Mr David Ginsburg: Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker. When this matter was debated in the House two years ago, on 1st April, 1958, these considerations relating to bank advances and to the velocity of the circulation of money were allowed by the Chair.
Mr David Ginsburg: I propose to make an appropriately brief intervention this evening, first, because the Treasury Bench has had a very heavy time of it today, and, secondly, because the problem we are discussing is a difficult one from the point of view of the rules of order. I hope, Sir Gordon, that you will be charitable with me, and perhaps charitable to the Government spokesman who will have to put forward...
Mr David Ginsburg: I do not want to press the hon. Gentleman too far, because he has been very helpful, but I mentioned a third component in the total supply of money—the velocity of the circulation of the note issue itself. Can the Economic Secretary give the House any information on that concept, and can he also say whether, in future, it will be possible for the Government to produce statistics on the...
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Minister of Power what is the present level of undistributed coal stocks; and how the stock change this year so far compares with expectation.
Mr David Ginsburg: Would not the Minister agree that this is a most satisfactory result and a welcome justification of the policy of the National Coal Board in this matter?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Minister of Power if he will give the price, on the basis of information supplied to him for the purposes of compiling table 22 of his Statistical Digest, at which coal from stock has been sold at the most recent date; and how far the realization has compared with the cost of producing the coal and the allowance made for the cost of stocking it.
Mr David Ginsburg: Again, would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this is a most satisfactory result? Does it not show that the National Coal Board was right in this matter as against the irresponsible attitude taken by its critics?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government are now in a position to announce their decision regarding a further contribution to the World Refugee Year.
Mr David Ginsburg: I appreciate what the Minister of State has said, but would it not be a graceful gesture on the Government's part to cease being so coy and, now that World Refugee Year is nearing its close, to announce their further contribution without any delay?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for the years 1954 and 1959, in respect of washing machines and domestic refrigerators, both the value of the goods imported and the ratio of the imports against the exports.
Mr David Ginsburg: While looking forward to those figures with very great interest, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether they are not very disturbing from the balance of payments point of view? Will not they show that there has been a consistent fall in our exports of these two manufactured products and a systematic increase in the importation of them? Does not this suggest that our export drive is...
Mr David Ginsburg: Further to that reply, may I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to an article in the Westminster Bank Review? Would it not be correct to say that there has been a very marked increase also in the imports of these products? Is the Minister aware that that increase is going on at present and is it not rather disturbing?
Mr David Ginsburg: In considering whether the Government will have a debate on the Simonds Committee's Report, will the right hon. Gentleman recall his own words of 16th December, when he implied that, before proceeding with the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Bill, the House would have an opportunity of considering what was involved in the Simonds Committee's Report?
Mr David Ginsburg: In speaking in support of the new Clause standing in the names of myself and my hon. and right hon. Friends I shall endeavour to be appropriately brief, and keep in with the spirit of the discussion that has taken place so far this morning. Nevertheless, this is a very serious and important topic, and a number of things need to be said. This new Clause is not dissimilar to those that have...
Mr David Ginsburg: I was not making any attack on his predecessor. I was saying that whatever may be our political differences with the present Chancellor, he is respected as a very humane and fair-minded man. One hopes that in such a situation as this there will be compassion from him because, basically, this issue is moral, rather than technical or financial. As all Members recognise, the country has a...
Mr David Ginsburg: I take the point. However, it should be remembered that when these sums of compensation were negotiated in Germany between the German Government and the refugee organisations it was an assumption in those negotiations that these sums would be tax-free, and, although this is a matter which concerns a foreign country, it is arguable that had the parties to those negotiations realised that in...
Mr David Ginsburg: I am sorry to press the Financial Secretary, but having advised the Committee to reject the Clause, he goes on to talk about future studies of the problem. What does he mean by that? Does he mean that the Government's mind is not entirely closed to some concession? Is he thinking in terms of further talks with the German Government?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the recommendations contained in paragraph 45 of the Departmental report on the powers of subpoena of disciplinary tribunals, whether he is satisfied that the list of disciplinary bodies at present lacking express statutory powers, contained in appendix B.2 to the report, is complete; and if he will make a statement.
Mr David Ginsburg: While thanking the hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that it could be argued that the disciplinary tribunals set up under the Agricultural Marketing Acts could, under the terms of the Simonds Committee's Report, be given the power to subpoena witnesses? Is not this a very deplorable recommendation and a strong reason why the House should have an opportunity...
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what negotiations have taken place or are contemplated between the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency and Mr. Charles Clore in connection with the sale of any part of the equity of Richard Thomas and Baldwins, Limited.