asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to ensure that a compassionate posting or compassionate leave is granted to 22768090 Craftsman W. B. Cosslett, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, 3, Spring Gardens, Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan, now serving in the Middle East, who prior to his call-up for National Service was abroad for long periods during service in the Mercantile Marine, for reasons stated in correspondence from the hon. Member for Barry; and, in particular, because of the ill-health of the wife, mother and mother-in-law of Craftsman Cosslett, and the strain upon his wife, following the birth of a child.

No, Sir. I have had inquiries made and I am glad to say that the health of this soldier's wife, mother and mother-in-law is now satisfactory.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider this? Is he aware that in normal circumstances the man would not have been called up at all because he was a member of the Mercantile Marine and it was only anxiety about the health of so many relatives which detained him on shore? It was under those circumstances that he was called up. He has now been abroad continuously for very many years. Cannot a more humane attitude be adopted towards this case in view of all the circumstances?

The man was available for call-up and was called up and sent to the Army. The grounds on which he has asked for compassionate release are not really those which justify it, since the health of the relatives concerned is, I understand, satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the case of 22288898 M. Brennan, I/R Norfolks, B.A.P.O.I., Hong Kong

I have written to the hon. Lady about this case.

I thank the Minister for the letter I received this morning, but will he bear in mind that this man's service was excellent in his first period, and it was only when he found himself back during the second period of service that he intimated to his commanding officer about his previous period and why he had been discharged? If notice had been taken of that immediately, is it not a fact that he would not have got into these difficulties, and does not some responsibility fall upon those in the Services for this man's conduct within the last few months?

I can assure the hon. Lady that I looked into this case very carefully, and, before this man intimated about his previous service, he had got a very poor conduct sheet and was causing a great deal of trouble. The man is now going to leave the Army, and I think on the whole, although I regret it, that after what has happened that will be the best course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that 22781161 Drummer Boy N. S. H. Gallagher, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, age 17, now at Barnard Castle, Durham, in detention, is refused a mattress to sleep on; and whether he will institute a full inquiry at once and make a statement.

I am having a full inquiry made into this case.

Will the Minister tell us what steps he has taken to see that the Army Regulations are carried out and that permission is given to sleep on a mattress? Is it not very bad that this attitude has been adopted?

I shall not have any information as to what happened until the inquiry has taken place, but as soon as it has finished I shall write to the hon. Lady.

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to several inquiries which are in contemplation. What is the reason for them all? Is there something wrong at the War Office, and if so, is the right hon. Gentleman giving it his attention?

The right hon. Gentleman seems to have forgotten that the Army totals 440,000 men and that occasionally some of them get into trouble.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when we were sitting on the Government side of the House—[An HON. MEMBER: "There was no Army worth talking about."] Ask the right hon. Gentleman and the Prime Minister. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when we were sitting on the Government side of the House there was hardly a complaint of this kind and that we did not need to hold inquiries because we had a firm grip on the administration.

I do not want to squabble about the period when the British Army was best. It is a very fine Army, whoever is looking after it, but, as the right hon. Gentleman should be able to recall, when right hon. Gentlemen opposite were in charge there was lots of trouble. The right hon. Gentleman's predecessor had terrible troubles, as had the right hon. Gentlemen himself, and I remember a troopship going to Korea about which he misled the House.

Can I ask whether it is possible, Mr. Speaker, to have a court of inquiry to decide when I misled the House, as is suggested by the Minister?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers now serving on a Territorial Army engagement have battle experience; how many of these officers are over 40 years of age; and how many of the officers in the field force units are still category A1.

To get the exact details asked for would involve a special and laborious inquiry. I do know that in March this year about 3,400 officers in the Territorial Army are over 40.Nearly all of them served during the late war. As regards medical fitness, the exact position in Field Force units is not recorded day by day, but if these units had to be embodied the number of their officers unfit for worldwide service would be small.

If 3,000 or 4,000 officers are over 40, is my right hon. Friend happy about the command position in the Territorial Army when these officers reach retiring age in three or four years time in view of the fact that they are the ones with battle experience and also that today the Territorial Army is the Reserve Army and must, therefore, be ready for embodiment and action in a matter of three or four weeks? Does my right hon. Friend—

The hon. Member must not ask supplementary questions which are too long.

It is a big problem in the Territorial Army to find volunteers to replace the officers who are growing older. When we have a long period of peace, as we hope to have, there always arises a moment when we cease to have battalion commanders with battle experience.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances 56 mailbags containing approximately 250,000 undelivered letters from and to soldiers serving in Korea have been discovered at Singapore; and what action has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for War to make a statement about the letters mislaid at Singapore.

The mail concerned was restricted to letters from or due for delivery to passengers in troopships. The number of letters delayed is not some 250,000, but is between 80 and 90 thousand. Special steps have been taken to supervise the delivery and collection of mails in troopships. The man alleged to be responsible is to be tried by court-martial.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Press announced that one non-commissioned officer has been detained in connection with the matter? Is he really telling the House that the superintendence of a pile of 80,000 to 90,000 letters which had been kept for some weeks is a matter within the sole responsibility of one non-commissioned officer? Will our Forces in the Far East be able to operate without this very useful man?

I very much regret this incident in connection with this mail. At the moment it is the subject of a court-martial. As soon as that is over there will also be a court of inquiry, which has had to be suspended until the court-martial is over, because evidence cannot be given in two places at once. The man is attached to the civil Post Office in Singapore, and for this reason supervision comes from that organisation.

Why not put the senior officers in the Army Postal Services on court-martial?

That will arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War why troopers of the Household Brigade have been used as grooms for the Household Brigade Polo Club and other polo clubs associated with the Brigade of Guards; how many such troopers have been employed for this purpose since January, 1953; and why they were withdrawn from other duties and training for this purpose.

Under authority given to recognised Army saddle clubs, four men were employed in this way between April and August, 1953.

Is it not scandalous that troopers should be employed at public expense for private entertainment for officers in off-duty hours, and is it not time that we stopped treating the Brigade of Guards as the only Government-subsidised social club in the country and brought an end to this sort of practice?

This concession, which was made to the Army as a whole, was made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell). I do not feel that it is for me to be less keen about saddle clubs than the right hon. Gentleman.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the very first I have ever heard of it? I am completely uninformed, and since I am completely uninformed on this subject, will he hold an inquiry and have it conducted in public?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that an eye for detail is a great asset in the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the interests of road safety, he will arrange for all War Department vehicles to be fitted with two efficient rear lamps as soon as possible.

By 1st October next year, all War Department vehicles will be fitted with twin red rear reflectors. Nearly all the vehicles obtained by the Army since the war are fitted with two rear lights and we are now examining the problem of modifying the remaining vehicles.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if he can have a second rear light placed on these vehicles, as provided in a Bill passed in the last Session of Parliament, it may help to avoid accidents, and is he aware that many of the vehicles in B.R.S. are having that done at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for War why Army recruiting figures for the first nine months of 1952 and 1953 have fallen from 43,711 to 35,763, respectively.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 14th July this year.

Are not these figures—and I do not see how the right hon. Gentleman can deny the figures for the year ending September, 1953—clear evidence of the present Government's dismal failure to honour their past assurances that they knew how to encourage voluntary recruitment for the Regular Army?

The figures last year were an all-time record for the Army. This year they are not so good. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows the reason why, I should be most grateful if he would tell me. It is a topic of great interest within the War Office, and they are anxious to know if it is possible to make the position better. Although the figures for this year are less than for the preceding 12 months, they are far from being disappointing.

Will the Minister accept a memorandum from me explaining why the present figures are falling?

asked the Secretary of State for War the latest recruiting figures for the Home Guard in the county of London and elsewhere.

By 15th November 34,162 men were enrolled and 27,305 had joined the Reserve Roll for enrolment in an emergency. This is an increase of just under 3,000 in the past month. On the same date in the county of London 844 men were enrolled and 423 were on the Reserve Roll.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it would help Home Guard recruiting if the Government agreed that Reserve liabilities of all men over 40 would be waived if they joined the Home Guard?

There is at present an arrangement whereby any man on the Reserve who wishes to join the Home Guard may apply to the War Office for permission to do so, and, provided he has not an absolutely vital rôle in the Service, that permission is granted.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fatalities earlier this year, what search for unexploded missiles has recently been conducted in the Ridsdale area of Northumberland; and what was the result of such search.

This is being done. So far nothing dangerous has been found, but the search is continuing.

Is the Minister aware that although this accident happened nearly seven months ago not only have two boys been killed, but a dog has been blown up and other missiles have been found in the area by other children? Should a search not have been conducted and completed by now?

There are a number of cases of dangerous obstacles all over the country. We have only a limited number of personnel, and we have given certain priorities. This was started as quickly as possible, but we have concentrated to some extent on agricultural land.

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions are given to troops on security patrols in Kenya

These instructions are, in general terms, the normal orders given to troops operating on internal security duties where part of the population is hostile. Special detailed instructions are given with regard to examination of documents, challenging, and when troops may open fire.

May I ask the Secretary of State for War whether a copy of these instructions can be placed in the Library along with the other documents which he is to place there, and will he say whether it is possible to employ on this difficult and dangerous work officers who have experience of similar work and conditions, or whether that would be administratively impossible?

It would be nice if all officers operating in, say, Kenya had experience of similar work, but it so happens that with battalions going round such a situation hardly ever occurs. What is being done is that special instructions are issued, training takes place, and we have to carry on with the officers who are there.

asked the Secretary of State for War what Christmas leave is to be given to soldiers now in British Guiana.

So far as military duties permit, Christmas and New Year's Day will be holidays. The question of local leave is difficult, but those who get private invitations will get leave whenever possible.

Does that mean that the Scottish soldiers and the Welsh Fusiliers in Guiana are not to be allowed home for Christmas? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that they are now afraid that they will be sent to Buganda, and that if the Colonial Secretary is going to mess up things in all parts of the world, the Scottish soldiers will never come home?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ensure fuller consideration of applications from National Service men for compassionate leaves or postings; and, in particular, that wherever possible, two members of the same family shall not be required to perform their National or Reserve Service at the same time.

It is my view and intention that all applications for compassionate leave should be most carefully investigated and sympathetically considered. They must, however, be restricted to real cases of hardship. In considering applications for deferment of Reserve training, the absence of another member of the family in the Services is always taken into account, if it contributes to the grounds of hardship.

Is the Minister aware that I am not asking him to revolutionise the system of call-up but merely to take a more generous view of these applications? Will he bear in mind particularly the hardship that can result to a family when a number of people are called up at the same time?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider more sympathetically than in the past the question of a National Service man who is the only child, whose father has died a few months previously to his call-up and within three months that man goes abroad, and a woman is left with a nervous break-down? I have had a number of cases of men who have been sent abroad without any consideration whatever.

We try to consider each case on its merits, but it is not altogether easy to arrive at a decision. The kind of case outlined by the hon. Gentleman is, I should think, the kind of case for which compassionate leave would have been granted.

It has not been granted in the past.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on horticultural tariffs

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make a statement about the imposition of a tariff on imported horticultural produce, in general, and on foreign tomatoes, in particular.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Mr. Deedes).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his proposals announced yesterday, since they involve increases of anything from 100 per cent. to 400 per cent. on a large range of fruit and vegetables, must mean a steep increase in the cost of living, and that as the housewife will now, for example, have to pay 2d. duty on an early lettuce, which before came in quota free, can the right hon. Gentleman say which consumer interests he consulted before making this abject surrender to the National Farmers Union?

I think that the increases proposed are very moderate, and I would remind the hon. Lady that a high and stable home production is in the interests of both consumers and of producers. I would also remind her that the cost of living has now been almost stable for 16 months.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the additional measure of protection for horticultural producers in the United Kingdom, notably in Worcestershire and in Kent, announced in Cmd. 9018, is warmly welcomed by all these interests which have been penalised heavily in the last few years by unrestricted continental imports?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Scotland the house wives are disgusted at this agreement, and has he made any inquiry as to why tomatoes in the Clyde Valley, which is the growing district of tomatoes, are always 6d. a lb. more than in England? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prices are stabilised in the roof because they cannot get higher than the roof?

I suggest to the hon. Lady that those are the kind of points which we may discuss usefully when we come to consider the affirmative Resolution.

Can the Minister answer the question of my hon. Friend by saying which consumers' representatives he consulted?

Organisations representing all interests, producers, distributors and consumers—[HON. MEMBERS: "Which consumers?"]—I am unable to say which, but if the hon. Lady will put down a Question, I shall do my best to answer it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will now grant licences for the export of small generating sets to China;

The export to China of steel tubes, telephone cable and generating sets of all sizes is prohibited in all the countries which are members of the Strategic Controls Consultative Group, and we are therefore not in a position to license this trade.

Is the Minister aware that his assertion is quite untrue? Does he not know that telephone cables are being exported from Belgium, that steel tubes are being exported from Germany, and will he also say in what way small generating sets are considered more strategic than the motor cars on which the embargo has been lifted?

As regards the first part of the Question, all the members of the Consultative Group are in line on this matter, and all the items I have mentioned are prohibited by agreement, so that if what the hon. Gentleman says is so, I shall be grateful if he will let me have information on those specific points. As to whether small generating sets are more strategic than motor cars, I can only say that in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government and the other members of the Consultative Group, they are.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many motor vehicles have been exported to China in each of the last three years

Exports of motor vehicles from this country to China in the last three years have been negligible. There were two in each of the years 1950 and 1951, one in 1952, and none this year up to the end of October.

Is the Minister aware that recent visitors to Peking report that it is as full of new American cars as Grosvenor Square? Is he further aware that what is good for General Motors is good for this country? What is he going to do to overtake the American lead which Senator McCarthy has established in this export?

We have been making inquiries into this point, but there is no evidence at present to show that the embargo is not being adhered to by the other members of the Group.

Is it not a fact that, through Japan, these cars are being exported from the United States and straight on into China?

We have no evidence of that at present. If the hon. Gentleman has, I should be glad if he would let me have it.

Is the Minister aware that there is a strong feeling in this country, whatever the Ministry may feel, that considerable tonnages of this kind of material are going into China from the U.S.A. at this time, and, while there are strong representations and attacks on this country from the United States of America in this respect, will my right hon. Friend take steps to check this matter and bring the evidence before the House?

I have already said that we are endeavouring to make inquiries, but my hon. Friend will realise that we can only act on specific evidence. That is why I am anxious that if any hon. Member has any, he will let me have it.

Will the Government propose to the United States Government that Senator McCarthy might inquire into General Motors?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chinese have been able to buy large quantities of motor cars and steel tubes and generating sets and other things in many parts of the world by paying for them with the several hundred millions of dollars which they have got through exports to the United States over the last three years?

I am not aware of that on present evidence.

In view of these allegations, will the Minister call for a report from our representative in Peking?

As I said, inquiries are being made. We have had already an interim report and are expecting a further report from our representative in Peking.

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that no one in the Board of Trade up to the present knows anything at all about these series of imports through the back door, from America via Japan into China?

I think that I have already made it clear that we can only act on definite evidence, and definite evidence is lacking on the allegations made.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall take the opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for licences have been received for orders from China for British motor cars; and how many licences have been issued.

One formal application has been made this year, which was approved.

Can the Minister say whether we have now the enthusiastic co-operation of the Government in promoting the sale of motor cars to China?

Small cars can now be exported to China and we should like to see that trade in small cars increased.

Is it not a fact that Austins have a contract with China for £1,500,000 worth of motor vehicles which are awaiting licences from the Board of Trade? Could not the Minister say something about that?

The question which I was asked was what applications we have had, and the only definite application we have had is the one to which I have referred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the report of the Wilson-Smith Committee on Duty-free Imports of Machinery; and if he is aware that an early report is necessary

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects that the committee, which is considering the duty-free entry of machinery, will be making their report, particularly having regard to the financial difficulties which many small manufacturers are experiencing in the matter of import of special types of machinery not manufactured in this country; and the effect that this is having, both upon productivity and our export trade.

I understand that the committee hope to complete their report early next year. The committee are, I know, aware that it is desirable that the report on this complex and difficult subject should be presented as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend once more stress that urgency, because much of this machinery is used for the production of articles for which there is a substantial export demand, and the sooner we have the report the sooner there will be hope of increased exports?

I agree entirely as to the importance of this question, and I know that the committee will not delay the matter one moment longer than it can help.

Whilst thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that there are a large number of small firms with limited capital in this country engaged on important export work who find this embargo extremely difficult and embarrassing to them, and any relief would be a great help to them?

That is the type of question which I am sure the committee is considering.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which local authorities he has consulted with a view to removing areas from the list of those scheduled as Development Areas under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945

None, Sir. No occasion to do so has yet arisen.

Will the Minister think very carefully before interfering with arrangements which have proved so successful but which have by no means finished the job?

Yes, I can give the hon. Member that assurance, but I am sure that he will agree that it is the duty of the President of the Board of Trade to bear in mind the provisions of Section 7 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

Is the Minister aware that this is a matter of great interest to Scotland, and can he give an assurance that this sort of thing is not being considered at all?

It would be entirely improper to give an assurance that the President of the Board of Trade is going to ignore the provisions of a section of a statute, but there is no cause for apprehension. If the right hon. Gentleman will study the provisions of Section 7, he will note that before the President takes any action or asks Parliament for approval, which will be necessary, he has to consult the local authorities concerned.

On a point of order. Can you help us, Mr. Speaker? Can something be done to make the Minister's voice more cheerful? It is making us so unhappy on this side of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make avail able details of the consultancy service to be initiated by the National Union of Manufacturers with the £5,000 to be granted to them from counterpart funds derived from American Economic Aid

The National Union of Manufacturers is engaging a technical assistance officer, whose duty it will be to keep members of the National Union informed about technical developments, to advise generally on measures to improve productivity and on the best sources for specialised advice on technical matters. He will be available for consultation by non-members of the National Union.

While recognising the generosity that made this assistance available, may I ask the Minister whether British manufacturers are now so poor and bankrupt that they cannot provide at their own expense the kind of technical service which this consultancy service is supposed to give?

The hon. Member would be wrong in concluding that they are not providing some of the funds necessary for this purpose. This is an additional grant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will name the trade and employers associations which are to receive a share of the £72,000 total grant from counterpart funds derived from American Economic Aid; and the sum allocated to each association.

My right hon. Friend cannot yet give this information since discussions are still in progress, but he expects to be able to do so soon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the terms and conditions on which he has invited applications for loans to industry from the revolving loan fund made available from counterpart funds derived from American Economic Aid.

I would refer the hon. Member to the explanatory leaflet of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure the maximum use of the Fforestfach Trading Estate where excellent sites are available for every kind of light industry.

We bring this Estate and the facilities it offers to the notice of industrialists at every suitable opportunity.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman invite his right hon. Friend to modify the rents in the interests of the small business man who is anxious to avail himself of the sites there? Is he further aware that the Swansea local authority is anxious that the initiative which it took in acquiring this Estate and arranging for the Board of Trade to have it should not be nullified?

My right hon. Friend shares the hon. Member's desire that the excellent opportunities offered by this Estate should be used. The question of rent is quite separate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how he proposes to ensure that the recent purchase of tobacco under the United States Mutual Security Act, 1953, does not displace usual marketings of the United States of America or friendly countries:

Our reserves of tobacco are so low, and manufacturers are so anxious to improve them, that my right hon. Friend regards the possibility of other stocks or purchases being displaced by the tobacco acquired under the Mutual Security Act as remote. My right hon. Friend has nevertheless required importers to give written undertakings that(a) they will treat this tobacco as an addition to stocks which will be kept at the higher level, (b) they will maintain their United States tobacco purchasing programme this year at the level previously contemplated, and (c) the tobacco will not be resold or transhipped to other countries in an unmanufactured state. Tobacco cannot be exported except under licence.

Am I to understand from that reply that this tobacco will be put to stock and left in stock permanently so that there will never be any increase in consumption?

No, that would not be the right conclusion.

In that case, how will the hon. Gentleman satisfy the American Government if he does not increase consumption?

It is not a question of how we are going to satisfy the American Government because, of course, we have already done so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the extent to which British ex ports, particularly of locomotives, have been adversely affected by exports from Western Germany competing with the aid of a Government subsidy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that the West German Government are directly or indirectly subsidising the export of capital goods in competition with this country; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I have no evidence that the export of capital goods, including locomotives, is directly subsidised by the Government of Western Germany, but all German exporters receive some benefit from the remission of a proportion of their tax payments. Her Majesty's Government have taken a lead in international efforts to eliminate export incentives of this kind which amount to indirect subsidies.

Does not this remission amount in fact to a subsidy and, if so, is it in accordance with the international obligations of Germany?

We are taking up through the various agencies the question of the discontinuation of all export subsidies by Government.

Is the Minister further aware that credit terms offered to various German manufacturers are such as to appear to be disguised subsidies? Will he also look into that matter?

We are looking into that matter too, but though the question of credit available may have some influence on these lost orders, price is the main reason.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a further statement on the future use of Messrs. Price Tailors Limited, Sunderland Trading Estates factory.

No, Sir. I cannot add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 12th November.

Will the Minister realize that this factory is now standing idle and that this is very disturbing to us in Sunderland? Is he aware that we should like to see some evidence of vigorous intervention by his Department?

I can assure the hon. Member that everything possible has been done and that the company which he has named is receiving every help from the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations have been made to his Department by the National Film Finance Corporation about the booking practices of two of the major cinema circuits; and what action he proposes to take;

Since the debate on the Second Reading of the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Bill on the25th November, I have ascertained that the Chairman of the National Film Finance Corporation in the course of a recent letter expressed some concern on this subject. A sentence in my immediate reply to an intervention by the right hon. Gentleman on that occasion was therefore misleading and I apologise for the mistake. We have no evidence that the undertakings given to the Board of Trade by the Rank Organisation in 1947 and 1948 are not being fully honoured or that there has been any change in the booking arrangements; but we are making further inquiry.

Whilst thanking the hon. and learned Gentleman for his apology for an answer given with some little heat, may I ask if he is aware that this case shows the need for making much more thorough inquiry into allegations made from this side of the House before Ministers state things categorically? Will the Minister make further inquiries among the circuits themselves to see whether they are carrying out the practices previously alleged?

As I stated in my original answer, I am making further inquiry and that will be addressed to the Rank Organisation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of tax which he gleans from football pools; and what is the total sum on which this tax is levied.

The amount of Pool Betting Duty collected in respect of football and similar pools in the financial year 1952–53 was £20,403,503, levied on gross stake money of £68,011,677. Separate figures for Income and Profits Tax are not available.

Is the Chancellor aware that of this turnover of £60 million, Littlewoods, Vernons and similar pools get £8 million to £10 million? Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of the excellent example of Sweden where, under public ownership, they plough back something like £8 million for the sake of physical education? Is he further aware that the Players' Union have suggested that we should plough back some of these profits for the good of the game itself?

I am naturally ready to examine any submissions which the hon. Member makes to me.

Would it not be a measure of justice to return a little of this money to the men who make this income for the Treasury possible—namely, professional footballers—by remitting Income Tax on their benefits?

This matter has been frequently debated, but the Government's case has proved to be almost unanswerable.

Has the Chancellor observed that in Norway profits from football pools are used to finance scientific research? Does he not think that a better way of using the profits than by the establishment of further chain stores?

While we have no earmarking of the sources of revenue in the British system, it is quite clear that a certain amount accrues to the British Treasury and is used in the most benign way possible by Her Majesty's Government.

Will the Chancellor consider taking more of this money from the promoters of pools and using it for the benefit of physical education? Will he also reconsider the question of taxation of football benefits, which is a grave injustice?

The latter matter is quite separate from the original Question, and the former matter is covered by the statement that I will give the question further consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sums granted to museums in England, Wales and Scotland, respectively, for the last year for which figures are available; and what sums were granted in 1939.

The total sums voted for 1953–54 for the national museums, galleries and libraries were £1,341,000, £112,000 and £118,000 for England, Wales and Scotland, respectively. The corresponding totals for 1939–40 were £611,000, £37,000 and £41,000. The amounts for England and Scotland do not cover the cost of buildings and equipment provided by other Departments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has read the recent speech of Professor Erhardt, the German Minister of Economics, attacking the European Payments Union; and whether he will disassociate Her Majesty's Government from these views.

I have read the Press reports of Dr. Erhardt's speech. These matters are, of course, under current discussion in O.E.E.C. At the October Council meeting my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary and I made it clear that we support the continuation of E.P.U. in very much its present form until the time comes for a transition to a wider system.

Does the Chancellor realise that that statement will give much satisfaction to many people in this country and in Europe?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now cause to be published for Wales, as is being done for Scotland, the net receipts from various taxes, an analysis of Schedule D assessments by industry, a classification of the number of estates liable to Estate Duty, Surtax assessments, Profits Tax and Excess Profits Tax assessments and post-war credits repaid.

No, Sir. Separate figures for Wales are not available and could not be prepared without an inordinate amount of labour and expense.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that for once a sympathetic gesture towards the people of Wales might be appreciated instead of this constant creation of resentment and anger at the completely unsympathetic attitude of the Government towards the people of that nation?

I should have thought that the people of Wales never had better consideration than under the care and attention of my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Welsh Affairs. In regard to the details of accounts, this is purely a physical difficulty. Many Parliamentary Questions have been answered illustrating the difficulty. If the difficulty could be overcome, I would be only too sympathetic.

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration the fact that in recent years many Departments have started to produce separate statistics for Wales and that, by a small extension of this process, we could rapidly reach a state of affairs in which Wales would be placed in a similar position to that of Scotland?

I have had furnished for me all the answers I have given to my hon. Friend on the subject. I would simply ask him to refer to what I have said in previous replies, which I regret still presents difficulties almost impossible to overcome.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the difficulty in respect of Wales which, in his mind, is insuperable, while this can be done for Scotland? Cannot Wales be treated in this respect on the same footing as Scotland? What is the difficulty which is peculiar to Wales and not to Scotland?

For one thing, the collection of taxes in Scotland is primarily under the control of the Controller of Stamps and Taxes in Scotland. Scotland also has its own Estate Duties Office. Apart from these reasons and others, it is easier to make this computation for Scotland than it would be for Wales.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that most people in Wales entirely agree with the terms of his reply?

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that an iron lung, being imported to the City and County Hospital, Londonderry, from the City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, was held up for six weeks at the border by the United Kingdom Customs authorities, pending payment of duty by tine hospitals authority; and whether he will take steps to permit urgent medical supplies consigned to hospitals to be admitted immediately, and for payment to be settled later.

The hospital authorities did not furnish full particulars of the goods for Customs entry and clearance when they arrived on 26th October. On inquiry of the Customs a day or so later, they were told that immediate clearance could be obtained by paying a deposit sufficient to cover any possible duty due, this deposit being adjusted later when full particulars came to hand. The authorities at no time indicated that clearance was required urgently, and advantage was not taken of the deposit facilities until 25th November, when the goods were cleared out of Customs charge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to facilitate the clean food campaign in shops, he will abolish the Purchase Tax on hot-water geysers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Merton and Morden (Captain Ryder) on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are being made to allow British capital to participate in the St. Lawrence Seaway and Vancouver Island schemes.

I am anxious to facilitate British participation in these schemes and will do my best to provide dollars for any suitable project.

Has the Chancellor received any requests so far for the release of dollars for either of these schemes?

I do not think I have actually received requests but we know that there are people interested.

Is the Chancellor aware that these schemes are closely bound up with the development of the ironfields in Labrador, that the shortest journey to them is from Glasgow, and that it would be a great opportunity if we could get Labrador ore by having an exchange of trade, we buying their iron and they buying our machinery?

Yes, I am aware of the possibility to which the right hon. Gentleman calls attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the rateable value of the Stag Brewery, Pimlico, is £6,438; and whether he is satisfied that this valuation bears a proper relation to the land value of the 7·9 acres occupied by the brewery and offices

I understand that the present rateable value is £6,845. Rating law does not require a separate valuation of the site and none has been made.

I know, but that is not an answer to the Question I asked. Is the Chancellor aware that as long as 25 years ago land in the neighbourhood was sold at £100,000 per acre, which would make this site then worth more than £800,000? Is it not quite absurd that the rateable value should be very nearly less than half of 1 per cent., taking into consideration the value of the land as well as the buildings? Surely there must be something wrong with the whole rating system.

I cannot go further than saying that the rating law does not require the separate valuation of the site. On the general question of revaluation the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that revaluation is at present not only under active consideration but is the subject of action.

I know, but can the Chancellor say when he is going to do something about it because many Governments have evaded this issue for quite a long time?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what staff are employed on visiting and measuring houses for valuation purposes; and how far it is their practice first of all to see if there are plans of the said houses in the offices of the local authority

Some 1,500 staff are employed on this work. In the case of council houses and new and altered private houses they normally make use of any plans in the possession of the local authority.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in some small towns in my constituency it is believed that quite a number of amateurs are employed on this work? One would almost say that they are making jobs for themselves and they are not really doing the work as efficiently as it might be done.

As my hon. Friend will, I know, be aware, this is the first general revaluation since 1934. It is a very big job. If my hon. Friend has any particulars of any case in which it has not been done as well as he thinks it should be done I shall be glad to look into it.

Will the hon. Gentleman direct the attention of these officials to the Stag Brewery in Pimlico?

I would invite the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the answer which has just been given to him by my right hon. Friend.

Yes, but it was wholly unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will bring forward legislation to amend the Private Street Works Act, 1892, so as to provide authority and financial grants to local authorities to make up unmade roads where such roads are in a dangerous condition.

No, Sir.

Will not the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider that answer? Is he not aware that the procedure under the 1892 Act is quite archaic? Is it not his policy to encourage local authorities to step in and take over these streets, which in some cases are very dangerous in developing housing estates? Will he not review this matter?

The local authorities already have power to make up streets at the expense of the frontagers, and in many cases they are so doing.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether in order to simplify procedure, new town corporations can be authorised to pay agreed claims for loss of development value in all cases of acquisition of land, whether by agreement or by compulsion.