asked the Secretary of State for War how many troops, belonging to which units, have been, accommodated, and for what periods, in the London Assembly Centre in Goodge Street deep shelter; when it was first used for these purposes; and, in view of its admitted unsuitability, when he intends to discontinue its use for these purposes.

These premises were first used as transit accommodation in April, 1950. Their use will be discontinued as soon as we can get agreement about alternative accommodation. The detailed information about troop numbers and units for which the hon. and learned Member asks is not available, but since that date about 50,000 troops a year have stayed there, usually for one night only.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember writing to me and telling me that this place was quite unsuitable for the purpose, and does he realise that thousands of gallant young men will be very pleased to hear that its use for that purpose is to be discontinued and a more suitable place found?

Yes, Sir. I am keen to get the Centre moved; it is not easy to find a place to accommodate about 500 men in Central London. I assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that I am with him in wanting to get it changed.

asked the Secretary of State for War the extent and nature of the sanitary, sleeping, eating and other conveniences at London Assembly Centre in Goodge Street deep shelter for the troops accommodated there from time to time.

As the Answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Minister realise that, whatever the amenities may be, it is disgraceful to put gallant young men in a place like that when there are plenty of great barracks, hotels and indeed mansions available?

If the hon. and learned Member has any ideas about a place for 500 men in Central London, I should be most grateful if he would let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances men of the Gloucestershire Regiment were dressed in period costume and armed with pike staffs at a ball at their depot at Reservoir Camp, Gloucester; whether this practice has his approval; and what action he is taking in the matter.

The function to which the hon. Member refers was a ball which has for a very long time been held annually by the sergeants' mess of the Gloucestershire Regiment as part of the celebrations of the Battle of Alexandria on 21st March, 1801, the action in which the regiment earned the right to wear a badge at the back of their caps as well as one in front. At this ball it has long been the tradition for the Colours of the regiment to be guarded by men dressed, armed and drilled as in 1801. The men taking part are always volunteers.

I am in favour of the retention of regimental traditions.

Is the Minister aware that the then Under-Secretary of State for Air told me last October that this sort of nonsense would be ended in the Armed Forces? Why, in these circumstances, does the Army perpetuate this sort of thing with National Service men when the Air Force has given an undertaking not to do it? Does the Minister realise that one man lost twelve days' leave in order to take part in this?

The hon. Gentleman is comparing like with very unlike. I think he must be referring to the question of airmen dressed as footmen. What is referred to in this Question is a regimental tradition. I think that the hon. Gentleman has been misled by what I must confess was a highly misleading report of this incident.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that on future occasions steps will be taken to make quite sure that the men who take part are volunteers?

Yes, indeed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that this presentation of the changing of the guard in its old form with the traditional costume was not nonsense at all, but was a presentation at which the Mayor, the High Sheriff of Gloucester and myself were present, and was a performance which was well applauded and which everyone appreciated? It can be criticised only by people who were not there; everybody who was there appreciated it.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date he was asked to consider the design of the Ferguson car; what tests have been carried out by his Department; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Ferguson has been in touch with us since 1951 and has several times been invited to submit a prototype for testing. This is not yet forthcoming so no tests have been made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell the House how it is that his Department and not the Ministry of Supply is in touch with Mr. Ferguson? Will he tell us whether Mr. Ferguson is the only person who has made representations and, if so, can we then take to be untrue the reports which have appeared in the Press that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has considerably interested himself in this project?

The answer to the first part of the question is that representatives of my Department have seen the car, but, of course, any official question of testing is the responsibility of the Ministry of Supply. It is perfectly normal and customary for experts of my Department to see a vehicle of interest. The answer to the second part of the supplementary question is that, for all I know, it is perfectly true that His Royal Highness has taken an interest in this car. I am merely stating the facts from the point of view of my Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to reply to the question: has his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh interested himself in this question sufficiently to make representations to his Department to test the car?

I know of no official representations of that kind to my Department to test this car.

In view of the totally unsatisfactory and evasive reply of the Minister, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for War what machinery is available to enable wives of Service men living in married quarters to raise at an effective level matters connected with their accommodation which are generally of greater concern to the wives than to their menfolk.

Normally the Commanding Officer nominates an officer to administer married quarters. In case of need wives have access to him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at Woolwich, for instance, the women are desirous of all sorts of suggestions being put forward in connection with their living quarters? Does he not think it would be much better for them to do so direct, rather than through their husbands, because that often makes trouble between husbands and wives?

Yes, Sir; but there is a Quartering Commandant at Woolwich, and while I do not know whether the hon. Member could inform me subsequently, I know of no difficulty, from the point of view of the wives, in dealing with him.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of spectators to be accommodated in stands and on their feet, respectively, at the Queen's Birthday Parade at Horse Guards Parade; and whether this will show an increase on past years.

Five thousand five hundred and eighty-one sitting and 3,720 standing. This is 250 more than in 1954, when the Queen's Birthday Parade was last held. In addition, the St. James's Park side of the Parade will be open to the public as usual.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he will consider looking further into the possibility of increasing the accommodation even by encroaching a yard or two on the parade ground itself, because it would not materially affect the ceremony?

I have been into this matter with great care. It is a question of either encroaching on the parade ground or of blocking windows. Secondly, this is a parade for Her Majesty's Birthday carried out by the Brigade of Guards, and I think that we should not encroach on the parade ground. I think we have reached the limit of stand accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made to ensure the swift passage of mail to and from soldiers serving in Cyprus; and what concessionary charges are available.

Advantage is taken of all available air and land routes between this country and Cyprus. Forces concessionary postage rates, as set out in a Written Answer given on 17th February, 1955, by the then Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for the Wrekin (Mr. I. O. Thomas) are available.

Are not these concessions miserably meagre? Is it not a fact that the wives and mothers of men serving in Cyprus have to pay 6d. for an airmail letter, particularly as it takes some 20 days for the mail to go by sea? Is it not also a fact that they have to pay the full civilian rates to send parcels by airmail? Surely, we can offer some better service to the men serving in this disagreeable situation?

No, Sir; the airmail letter, first-class, is 2½d. From the men or from their families at home; over the first one and a half ounces, the cost is 6d. We are spending £1¼ million a year on these concessions, and I do not think they are unfair so far as Cyprus is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War what stocks of jerricans are being held by his Department; their estimated value; and for what purposes they are being held.

Fifteen million, worth about £12½ million. Some are in use, some are reserves and some are being reconditioned or disposed of as scrap.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he does not think that this is rather a lot of money to have tied up unnecessarily? Is there not some risk of being left to "carry the can"?

No new jerricans have been ordered since I have been at the War Office. The majority of this stock has been held over since the war.

asked the Secretary of State for War on whose authority members of the special force, under training at Deerbolt Camp, County Durham, are instructed to blacken their faces to symbolise inhabitants of Africa or other Colonial Territories participating in a riot, in the course of which three natives are represented as being shot; and if he will give instructions that this impersonation which will be resented by British subjects and protected persons throughout the Empire be stopped immediately.

They represented no particular country or territory, and I do not see that there is any cause for offence.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to look at this matter again? Is it not the case that this exercise is to be repeated monthly? Will he consult with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who, if he reflects colonial opinion, will tell him that this is the crude stupidity of a blunted and stunted imagination?

I did not think that this would cause offence, but I will certainly talk to my right hon. Friend about it. May I remind the hon. Gentleman that I have seen native shows in which the Evil One appears with his face white?

May I ask the Secretary of State if he has seen some of the Press photographs, and if he realises that, if they are published in Africa, they will cause great offence? Will he not reconsider this matter? May I also ask him if the photographs were published with his authority?

I have seen the photographs. It is not usual for me to be asked for my authority. I should not have thought that such things would have caused offence, but I will certainly ask the views of the Colonial Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for War what improved methods of controlling Army stores are being introduced.

Various steps are being taken in this very complex field, and I cannot outline them all in answer to a Question; but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Army Appropriation Account for 1954–55.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shocking waste and muddle of which he is guilty could be avoided if only the War Office had a list of all the stuff which is lying about throughout the country? When will the War Office take the elementary precaution of providing itself with such a list?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman had read the Report, he would have seen that it states very categorically the immense difficulty of having a comprehensive list of all this war-time surplus equipment. A number of steps have been taken, and a great many will be taken. There has been a diminution in the size of orders, and there is difficulty in anticipating them.

Will the Minister say whether the War Office employs any personnel for the purpose of checking these items?

Yes, we do; a great many.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will amplify Command Paper No. 9707 by publishing the text of correspondence with the Danish Government in relation to the proposal to impose a 10 per cent. tariff on bacon imports.

Command Paper 9707 contains the Agreed Minute of the discussions on arrangements relating to the import of Danish bacon and requires no amplification. It would be contrary to normal practice to publish correspondence exchanged in the course of confidential negotiations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister of Denmark made it plain that Denmark could not sign a formal agreement and accept the principle of a tariff; at the same time, they had no means of preventing Britain from applying it? In view of that statement by the Danish Prime Minister, would the right hon. Gentleman explain his statement to the House that there had been a definite agreement on this matter?

The question whether a tariff would or would not be put on was not the subject of the negotiations, which were held to consider the necessary steps to be taken after a tariff had been put on. There was a satisfactory settlement, and it is a good thing that, as a result of the negotiations, the good trading relations between Britain and Denmark have been maintained. The Prime Minister of Denmark has acknowledged that as well.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the British bacon producer is entitled to tariff protection just as much as the manufacturers of motor cars in Coventry?

That is going beyond the Question.

May I ask the Minister of State if he will answer the question which I put to him? Why did he tell the House that there had been a definite agreement and that we did not impose settlements on our friends, when such was not the case?

There was a definite agreement, which was announced to the House on that occasion. It is set out in the Command Paper referred to, and if the hon. Lady would be good enough to read my statement again in its context she will see that I made it quite clear that there was no agreement by the Danes to accept our tariff. There was not.

Would the Minister of State accept the view that it was an imposition on our friends in Denmark, with whom we have had such friendly relations in trade matters, and that it is most unfortunate that we should hamper them now?

I will not accept that it was wrong to do what we did about the tariff. There was a satisfactory conclusion on the matters which were discussed during the negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken concerning the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for Coventry, South, on 15th February last, dealing with false claims made by toothpaste manufacturers; and when he expects to be in a position to make a statement on the action he is taking.

After taking expert advice, my right hon. Friend has come to the conclusion that the available evidence would not support a prosecution under the Merchandise Marks Acts.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the British Dental Association will be very disappointed at that result? Is he further aware that the Association has said that this advertisement of Colgate's is a definite infringement of fact? Does he propose to allow these toothpaste manufacturers to get away with it?

I think that the hon. Lady misunderstands the position of the British Dental Association, which has been consulted in this matter. It is a fact that it deprecates the form of advertisement, which it thinks may be the result of inadequate evidence, but it is not prepared to say that the claim is false.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is still a shortage of steel in Aberdeen; that this shortage is preventing the fulfilment of orders for agricultural implements and machines for foreign export, thereby depriving Britain of foreign currency; and if he will take steps to rectify this position.

The demand for steel continues at a high level, and I am aware that manufacturers in Aberdeen and elsewhere are not always able to secure their full requirements of steel from home suppliers. The Iron and Steel Board is in touch with the manufacturer of agricultural machines about whose case the hon. and learned Member wrote last month.

Does that long and involved answer mean that the Minister thinks that he is supplying enough steel to Aberdeen? Does he realise that his failure to supply that steel is contrary to the national interest because it is interfering with the export trade and the intake of foreign currency?

I am well aware of the importance of steel being available to the hon. and learned Gentleman's constituency. Of course, it is no part of my responsibility to supply that steel; that is done by the steel manufacturers. I think that the hon. and learned Member knows that the difficulties here have been looked into, and that six of the items in short supply have now been obtained from stockholding merchants. Another one will be delivered shortly, and efforts are being made to find a source of supply for the other two items, which are of small size. My information is that the production of small sizes of steel has been increasing lately.

In view of the fact that the Minister's information seems to be completely wrong, and his answer unsatisfactory, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the motor industry, which, before 1951, exported two-thirds of its output, now exports less than half; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the matter.

Yes, Sir. The industry is fully alive to the importance of increasing its exports, and I have nothing to add to recent statements by my right hon. Friend on that subject.

That, of course, gets us nowhere at all. Has information reached the Board of Trade that yesterday there was a meeting in Birmingham of representatives of trade unions very much affected in this matter? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that a statement was made at that meeting that, while British motor production had doubled since 1951, about 80 per cent. of it had been sold on the home market? Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it is time he did something about it?

We have previously discussed this matter at some length. I have seen reports in the Press of the meeting to which the hon. Lady refers. I have nothing to add to the answers which my right hon. Friend has given to her and to others.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if will now amend the allocation of import licences for Italian pears to include canners who are compelled to pay pre-1939 importers, some of whom only handle documents, a profit of 3d. a lb. because of scarcity created by import restrictions.

No, Sir. Licences to import fresh pears from Italy are issued to traders, who did so in 1951 when imports were unrestricted. Imports of pears and of all other fresh fruits from the sterling area are unrestricted as are imports of all fresh fruits except pears and apples from Western Europe.

Is it not the case that the vast majority of people on this import allocation list are those who were in business before 1939? Is it not also the case that the licences are being trafficked in by firms which are no longer in business selling them at a profit?

I am not aware of any case of that kind. If my hon. Friend likes to bring to my notice anything that he thinks is irregular, I will gladly look into it.

Would not the Minister agree that this Question reveals a ridiculous state of affairs? Why does he not do the obvious and simple thing—put these commodities on open general licence?

Because of our balance of payments position, as the hon. Gentleman and the House well know.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will undertake to consult representatives of the apple-growing industry when international discussions on import policy are held, as he does in the case of the timber industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the need for close and continuous consultation with those engaged in the growing of apples at home, so that in the timing of imports the fullest regard can be paid to the availability of homegrown produce; and if he will make a statement.

On matters where consultation is appropriate we should consult the apple-growing industry as we consult other industries. But the size of quotas for imports which are imposed to safeguard our balance of payments is not an appropriate subject for consultation with United Kingdom producers. As regards the timing of apple imports, we seek to ensure, by the present arrangements which limit pre-Christmas imports, that the bulk of imports come in when the market needs them most.

In present circumstances, if we were to have under consideration a proposal substantially to increase the total quotas for imported apples from Europe and North America, we should certainly wish to take into account the views of apple growers.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that that statement will be much welcomed by the apple-growing industry because of the fact, that, in the past, it has often happened, under this Government and previous Governments, that the industry has not been consulted when changes have been proposed in import policy?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of the export of home-grown grain, showing wheat, barley and oats, separately, exported to France in the past three months.

Figures for March are not yet available. Exports to France during the three months December to February were a negligible quantity of barley, value £2, and 15 tons of all other un-milled cereals valued at £506.

Could not my right hon. Friend brush up his statistical department? In fact, there has been an export worth about £1,500,000 in that period. If I put a Question down in a fortnight's time may we have some up-to-date and accurate information?

The March export figures are not available. I think that my hon. Friend is referring to reports that there has been a contract to make the export, but it is quite possible that the contract was not completed in February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Exhibitions Advisory Committee was consulted before it was decided to close the London section of the British Industries Fair.

There was full consultation with the Directors of British Industries Fair Ltd., who are experienced businessmen and whose Chairman is a member of the Exhibitions Advisory Committee; but there was no consultation with the Committee.

Is it not unfortunate, in view of the valuable services rendered by this Exhibitions Advisory Committee to the Board of Trade over many years, that its advice was not sought? Would the Minister take steps to find out the Committee's views on the subject?

I do not think that is necessary. We are well aware of the views of industry, because they have been expressed upon this matter. As a large sum of finance was involved and an early decision was important, it seemed to us right that we should take the responsibility for the decision ourselves, after consultation with the gentlemen to whom I have referred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many exhibitors there were at the Birmingham section of the British Industries Fair for 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1955;

(2) how many exhibitors there were at the London section of the British Industries Fair in 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, and 1955.

As the Answer contains several figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the fact that the general manager of the British Industries Fair, London section, says that the number of exhibitors is on the increase, how was it that the President of the Board of Trade, in making his original statement, said that the number of exhibitors was declining?

There has been a large decline in the number of exhibitors in the London section since 1947. In fact, the decline started from the next year, 1948, onwards, and has been steady ever since then.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Nigerian Government and other bodies on the difficulties confronting the Nigerian cotton-growing industry.

None, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept one or two from me? Is he aware that 200,000 bales were grown in Northern Nigeria this season; that we used most of them; that Lancashire could use 400,000 bales; that it is a dollar saver; that, through the chaos there is in the international cotton market, it looks as though Northern Nigeria may be faced with a loss of £1 million or £2 million during the next season; and that it will be very serious indeed for Lancashire and Northern Nigeria if the matter is not taken up?

I am aware of some of those things and of the importance of the Nigerian cotton industry; but I was asked a Question about representations, and I have answered it fully and correctly.

Does not this experience, taken together with many other experiences, at last indicate to the President of the Board of Trade what a serious thing the Government have done to Commonwealth trade by the abolition of the Raw Cotton Commission and the reopening of the Liverpool Cotton Market?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider making joint representations with other European countries to the United States Government about the effect of their Department of Agriculture's cotton export policy for the coming season on European trade in general and British trade in particular.

As I informed the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) on 27th March, Her Majesty's Government attach importance to the United States Government's assurance that it is their intention to effect sales in an orderly manner so as to avoid disrupting world market prices. The subject will be discussed at the meeting of the International Cotton Advisory Committee in Washington early next month, and our representative will be instructed to give appropriate expression to our views on that occasion.

Is the Minister aware that that Answer will not do? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Well it will not. The heads of the cotton industry in France, Belgium, Holland and Italy have all expressed the same opinion, that it is time that joint action was taken, so that the opinion of European cotton users could be put to the American Government, that the only people who are benefiting from this lack of imagination and action on the part of the Board of Trade are the most bitter opponents of Lancashire in the cotton industry, namely, Japan, which is getting its cotton on favourable terms from America.

I quite agree with the importance which the hon. Gentleman attaches to this matter, but he really should not falsify the position. We have made a series of representations at very high levels to the American Government. During the last two annual plenary sessions of the International Cotton Advisory Committee the point has been discussed, and it has been the subject of special study by the Standing Committee of that body since last year. On those two occasions other member countries joined with us in emphasising the importance of American policy to world trade in cotton goods. There is discussion with European countries and others or these matters already.

In view of the importance of this matter, not only to ourselves but to other textile manufacturing countries in Europe and also to the cotton growing areas in our Dependencies, would the Minister consider taking this matter up with O.E.E.C. in order to enlist the support of the American representatives there when making representations in Washington?

I will certainly consider that suggestion, but we are already dealing with the matter through the appropriate international machinery.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the welfare services together cost approximately the same amount as is produced by tobacco taxes; the cost of each service; and what new sources of revenue he has in mind to replace the tobacco income, in view of the possible reduction or complete elimination following the lung-cancer report.

Total net receipts from the tobacco duty in 1955–56 were estimated in the 1955 Financial Statement at £660 million. This is approximately equal to the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1956–7 of the Health Service, National Assistance, and welfare milk and foods. The cost of these services is estimated at £501 million, £127·6 million and £35·9 million respectively.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to answer the last part of the Question, which is purely hypothetical.

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend anticipates that his colleagues' representations in the health field will result in a large reduction in smoking, and how far it will affect his income?

This is a period of the year when I do not like to anticipate anything.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in the investigations into the disposal of Government surplus stocks; how many Departments are represented on the committee looking into the matter; how many meetings have been held; and when he proposes to make a statement on the results of the investigations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the constitution of the committee which is investigating the disposal of surplus Government stocks; and how soon he anticipates being able to make a statement on the work of the committee.

As soon as my inquiries are complete I shall submit to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister the report for which he has asked. I cannot yet say when it will be possible for him to make a statement. These inquiries are being conducted in consultation with the disposing and purchasing Departments chiefly concerned.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the evidence available of the colossal waste of money, there should be set up a Select Committee, which could deal with this matter much more effectively than a Departmental Committee reporting to Ministers?

No, Sir. I am doing what I was asked to do and making my inquiry. I will make my report to the Prime Minister, who will no doubt then consider what action he should recommend.

On a point of order. In connection with this business of Government surplus stocks, Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask for your guidance. As you are well aware, for many weeks I have made application for an Adjournment debate so that the matter of Government surplus stocks could be raised on the Floor of the House. This week's Whip mentions that the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) has been allocated the Adjournment debate on Government surplus stocks. That having been so allocated, may I ask if that means that I shall not be considered for an Adjournment debate on Government surplus stocks in future?

In addition to the hon. Member mentioned, there are other hon. Members who have applied for the Adjournment on this matter. I shall have to wait to see what the result of the Adjournment debate is, and what further information comes forth. I cannot pledge myself in advance about that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the delays to export of goods caused at Liverpool docks by inadequate provision for customs clearance, he will arrange for the necessary improvement to be made.

I am not aware of the delays referred to, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the total expenditure of public money for the revised valuation of 46,000 properties and premises in east Shropshire;

(2) in view of the anxiety caused to the ratepayers, the local councils, and finance officers of east Shropshire, if he will take action concerning the valuation officer and staff who have wasted public money on an incompetent valuation of properties and premises in east Shropshire; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that in east Shropshire, which is one out of some 270 valuation areas in England and Wales, a question has arisen as to the general standards of values applied and a special review is in progress. The valuation officer concerned has been relieved of command.

In order to carry out the review in the area, the professional and clerical staff have been reinforced from other offices. Most of the extra work will fall as an additional burden on the existing staff of the valuation service. The additional expenditure will not be great.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will cause great satisfaction to east Shropshire, and that we are grateful that the matter has been dealt with by the Valuation Office so promptly?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to prevent seven-year covenants being used by parents to obtain Income Tax relief on the cost of their children's school fees.

The Income Tax Acts provide that a parent shall not be given relief from tax on payments which he makes under deed of covenant or otherwise for the benefit of a child who is under 21 and unmarried, if they exceed £5 a year in the aggregate. This applies to payments made to meet school fees just as it does to payments made for other purposes.

In view of the importance of extending equality of opportunity amongst our children, would the Chancellor not agree that it is quite wrong to encourage what amounts to tax evasion among parents who wish to buy a privileged education for their children?

I am afraid that I do not understand the point of that supplementary question. I was asked what the law was and I stated it. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman approves or disapproves of it.

In view of the value of education to the country as a whole, as well as to individual children, will my right hon. Friend consider amending the law to enable parents to do the best they can for their children?

That is another question. I was merely asked what the law was.

Even though it is the case that parents cannot undertake covenants for their children, is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a large amount of tax avoidance through this kind of covenant, under which uncles can take out these covenants for nephews and, in return, their children are beneficiaries of covenants taken out by the parents of the children helped?

No, Sir. Agreements of that kind would not be possible under the law. If one has such a kind uncle that he will look after one that is one thing, but a mutual arrangement would be out of order.

Is the Chancellor not aware that the provisions of the Income Tax Acts, Finance Acts and so on dealing with this subject relate only to the case in which the Inland Revenue Department can establish an undertaking or agreement between the parties concerned; and these things, as we know in other directions, are done without any written or oral understanding?

If I may say so, that is not a very strong point. Obviously the law can be applied by the Inland Revenue Department only where it is aware that the law has been broken.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that Income Tax and Surtax payers already contribute considerably to the cost of educating other people's children?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Capital Issues Committee to issue a simplified form of application in cases where applicants wish to borrow sums of £10,000 or more for the purpose of repaying an existing mortgage of an equal or greater amount.

No, Sir. The present forms are designed to elicit in a way as convenient as possible to applicants and to the Committee the information that the Committee requires to do its work. I will, of course, consider any constructive suggestion for simplying the form.

Is the Chancellor aware that the Question refers to people who do not wish to increase their borrowing, but nevertheless have to answer a form containing some thirty questions? Is not this a waste of the time of both the staff and the applicants, and does he not think that a simple question, such as indicated in the Question on the Order Paper, would serve his purpose?

No, Sir. I am afraid that it is not quite as simple as that, but if the hon. Gentleman will get in touch with me I will certainly put before my advisers and the Capital Issues Committee any method which would make the work easier both for the Capital Issues Committee and for the applicants themselves.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, having regard to the fact that the new rating assessments have been completed and that most of the local authorities have fixed their rate poundage for the ensuing year, he will now implement his undertaking to review the position in view of the hardship caused to shopkeepers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the increased assessment of properties for rating purposes, he will issue an order permitting the statutory allowance for repairs to be increased accordingly.

There will be no avoidable delay in reviewing the effects of revaluation in all its aspects.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it has now transpired that this arrangement is throwing a disproportionate burden on the shopkeepers, many of whom may even be driven out of business? Will he postpone the operation of the Socialist Act of 1948 until the whole of local government finance can be properly reviewed, so that every party bears a fair burden and not an unfair one?

I have a great deal of understanding of the point of view of the shopkeepers. [An HON. MEMBER: "But no sympathy."] I thought that perhaps they would not welcome sympathy, but I have sympathy also. I must point out, however, that any wholesale and indiscriminate lodging of appeals such as is being urged upon them at the present time will inevitably postpone the time when a reliable appraisal of the position can be made.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that to rerate industry would appeal to their sense of justice?

That is a rather wider issue and, as I have already explained to the House on a number of occasions, that is one of the matters being examined as part of a comprehensive review of local government finance.

While I agree with what my right hon. Friend says about the irresponsible lodging of appeals, does he not appreciate that if he postponed the operation of the Act that would obviate the need for any appeals?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the total value of loans for which local authorities have applied for sanction for private street works since 1st January, 1956; and for what proportion he has given sanction.

Extraction of these figures would involve much work, which my right hon. Friend would not normally feel justified in authorising. In this case, however, I am having the figures got out and will send them to the hon. Member.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that most local authorities plan these works very carefully in relation to their general roads programme and there is no extravagance at all; and that any postponement of such works is a deplorably tragic decision for the people who live in areas with unmade roads?

The House will be aware that since 17th February this year it has been the policy, for the time being, to reduce to an absolute minimum capital expenditure by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has considered the correspondence from the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen relating to the resale of land acquired by the Halesowen Borough Council by purchase from Mrs. B. Grove; and if he will make a statement.

I am making inquiries into the circumstances of this sale. When these are completed I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in reconstructing the Bridge of Don, Aberdeen; when it is expected that the work will be completed; and what arrangements he is making to allow the flow of traffic to continue during the reconstruction period.

I expect that work will start very shortly. The contract provides for the completion of the work within 32 months, and for the erection of a temporary bridge to enable reconstruction to be carried out with the minimum interference with traffic.

Does the Secretary of State realise that this is one of the main arteries to the North-East of Scotland, and that it is of the utmost urgency that there should be an adequate alternative route provided in order to maintain contact?

A tender has now been accepted for this work by the Town Council of Aberdeen and I hope that the work will start very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the estimated acreage of agricultural land taken in Scotland during 1955 for the purpose of constructing or improving roads.

I am informed that about thirty acres of agricultural land were taken for trunk roads and about forty-four acres for classified roads.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he is sending to the letter from the British Medical Students Association requesting the establishment of a central grant issuing authority in Scotland in order to standardise the provision of awards for university study in Scotland.

I have told the Association that, while there are differences in practice among education authorities in the assessment of bursaries, particularly as regards items of expenditure which vary in individual cases and in relation to which authorities must have a certain degree of discretion, I cannot agree that there are grounds for transferring award making functions to a central grant issuing authority. I am sending my hon. and gallant friend a copy of my reply to the Association.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present system leads to maldistribution of university students in relation to the university resources of Scotland, and in particular is making it difficult for St. Andrew's University to have an adequate number of students?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the number and value of university bursaries awarded by the education authorities have gone up very considerably in recent years—63 per cent. in number and no less than 127 per cent. in value. I think that due care is being taken of this matter, and I shall be very glad to send the hon. Gentleman a copy of my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients with criminal tendencies are housed in Scottish mental and mental deficiency hospitals.

It would be difficult to estimate the number of patients with criminal tendencies, but I shall send the hon. Member a statement of the numbers detained by order of the court under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act, 1949.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this practice is very undesirable, and is making it increasingly difficult to get adequate staff for many of these institutions? Will he look at this matter again very closely to see whether patients in this category could be transferred to a place in which they could be segregated in conditions appropriate to their circumstances?

I shall be glad to look into the point, but these people have to be stationed or located somewhere; and it is only those who have actually been detained by order of the court of whom I have knowledge.

asked the Postmaster-General why 532 unused motor cycle tyre covers and inner tubes, 1,429 unused assorted files, 3,968 unused No. 36 electric bulbs together with numerous other articles have been offered to the public for sale; what action was taken to acquaint other Government Departments and nationalised industries of the surplus stock before deciding on this method of disposing of the goods; and what resulted from contacting Departments and public authorities.

These are surplus goods of a total value of £2,300 being disposed of because they do not meet present Post Office needs. Three Government Departments were advised that these goods were available for sale, and concurrently 54 merchants were invited to tender; the list of Government Departments was subsequently increased to seven. Six have replied that they do not require any of them; a full reply from the seventh is awaited. Nationalised industries were not approached because it was thought unlikely that they would have a use for the goods.

Can the hon. Gentleman deny that the amount of money that will be received for the sale of these and other goods sold previously will only be a fraction of what they cost? Can he also deny that there is a Government Department that could use these tyres or electric bulbs? Is it not about time that some pressure was applied to ensure that other Government Departments used some of these surplus stocks instead of buying new ones?

It is possible, although not necessarily the case, that we would get on the market, as a result of tender, a better price than we should get by transfer to a Government Department. During eleven months of the financial year 1955–56, when we were buying some £35 million worth of stores, only £7,000 worth have been withdrawn for redisposal, which seems to show a high level of skill in the purchasing department of the Post Office.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I wish to give notice that I hope to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increase in parcel post rate, he will now increase the maximum amounts recoverable on parcels lost or damaged.

My right hon. Friend is looking into this question and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him if he will pay particular regard to the fact that whilst in a few years the rates for parcel post have almost doubled, the purchasing value of the £ has nearly halved? Therefore, will he or his right hon. Friend accord a greater measure of justice?

That will be one of the considerations which my right hon. Friend will bear in mind in reaching his decision.

In view of the great importance of the changes which may follow from my right hon. Friend's consideration of this matter, will he not regard the sending of a letter to the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) as rather inadequate, and will he find some way of making public the news which he has to convey?

Certainly if my hon. Friend cares to put down a Parliamentary Question at the appropriate time, anticipating the Question which I have no doubt the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Collins) will put down, it will be the subject of an Answer.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how soon he expects to receive the recommendations of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the financial problems connected with the employment of retired persons; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance when he expects to receive recommendations from the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the question of employment of retirement pensioners.

My right hon. Friend hopes to receive a Report on the earnings limit for retirement pensioners in a few weeks' time.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a great many pensioners anxious to augment their incomes are interested in this subject, and will be very glad to receive the statement as soon as possible?

Could not the Minister, in the meantime, have raised the £2 to the spending value that it had when it was first instituted?

On the merits of the question, I have nothing to add to what my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary said in her speech on 3rd February. I think that the Report will not be very long delayed, and I suggest that the hon. Gentleman waits for it.