Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: Only a few sentences will be needed to explain the attitude of my hon. Friends with regard to this Measure. It is not one that appeals to us, we have never regarded this proposal as very satisfactory, but, during the peculiar circumstances of the war, we recognise that we have to put up with it. That expresses the point tersely. It is not a good plan that the Government should be able to...
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: May we take it that the opportunity of importing esparto grass will be considered by the Government, and that it will be given an early priority when the appropriate time comes?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a scheme for providing, in suitable cases, a superannuation scheme for temporary civil servants.
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: The right hon. Gentleman will realise that there are a number of men who for patriotic reasons, did not put in claims for pensions after the last war; and will he give favourable consideration to them, when they find that their disability is serious?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government to combat inflation in Palestine.
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that whatever may be the official cost of living a good deal of money does go in black market transactions, where the cost is very much heavier?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the scale of salaries of temporary civil servants is in some cases below that of regular members of the staff; and whether he will consider in such cases increases required to bring the two scales into parity.
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has any statement to make about the future of the television service.
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: May I ask the Deputy Prime Minister to state the Business for the next series of Sittings, and whether he has any statement to make with regard to the duration of the Recess?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: I would like to ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, in regard to the Business for to-day. In the event of the Motion standing in the name of the Prime Minister being carried, can you give an indication what allocation of time you propose to make among the various Amendments which you are intending to call?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: I am quite sure that the House has listened with great attention and deep feeling to the speech we have just listened to from the hon. Member for Oxford (Mr. Hogg). If I do not follow him it will be because I have not really risen to make a speech to-day on this great subject. I have not done so because whereas in ordinary times, when we were working to a time-table, not only someone from...
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: I am quite certain that I am only giving voice to the opinion I have sensed in the House since this Debate began when I express my gratification at the operative part of the speech of the Chancellor. Before the Debate opened I had formed the view that this Amendment could only with great difficulty and only with scant attention to equity be resisted. The very able speeches to which we have...
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: Will the public be informed, either by the local authorities or by the hon. Gentleman's Department, whether in their particular case the collection will be continued or discontinued? The hon. Gentleman has said that certain local authorities will continue in the collection, and that others will not. Will the public get the information, so that they will know whether they are to save the scrap?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: The House has just been experiencing one of those happy occasions when we listen with full attention to two Members proposing and seconding the Address in reply to the Gracious Speech. This is an occasion when some of the hidden talent which this House possesses comes out into the light, and we realise with pleasure the resources which we have in this House, which are only too infrequently...
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: I do not object to the Government laying these proposals, and all that, but do I understand my right hon. Friend to say that during this Session, which is, after all, likely to last another 12 months, specific legislation dealing with some of them, at any rate, is likely to be produced? It does not say that in the King's Speech.
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which authorities in Scotland do not make use of the permissive powers of the Poor Law (Amendment) Act of 1938 to give pocket money to the old people in their institutions; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: Is there any reason to keep the names secret?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of building trade workers, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled, serving in full capacity in Civil Defence and National Fire Services in Scotland?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider extending the option of local authorities in the matter of giving pocket-money to inmates in their institutions to other than aged persons, to whom it is at present confined?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence: Has the right hon. Gentleman been approached by local authorities asking for a change in the law in this matter?