asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the negotiations for the construction of a by-pass road for the Elephant and Castle?

The negotiations in connection with the proposed improvement at the Elephant and Castle are proceeding, but I am unable to make any statement in the matter as the merits of the several schemes which have been prepared are still under examination.

If I put a question on the Paper in a fortnight's time, will my hon. Friend be able to give an answer?

I shall probably be able to give some information then.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has recently carried out any experiments with regard to road surfaces, with special reference to anti-skidding materials to be used as a top dressing; and, if so, whether he will tell the House the results of such experiments and upon what roads a practical trial will be extended to them?

Tests are being carried out in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory on the resistance to skidding exerted by various road surfaces and an interim report will be published in due course. It is also intended to make arrangements for the laying down of test sections of various types of surfacing materials. Their location, however, has net yet been determined.

When these surfaces are laid down will the House be informed, so that we can take part in the experiment?

If hon. Members who are interested will communicate with me, I will see what arrangements can be made.

Would the Minister say whether any experiments are being carried out in connection with horse driving, so as to prevent horses from slipping?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the overcrowding on the 1.3 train from Liverpool Street to Brentwood on Saturdays; and whether he will make representations to the London and North Eastern Railway Company to increase the inadequate service?

My attention has recently been called to this matter. I am in communication with the railway company thereon and will let the hon. Member know the result.

Will the Minister at the same time take into consideration the fact that there are other trains besides the 1.3 going to other stations as well as Brentwood? [Interruption.]

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware that satisfactory automatic traffic-control signals are now being manufactured in this country, and have been on show at the recent trade exhibitions at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Cardiff, and the British Industries Fair at Birmingham; and what steps he is taking to secure their adoption by local authorities;

(2) what percentage grant is given to local authorities for the erection of automatic traffic-control signals; and if the grant is dependent on the use of British manufactured signals only?

I am aware that automatic traffic control signals are now being manufactured in this country. Grants of 60 per cent. are made to local authorities for the erection of signals of this nature which conform with the requirements of the Ministry. I caused a circular to be issued to local authorities on 13th September last, setting out these requirements, and British manufacturers are no doubt acquainted with the terms of the circular. While it is not made a condition of the grant, every effort will be made to encourage the use of British apparatus. It is true that the apparatus to be used in Oxford Street is of American manufacture. This experimental installation however presented exceptional difficulties and it was necessary to make use of the services of a firm with a wide experience in the construction of complicated systems of light signals. I have every reason to hope that in the case of future installations the necessary apparatus will be manufactured in this country.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the residents of the larger houses in Wylam, Northumberland, are free of charge when crossing Wylam Bridge, but that a working man is charged each time he crosses this bridge; and if he can take further action to free this bridge from tolls?

I am aware that certain persons are allowed to cross Wylam Bridge without payment, but have no information as to the grounds on which the differentiation is made. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 23rd July last an offer of a grant from the Road Fund towards the cost of the purchase of this bridge was made in March last, but I can take no further steps in the matter pending the receipt of an application from the county council.

Cannot the Minister find some way of gingering up the county council in the matter?

I take it that the hon. and gallant Gentleman represents part of this county, and no doubt he is in a better position to apply ginger than I am. I understand that the position is that the county council is in the course of negotiations, and that it is not willing to make a formal application until the negotiations are completed.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state approximately to what extent the road transport systems of the country are now controlled by the railway systems?

The proportion of the passenger road transport undertakings of the country actually controlled by railway companies, is, I believe, small. At the same time I understand that the railway companies have acquired financial interests in a large number of such undertakings. As regards goods services by road, apart from their collection and delivery services, the railway companies have, so far as I am aware, as yet acquired no considerable interests.

Can the Minister give an approximate idea of the amount of road transport in which railway companies are interested?

No, Sir; I am sorry that I have not that information.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the mileage of railway lines radiating from Newcastle- upon-Tyne that are regarded by him as surburban; the mileage that has been electrified; and whether he is taking any steps to secure that an additional mileage, especially including the lines to South Shields and Sunderland, shall be electrified at once?

I am afraid I could not give any exact figures in regard to the point raised in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards the second part, 68 track miles of running lines in the Tyneside area have been electrified. As regards the third part I would refer to the answers which I gave to questions by him on this subject on the 20th November and 18th December last. As will no doubt be appreciated, it must rest primarily with the railway company concerned to decide the priority of schemes for the improvement of their system and I do not propose at present to press them further with regard to this proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of cases in which he has used the powers he possesses to buy land 220 yards on either side of roads being constructed; the acreage of land so acquired; the acreage sold since acquisition; the cost of the land so acquired; and the amounts received by the sale of lands?

In the few cases in the past where the Minister has himself constructed a road and these powers might have been exercised, it was not considered advisable, after full consideration of the individual circumstances, to put them into force. At a few points, additional land has been acquired, primarily to avoid heavy claims for severance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in every case except one, in which the Government valuer gave advice, he advised that to invest in this land would not be profitable from the Government's point of view?

I have not thought it a desirable practice to inform the House of the Government adviser's advice. The Minister must accept responsibility for the decisions which he takes.

In view of the declared intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reference to the taxation of land, would it not be better that the House should know exactly what the official view is?

Whatever decision the Government may come to in that matter, the Government will take responsibility. We shall not refer the matter to a referendum.

rose—

We are getting into a discussion which is far outside the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport how many borough councils and urban district councils, respectively, are now claiming authorities in respect of main roads; and how many will be claiming authorities after 1st April, 1930?

The information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available.