asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken to obtain information about the number of holders of the Victoria Cross resident overseas who wish to attend them centenary celebrations but lack the means to do so.

Commonwealth and Colonial Governments concerned have been consulted and are considering the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for War what proposals have been submitted to him by the General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, concerning Netley Hospital; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received no formal proposals, but I know that the main building is out of date. It is within the general plan for the improvement of hospitals.

Was it with the approval of the right hon. Gentleman that the General Officer Commanding made a statement to the Press the other day that this hospital was sadly out of date, was costing £50,000 a year to keep up, and needed rebuilding? Is not that more within the province of the right hon. Gentleman himself?

I was not aware of this statement, but, of course, it is factual, and I have no objection to factual statements being made by generals.

asked the Secretary of State for War what military punishment was imposed on a guardsman-in the Coldstream Guards fined at Woking magistrate's court on 2nd' December last for careless driving.

On 31st October he was awarded seven days confinement to barracks for being involved in a traffic accident.

Is it not really a scandal that after two consecutive nights of guard duty at the Bank of England this man should be expected to carry out normal day duties and, as a result, fell asleep at the wheel of a three-ton lorry? Would it not have been more appropriate for the commanding officer to have paid this fine and for this man not to have been punished twice for the same offence?

It is customary for all London units to do day duty after a night's guard duty, which is one hour on sentry and two hours asleep. If that was not the rule, I do not know how the duty would be done. I am sorry for the man, but that has been the custom and it must remain.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the officer awarding the punishment was not aware at the time that the police were to prosecute? It was, therefore, hard luck on the guardsman to be punished twice, and would not my right hon. Friend consider paying the £2 from Army funds?

What my hon. and gallant Friend says is perfectly true, but when the commanding officer found this out he sent an officer to the court to intervene to say that the soldier had been tried and given seven days' C.B., and that was taken into account by the court.

But could not the Minister take some precautions to prevent

asked the Secretary of State for War which two Territorial Army divisions are to be organised at full scale and earmarked for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and which six

Yes, Sir. Indeed, I would be the first to say that this was inadvertent. The commanding officer did not know that this man was going to a civil court. And when he found out he took particular pains to send an officer to say that this had happened inadvertently, and it was taken into account.

In that case, is not the suggestion that Army funds might pay the fine the obvious corollary to what the right hon. Gentleman has said?

It is clearly laid down in regulations that a man who is to be tried by civil court shall not be given a military conviction. This was an inadvertent mistake by the commanding officer.

asked the Secretary of State for War the last date on which drafts joined the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st and 3rd Battalions Parachute Regiment, before those units proceeded to Cyprus; and the numbers of men in each draft.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whethe he will make a statement on the reorganisation of the Territorial Army and, in particular, as to the formations to act as a reserve to the Army on the Continent of Europe.

Commands and Territorial Associations are now considering the proposals for units of the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery and infantry and the final plan is not yet firm. With regard to the two divisions earmarked for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, 1 shall be dealing with this problem as a whole in my Estimates speech.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement in The Times on 1st February that the two divisions were the 43rd Wessex Infantry Division and the 53rd Welsh Infantry Division? Will he be kind enough to tell the House whether this statement was true?

It is not part of my duty to comment on, to deny or to confirm newspaper reports. I shall be dealing with this matter as a whole in my Estimates speech and I think the hon. Gentleman would be the first to agree that for me to deal with various parts of the reorganisation of the Territorial Army piecemeal because of a Press report would be wrong in every respect.

Can the Minister at least tell us this in advance of his Estimates speech: will these two divisions also form part of the strategic reserve in this country?

Yes, Sir.

May I ask my right hon. Friend, arising out of his original reply, whether a decision has been reached about the airborne section of the Territorial Army, and whether it has been decided that the Cambridgeshire Regiment shall remain as a unit?

We are very careful in sending out this list to commands to see that it is discussed with the Territorial Associations concerned. That is now taking place, and nothing is firm until we have received their comments on the proposals which we sent out. I hope that it will not be long before they are known, but I cannot comment until the procedure is complete.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, were built; when it was decided that the buildings should be replaced with modern barracks; when the work is to commence and in what year it is estimated it will be completed; and, in view of the complaints of unsuitability, what action is being taken to obviate undue hardship to the Service men who are required to use the accommodation in the meantime.

These barracks were begun in 1782 and completed about 1802. In 1950 we decided to replace them, but a start had to be deferred because of the demands of civil building and very urgent Army building. We plan to start in 1958. Essential maintenance is being done, but as the building is to be rebuilt this is not extensive.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when I visited Woolwich last Friday I found conditions worse than in some of the prisons I have visited? Is he not aware that, with a little imagination and less meanness, tolerable conditions could be provided for the men who have to occupy the barracks in the meantime? Why is it that the amount of money for weapons seems to be unlimited whereas there is so much stinginess in looking after the welfare of the men?

I am at one with the hon. Member on the urgent need to make our barracks much better. This is not a problem which can be solved in the short term, and we have made long-term plans We are spending about £100,000 a year on the maintenance of those barracks and I believe that to increase that figure too much would be a waste of money when we intend to rebuild the barracks in two years' time.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give: notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 22740318 Roger Kingsley Hobbs, having given notice of his conscientious objection on religious grounds, prior to declining fifteen days' service in the Army Emergency Reserve, was sentenced to fifty-six days in Colchester detention camp, forcibly undressed, paraded in civilian underpants in cold weather and taken to a cell where he was forcibly dressed in a canvas suit which was screwed at the back; and if he will give an assurance that such treatment will not be permitted in future.

I apologise for the length of the reply, but this is a complicated case.

Private Hobbs completed two years' military training in November, 1954. He reported for part-time training on 24th September, 1955. On arrival he refused to obey an order to put on uniform and was sentenced by court-martial to fifty-six days' detention. He was sent to Colchester. On arrival there he was told to have a bath but refused to undress. His clothes were removed but no force was necessary as Private Hobbs did not resist.

After having a bath he refused to put on uniform and was dressed in shoes and underpants and waited in the reception room while the staff sergeant went to ask the adjutant what to do. Hobbs was then taken to another part of the building about a hundred and fifty yards away, where he was dressed in a canvas suit, which was the only clothing available which was neither plain clothes nor uniform. He put on this suit without assistance except to have it fastened at the back. No force was used.

Procedure to be adopted in the case of men who develop conscientious objection after having served in the Army is laid down in the National Service Act, 1948, Section 21, and we have to conform with that procedure. The effect of that Section is that a tribunal is not empowered to consider this type of case unless a soldier has been sentenced to three months' detention or more. Private Hobbs was not therefore eligible for a tribunal.

I have been into this case and I have given instructions that, in the particular circumstances, Private Hobbs will not again be called up for part-time training.

While thanking the Minister, and expressing appreciation of that answer, may I ask him whether he will look at this regulation again? It seems grossly out of accord with British justice that a man should be punished, especially in this way, without first having had a trial before the tribunal.

I can recall the discussion on this subject in 1948 when the National Service Act was debated. The subject was most carefully gone into by the House at that time, and it was agreed that this law should stand. It is beyond the scope of Question and Answer to discuss its merits or demerits at Question Time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether soldiers are forced to have baths for hygienic or for disciplinary purposes?

It is customary on arrival in detention barracks, as the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) no doubt knows.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the concern arising from the fact that Sapper John Hugo Clother, possessing a B.Sc. in physics with honours, who was selected as a potential officer, has been informed by his commanding officer, without even an examination, that he will not be commissioned on any account; in what way this man's scientific ability is being used in the Royal Engineers, and what is contemplated in this respect for the future.

Sapper Clother has been posted to an airfield construction squadron with a view to his employment as a soils laboratory assistant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman deny that Sapper Clother became a security risk when it was realised that his father had been associated with a peace ballot? Why was this man, after having been selected as a potential officer, turned down without an examination or interview at the War Office? Can the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his statement that he made every effort to employ this brilliant young man suitably with the fact that last week the man was on cookhouse duty for a week and the week before was an officer's batman? He is a brilliant young man.

The question whether or not a commission is granted in the Army must rest with us. We have the responsibility in that direction, and it must rest with my Department.

Why was this young man encouraged to take steps leading ultimately to the expectation that he would become a commissioned officer and then told by his commanding officer, on instructions from the War Office, that nothing further could be done in the matter?

For reasons which I am not prepared to go into, it was decided that this man was not suitable to go forward for a commission.

Does the Minister accept my right hon. Friend's statement that the objection to this man arises from his father's political opinions? I think the right hon. Gentleman should be prepared either to confirm or deny that. If he confirms it, is it not a very undesirable principle?

I merely said that I think that discretion in this matter must lie with my Department.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a statement on the future of West Africa Command.

Not yet, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 4th November the West African Army Advisory Council, including representatives of four West African Governments and presumably representatives of the Colonial Office, issued a Press statement to the effect that the headquarters of West Africa Command would cease to exist on 1st July, 1956? Surely it is about time that the right hon. Gentleman made up his mind on this important subject.

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that this is not entirely my concern. Certain consultations are going on with the Governors concerned and the Colonial Office, and I cannot anticipate the agreement in all its aspects.

asked the Secretary of State for War what inquiries he has now made into the disclosure that National Service men in Scottish regiments have been informed that the alternative to being posted to Cyprus is to enlist as Regular soldiers for a period of three years; and what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of this practice.

Detailed inquiries are being carried out in the two battalions mentioned by the hon. Member. I will let him know immediately they are concluded.

If soldiers were coerced, browbeaten or blackmailed into three years' service, will they now be allowed to revert to two years after this investigation has been carried out? Is he also aware that Highland regiments are now being told by commanding officers that it is safer to be in Aberdeen than in Cyprus? Will Cyprus soldiers have an opportunity of volunteering for Aberdeen?

The question of the hon. Member is a little involved, but it is a fact that in this case these units lie within a brigade in which there is cross-posting and that the likelihood of cross-postings is greater for National Service men than for Regulars because of the Regular system. That may have led to this particular situation and the circumstances of the case, but I would rather not anticipate the inquiry, which of necessity has to be made in some detail.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the refusal to renew the bulk buying agreement between Denmark and Britain for the supply of bacon to this country and the imposition of a duty on future imports will raise the price of bacon to the consumer; and if he will reconsider his decision concerning bulk buying in this particular instance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement on the negotiations between representatives of his Department and the Danish Government about the import of Danish bacon.

I am not yet in a position to add to the answers given by my right hon. Friend on 2nd February to Questions on this subject.

Is the Minister aware of the great discontent among Danish agriculturists about this proposed import duty? Is he further aware that they say it will cost them £5 million a year? Are we to take it from his reply that the Conservative Government have become so doctrinaire that they are not prepared to consider bulk buying to reduce prices, even though they have no alternative?

All I hope the hon. Lady will take from my reply is that while negotiations are still going on I am not in a position to answer her Question. This matter was made quite clear by my right hon. Friend last week, and I think the House accepts the practice that while negotiations are going on it is unwise to make statements.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that an early and satisfactory reply would be most reassuring? Meanwhile, will he assure the House that the Government have abandoned the project for a 10 per cent. tariff on Danish bacon?

The hon. Member is asking me to go contrary to the Answer I have just given to his hon. Friend.

In view of the adverse balance of payments with the European Payments Union, does not my hon. Friend think that a tariff on bacon and other commodities would be a better way of regulating imports than having a quota?

I cannot answer my hon. Friend any more than I can answer the hon. Lady.

Whilst recognising that we cannot press the Minister with regard to tariffs when negotiations are going on, may I ask if we are to understand that there are hopes of satisfactory negotiations in respect of bulk purchasing?

The practice is that while negotiations are going on—and, as the right hon. Member knows, they are going on—I cannot make any statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many companies have informed him of their intention not to increase prices of their products during the next six months.

Two, Sir.

Will my hon. and learned Friend ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a plea on the radio and television to private industry and the nationalised industries to stabilise prices, at least for a period of six months, and do something about it?

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that this matter was dealt with by the Prime Minister in his speech at Bradford. [Interruption.] I am answering the Question of my hon. and gallant Friend, which relates to the number of companies which have given this information to the President of the Board of Trade. Other companies have taken this action, but of course they are under no obligation to inform the Board of Trade.

If the Government carry out their promises, ought we not to anticipate a reduction in prices?

Stabilisation is a very good first step.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the new duties under taken by his Department which at present require the employment of 7,400 civil servants compared with 4,800 in April, 1939; and if he will give the increased number employed under each category and the reduction he expects to make in the coming year.

The present staff of the Board of Trade is 7,314. The main functions which the Board exercise now which did not exist in 1939 are in respect of export and import licensing, the administration of enemy property and the distribution of industry. These together involve the employment of a staff of over 1,000. Any comparison between the range of responsibilities exercised by the Board of Trade today and that of 1939 would be difficult and might be misleading, since, given the greater complexity of economic affairs, for instance in the whole field of overseas trade, it is the character and scale of the work which has changed rather than nominal functions. I am sending the hon. Member a statement showing upon what functions the present staff is engaged. As regards the possibility of a further reduction in that staff, I would refer to what was said in the Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, Central (Sir F. Medlicott) on 2nd February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the current position of the textile industry, including silk and rayon.

The position in the cotton and rayon industry of Lancashire has, I am glad to say, improved recently and there is less short-time working. I understand that the position in the silk industry has also improved and that there is some shortage of labour. The wool industry continues to maintain a high level of activity.

Whilst thanking my hon. and learned Friend for that Answer, may I say that he was not quite accurate in what he said about the silk trade? Will he confirm or deny that the Italians have applied for a 10 per cent. reduction in the tariff for artificial silk tissues and, further, whether if this reduction is given it will lead to considerable hardship in the silk industry, which is suffering quite a bit?

1 should be grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend if he would put a Question on the Order Paper about the Italian position.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether, taking into account his optimistic statement, he had regard to the Danish Government, who have intimated that they may not be able to take textiles in view of the policy of the British Government in regard to bacon?

My Answer took into account all relevant considerations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steel girder in the new railway bridge over the river near Hankow is marked"Dorman Long, Middlesbrough, England," and was exported without his licence; and if he will make a statement.

I do not know whether there is such a girder in a bridge near Hankow. Certainly Dorman Long have exported no steel girders to China since June, 1951.

Whilst regretting that the Minister does not seem to know any more than I do about how the girder got there, realising that I have the advantage over him in having seen it, will he not agree that it is about time our trade with China was now conducted by legitimate methods through the normal channels?

There is no evidence before me that there has been anything unlawful about this girder getting to Hankow, if it has got there, as the hon. Member informs me.

rose——

Oh.

This question of trade with China is vital to British industry, as I should have thought hon. Members opposite would have realised Can we anticipate a statement by the Prime Minister about the future of trade with China?

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. What recourse have hon. Members to protect themselves against the monopoly now exercised by Privy Councillors on the benches opposite?

That is not a point of order. It is a matter of general understanding in the House and generally works all right.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that all facilities are given for exporting textile machinery to China.

Yes, Sir; for all normal types of textile machinery we already do so.

Will the Minister give an assurance that no difficulties will be created by a ban on electrical equipment which forms part of the textile machinery, particularly in view of the serious redundancy in the textile machinery manufacturing industry?

Without agreeing with the last part of that supplementary question, it is a fact that the power units in the machinery are a separate matter and were not covered in my Answer; but where the value of the power units has been small in relation to the value of the machinery, I think no difficulty has been experienced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much trade has been concluded to date under the Anglo-Polish Trade Agreement of November, 1954; and what proportion this is of the amount contemplated under the Agreement.

Many of our imports from Poland and some of our exports are not covered by the Trade Agreement. Our imports last year at £29·4 million showed a large increase over 1954, mainly on account of coal, but our exports were lower at £6·4 million as compared with £7·9 million in 1954. There is thus room for considerably increased purchases by Poland. We have now completed negotiations about trade for 1956. We have repeated our protests about the disregard of some of our quotas, and I believe that we shall now see an improvement.

Has the question of the old debts been settled, and are they out of the way now with reference to new trade? Secondly, under Article VIII, there were facilities for credit. Have they been fully used? Could my hon. Friend say what goods the Poles have promised to purchase which have not been purchased in the last twelve months?

In reply to the third part of that question, I could not say without notice; I could not give a comprehensive answer. As to the credits, the trade agreement sets out the terms on which the Export Credits Guarantee Department operates, but how much credit can be given and for how long depends on commercial considerations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that Austria has agreed with another country to supply 4,000 tons of newsprint, what supplies are made to the United Kingdom from Austria; and what steps he will now take to increase this amount.

Imports of newsprint are on private account. Last year, imports from Austria were just under 4,000 tons, but this year should be around 5,000 tons. I am assured that every effort is being made to purchase more newsprint from all overseas markets, but world supplies are far short of demand.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that from his own Department's Trade and Navigation Account it appears that in the year 1955 a great deal less newsprint was imported from Austria while a great deal more was imported from the United States? Can he say why this arises?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that these matters are governed by commercial considerations because, as I have already stated, the purchase is on private account. I would point out, however, that the amount from Austria is increasing beyond the low figure to which my hon. Friend referred.

If the considerations are, as the hon. and learned Gentleman says, purely commercial, why are the Government still exercising control over newsprint?

That raises wider issues than the Question of my hon. Friend, which quite clearly is restricted to newsprint from Austria.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from what main sources the United Kingdom obtains copper supplies; whether he is satisfied that industry is able to obtain sufficient for its requirements; what is the stock position; and if he will make a statement.

The main sources are Northern Rhodesia, Canada, Chile and the United States. I have no reason to suppose that industry is unable to obtain sufficient copper for its requirements. Stocks with the trade were about 78,000 tons at the end of November, amounting to two months' requirements.

Is the Minister aware that the vast increases in manufacturing potential which have taken place, and will continue to take place, are jeopardising the supply of vital raw material of many types, including, for example, nickel? Is he further aware that for supplies of copper we are dependent upon imports from the dollar area and that there is no guarantee that, with increasing manufacturing potential, that supply will last much longer? Will he ask his right hon. Friend to examine the position of scarce raw materials in a far more detailed manner than any reply so far has indicated is being done?

Any suggestion or contribution from the hon. Member will, of course, be closely and sympathetically examined. The hon. Member will appreciate that the largest supplier of copper is, in fact, Rhodesia.

asked the President of the Hoard of Trade the approximate value of timed salmon from Canada and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the six months ended 31st December, 1955.

The figures are £1,262,000 from Canada and £107,000 from the Soviet Union, but the main part of imports of canned salmon from the Soviet Union was received in the first half of the year, not the second.

Is the Minister satisfied that there is a fair distribution of tinned salmon in the shops? 1 receive a large number of complaints from people that it is seldom seen in the shops.

That is quite another question. The Question relates to the value of imports and does not even refer to the imports from Japan, which are quite considerable under the new trade agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to close down the Sussex flax mill; what plans he has for the future use of the building; and how many workers will then be employed there.

My right hon. Friend expects the flax mill at Five Ash Down, Uckfield, Sussex, to close not later than 30th June, 1956. Discussions are in progress on the disposal of the property. I am not yet in a position to say to what use it will be put or how many workers will be employed there after the work of processing flax has ceased.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that the employment difficulty in rural areas as these mills close down might occasion difficulty to the workers who are displaced? Will he ensure that adequate notice is given of the Government's intention to close down the mill so that the workers can look elsewhere for other jobs?

As I think the hon. Member knows, notice was given as long ago as 31st August, 1954, in regard to the closing of this and other flax mills. With regard to the employment position in this area, my hon. Friend the Member for East Grinstead (Mrs. Emmet), who is the Member for the constituency in which the mill is situated, has already made a constructive and practical approach in regard to this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will enter into negotiations with India for a double taxation relief agreement whereby estate duty paid in India will be allowed against estate payable in the United Kingdom upon Indian assets of a person dying domiciled in the United Kingdom.

Negotiations on this subject took place last month and I hope that the resulting agreement will be signed shortly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that Answer will give great satisfaction? In the negotiations, will he call attention to the satisfactory arrangements which this country has on this subject with the United States, the Netherlands, the Union of South Africa and Canada?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will use a part of the accumulating revenue surplus to reduce the level of entertainments tax on cinemas.

If I were to give either a positive or negative reply I should be in grave danger of anticipating my Budget statement.

While I thank the Chancellor for that reply, which at any rate does not seem to exclude the suggestion contained in my Question, has he taken note of the rising figures of bankruptcies amongst small cinema proprietors? Will he take this fact into account when considering his Budget statement?

I will take all relevant facts into account.

In considering his Budget statement, will my right hon. Friend consider suggestions by me to alter the system of tax in order to help the small cinema?

I will be very happy to consider all suggestions.

Including postwar credits?

Has the Chancellor considered the rumour that he will apply a tax on tiddly-winks?

I should not like to get into these grave controversies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to state what action he has taken as a result of the contravention of the Control of Borrowing Act, 1947, to which his attention was called by the Report of the Board of Trade Inspector on the affairs of the Chinese Mining and Engineering Company Limited.

The papers relating to this case have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration.

Do I understand from the Chancellor that no decision has yet been taken? It is more than three months since I last asked his predecessor about the position, and I was then told that the matter was being considered. Ought it not to be hurried up?

I think that if the hon. Member reads my reply carefully he will see that it would not be proper for me to add anything.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the resolution of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, sent to his Department, concerning the £900 increase in expenditure on dustbins in the current financial year due to the incidence of Purchase Tax; and what reply he will make to this protest.

Yes, Sir. The council were informed that I would take note of the resolution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the members of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council cannot be very impressed with Treasury requests to reduce expenditure when the Government increase the council's expenditure by imposing taxes on necessities?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the sum released under agreements made between this country and Egypt from sterling balances to Egypt from 1945 to 1951 and from 1951 to the latest convenient date, respectively.

One hundred and sixty-two million pounds were released between 14th July, 1947, when Egypt's balances were blocked, and 31st October, 1951. Ninety-four million pounds were released between November, 1951, and 3rd January, 1956.

Does not this Answer show that this Government have been far less generous in releasing Egyptian balances than were the late Government, and that, in addition, considerable economic advantages have been gained? Will my right hon. Friend confirm that among these economic advantages he has gained is the release for this country from paying sterling which is paid in turn by Egypt to ex-enemy countries for redemption of their bonds?

This is a matter in which a great number of considerations have to be taken into account. Releases are governed by agreements made on different dates, and I should not like to be drawn into any conclusions other than those which can be made by hon. Members from the figures which I have given.

Can the Chancellor say how much is still outstanding in regard to Egypt?

Not without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total of repayments made since 1951 of sums borrowed from the United States of America and Canada in the immediate post-war years; and how much still remains to be paid.

The total payments made since 1951 to date in respect of these loans amount to 1885 million Canadian dollars for interest and principal on the Canadian loan, and 7274 million United States dollars for interest and principal on the United States loans. The total remaining to be paid is 1,6970 million Canadian dollars for interest and principal on the Canadian loan and 6,796·2 million United States dollars for interest and principal on the United States loans.

Will my right hon. Friend take every opportunity to get these figures across to the country, since they show not only what has been paid but what remains to be paid for the nine months of frittering away by hon. and right hon. Members opposite of these loans?

In case the Chancellor should be considering that partisan and ill-informed comment of his hon. and gallant Friend the Member for New Forest (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre), will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that these loans would not have been necessary but for the cancellation of Lend-Lease, which President Truman later described as a mistake. Furthermore, will the right hon. Gentleman realise that if these loans had not been taken it would have been impossible to have fed a very large number of people, not only in this country, but in India, and, so far from their being frittered away, they saved lives?

Without wishing to enter into controversy, perhaps we might all agree that these loans have been incurred, this money has been spent and this immense burden hangs over us for many years to come, and we have to carry out our affairs in such a way as to be able to shoulder it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also explain to the hon. and gallant Member for New Forest (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) that large repayments were made in the immediate post-war years of dollar loans made during the war?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the additional burden of repayment in terms of sterling arising from the devaluation of sterling in 1949 to the latest convenient date and to the date of final redemption, respectively, of the United States and Canadian loans granted to this country in the immediate post-war years.

The service of these loans is paid in dollars. The sterling cost to the Exchequer of the dollar payments made since September, 1949, would have been approximately £100 million less if the dollars had been purchased at the rate of exchange prevailing in 1946. The corresponding figure for the period from September, 1949, to complete repayment would, on the same assumptions, be approximately £1,000 million.

Is not this another perfect example of the legacies that were left to the present Government by hon. and right hon. Members opposite?

Yes, Sir, but it will stimulate us to try to bear them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further approach has been made to the United States or Canadian Governments over the currency or conditions of the repayment of their loans.

As regards the currency of repayment, no approach has been made to these Governments since publication of the Exchange of Notes of April, 1952 (Cmd. 8586). As regards other conditions, exchanges have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States. We have kept the Canadian Government informed of these exchanges.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some statement on the progress of these negotiations and look at the Answer given by his predecessor, I think early in December, which indicated that the Government were going to consider raising the matter of the currency which is repayable?

Both of these are rather complicated questions, and the first is a matter of delicate negotiations in which, as the hon. Member knows, many problems are involved of our politics and of American politics particularly. The second question is highly technical, and unless the sterling repaid was either blocked or provided for in some particular way there would be no real relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement on the Government's review of the financial position of those who have retired from the Armed Services, the Civil Service, the National Health Service, the teaching profession, the police, including those who served in India, the fire services, and the local authorities.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the terms of the Pensions (Increase) Bill published yesterday.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there will be general satisfaction at the fact that those people, who have given so many years' service to the country, are at long last to be looked after rather better than they have been looked after in the past?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider instituting an agricultural credit fund on the lines of the scheme operating in the Isle of Man and financing it from the National Land Fund.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for calling my attention to this scheme. But I hardly think it applicable to this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the impact of the Government's credit restrictions on the motor car industry is now affecting the steel industry in Sheffield, where the resulting slowing down of orders for parts has given rise to disquiet; and what action he proposes to take.

I am not aware that the state of the steel industry's order books, whether in Sheffield or elsewhere, gives cause for disquiet of this kind.

Has not the Chancellor had his attention drawn to the very important and disquieting statement by the Chairman of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce about the slowing down of orders, which already affects Sheffield, for which the motor car industry is the biggest customer? Is he aware that if it is his policy to try to reduce pressure for increased wages by creating a buffer of unemployment he will create more trouble than it is worth?

I do not, of course, accept the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, which is really a statement. It was recently brought to my notice by a meeting of both sides of the industry that the chief anxiety which we have about steel today does not lie in demand but whether supply will be adequate to meet the demand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of money raised by local authorities on the market since the announcement of the new policy; and if he will give an estimate of the success of this policy in curbing inflation.

Two local authorities have raised a total of £9 million by issues of stock, and another authority is about to raise £2 million more. No precise figures are available for loans raised on mortgage but it is estimated that loans raised and already arranged are approaching £100 million.

In view of these figures, can the right hon. Gentleman state whether he feels this policy is working satisfactorily from his point of view, and whether it is leading to a reduction of work done by local authorities or merely to a higher cost for that work?

I think that it is working satisfactorily in two respects—in respect of more careful finance and in respect of these loans being raised in a form in which they represent genuine savings from the public.

Is it not the right hon. Gentleman's experience that congestion not merely in the long-term capital market but in the medium-term capital market is now such that many further loans will lead to a positively prohibitive rate of interest for local authority work? Will the right hon. Gentleman now reconsider the whole of his policy, in view of the deterioration in the situation since it was announced by his predecessor?

No, Sir. My experience, of course, has not been long but, so far as I have been able to see, this policy has been working very satisfactorily in producing exactly the result that is desired.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now raise the exemption limit below which Purchase Tax is not payable on handcraft production.

I would refer the hon. Member to the full explanation given by my predecessor, in the debate on Report of the Finance Bill on 8th December last, of the reasons why we cannot accept this suggestion.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor indicate that he might look at the matter again? Is it not a case that the right hon. Gentleman has received further representations about it? While not asking him to anticipate his Budget, may I ask whether he will not give this matter favourable consideration?

I will certainly look at anything helpful if the hon. Member would care to see me on the matter. I am very anxious to see whether we can arrive at a workable scheme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the statutory penalty of £10 for a failure by a landlord to insert in a rent book the notice required by the Rent Restriction Regulations, 1954, was lard down in 1933 and is inadequate as a deterrent; and if he will introduce legislation to increase this penalty.

I will look into this point.

Will the Minister also look into the question that I raised with him recently, when I drew attention to the fact that these forms are not put into rent books and he said that he was not aware of the fact? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether a large-scale refusal by landlords to put these notices into the books may not be a better investment for them than inserting the notices if the fine which may be imposed ultimately is only £10.

I have noted that the hon. Gentleman is pressing for legislation to amend the Rent Acts.

Has my right hon. Friend seen in The Times this morning a story of a landlord, from which he will deduce that £10 is quite a lot of money?

Does not the Minister agree that it would be a good deterrent if he made it known that unless the landlord complies with the regulations and the Act the tenant has no need to pay any rent to the landlord?

Can the Minister tell me what he meant by his last reply to me? The right hon. Gentleman said in his first reply that he would look into this matter, but his supplementary reply seemed to suggest that he had no intention of doing so.

I merely noted that the hon. Gentleman was, as he said in his original Question, urging that legislation be introduced to amend the Rent Acts. As he knows, I have undertaken to carry out a full review of the Rent Acts, with a view to seeing whether any changes are desirable. In the course of that review, I will gladly give an assurance to the hon. Gentleman that the point which he has raised will not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent new buildings in London and other big cities are required to provide their own garage and parking facilities.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) on 31st January.

If it is the policy of the Government, can my right hon. Friend at least say that it will be pursued with vigour and imagination?

Everything we do is pursued with vigour and imagination.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the reform of local government.

I am at present considering the issue of a White Paper on this subject.

Can the Minister say whether he is pursuing this issue with vigour and when we can expect the White Paper to be issued? In the meantime, will he give special consideration to the case of the few, but large, non-county boroughs who are putting in claims for county borough status?

I would not like to anticipate the contents of the White Paper, the issue of which I am considering.

Does the Minister mean that there will be a White Paper containing the proposals of the Government for the reform of local government?

What I said was that we were considering whether it would be appropriate to issue a White Paper on this subject. If the White Paper is issued, it will deal with the subject matter of the Question.

Can we assume, therefore, that the White Paper will be followed by legislation this Session?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Gracious Speech, which stated that the Government were considering this matter with a view to the introduction of legislation. There is no change whatsoever in the policy of the Government in this respect.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to appoint a Select Committee to consider the Naval Discipline Act with a view to bringing it into line with the recently reformed Army Act and Air Force Act.

I have been asked to reply.

Arrangements are now being made to set up a Select Committee to consider the Naval Discipline Act, and the necessary Motion will be tabled very shortly.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this reply will give great satisfaction on both sides of the House? It is most encouraging to feel that the Navy can now keep abreast of the other two Services.

asked the Prime Minister what proposal he has now received from Marshal Bulganin for a bilateral treaty between the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply. None, Sir.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would make it clear that Her Majesty's Government continue to support the proposal for a European defence agreement to include both Russia and a re-unified Germany?

In view of certain comments of the Soviet leaders on what was called the Summit Conference, the Prime Minister's suggestion was expanded into a treaty of assurance with wide membership. This, if the right hon. and learned Gentleman will remember, formed part of the proposals for the re-unification of Germany and security generally, and were tabled at the second Geneva Conference by the three Western Powers. These are to be found, if the House is interested, on page 99 of the White Paper Cmd. 9633, and Her Majesty's Government stand by these proposals to which I draw the attention of the right hon. and learned Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a dispute has arisen between Royal Dutch Air Lines and Pan American Airways and their British employees at London Airport because of these companies' refusal to allow the men to belong to a trade union in accordance with normal British practice; and whether he will intervene with a view to settling the dispute.

I have not been officially informed of a dispute between Royal Dutch Airlines and their British employees at London Airport. As regards Pan American Airways, I am aware that the National Association of Clerical and Supervisory Staffs are seeking recognition in respect of clerical staff employed by the Company at London Airport. The union have reported under the Industrial Disputes Order a dispute with Pan American Airways about payment for Sunday work and action is proceeding on that report.

This is a very sad story of two foreign companies using our British airport and refusing to allow British employees to join their own appropriate trade union and one which calls for strong action on the part of the Ministry of Labour. Therefore, may 1 ask the Minister if he will take this matter seriously, because it may result in B.O.A.C. staffs being involved?

As the the hon. Gentleman knows, my predecessor was in touch over this matter some time after last September. I would not. have thought that the supplementary question wholly sets out the position, but if there is anything helpful I can do, I shall be glad to do it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a matter of peculiar importance and will he give due consideration to the fact that up to now the international airlines using London Airport have tried consistently to fulfil their obligations under the International Statute? Will he also, before further considering this matter, take the advice of the Director-General of the International Transport Association on this important issue?

This matter is essentially one in the first place for the employers and the unions. If I can help, I shall be glad to do so, but the only matter that is officially before me at the moment is the question of payment for Sunday work, and that has been reported under the Industrial Disputes Order.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements operate under the Western Regional Hospital Board for the admission of patients to hospitals under their control, with special reference to admission of aged and chronic sick.

The normal practice in the region generally is for the patient's own doctor to approach the appropriate hospital direct. But, in Glasgow, requests for beds for the aged and chronic sick and for some other categories of patients are handled by the hospital admissions department operated by the regional hospital board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that all legal practitioners in Dunbartonshire have resolved not to appear as poor law agents for any accused person appearing before the court on summary complaints; and what action he proposes to take.

My attention has been drawn to the resolution passed by the Faculty of Procurators of Dunbartonshire. At present the obligations of solicitors to act gratuitously in criminal cases in the sheriff courts appear, under the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, to be matters for the sheriff. I have, however, been in touch with the Law Society of Scotland and have asked them to discuss the position in Dunbartonshire further with the Faculty.

Is the Minister aware that this is another indication of how unsatisfactory the position is, and that criminal cases ought to be brought into legal aid as well as the others? Will he press on to see that a satisfactory solution is found, as in this case the innocent as well as the guilty have suffered?