asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make an order permitting parents of Service men stationed overseas to remit small sums of money to their sons.

Inside the sterling area parents can send money gifts to serving sons by postal order, money order or through banking channels, but not by posting sterling notes. Outside the area the normal ban on money gifts, which is only lifted for cases of real hardship, applies, and we cannot spare foreign exchange to make an exception.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman reconsider this matter, as there is so little in the shops here for parents to buy and send to their sons? It is no use sending tobacco or cigarettes, as they can buy them cheaply in their own canteens. Will he not make an exception at Christmas time?

It is almost impossible to make an exception of that kind in this case.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that people do not know the regulations, and that money is continually being confiscated? Will he also bear in mind that so far as the Navy is concerned the only address is, "C/o G.P.O., London"?

I appreciate that. We have taken steps to bring this matter to people's attention, and we shall take further steps.

Will the Chancellor exercise some leniency with regard to the total confiscation which takes place at present?

We shall certainly consider that.