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HOUSE OF COMMONS

Oral Answers

[VISCOUNT HINCHINGBROOKE.] the present time, and whether in that way the Committee is still performing a public service?

Mr. Jay: There are many cases in which money is seeking investment in individual projects of which the Com- mittee has not approved.

Mr. Erroll: The hon. Gentleman did not say how frequently the Committee meets.

:

Mr. Jay I said that it met once a week.

Central Office of Information

53. Sir Waldron Smithers asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost of printing and of paper falling on His Majesty's Stationery Office for all the activities of the Central Office of Infor- mation described in their first annual report, Command Paper No. 7567.

Mr. Jay During 1947-48 the expen- diture on paper was £97,934 and for printing £178,964; a large sum can be off-set against this, however, for receipts from sale of publications.

Sir W. Smithers: Is the Minister aware that this large expenditure is merely Socialist propaganda, and will he stop using the taxpayers' money for the propa- ganda of Socialist policy?

Mr. Jay No, Sir: in the opinion of impartial observers, this expenditure, judged by results, is very worth while.

Balance of Payments (Oil Industry)

54. Mr. Erroll asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the net contribu- tion of the British oil industry to the balance of payments at the present time.

Mr. Jay I am afraid that I cannot give a precise figure without disclosing information about the operations of in- dividual companies which is collected on a confidential basis; but the amount is substantial and reflects credit on those working for the oil companies who have thus contributed to the nation's foreign exchange earnings.

Mr. Erroll: As the Minister was able to give the precise figure only a few months ago, can be say in what way the circumstances have changed to make it impossible to give the figure now?

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Oral Answers

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Mr. Jay 1 think that the figure to which the hon. Gentleman refers was the figure of gross sales and not of net earn- ings relevant to the balance of payments, which is a more difficult position.

Mr. Erroll: A subsequent Question did reveal that information.

War Damage Claims

56. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether war damage claims will now be favourably considered where local authorities ceased, without adequate publicity, to undertake war damage repairs.

Mr. Jay: The War Damage Commis- mission inform me that there has been no recent alteration of their policy in the treatment of late notifications, which was fully set out in an answer given to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon- Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 15th June last.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton: Is the Minister aware that publicity has been given in the last few days to a new direction which seems to indicate that the category of claims included in this Question are now eligible for reconsideration and that a Treasury direction has been issued to the War Damage Commission?

Mr. Jay: I am aware of that publi- city, and I am glad of the opportunity to correct it.

Mr. Braddock: Will my hon. Friend request the War Damage Commission to look into the dates on which they are basing their present policy?

Mr. Jay Parliament has entrusted this job to the War Damage Commission, and I do not think it would be wise for us to intervene further at this late date.

Capital Equipment (Dollar Credits)

57. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the 310,000,000 dollars line of credit has been drawn on to date; and how much of this sum has been devoted to the purchase of capital equipment for industry.

Mr. Jay: E.C.A. have not yet noti- fied us how much of the E.R.P. assistance received to date is to be regarded as a loan, although we expect that it will be approximately 25 per cent. We have

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Business of the House

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The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison): The Business for next week will be as follows:

Business of the House 9 DECEMBER 1948

so far received a total of 470 million dollars, of which 348 million dollars have been notified as grants and corre- sponding amounts of sterling have been credited to the Special Account. The balance of 122 million dollars is being held in suspense pending notifications from E.C.A. as to how it should be treated. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Colonel Hutchison: Does not the Loan Agreement dated 26th October lay down clearly how much is to be treated as a loan, namely. 310 million dollars; and how does industry or an industrial con- cern make application for a part of this loan in order to install new capital equipment?

Mr. Jay If industry wants to install capital equipment, it makes application to the Government in the normal way, and the finance, both by way of grant and by way of loan, covers the normal import programme of the Government.

ART TREASURES (PROTECTION)

58. Sir Ralph Glyn asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is satisfied that adequate protection is being afforded to prevent theft or damage to art treasures in museums, picture galleries, etc.; and what steps does he propose to take to meet the expressed requirements of the curators and directors in charge.

Mr. Jay Precautions at the national museums and galleries against burglary and theft have recently been overhauled, but it would not be in the public interest to state the steps proposed to be taken.

Sir R. Glyn: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that certain museums today are very improperly guarded and that repre- sentations have been made to strengthen their protection, and can he assure the House that active steps have been taken?

Mr. Jay: I can assure the hon. Member that adequate precautions are being taken.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Mr. Eden: May I ask the Lord President of the Council to state the Business of the House for next week?

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Monday, 13th December--A Debate for the Adjournment of the House. will take place on Food on the Motion

Second Tuesday, 14th December Reading of the Licensing Bill, and Com- mittee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Wednesday, 15th December-Second Reading of the Legal Aid and Advice Bill, and Committee stage of the neces- sary Money Resolution.

Consideration of Motions to approve the draft Police Pensions (Amendment) Regulations and similar Regulations for Scotland, and the draft National Insur- ance (Compensation) Regulations.

Thursday, 16th December-Second Reading of the Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution.

Consideration of Motion to approve the draft Lace Industry (Levy) Order.

Friday, 17th December-It is proposed to adjourn for the Christmas Recess until Tuesday, 18th January, 1949.

During the week, we shall ask the House to consider any Amendments to Bills which may be received from another place.

Mr. Eden: The right hon. Gentleman will remember that we should have liked a day before Christmas to debate Service pay and allowances. It has not been possible to fit it in, and so we shall seek an opportunity for a Debate after the Christmas Recess.

Mr. Morrison: It was all right as far as we were concerned, but I understand that there may be another view. We shall do our best to arrange it, but it may be necessary on this occasion to take a Supply Day. We are giving up a Government day for the Debate on food; but let the matter be discussed through the usual channels.

Mr. Skeffington: Is my right hon. Friend in a position to announce the arrangements in regard to Private Members' Bills, as I have tried to find out some particulars myself and have failed to obtain any information?