asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that blankets made entirely of fibres other than wool are being labelled by manufacturers as "Guaranteed Witney"; that such a label infers to the public an all-wool content; and whether he will take proceedings under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1953, against those responsible for applying the labels.

No, Sir. It is for the courts to decide whether labelling as "Guaranteed Witney" implies any specific wool content.

Is the Minister aware that I have here a picture of a sheep on a label which carries the words "Guaranteed Witney"? Is he further aware that this label is attached to a blanket made mainly of rayon and that a shopkeeper was prosecuted for selling it? Does he realise that there are thousands of blankets throughout the country still bearing this label? Will he ask the British Standards Institution to look into the matter and to test those blankets on the market which bear this label?

A lot would depend on whether they are made in Witney.

In order that there should be no misunderstanding in the public mind, is it not correct that the label "Witney" does not signify and never has signified that an article has an all-wool content but merely that it is made in Witney? Secondly, would the right hon. Gentleman agree that, excellent as some Witney blankets may be, blankets of an equally fine quality are manufactured in Yorkshire?

A Witney manufacturer brought a successful case in 1909 which I thought established their position vis-à-vis the Yorkshire manufacturers on the name Witney.

Does not this policy of the Government indicate how unwise the methods are which permit the public in due course to be misled, and ought he not to consider reintroducing controls?

There is no question of lack of wisdom here. The question is whether I should bring a prosecution, and I see no grounds whatever for doing so.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that such an inquiry would assist the good blanket manufacturer? Would he occasionally kindly think of women hon. Members who like a little attention paid to some of the things on which they think they have a right to express an opinion and can express an opinion?

This Question is not directed to an inquiry but only as to whether proceedings should be brought.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the extent of mis-description of men's and women's articles of wear, purporting to be made of nylon, which are, in fact, made entirely of other fibres or include only very small proportions of nylon; and what steps he is prepared to take to deal with this fraudulent practice to protect the public.

No, Sir; but if the hon. Member will send me information about specific cases, I will consider what action, if any, I can usefully take.

In thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask him whether he knows of the concern of the retail trade about this matter? Is he aware that the National Association of Outfitters has warned shops of this mis-description and that the Retail Trading Standards Association has done the same Would he look into the matter in conjunction with these trade associations?

I should be very happy to receive any information on this subject.

Could not my right hon. Friend transfer the nylon from Questions No. 1 to Question No. 2 and thus solve all the problems?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the terms of the 1952 Agreement between Iceland and West Germany include a clause under which Icelandic trawlers may land iced fish in West German ports to the value of 400 million marks a year, and that they have already begun their landings; and, in view of this, what steps he is taking to enable the British fishing industry, particularly that part of it which is based on Scottish ports, to secure a share of the West German trade in fish.

According to my information, the 1952 Agreement between Western Germany and Iceland includes a quota for1953 not of 400 million but of 7½ million Deutschemarks for fresh fish, under which iced fish would be imported. Our trade arrangements with Western Germany for 1953 provide for imports by Germany of white fish up to 700,000 Deutschemarks, and I am advised that our exporters have not so far used the whole of this quota. We also have a quota for the import of 4·2 million Deutschemarks of cured herrings in which Scottish fishermen are, as the hon. and learned Member knows, particularly interested.

If the Icelandic Government can do things of that sort to protect their nationals, is it not a disgrace- ful thing that the present British Government can do nothing to co-ordinate and regularise the fishing industry in the interests of the industry itself and of the consumers of this country? What are the Government doing about this?

If the hon. and learned Member will look at the answer. I think he will see that we have not yet taken up the full quota which we are allowed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he proposes to take to increase exports, in view of the loss of vital markets outside the dollar area to Germany, the United States of America and Japan;

It is not possible within the compass of an answer to a Parliamentary Question to detail the steps which Her Majesty's Government have taken and are taking to facilitate exports. The most essential condition, however, for a healthy export trade is a stable and balanced economy at home, and that the Government have achieved. Since the first quarter this year, the volume of our exports has been rising.

Is it not a little odd that our exports should be falling at the same time as world exports are continuing to rise, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that increased trade with the East would go far to remove this unfavourable balance?

There are other questions on the Paper dealing with East-West trade. Our exports are rising, not falling. They are not rising as fast as all of us would wish, but they are still rising.

Will the President of the Board of Trade suggest to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that his policy of continuously raising food prices is not very helpful in keeping down export costs?

That is a much wider question that hardly arises on this one.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the factors in question consists of the favourable credit facilities being granted by some of those countries, and will he try to get some agreement on the matter or, failing that, extend the present functions and limits of the Export Credit Guarantee Department?

There are so many factors affecting our export trade that it is difficult to deal with them in an answer to one Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is no difference between the parties as to the need for exports, and in view of the admission made by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he went to Latin-America, can we have any information as to whether trade has been pushed ahead there?

That is another question.

But I have asked it several times before.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a further statement about the negotiations with the Brazilian Government for a settlement of the outstanding commercial debts;

Under an Exchange of Notes dated 1st October, the text of which has been published as Cmd. 8978, the Brazilian Government undertook, in particular, to provide cover for an initial remittance of £10 million, and for remittances at an annual rate of not less than £6 million. The detailed implementation of these arrangements is now being discussed with a Brazilian delegation which has come to London for the purpose. I trust that the effect of this settlement will be a gradual improvement of trade between the United Kingdom and Brazil from its present regrettably low level.

Will my right hon. Friend accept the compliments of the House on what he has done to effect this agreement so far as it has been concluded, and will he pursue the negotiations so that those who are interested in trading with Brazil in the future may be given every opportunity to resume their business?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what reports he has received from Her Majesty's Government's representatives in Hong Kong concerning the effects of the embargo on trade in certain goods with China and differences between the trade policy of Her Majesty's Government and that of other West European Governments;

As to the effect of our strategic controls on Hong Kong's trade with China, I would refer to the reply given to the hon Member on 25th November by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Our controls were at one time, and in some respects, wider than those of other members of the Consultative Group on East-West trade, but, as I have already informed the House, the controls have now 'been brought into line; and I would not therefore wish to call for reports unless, in particular cases, there was reason to believe that the controls were being evaded.

Has the Minister taken note of the fact that the trade of Hong Kong to China has fallen by 50 per cent. in the last 12 months, and what action does he propose in order to rehabilitate the trade of Hong Kong? Will he also say why it was that for about nine months the Board of Trade did not know that the West German Government were operating no embargo on exporting iron and steel goods to China, and how recently it was that they discovered this fact, and why it is they are still complacent about the export of steel products from Germany to China?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put all those questions down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of the exports of machine tools, optical and precision instruments and rolling-mill products to China in the first quarter of 1953; and what proposals he has for the relaxation of the ban on the export of any of these products in the near future.

Exports to China in the first quarter of 1953 of machine tools, optical and precision instruments, and rolling mill products were valued at £509, £8,967 and £2,703, respectively. They were goods of non-strategic types. On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury and Radcliffe (Sir W. Fletcher) on 9th November.

Can the Minister explain how or why in the same period in the first quarter of 1953 German exports of exactly similar products were in the region of £4 million, as compared with a total export figure for Germany last year of £6½ million, and why is it that Germany is allowed to capture these markets while at the same time our Government have been denying these markets to our own manufacturers?

Whatever the reason, there is no difference as between Germany and this country with regard to the imposition of strategic controls.

Will the Minister nevertheless go carefully into the statements made by the hon. Gentleman because, if true, they are very serious indeed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he is taking to increase the export of agricultural machinery to China;

The export to China of motor-cycles and of most types of agricultural tractor is at present prohibited because of their possible military value. As regards all other agricultural machinery and bicycles there is no such prohibition, and I wish to encourage exports in every possible way; but, as the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) was informed in reply to his Question on 27th October, there are no steps which Her Majesty's Government consider they can usefully take at present to expand such exports in view of the trade policy of the Government of China.

Is the Minister aware that he has lifted the ban on small motor cars going to China, and can he explain exactly why a small motor car is non-strategic and a motor cycle is a strategic export?

I do not think that it would be useful if I started to debate that in Questions and answers.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any more information about the volume of trade going from the United States to China through Japan in goods that we have banned as being strategic?

I will certainly give the hon. Member any information which he cares to ask for about that if he puts down a Question, but there is no evidence whatever that large quantities of American motor cars keep appearing in Peking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade his estimate of the number of tractors that are to be exported to China during the next three months.

The export to China of most types of tractor is not permitted as they can readily be put to military use. Small garden tractors may be exported, but I have no information that any orders for such tractors are being placed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now explain why a small motor car is not of strategic value but a small tractor is?

A small garden tractor happily is not.

Do not these Questions and supplementary questions which the Government fail to answer satisfactorily reveal the ridiculous situation in which we find ourselves?

Could the right hon. Gentleman explain to those of us who are not conversant with these things exactly what is a garden tractor and where in China it would be used?

It would be used particularly in gardens.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figures for United Kingdom-China trade, both direct and indirect; and how they compare with our pre-war trade.

Since the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Since I assume that the present figures are very much lower than the pre-war figures, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will consult with the American Government as to whether the ban on strategic goods can be reduced, so that we can recapture our trade with the Far East in view of the fact that the export trade is more important to us relatively than to America?

The figures are slightly lower but, on the wider question, I refer my hon. Friend to the detailed answer which was given previously.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider extending the list of areas scheduled as Development Areas under the Distribu- tion of Industry Act, 1945, so as to include the developing township of Glenrothes in Fife.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are not satisfied that in the Glenrothes area there is likely to be the special danger of unemployment which is the requirement for scheduling laid down in Section 7 (2) of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

Yes, that is the answer I expected, but is the Minister aware that there is nevertheless grave concern in Glenrothes about the failure of the Government to do anything to attract industry to this area, and can he give an answer to the question which has been asked by the Glenrothes Corporation, namely, how far the factory building services of the Scottish Industrial Estates can be brought into play in providing additional new factory facilities in this developing area?

The hon. Gentleman should bear in mind that Glenrothes is a developing and not a Development Area.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that one of the consequences of the competitive but uneconomic advantages offered by new town development is that it attracts industry away from a Development Area such as Lanarkshire, where we are facing industrial dereliction?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the fact that our imports from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania combined, are approximately two-and-a-half times as great as our exports and re-exports to that group of countries, what steps he is taking to remedy this adverse balance of payments.

It would not be wise to attempt to achieve an exact balance in our visible trade with any given group of countries. There is in fact an approximate balance in the payments between these countries and the sterling areaa. It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage the export of non-strategic goods to the U.S.S.R.

Having regard to the fact that re-exports coupled with exports total only 40 per cent. of what we have imported, could my right hon. Friend supply a little more detailed information?

I will give my hon. Friend any information he desires if he will put down a Question or if he wishes to see me, but the fact is that on a payments basis there is a rough balance between the two.

Is not the shortage of sterling on the part of the U.S.S.R. one of the causes why we cannot export as much, and ought we not to consider buying timber and grain from that country?

Will my right hon. Friend give consideration to including trawlers amongst non-strategic exports?

Consideration is given constantly to the scope of our strategic controls.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange to have the minutes of the inquiry into matters affecting the buying and selling of Savoy Hotel shares placed in the Library; what will be the cost of this inquiry; and whether the Savoy Hotel Limited will be called upon to meet any of this cost.

I do not propose to publish the minutes of the inquiry, but the Inspector's interim report has, of course, already been published. I cannot at present say what the cost of the inquiry will be. Under the Companies Act, 1948, the Board of Trade are required to pay the cost.

Is the Minister not aware of the fact that this disgusting attitude on the part of certain financiers of getting rich quickly without paying any tax is frowned upon by every decent working man in this country, and is it not about time that the Board of Trade did something to prevent this manipulation of stocks and shares on the market?

Those allegations certainly do not arise out of this Question.

Are not all these manoeuvres very provocative to the majority of people who earn their living by wages and salaries, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman at least make a statement on behalf of the Government deploring this kind of activity?

If I were asked a Question on the subject I should endeavour to answer it, but it has nothing to do with the Question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what approaches he has received from the directors, or any of the shareholders, of the Savoy Hotel for an investigation into matters affecting that company; and what action he has taken thereon.

On 10th November, the chairman of the Board of the Savoy Hotel Limited asked me to consider appointing an inspector under Section 172 of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the ownership of stock of the company which had recently been bought through nominees. The next day, I received, through the secretary of the company, an application under subsection (3) of that Section from over 200 stockholders; and accordingly, on 18th November, I appointed Mr. J. B. Lindon, Q.C., to investigate the ownership of the company's stock, with particular reference to stock purchased on or after 4th August, 1953. On the 28th November, the Inspector made an interim report. The report has been published and copies have been placed in the Library. I am now considering representations from a substantial stockholder that the Board of Trade should appoint an Inspector to investigate certain aspects of the company's affairs under Section 165 (b) of the Act.

Whilst congratulating the managing director of this hotel upon trying to get some inquiry made into what is happening, not only in this instance but in many other instances, may I ask the President to reply to the supplementary question which I put on a previous Question? Does he not think it about time that the Government took action to prevent this manipulation of shares on the Stock Exchange and gave some support to the feelings of many thousands of workers that these big financiers should not make hundreds of thousands of pounds without paying tax on them? Could the right hon. Gentleman not do something to prevent this practice?

I am afraid that the hon. Member's supplementary question does not seem to arise any more on this Question than it did on the previous one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of United Kingdom exports to South-East Asia in each of the years 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, and the first half of 1953, expressed in 1949 prices; and the amount of dollar earnings accruing to the sterling area from the exports of sterling countries in South-East Asia in each of these years.

Since the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Members' permission, circulate it in the Official Report.

Can the Minister say if he is satisfied with the upward trend of British exports to South-East Asia, and could he also stop misleading the House about the freedom of manufacturers in other countries to export to South-East Asia compared with British manufacturers?

I am never satisfied with any upward trend. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will look at the figures and put down a Question on them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to amend the Companies Act, 1948, to prohibit anonymous shareholdings by nominee companies.

I see no sufficient grounds for proposing such an amendment at the present time.

Is it not anomalous that public money has to be spent to find out who are the stockholders in certain companies? Is there not a danger to the public interest from the inflationary effect caused by anonymous speculators?

This matter was fully debated in Parliament when the Act was introduced as a Bill by the previous Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in providing more industry for the Buckie-Peterhead area.

I am very glad to announce that approval has been given to a project sponsored by my Department to the Development Commission whereby Scottish Industrial Estates Limited will erecta factory of 10,000 square feet for the Peter head Gear Manufacturing Company. This should provide very useful new employment in the area.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for his encouraging reply, may I ask whether he realises that we cannot expect any really substantial industrial development throughout North Scotland unless something is done about freight charges on the long haul?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this statement will not give much satisfaction to Banff shire? Will he also realise that fishing is the main industry there and that the Herring Industry Board and the White Fish Authority possess very great powers? Will he press upon them to do everything possible for the development of the fishing industry? In October. 1952, my right hon. Friend announced special treatment for the area and since that has failed, will he not schedule it forthwith.

We shall continue to examine every possibility for this area, but I think that everyone concerned with this area will be satisfied that this is some advance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say the number of people likely to be employed on this project?

I prefer not to make any estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had about the use of Messrs. Price Tailors Limited, Sunderland Trading Estates factory.

Messrs. Price hold an assignable lease of the factory and its future use rests in their hands. We have, however, had discussions with them, and have put firms who might be interested in the factory into touch with them.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is a rather unsatisfactory position that Messrs. Price Tailors Ltd. should hold the lease although they are no longer in production in the factory? Could he not persuade them to surrender the lease so that the Trading Estates Company shall be responsible for the future use of the factory?

All that would happen would be that it would relieve Messrs. Price Tailors Ltd. of their financial liability. It would not necessarily find another tenant, and I think that we had better continue to help them try to find a satisfactory tenant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what control he exercises over the import of barley from dollar sources.

Barley may at present be imported freely from all sources under open individual licence valid for six months at a time but issued in advance so as to allow traders to make forward contracts. These licences do not set a limit on the amount which may be imported, but each trader has to report his imports and commitments to the Ministry of Food.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Government are in an awful mess about barley and that he really ought to be more helpful to the Minister of Food?

I think that this is the most satisfactory basis on which to do this.

Is there no limit to the amount of dollars that are to be spent on this commodity and in that way gravely affect our balance of trade?

Imports of this nature are made on individual licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what improved designs in children's footwear have resulted from his request to the British Standards Institution to consider the matter.

A British Standard for children's outdoor footwear was published in October.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the new Standard will do something to diminish the appallingly large numbers of cases in which children's feet are deformed by incorrectly fitting footwear? Does this Standard to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred do anything to remove that danger in the future?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman would study the Standard, which is made by an independent body. I do not, of course, answer for the details of these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Canada is anxious to rebuild her trade with Britain; and if he will, whenever possible, recommend the expenditure of dollars in Canada when dollar purchases are under consideration.

I know and share Canada's desire to rebuild her trade with Britain. I am glad that the improvement in our balance of payments has enabled us in recent months to relax restrictions affecting imports of many staple products from Canada.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask if he will press on with zeal and vigour towards increasing trade between these two countries, which has been traditional for at least a century?

Yes, Sir, I am glad to say that we have now been able to place on open general licence such commodities as wheat, coarse grains, soft wood, copper, lead, and zinc, all of which will be satisfactory to that country.

Is it not likely that goods to be dumped in the United States will be sold in preference to Canadian supplies?

That is very well looked after.

Does my right hon. Friend think there is any possibility of Canada accepting payment in sterling for some goods she wants to sell and which we in turn want to buy?

That raises a rather wider issue and does not come directly under my Department.

How does the President justify a complete embargo on Canadian apples because of the dollar shortage but an unlimited import of Canadian barley for the purpose of ruining the industry in this country?

The relative essential character of these various things must be taken into account by the Government concerned. In general, all Governments have recognised that the import of cereals and coarse grain does rank above the import of apples.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the growing fears of a slump in the United States of America, he will give an assurance that every possible step has been taken by Her Majesty's Government to prevent this enforcing a further devaluation of the £ sterling; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made in the House on 6th November.

Since the fear of further devaluation of sterling might be a hindrance to the import of British goods into America, can my right hon. Friend give a categorical assurance that he will succeed in maintaining sterling where his predecessors failed so to do?

I am afraid I cannot accept the statement made by my hon. Friend in any respect, and I have therefore no answer to give him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how long it has been necessary for exporters to complete Form P.T. 43; and what is the necessity for such action.

This form of certificate of posting was introduced as from 2nd November last for the reasons given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris) on 12th November.

Is this not a rather formidable addition to an already formidable array of forms to be filled in? If it was possible to get on without them before, is my right hon. Friend really satisfied that the position now requires it?

There is no question of this form being established for the purpose of control. The form is established for the purpose of avoiding evasions of tax which were taking place and which I am not prepared to tolerate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will review further the forms required to be completed by exporters in respect of Customs and Excise, exchange control and Purchase Tax matters to see whether these can be reduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the extent to which Germany is capturing overseas markets at Britain's expense, he will, by every available means, simplify the present complicated formalities which have to be complied with by British exporters in relation to exchange control. Purchase Tax and other matters.

Yes, Sir. The need to keep export formalities to a minimum is considered at each of the periodical reviews of the forms used by exporters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in formulating his Budget for 1954, he will give sympathetic consideration to the provision of Income Tax reliefs in respect of expenditure on fees at independent schools.

My hon. Friend raises an important point of principle, but I will certainly consider this suggestion, in common with other taxation suggestions, when I am framing my 1954 Budget proposals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the comments made by Mr. Justice Stable in a tax-evasion case at the Assizes in Leeds on 12th November, 1953; and upon what grounds the Board of Inland Revenue base their decision to prosecute or to settle on payment of money penalties in tax-evasion cases.

Yes, Sir. The particular case was one in which a cashier-accountant who was entrusted with the P.A.Y.E. arrangements of his firm falsified the records to his own advantage. It is the Board's practice to prosecute in cases of this kind. For a statement of the Board's general practice in regard to instituting criminal proceedings for alleged frauds on the Revenue, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, arrange for the circulation in the Official Report of a copy of an answer given to a Question in this House on 5th October, 1944, at columns 1149–50.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am familiar with the statement made by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Anderson? Can the right hon. Gentleman supplement that statement by making clear to all concerned the difference between cases in which there is evidence of intent to defraud and those cases in which a reasonable plea of omission might be made, and the difference of treatment of the two cases from the point of view of prosecution or acceptance of money penalties?

The question of whether to prosecute or to accept money penalties is a difficult one. It is partly dealt with in the statement I am circulating, but I will certainly see whether any further investigation can be made in response to the suggestion of the hon. Member.

Will my right hon. Friend consider prosecuting the Board of Inland Revenue when they demand 55s. per share for the purposes of Death Duties and the judge ultimately decides that it is 19s.? Is not that as big a fraud?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to impress upon bank depositors and others receiving untaxed interest that all amounts of such interest received or credited to their accounts should be entered on their Income Tax returns.

The instructions on Income Tax return forms make it quite clear that interest of this kind is liable to tax and should be returned. A reminder is also being inserted in new Post Office Savings Bank books as they are printed that depositors who make a return for Income Tax purposes should include any interest on the deposits. I am informed that the Trustee Savings Banks are being recommended by the Executive Committee of their Association to put a similar reminder in a reprint of their pass books.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the percentage of industrial production for home consumption, and the percentage of industrial production for export for the 12 months ended September, 1953.

The information available relates to manufacturing industries other than the manufacture of food, drink and tobacco; for these industries taken together, the percentage, in the 12 months ended September, 1953, of the value of output for home consumption was approximately 72 per cent. and the percentage for export approximately 28 per cent.

May I ask the Chancellor how these figures compare with the previous year?

I should want notice in order to give an accurate answer. All I know is that I should like to see more for export.

Is there not a real danger in the fact that too much of our increasing industrial production is going to the home market?

It is a very good thing that our home production is increasing, but I repeat that I should like to see more going into export.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what figure he now estimates the debit balance of current transactions of the United Kingdom for 1951, in view of the successive estimates he has published, namely, £521 million in Command Paper No. 8505, £465 million in Command Paper No. 8666, and £414 million in Command Paper No. 8976, the net figure of overseas investment, borrowing, etc., in view of his previous estimates of £202 million as stated in Command Paper No. 8505, £262 million in Command Paper No. 8666, £325 million in Command Paper No. 8808, and £315 million in Command Paper No. 8976; and the increase in commodity stocks and work in progress, which has been stated at a figure of £370 million in Command Paper No. 8486 and £610 million in the Blue Book on the National Income.

The estimates of the balance of payments in Cmd. 8976 and of stock changes in the Blue Book on "National Income and Expenditure in 1946–52" are the latest available. I would remind the right hon. Member that the current balance for 1947 was altered for one better by £130 million between its first and last publication under the late Administration, in Cmd. 7324 and 8201, respectively.

Whilst the right hon. Gentleman has gone back several years to excuse these very different figures which have been published recently, will he not recognise that the figures originally published in respect of the rather vital year 1951 have been the basis of a great deal of uninformed propaganda? In the light of the latest figures, which show a very different state of affairs, will he not recognise that in 1951 the significant fact was a real increase in the stocks in this country and a very serious flight of capital of which we did not have the figures at the time?

The last part of the question is not quite so certain, but I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that the same difficulties occurred by using the very latest figures in the time of the late Administration. For example, a considerable sum has to be attributed to parcel post, which was not included, a considerable sum to invisibles and a sum attributed to stocks. Therefore, while the Government of the day, including this Government, try to give the latest figures available, it is not always possible to avoid a difference between the older publication and the one just published, for the reasons I have broadly given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send these figures to the Conservative Central Office so that their propaganda might bear a closer relationship to the facts of the situation?

The Conservative Central Office wisely follows everything I say. That is why the cause of the Government has flourished so much as seen at Paddington and elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the average time that elapses after the ages of 60 and 65 years for women and men, respectively, before the actual payment of post-war credit is made; and whether he will arrange for applications to be made three months before they become due, that all details may be certified and actual payment be made on the day on which it becomes due.

Under the law, a post-war credit holder who reaches the required age has to make a claim to the Inland Revenue before he becomes entitled to payment. I regret I cannot give any useful estimate of the average period which elapses between the claim and the payment. Straightforward claims are frequently paid within a week, but in particular cases inquiries may be necessary which cause delays varying according to the individual circumstances. In answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Sir E. Keeling) on 25th June, 1953.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the claim form is not generally accepted until the man or woman has reached this age? Is it not iniquitous that, after waiting for 10 years, they are still kept waiting a further period beyond the legal time? Would not the suggestion I made enable this payment to be made on the legal date when it is due to them?

That is a little difficult for the reasons I gave in my answer. But I will investigate, as a result of the hon. Member's Question, whether we can accelerate the procedure even more, although the normal procedure usually entails a delay of only a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate cost of paying widows their late husbands' post-war credits.

About £41 million in the first year and £4 million a year thereafter.

Has the Chancellor considered the suggestion put to him of paying these widows on the day the husband would have become 65 years old had he lived?

Yes, Sir. We have examined that possibility but in this close season I can make no statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to the question of the repayment of post-war credits to next of kin where the owner of these credits reached the required age of 65 years but died before the Regulations for repayment were made.

I will consider this and other suggestions for payment of post-war credits when I am framing my Budget proposals, but I cannot, of course, give any undertaking.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in cases where people reached the age of 65 and died before the existing Regulations were made, he will now in fairness consider paying their next of kin?

I can give no undertaking about that. The point brought to my attention by the hon. and gallant Gentleman is a strong one, and one which I have already considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why transfer grants which are wholly expended on removal by an officer are, by his regulations, made liable to Income Tax and Surtax.

Transfer grants are paid to civil servants in addition to the various other allowances which are intended to cover the specific expenses of the move. They are payments in the nature of compensation for disturbance which have to be treated as additional remuneration chargeable to tax.

Will my right hon. Friend bring this reply to the notice of the Service Ministers, and can he explain why officers who are in receipt of the emoluments and who have to expend it all should be really worse off after the event?

Should not the grants, therefore, be approximately twice what they are in order that after deduction of tax they will provide the lesser amounts actually required?

I can give no further answer to these two supplementary questions today, but I will examine their content.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total revenue received from Income Tax on transfer grants during the year ended 4th April, 1953; and what percentage of the total grant this represents.

I regret this information is not available

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will direct that, when the Inland Revenue decide to appeal against a decision by the local Commissioners of Income Tax, solely on a question of principle, the whole cost of such an appeal shall be borne by the Treasury.

I cannot adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's general suggestion, the scope of which might be very wide, but special arrangements as to costs are made in appropriate cases where the taxpayer is of modest means. The Board of Inland Revenue is also willing, in cases where it appeals to the courts against a decision by Commissioners on a novel or doubtful question of general application, to consider sympathetically proposals for an arrangement about costs. If my hon. and gallant Friend has a particular case in mind, I will look into it if he will send me details.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the effect on the retail price index of increased tariffs for fruit and vegetables and of derationing of food in the spring; and if he is satisfied that these proposals will not increase prices and endanger our economy in respect of our export trade.

Yes, Sir. The decisions on horticultural tariffs were reached, as my right hon Friend the President of the Board of Trade told the House on 30th November, after taking fully into account the interests of consumers. The decisions on derationing follow the Government's general policy of removing restrictions where these are no longer necessary. We have confidence that our best contribution to stable prices and the general strength of our economy will come from pursuing our present line of policy.

Can the Chancellor explain how consumers' interests are considered when tomatoes, lettuces, new potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, cucumbers, strawberries, gooseberries and cherries are to be increased in price by doubled import duty? Does the right hon. Gentleman remember his speech at Dundee when he said:

"We will make one of the most intense attacks ever made on the cost of living."?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question, I would say that I do not anticipate that the horticultural tariffs will themselves have a very great effect on the cost of living.

The right hon. Gentleman should do his own shopping.

In reply to the second part of her question, I am always glad to be reminded of every speech I have made—I would say that for at least the better part of the last year we have been able to maintain the cost of living stable, whereas under the Labour Government it went up to a considerable extent.

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that it is in the best interests of the consumers in this country that the producers should be able to earn a decent living?

Yes, Sir. Unless we have producers who can make their living in this country, it is no use having consumers.

In view of all the wonderful things which the Chancellor has said have just happened, how is it that the £ has fallen in value since October, 1951, to 18s. 5d.?

Why was it that in the period of the late Administration—[Interruption.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why it is proposed to increase the valuation for rates of certain crematoria in England and Wales; if he will postpone the coming into force of such increases until after the proposed general revaluation of hereditaments has taken place; and if he will make a statement.

Increases have been proposed in the case of certain crematoria which in the past have been allowed a specially favourable basis of assessment applicable to burial grounds, because the Inland Revenue are advised that that basis is not available for crematoria. I understand that the legal question involved is likely to be tested in the Courts. If the Inland Revenue view of the law is found to be correct, I see no reason to postpone its application.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a matter of very great concern in many localities, and will he ensure that no positive action is taken until the matter has been tested in the courts?

I said "If the Inland Revenue view…is found to be correct." We must await the case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider, on the grounds of general policy, that it is desirable to encourage crematoria?

That is a matter of opinion, but I should not like to dissent from the view of the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has decided to preserve the Capital Issues Committee as a permanent feature of our financial structure.

The reasons were given by the Economic Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Mr. G. Williams) on 19th November.

Does that answer mean that the Chancellor of the Exchequer no longer credits the businessmen of our country with sufficient sagacity to decide for themselves how their capital should be invested? Does he not realise that the sooner the Government get out of business the better for the country as a whole?

The sagacity of the English businessman is not in question, but the sagacity of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as advised by this Committee is, I think, a valuable feature both of our Constitution and our practice.

Sack the Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requests for assistance have been made to his Department recently by firms wishing to move to the Trading Estate in Sunderland; and with what results.

There has been one such application to the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee. It is still under consideration, and I cannot anticipate the recommendation of the Committee.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the need for a sense of urgency in this matter, as I believe the firm which applied to the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee is in fact a clothing firm which can take over labour released from the previous factory?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the urgency, and the hon. Member's Question brings it further to my attention.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will remove or reduce Purchase Tax on repair fittings for umbrellas; and if he will end the anomaly whereby ends on all men's umbrellas are tax free, whilst 95 per cent. of the ends on ladies' umbrellas carry tax at 75 per cent.

I will bear these suggestions in mind.

And would the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the other suggestion among those I have made to him today concerning women, namely, to go and do his own shopping?

As under the present Govternment the restoration of consumer choice to housewives has at least become possible, the hon. Lady should be satisfied.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many professional football clubs in England and Scotland, respectively, have made representations to him in the past six months about the serious effects of entertainment tax on their finances; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce this tax.

About 10 in each case; in reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 22nd October.

Is it not a fact that the figures supplied, at any rate, by some of these clubs, show that the entertainment tax paid in the year 1952–53 trebled while their gate receipts fell considerably? Is not the right hon. Gentleman convinced that there is an unanswerable case for a reduction in entertainment tax on football?

I cannot accept the latter part of the hon. Member's statement. As regards the former part, I am engaged in a study of the figures.

In his study of the matter, will the Chancellor take into account the many clubs in all the divisions of the Football League, and in Scotland, which suffered severely from the increase in tax which he made last year?

It is a question of degree. We are well informed of the extent of the suffering both of individuals and groups, but I am willing to accept any information brought to my attention by any hon. Member.