asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount granted in relief of Purchase Tax under the Assistance to Craftsman Scheme in each year since the commencement of the scheme; and what was the amount granted in cases of needlework tapestry, crewel work and embroidery.

The amounts granted under the scheme were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War how many candidates were successful at the Army entrance examination in February; and how many of these were from Scottish schools.

92 candidates were successful, of whom three were from Scottish schools.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make a statement on the present practice of the Inland Revenue with regard to the person assessable under Schedule A in cases where flats are let over long periods at a rent less than the annual value on payment of a premium.

The Inland Revenue have been advised that in cases such as that to which my bon. Friend refers the Schedule A assessment should be on the occupier by virtue of the provisions of Sections 105 and 113 of the Income Tax Act, 1952, and that is the basis of the present Departmental practice. The legal position is not free from doubt, and from some text books the view might be formed that the assessment would be on the landlord. It is likely that the matter will be tested in the courts fairly soon. I should add that this answer does not affect the ordinary case where all the flats in a building are let at full rents, with no premium, where the landlord is assessable under Section 109 of the Income Tax Act. 1952.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he estimates it will take as long as four years so to increase the supplies of suitable humane traps as to enable him to prohibit the sale and use of gin traps; and if he will take steps to shorten this period.

In my judgment existing humane traps have not shown the all-round efficiency that would justify banning the use of the gin trap. Trials of new and improved traps can only be conducted during the trapping season, which lasts for six or seven months. I am satisfied that at least two seasons will be required to try out new and improved designs of traps. This work will be speeded up and assisted by the Humane Traps Advisory Committee, which the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are proposing to appoint. If, as we hope, after two trapping seasons satisfactory alternative traps have been developed, two further trapping seasons will be needed to allow for their mass-production and distribution, and for those concerned to become proficient in their use before the gin trap is prohibited. I am satisfied we cannot shorten the period; and that we shall do well if humane traps of proved all-round efficiency are made generally available in the time we have set ourselves.