have been allowed on the sale of heavy capital goods overseas as a result of the recent directive to the Exchange Control.

In the national interest I regret that I cannot give this information.

Is my right hon. Friend able to go as far as to say that the terms now being offered to British exporters are at least as good as any being offered by other competitor countries?

I should not like to give an answer straight off on that subject, but I will investigate it so as to give an accurate reply to my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary of the Treasury whether a decision has yet been reached on the suggestion to print in Post Office Savings bank books a note about liability to Income Tax.

Yes, Sir. Her Majesty's Government have decided to accept the suggestion made by my hon. Friend and other hon. Members, and new Post Office Savings Bank books will in future contain a reminder that depositors who make a return of income for Income Tax purposes should include therein any interest on the deposits.

While I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he will consult his noble Friend the Postmaster-General with a view to giving more publicity by means of posters in the Post Office to the desirability for some people of buying savings certificates which are, of course, not liable to tax? In many cases it seems that the public do not know the advantages of these savings certificates.

I always pay attention to my hon. Friend's suggestions, but, of course, the publicity in respect of national savings is in general undertaken, in my view most efficiently, by the National Savings Committees.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what representations he has received about the discrimination of taxation and about town and country omnibus services; and what reply he proposes to give to the representations he has received.

On the general question of discriminatory taxation my experience has been that those who would benefit from it are in favour of it, and those who would not benefit from it are against it. So far as town and country omnibus services are concerned, if what the hon. Member has in mind is duties on fuel, the interests concerned make frequent representations that these should be reduced.

Perhaps the hon. Member will now answer the Question on the Order Paper: what representations has he received from organisations connected with the omnibus industry telling him in plain unvarnished language that he misled the House on 24th June?

When the hon. Member re-reads his own Question, he will appreciate that it is perhaps not susceptible of a very easy answer. As for his supplementary question, this matter was debated, as he knows perfectly well, during the discussions on the Committee and Report stage of the Finance Bill. The attention of those organisations who have made representations has been drawn to the fact that the House decided against those views, and the reasons for which the House did so have also been drawn to their attention.

Would the hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell the House this: did he receive any representations? That is all we want to know.

If the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to study my original answer he will know.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that it is important that firms who seek to extract clay from good agricultural land should restore back as far as possible the land to its original state; and how far his regulations cover the position.

Restoration is important wherever minerals are extracted from fertile land; though what is possible varies from case to case. Local planning authorities can and do require restoration in suitable cases.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that great play has been made in this House about the unsightly pits we have all up and down the country, and that even at this moment there are opencast sites where coal has been extracted 60 feet down in the earth? Does he not think that some of the sites that we see travelling between the north and London where clay has been extracted are very unsightly, and that some pressure ought to be brought to bear to have the land put back into productive use?

I have only stated the general principle. Restoration is much easier where the working is shallow than where it is below the water table level. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, perhaps he would send it in, and we could have a look at it, but I should utter this warning, that if a large mass of materials has to be carried 50 or 100 miles the cost is quite astronomical.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that if in many cases the top soil were replaced it would allow trees to be grown if not food?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the additional alkali inspector for the Trafford Park area will be appointed and take up his duties.

An inspector has now taken up duty in this area.

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that this is an additional appointment, and not just the replacement of the existing inspector at Liverpool, and can he say whether the additional inspector will be based upon Manchester and not upon Liverpool?

I cannot answer the second part of the supplementary question without notice. It was not easy to get a replacement because this is highly specialised work. One particular applicant refused the appointment.

Will my hon. Friend look into the matter further to see if the additional inspector can be based upon Manchester, because that is important to the area that he should be?

He is certainly taking charge of that area. Where his office is in particular is another question. I will look into it and let my hon. Friend know.

Will the responsible official pay special attention to this area, because there are a number of new industries in Trafford Park causing serious concern to the residents in the Eccles, Urmston and Flixton area?

Of course, that is the area for which he will be responsible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will consider the special circumstances that arise from mining subsidence in the city of Stoke-on-Trent and treat all applications made by the city as questions of urgency when they arise from mining subsidence;

(2) what recent action he has taken with county boroughs who suffer from the effects of mining subsidence:

(3) if he intends to arrange financial assistance to aid local authorities who are seriously affected by mining subsidence.

I cannot add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power on 13th July.

Would the Minister agree that that is a very disappointing reply in view of the fact that he must be familiar with the terrible circumstances in these areas? Is he aware that the whole sewerage and drainage is collapsing and that unless urgent attention is given to it a very serious situation may arise? In view of that, will he see early attention is given to it?

This mining subsidence affects all sorts of properties as well as new houses. New houses are covered by a special subsidy which can be given for foundation purposes. In 1950 the previous Government passed the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act which dealt with new houses, small houses, only, and presumably they were not able to go into the larger question. This Government do not think they can alter that view.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we then promised the implementation of the Turner Report and that if it were implemented grave injustice could be avoided to certain areas where there is mining subsidence at very low cost to the Treasury?

Economic circumstances now are just as difficult as they were in 1950 while the loss due to subsidence has taken place over a number of years. The right bon. Gentleman will agree that the previous Government could not undertake the commitment in 1950, and I do not think he can expect this Government to undertake it now.

This matter is to be debated on the Adjournment on Friday.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to set up a Local Government Boundary Commission to review and report upon local government boundaries, functions, status and financial resources.

I cannot add to the replies given on 28th April and 19th May last.

That reply appears to give no hope whatever that the Minister will do anything at all to look into this problem of the re-organisation of local government administration. Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any possibility at any foreseeable date of his right hon. Friend's taking any initiative or action in this matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware that this is an urgent problem, but the Question on the Order Paper is, if he will take steps to set up a local government boundary commission. The hon. Gentleman in 1949 voted for the abolition of the Local Government Boundary Commission, and it is gratifying to notice his change of heart.

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that the first step to be taken here is a Government decision as to the functions of local government, before we can hope to make very much progress with the boundaries?

That is a very complicated problem, and I should not like to answer yes or no to that.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to remedy the bad condition of the River Gipping, between Stowmarket and Needham Market.

Action in this matter is primarily for the local authorities concerned, but my right hon. Friend is giving them all the encouragement he can. My right hon. Friend has just approved a sewage treatment scheme for Needham Market, and he will sympathetically consider the further improvement scheme envisaged for the Stowmarket sewage works when it reaches him. He understands that this is likely to be fairly soon.

Is my hon. Friend aware that five years ago an official of his Department visited this site and said something should be done immediately, and that nothing has happened, and that many of my constituents nearby suffer in their health, and that agricultural production is down because stock cannot get proper water?

Five years ago I was not in this Department, but I must say that this problem is largely a technical one because Stowmarket Urban District Council spent a lot of money constructing a new sewerage works and took into them factory wastes, and it was necessary for them to have a certain amount of experience in dealing with this.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he expects the necessary work to be completed?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what control is exercised by Her Majesty's Government in the spending of money contributed by the State to the North Devon and West Somerset Flood Relief Fund.

The North Devon and West Somerset Flood Relief Fund is administered by the trustees of the fund as a charitable trust, and there is no Government control.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Devon and Somerset stag hounds have made a claim of£2,290 on this Fund for damage to fences, hunting tracks and so on, which I understand has been paid; and in view of the fact that the Fund was contributed to widely by people all over the country to relieve personal distress and not to subsidise private hunting societies, will he look into this matter to see that at least the State's contribution is being properly distributed to the people whom the State intended should receive it?

I will look at that particular point of which I have not had notice. All I can say is that the High Court has decided that the purpose for which this Fund was created constituted a valid charitable trust, so that the powers and duties of the trustees are really defined by law; but I will go into the point which the hon. Member makes.

Will my hon. Friend make it clear to those who are under any illusion that the fund is for the relief of distress and for compensating all who suffered material damage and that, with very few exceptions, the people of North Devon would be against any exception being made?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that there is still a shortage of bricks in the city of Birmingham and that as a result housebuilding is being cut down by 10 houses per week; and what steps he is taking to speed up the delivery of bricks.

No complaint has been received from the Corporation, but one contractor has approached the Principal Regional Officer for assistance. As a result of action taken by the Ministry of Works there has been an improvement in brick deliveries for this contract.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that general foremen, builders' agents and builders' merchants have been interviewed, and that investigations have proved that there is a serious shortage of bricks, and anything from six months' to 12 months' delay in the delivery of bricks and cement? Municipal and private housing estates are suffering in the city of Birmingham. Has the right hon. Gentleman not been misinformed by his Birmingham office?

I think that the hon. Gentleman, when he goes into it, will find that there is a lengthening delivery date for houses which have not been started and fairly prompt delivery of bricks and cement for houses already under construction. That is one of the ways in which my right hon. Friend has steadied the housing programme, by not having an undue proportion of houses started, and why the rate of building is well over 300,000 houses a year, 50 per cent. over what was thought possible two years ago. If we started too many houses in proportion there would be a setback.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why large quantities of materials are being sent on to large atomic bomb sites instead of being used for schools, hospitals and houses which are badly needed? Why not allow the local authorities to buy bricks to carry out their housing programmes? We are 10 a week short already in Birmingham.

Local authorities can, and often do, buy bricks in bulk. The housing programme takes two-thirds of the available number.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the real cause of this reduction is that there is no longer a Conservative majority on the City Council of Birmingham?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now approve the contracts for 254 houses for the Leicester City Council, 236 of which were applied for in April; and if he is aware that these contracts expire unless confirmed by approval of the contracts by 31st July.

The amount of work still in hand on Corporation contracts already approved does not justify the addition of further commitments at present.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that to ensure continuity it is necessary to approve these contracts now, because brick orders have to be placed at least six months ahead? If that is done at this moment continuity will be ensured.

I cannot agree with that because the completions of traditional houses in Leicester numbered 494 in 1952, built of brick, and 192 in the first half of 1953. They have now 961 houses under construction, which is twice as many as they completed in 1952, and 127 approved but not started. I think it would be the best thing if Leicester were to complete some of these and then come back again.

Why were only 334 brick houses permitted since January in Leicester, irrespective of the brick shortage, which did not arise at anything like that time? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there are 10,800 on the waiting list for these brick houses, which could be built if he were to let us get on with it?

People on the waiting list are interested only in completed houses and not in houses under construction. As Leicester has 961 houses under construction, twice as many as they completed in 1952. I think they should complete some of those first.