asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if, in view of the increased availability of all kinds of telephone equipment, he will take steps to ensure that all persons moving into a house where there is an existing line shall be permitted to retain the telephone if they so require; if he will also take steps to provide telephones for all present subscribers who move to a new residence; and if he will make a statement.

A removing residential subscriber is given priority over a new residential application, but not over a business applicant. When anyone moves to a house where a telephone already exists, he is allowed to keep it save in exceptional circumstances.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him, with reference to his last sentence, to bear in mind that when a person is obliged to move to a new residence where there is no telephone he can understand the need for waiting for one, but that if there is a telephone there it is difficult for him to understand the need to dismantle it and take it away and to put him on some waiting list and to keep him waiting for a considerable time? Will my hon. Friend also bear in mind how much this feeling is aggravated in the case of a person who has been a subscriber at another address for many years?

There has been a change in policy. In all but the most exceptional circumstances, when a person goes to a new house where there is a telephone he is now allowed to keep it.

Do I understand from that announcement that if there is a shortage of exchange equipment the rule is abrogated, or is it still carried out? Where there is a shortage of exchange equipment does the right to the telephone pass to the newcomer?

There is no hard and fast rule. The new rule is that if there is a telephone the newcomer may keep it, but in exceptional circumstances, where, for instance, there is a very long waiting list, the telephone would have to be taken away.

Does the rule mean that a subscriber moving to a new address will have a preferential right in regard to the installation of a telephone? If that is so, would the hon. Gentleman look again at the cases I have put to him for so many months?

What I said was that if there is a telephone in the house to which a person goes he is normally allowed to keep it.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applicants for telephones have had these installed in Leyton during the past 12 months; and how many are still awaiting installation.

Five hundred and eighty-nine telephones were connected in the last 12 months, and 1,369 are outstanding.

Could the Assistant Postmaster-General say how long applicants now have to wait before they are likely to get an installation?

There is no definite time, but I am sure the hon. Member will be pleased to know that since he last put down a Question to me in May we have effected a reduction of the waiting list in his constituency of no fewer than 294.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of applications for telephones outstanding in Northern Ireland; how many new applications have been made and how many telephones provided since 1st January, 1953; and what proportion of the total demand in Northern Ireland was met, as compared with the rest of the country.

Eight thousand and ninety-nine applications are outstanding. Nine thousand six hundred and twenty- four telephones have been supplied since 1st January, 1953, and 9,835 new applications received. Taking these into account 54 per cent. of the total effective demand was met in Northern Ireland and about 59 per cent. in the rest of the country.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is a very marked improvement? Can he say whether or not the extra capital which he has allocated is now making up the leeway, and how long he reckons it will be before the provision of telephones there compares favourably with the rest of the Kingdom?

I cannot give a definite time when we shall catch up, but as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, there has been quite a considerable increase in the allocation of capital to Northern Ireland because it was getting a little behind as compared with the rest of the country.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the ban on the building of new telephone exchanges by the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been removed?

Oh, yes. Quite a number of new telephone exchanges are going up all over the country.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the inconvenience and delay caused to telephone users as a consequence of a television programme organised by the Conservative Central Office on Thursday, 1st July; and what steps are being taken to prevent a repetition.

asked the Assistant Post- master-General the reason for the almost complete hold up of trunk line telephone services from many principal towns in the United Kingdom and London at about 8.45 on the evening of Thursday, 1st July, 1954; and what steps he proposes to prevent similar breakdowns in an essential public service.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what prior arrangements were made by his Department to cope with the additional burden imposed on the telephone services by the party political television broadcast last Thursday.

My noble Friend always regrets any inconvenience which may be caused to telephone users. In this particular case, the number of calls forecast by the Conservative Central Office was 200; this number could have been met without any difficulty. The actual number of calls was at least 10,000 and may have been as high as 20,000; this caused delay mainly for about 15 minutes, especially on some trunk circuits.

Was it not obvious that there would be thousands of people ringing up complaining about high rents, high prices and other things, and that something must be done about it? May I make one suggestion, that, in view of the dangers and difficulties which for centuries have attended the practice of allowing Tory Ministers to speak in public, he should consider advising in the next television programme the presentation of, say, the Minister of Works as a silent film?

Can my hon. Friend say if the Post Office had been put in similar embarrassment in the time of any Labour Party broadcast?

The only parallel case we have had was an offer from Radio Luxembourg with regard to give-away programmes, and that completely jammed the Mayfair telephone service.

Was it consistent with the proper discharge of his duties for the Postmaster-General to be junketing with the smart-alec tacticians of the Tory Party Headquarters while the telephone service was being submerged, and would it not have been better if he had been at the exchange helping out the unfortunate operators?

Has the Assistant Postmaster-General any power to stop any person from advertising their telephone number and offering to pay the reversed charge? Might there not possibly be a slight element of sour grapes in these complaints

We have no power to prevent anybody ringing up any particular number.

In view of the Radio Luxembourg precedent to which the hon. Gentleman called attention this afternoon, why was the Post Office so naive as to accept without question the Conservative Central Office estimate of only 200 calls, if the nature of the programme was disclosed to them? Is this the result of political pressure through the hon. Gentleman himself?

I think that is a somewhat unworthy imputation.

To an unworthy Minister.

The Conservative Central Office informed us that there was to be a broadcast which would make demands on the telephone exchange. Strictly speaking, they need not have done so. They estimated that it would cause 200 telephone calls. I think that they were wrong in their estimate.

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say whether on this occasion any local calls were dislocated?

No. It had hardly any effect on local calls, but it had an effect on the trunk services for about 15 minutes.

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say what good purpose is served by 20,000 members of the British public ringing up the Conservative Central Office for answers to questions when Tory Ministers at that Box cannot answer simple questions at 2.30 in the afternoon?

Would not perhaps the best solution of this serious inconvenience to the public be for the hon. Gentleman, through channels with which he is very familiar, to make representation to the Conservative Central Office that they might consider the convenience of their fellow citizens and not make these schemes, which have the purpose of stopping other people from using the telephone? I understand that the purpose is to get votes. Will he put it to them that they may lose votes by this anti-social practice?

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman heard my original answer. I pointed out the practical difficulties of such an operation and the impossibility of it fulfilling its purpose in the sense of people getting through which would, I should have thought, deter the promoters of such a scheme from repeating it in its present form.

Is it not gratifying that this most successful experiment has received so much publicity today from hon. Members opposite?

The hon. Gentleman did not answer my supplementary question. Can he say why the Post Office expert advisers accepted uncritically the estimate of 200 calls, in view of the precedent which he has quoted of Radio Luxembourg?

The Conservative Central Office told the Post Office that it was going to do a party political broadcast, which would entail a certain amount of telephoning. The Conservative Central Office was under no obligation whatever to tell that to the Post Office, but they did so. Therefore, the Post Office accepted the estimate of the traffic that the broadcast would entail.

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the replies in this matter, I shall endeavour on the Adjournment to explore further this public nuisance.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will now sanction the establishment of a Crown post office in North Chingford.

My noble Friend would like to be able to authorise a new building now, but while the need for strict economy continues he regrets that he must give priority to more urgent cases. I am sorry that our search for alternative premises offering better accommodation than that available at Station Road has not been successful.

Is my hon. Friend aware that for three years his Department has condemned the existing premises as sub-Crown standard, and as they are in the middle of an expanded population, will he do all he can to accelerate the provision of proper Crown offices?

I am afraid that a number of our post offices are sub-Crown office standard. I only wish I could accede to my hon. Friend's wishes, but there are some offices that are worse than that of which he is speaking, and, therefore, I am afraid we have to give priority to the others.

What is a Crown post office? In view of the rise in the cost of living, would it be possible to have half-crown post offices?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many post offices charge a minimum postage rate of 1½d. for packets marked "Printed Papers—Reduced Rate"; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the correct charge of 1d. for the first 2 oz. is made known to Post Office officials, clerks and the general public.

I am sorry to learn that in some instances incorrect information has been given in this matter, and all counter officers are being reminded of the reduced rate.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when that reminder was given to them? Is he aware that I hold in my hand a publication weighing less than 2 oz., marked correctly "Printed Paper—Reduced Rate," and that in the past week a charge of 1½d. has been demanded in no fewer than five London Crown post offices, and that an inquiry at the General Post Office headquarters also elicited a request for a minimum payment of 1½d.? Will the hon. Gentleman see that the fact is made known to the general public and to his staff that we still have a form of 1d. post in this country?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for having pointed this matter out to me. We have issued a notice, in the ordinary weekly circular which goes out today, to all post offices throughout the Kingdom.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, in connection with his proposal to build a new post office on the site of the bombed church at Christ Church Green, Victoria Street, S.W.1, whether he will preserve the footpath connecting Caxton Street and Victoria Street; and if, in view of the car parking problems in Caxton Street and adjoining thoroughfares, he will provide for a car park adjacent to the new post office for the use of General Post Office vehicles, and, on a fee-paying basis, for motor cars owned by persons working in nearby business premises.

The footpath is outside the site the Post Office is buying. The whole site will be used for a telephone exchange, a public post office, and a small yard to accommodate such post office vehicles as may call. We have considered the possibility of an underground garage for general public use, but I regret that the basement and sub-basement must be used to lead in telephone cables and for other Post Office purposes.

Does my hon. Friend anticipate that the acute traffic congestion which already exists in the streets adjoining the site is likely to be made any worse by the erection of this large Government building?

No. We shall not make it any better but we shall not make it any worse.

How high is this building to be?

I should require notice of that question. Off hand, I think it is to be a three-storey building.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will furnish the hon. Members for Croydon, East and Kidderminster with a plan of the proposed new post office on the site of the bombed church at Christ Church Green, Victoria Street, S.W.1, showing arrangements for incoming and outgoing persons and vehicles, and proposals for dealing with General Post Office vehicles in congested thoroughfares.

I will gladly send copies of the plans to the hon. Members when they have been agreed. Meantime, I can say that the public entrances will be on Broadway and that, as the few Post Office vehicles calling at the building will use a yard entrance in Caxton Street, they will not need to park in the streets.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that Caxton Hall is rather a popular spot for matrimonial purposes? There is often a complete blockage of traffic in Caxton Street, and is it not a fact that this post office, notwithstanding the yard, will make it nearly impossible for persons intending matrimonial ventures to get in or out of Caxton Hall?

I hope that it will never be a charge made against the Post Office that we prevent people from getting married. There will be a yard into which Post Office vehicles using the building can go.

Has my hon. Friend received representations from either the Minister of Transport or any other Government authority to make sure that the proposed new building does not extend as near to the public roadway and pavement as its predecessor? It is highly desirable that all buildings in the Metropolitan area today should be withdrawn a certain distance from the footpath and roadway.

Speaking from memory, I think we have consulted the Ministry of Transport, but if my hon. Friend wants a definite reply perhaps he will put down a Question.

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General take great care to ensure that nothing done on this site will adversely affect the interests of the people of Kidderminster?

rose—

Mr. Sorensen.

I rose to ask a further supplementary question, Mr. Speaker.

I think we have had enough of that Question. We must get on.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what economies it is anticipated will result from the closure of the sub-post office, Green Street, Enfield, and the transfer of its business to the Crown office in Hertford Road.

Since writing to the hon. Member on this subject on 31st May, I have been reviewing the whole of the circumstances and have decided that, when the new Crown office in Hertford Road is opened, the sub-post office at Green Street will be retained for the time being.

May I thank the Assistant Postmaster-General for his answer?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement about the proposals of the British Broadcasting Corporation for the development of very high frequency broadcasting, and particularly with regard to a very high frequency service for Cornwall.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General approximately when very high frequency broadcasting will be practicable as a solution of the difficulty of receiving British Broadcasting Corporation programmes in various parts of the United Kingdom, particularly Wales.

My noble Friend hopes to make a statement shortly about the development of very high frequency broadcasting.

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that when that statement is made Cornwall will be given a high priority for the very high frequency service? Can he also say whether, when that service is brought into being, it will give full coverage for Cornwall?

I am afraid I cannot disclose now where the new stations are to be located, but I think it will be possible for my noble Friend to make a statement before the House rises.

In view of the fact that on his own admission very high frequency modulation is still a long-term prospect, and that in Wales the position is deteriorating month by month, may I once more ask the Assistant Postmaster-General to treat the Welsh position as a special case, requiring special action?

I would not agree that it is a long-term proposition. My noble Friend hopes to make a statement shortly on the stations for very high frequency broadcasting.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will make a statement with regard to the installation of three new very high frequency transmitters at the Pontop Pike station and, in particular, on the improvement in reception of the Scottish Regional programme which this is expected to effect in Berwickshire.

My noble Friend hopes to make a statement shortly about the development of very high frequency broadcasting. I should add, however, that any very high frequency service from Pontop Pike would not carry the Scottish Regional service; such a service is not transmitted by that station at the present time.

Is there any station from which we can look forward to an improvement in the Scottish Regional Service?

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend had better wait until the general statement on V.H.F. transmitters is made by my noble Friend.

Can my hon. Friend say whether a decision has been finally taken as to the form of modulation to be used?

Yes—frequency modulation.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what advice the Government will give to the proposed Independent Television Authority on the number of programme companies to be allocated to each commercial television station.

The hon. Member is anticipating events. The I.T.A. will undoubtedly wish to have discussions on this subject with my noble Friend, but under the Bill it will be for the Authority to conduct negotiations with potential programme contractors and to reach its own decision in the matter.

As the Government profess to be opposed to monopoly, would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is important that we should not set up a monopoly for each new television programme unit?

If the hon. Member reads Clause 5 (2) of the Television Bill, he will see the charge laid upon the Authority in that particular connection.

Surely the Government have now made up their mind what advice they will give to the I.T.A.? Is there to be one programme contractor at one station or not?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the Government have not made up their mind.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the date on which the British Broadcasting Corporation submitted its 10-year development plan to the Government.

April, 1953, but I should make it clear that it was not submitted for specific approval but as an outline of the Corporation's long-term plans.

As the Government have given many repeated assurances about not hamstringing the B.B.C., why has it taken all this time to give consent for this programme.

Because the B.B.C. has an enormous programme development on hand. In any case, it would not be able to start a second programme until 1957, even if it were approved.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when a decision can be expected from the Government as to the date on which the British Broadcasting Corporation can be permitted to start on its television expansion programme.

The British Broadcasting Corporation is already fully engaged on the substantial expansion of its television service in Band I. As regards a second B.B.C. programme, in Band III, I cannot at present add to my reply to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. Hobson) on 30th June.

Surely the B.B.C. has made its application, the matter was fixed, as I thought, at the Stockholm Conference, after the hon. Gentleman took office, and I should have thought that it should have been given permission long before this. How long are the Government to take even yet to let the B.B.C. start on a second programme?

The B.B.C. is at present developing stations at Aberdeen, Belfast, the Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Pontop Pike, Crystal Palace, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Dover, Inverness, Londonderry, Towyn and Carlisle. I would suggest that the B.B.C. has quite enough on at the moment.

Do I now understand that the hon. Gentleman takes it upon himself to decide how much the B.B.C. can tackle? It has made application for these frequencies. When are the Government going to give the B.B.C. an answer?

All the B.B.C. has done is to say that it would like certain frequencies reserved for it if and when the Government are prepared to sanction a second programme.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how far the British Broadcasting Corporation will be allowed to use the frequencies reserved for commercial television in areas in which the Independent Television Authority is not expected to operate.

I have taken note of the point, but it is too soon to make any statement.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how soon actual test transmissions on Band III will provide pictures or test patterns so as to allow manufacturers to proceed with the production of reliable receivers.

I understand that several manufacturers are already in production of Band III television receivers. Apart from the tests referred to in my reply to the hon. Member of 30th June last, I have little doubt that the carrying out of further tests will be one of the first responsibilities of the Independent Television Authority.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that actual sets are going into production to receive signals in the Band III channels allocated to the I.T.A. without provision being made for the companies to test these transmissions?

I do not know what steps the companies who make these sets have taken before putting them on the market. Five firms have been granted experimental facilities, and I believe that they are producing the sets now.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General (1) what arrangements the Post Office are making to provide co-axial cables or radio links between the main stations of the proposed Independent Television Authority network;

No decision has yet been reached on the actual sites of the I.T.A. transmitters, but on the assumption that they will be near the existing B.B.C. transmitters in London, the Midlands and Lancashire, the Post Office is satisfied that the links will be ready by the time the I.T.A. stations are completed. The link between London and the Midlands will probably be by radio, and from the Midlands to Lancashire by spare co-axial cable.

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say, with regard to the cost of running these co-axial cables which are to be installed by the Post Office, whether the same terms will be charged to the I.T.A. as are already charged to the B.B.C.?

They will certainly be computed on the same basis.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what provision is being made to increase the numbers of helicopter pilots.

Arrangements have been made to ensure that our plans for increasing the Royal Air Force's helicopter strength are matched by a corresponding output of qualified pilots. Helicopter pilots will continue to be trained under civil contract and, in addition, a small Royal Air Force training unit will shortly be set up.

As it is inevitable that the Army will be requiring many helicopters in the immediate future, will the hon. Gentleman state whether his Department is making preparations for the necessary helicopter pilots?

As I told the hon. Member on 19th May, we have outstanding orders for about 100 helicopters, of which about a half should be delivered by the middle of next year. We shall, of course, train pilots to keep pace with these deliveries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give instructions to restrict as far as practicable the low flying of aircraft on Sundays during the hours when church services are normally held.

Some training at weekends is inevitable, particularly for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the Royal Observer Corps, but every effort is made to restrict low flying during the normal hours of church services on Sundays.

Can my hon. Friend pass on any instructions or suggestions which he may send out to our Allies in the United States and Canadian Air Forces?

Yes, Sir. Their rules about low flying on Sundays are the same as ours.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many properties are still held under requisition by his Department; if he will order a new investigation into the circumstances of each case; and if he will direct that prior consideration be given to the original owner, or owners, whenever a sale is contemplated.

Thirty-four buildings and 36,500 acres of land are still held on requisition by the Air Ministry. These requisitions are kept under constant review and we hope to eliminate them completely within the next few years. Since requisitioning does not affect ownership, the last part of the Question does not arise.

In view of the size of the figure relating to the amount of land that is held, can my hon. Friend say whether any progress has been made in de-requisitioning? Secondly, will he pay particular attention to cases like that of Tarrant Rushton Airfield, owned by Commander Marten, on which it is alleged that my hon. Friend proposes to use compulsory powers merely to confirm a letting to a private company? Will he take into account the general public feeling against the principle of this kind of thing?

The Question deals with de-requisition. Since the war we have reduced the number of premises held on requisition from about 6,000 down to 34, and the amount of land from 250,000 acres to 36,500 acres.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether instructions have now been issued that National Service men shall not be employed on prison duties at Royal Air Force detention units.

No, Sir. The basis of selection will be a man's aptitude and not the type of engagement on which he happens to be serving. As, however, we are in general choosing older men with previous experience of this type of work, it will be unusual for National Service men to be employed.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that his reply will be received with some satisfaction, because the nasty affair at Wahnerheide has shown quite clearly that it was undesirable that National Service men should be employed on this kind of duty?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the growth of the new town of Harlow along the A.11, London to Norwich trunk road, and the additional congestion and consequential danger to road traffic and pedestrians, he will now sanction the proposed diversion of this road at Potter Street.

My right hon. Friend expects to publish soon a draft Order under the Trunk Roads Act, 1946, for the purpose of fixing the line of the diversion of the trunk road at Potter Street. I regret that I cannot at present forecast when it will be possible to put the construction of the diversion in hand.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that if an entirely new town of 80,000 inhabitants is built along this road, on which there is already a serious accident record, this diversion ought to be accelerated if things are not to go from bad to worse?

My predecessor received a deputation led by my hon. Friend on 17th June last year, when he made it plain that it was not possible for us to give any high degree of priority to this scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will engage a reputable firm of engineers to report upon Barton Bridge, Eccles, with special reference to the construction of a footpath outside the present structure of the bridge, on the side of the bridge or seven feet above the present footpaths.

No, Sir. As has been explained to the hon. Member, this is a private bridge and my right hon. Friend has no power to intervene in its operation or to make a Road Fund grant for it.

Does the Minister realise that in giving such a low priority to the Barton Bridge—the new bridge and the improvement of the old—he and his advisers have made a big mistake? Does he realise that the statement made to the National Production Advisory Council and now passed on to the T.U.C.—which states that:

"The Minister acknowledges the importance of this project but owing to the fact that there are many more schemes which are more urgently needed, there is little prospect of the Barton Bridge scheme, which would cost £2 million, being considered for a considerable number of years."

No, Sir. As was made quite plain in my right hon. Friend's statement on 8th December last year, very high priority is given to industrial areas and Lancashire has received its fair allocation out of the present programme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the responsibilities of his Department regarding the safety arrangements at Barton Swing Bridge, Eccles; and what are the responsibilities falling on the Manchester Ship Canal Company regarding the safety of pedestrians crossing the bridge.

My Department has no direct responsibility for safety arrangements at Barton Swing Bridge. Although there is no specific provision on the matter in the Manchester Ship Canal Act, 1885, I am advised that the Manchester Ship Canal Company might be held to have a measure of responsibility for the safety of pedestrians crossing the bridge, in so far as the Act requires the company to maintain the bridge and in so far as the company are at common law under a duty to exercise care in the opening of the bridge so as not to endanger pedestrians using it.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to look into this whole matter and have an inquiry with representatives of the T.U.C. and industry on the whole project of Barton Bridge and the transport arrangements there, which are causing grave dislocation to workers, industrialists and the general community?

The hon. Member has brought this matter specially to the attention of the Department. He persuaded my right hon. Friend to visit the bridge himself, and he can be assured that we have the greatest sympathy with the representations that he is making and that we will include Barton Bridge in the programme as soon as it is possible to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many accidents to persons and vehicles have occurred since 1st November, 1951, on the South Coast trunk road TR37-A27, where it passes over the Old Shoreham Bridge, and its traffic is subjected to toll imposition.

Four, Sir, all during the hours of darkness and one only resulting in serious injury.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in his capacity as the responsible highway authority for the South Coast trunk road, TR37-A27, and, in view of the fact that the present toll imposition is 6d. for two journeys on the same day, he will now consult with the British Transport Commission and seek agreement to the following concession, namely, that the 6d, toll on the Old Shoreham Bridge should, in future, permit of two journeys without regard to date.

The British Transport Commission are not prepared to suffer the appreciable loss of revenue which the adoption of this suggestion would involve. The level of charges to be made for the use of this bridge is a matter for the Commission to determine.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is satisfied that the dredging operations which he has authorised in connection with the improvement of the ferry service at Queensferry are proceeding according to plan.

I am informed by the British Transport Commission that the contractors are already on the site, but dredging has not yet started as it has to be phased in with the constructional work at the piers which has already started.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to prevent congestion bringing traffic to a standstill in Jermyn Street, W.1, before the "no-waiting" regulations come into force at 11.30 a.m.

The Commissioner of Police informs me that there are always police on duty in Jermyn Street before 11.30 a.m. We should not at present feel justified in making an exception here to the general rule that "no-waiting" regulations come into force at 11.30 a.m.

Can my hon. Friend say what action is taken by the police when vehicles are parked on both sides of the road and two lines of traffic try to go where there is only room for one?

The police take action in two ways. As far as possible they move on the traffic which is obstructing, and if they find there is a persistent obstruction taking place they warn the driver of the vehicle concerned.

In view of the increasing congestion of London traffic, would it not be a good idea to make the hour at which no waiting is enforceable earlier, say, 10.30 in the morning?

I said that at present we do not feel justified in altering the general rule in the case of "no-waiting" street, but it is intended, as a result of representations made by the Fire Brigade, to introduce "no waiting" at all in six streets in Soho where congestion is such as greatly to increase the danger of fire.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now name the date for starting the Lint-house-Whiteinch Tunnel.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him on 30th June.

Is the Minister aware that the answer is quite unsatisfactory and insufficient? Can he tell us why he is still holding up the ratification of permission to proceed now that he has the estimate? What prevents him from giving the Glasgow Corporation permission to proceed with the tunnel?

My right hon. Friend intimated last week that he would not be in a position to make any further statement on this matter until he had discussed it with the Glasgow Corporation, and the hon. Member will not obtain any further information until my right hon. Friend has had that discussion.

On a point of order. Questions are put to the Minister in the House on matters for which the House is responsible financially to the extent of 75 per cent. Is it not right, therefore, that we should have an answer and that the answer should not be referred to an outside body?

The Minister said that he would give an answer and told the hon. Member that there was no information until then. The hon. Member asked a very long supplementary question.

The Minister previously told me that he would give an answer when he had the estimates from Glasgow, but now that he has them he still does not give an answer.

That is not a point of order.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what estimates have been prepared of the additional road traffic which will be generated by the operation of London Airport at full scale.

It has been estimated that in 1960, with the Airport in operation at full scale in peak hours, some 2,000 to 2,500 vehicles per hour will enter or leave the airport. About 1,600 vehicles will use the Bath Road, 1,200 to the east and 400 to the west of the Airport entrances. Actual counts made in 1951 showed 620 vehicles per peak hour, of which 390 used the Bath Road, 280 to the east and 110 to the west.

Can the Minister say what plans are therefore being made to improve the road approaches to this Airport?

As I said in reply to a Question on 21st June, we believe that for the immediate future the Bath Road will be adequate to carry the additional traffic.

Can the Minister say what progress has been made with the extension of tube railway facilities to give passengers access to the Airport and thus avoid road approaches?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what modifications have been made in respect of a new main road running through the Borough of Leyton.

The lines of the two trunk roads in Leyton are still under consideration, and I cannot yet say what modifications may be made.

Am I to take it from that reply that some drastic modifications are to be made in the plan?

The Leyton Borough Council is finding some difficulty at present in recruiting technical staff to carry out the necessary survey. That is what is delaying matters at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 78 of the Transport Act, 1947, in order to ensure more effective publicity in connection with the lodging of objections with the Transport Tribunal to any new British Transport Commission (Passenger) Charges Scheme.

No, Sir. I think the present procedure is adequate.

Is the Minister aware of the circumstances in which the objection of the London Passenger Association to the recent fares increase by the London Transport Board was not heard by the Tribunal? Does this not indicate that the publicity arrangements are not satisfactory? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider urging the Tribunal to improve them and, possibly, to use the same kind of arrangements as are used by licensing authorities in similar circumstances in the provinces?

The association concerned, whose late application was rejected by the Transport Tribunal, is, I think, well aware of the procedure, having lodged objections on previous occasions and having been heard. The requirements are laid down in the Transport Act, 1947, and the Transport Tribunal Rules, 1949, and, I think, are working quite smoothly.

Would the Minister not agree that, in view of the fact that this transport undertaking has a monopoly, it is most important that everything is done to ensure that travellers have the fullest opportunity of making objections when fares increases are contemplated?

Is the Minister aware that many of the public representations that are made to the Transport Tribunal are simply nonsense? Will he be behind the B.T.C. with a view to enabling the railways to have a square deal as far as their charges are concerned, in order that they may undertake capital development and provide decent wages and conditions for their employees? They are about the only section of people who are subject to so much public scrutiny before fares can be adjusted to meet increase in costs.

I shall be behind the bodies set up by the proper Acts.

Is the Minister aware that the London County Council is very effectively appearing before the tribunal on behalf of the travelling public and that there may be others as well? Would he agree that it would be unfortunate if the idea were spread abroad that the travelling public's case was not being heard by the Tribunal?

I think the travelling public's case is being heard and the Tribunal have made several suggestions.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give figures to show the increased use, both passenger and goods, made of East of Scotland airfields during the last six months, as compared with 1953; and what further expansion he anticipates in the immediate future.

In the six months ending May, 1954, 62,300 passengers and 232 tons of freight were handled at aerodromes in the eastern half of Scotland. This compares with 56,800 passengers and 233 tons of freight in the six months ending May, 1953. So far as I can foresee, the annual increase of about 10 per cent. in passenger traffic over 1953 will continue into the immediate future.

Is not that a great tribute to a nationalised industry?

Anything which helps to increase the movements of civil aviation will always have tributes paid to it by my right hon. Friend.

Can my hon. Friend say how much of this traffic figure passes through the airport of Errol?

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many properties are still held under requisition by his Department; if he will order a new investigation into the circumstances of each case; and if he will take steps to ensure that the rights of the original owner, or owners, are safeguarded whenever a sale is contemplated.

Seventy-seven, of which 67 are bombed sites used temporarily as car parks which would otherwise be put to no useful purpose. These will be restored to their owners as soon as they obtain building licences. In addition, the Air Ministry holds on requisition on my behalf 70 properties used for aerodrome purposes and 57 small sites for navigational aids. The position is under continual review so that these properties, if not to be purchased or leased, are returned as soon as possible to their owners or the requisitioning authority. I have no power to sell property held on requisition.

Will my right hon. Friend not relax his efforts to divest himself of these properties in spite of the fact that his Department is in a much more favourable position than some other Departments?

I keep a constant watch on this, but a large number of these properties are round about most important aerodromes which are used by the general public of the country.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has refused to receive a deputation from St. Pancras Borough Council, including the hon. Members for Holborn and St. Pancras, South, and for St. Pancras, North, to discuss the question of authorisation of additional capital required by the British Transport Commission to deal with smoke pollution at Chalk Farm.

I am sorry about conditions at Chalk Farm. I know that the St. Pancras Public Health Committee have had a very full discussion of the problem with a senior railway officer and the British Transport Commission have promised to do all they can to reduce the smoke and grit. But what the council raised with me was the electrification of the whole railway system out of Euston. This is clearly a far wider question, and I do not think it would help for me to receive a deputation from them about this. But I would be very ready to meet the hon. Members concerned and discuss the problem with them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it was arising out of a meeting with the British Railway representatives that the council were told that only major capital which the Minister could authorise would solve this intolerable nuisance at Chalk Farm, that a request for the deputation was then made, and will he not reconsider asking not only my hon. Friend and myself but representatives of the borough council as well to see him and so try to redeem his earlier discourtesy in this matter?

There is no discourtesy, but the question of the electrification of the whole of the former London, Midland and Scottish system is not one that can properly be discussed by the Minister with a local authority, however important. I am very ready to see the Members of Parliament concerned and explain the difficulties to them, also my constitutional position, and listen to what they have to say.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) if he will give the net traffic receipts for British Railways for the year 1953;

These and other figures which, taken together, represent the financial results of the British Transport Commission for the year 1953 will be contained in the Commission's annual report which will be laid before the House as soon as it is printed. I do not think it would be right to extract isolated figures, such as the net traffic receipts of particular sections of the undertaking, in advance of the report and accounts as a whole.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when this report will be available to hon. Members for study?

The British Transport Commission informed me that, owing to its preoccupation with the railway re-organisation scheme and the merchandise charges scheme, it regretted that the report will be issued a little later this year than in the last few years. I hope that it will come along fairly soon.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to introduce legislation to amend the existing law, in view of the uncertainty which exists throughout the road passenger industry at the present time concerning the operation of passenger service vehicles on private hire work in consideration of the payment of separate fares.

I hope to introduce such legislation at the earliest opportunity that the Parliamentary time-table permits.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will furnish particulars of prosecutions instigated by his Department during the last two years for alleged contraventions of the provision of Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, against companies owned or controlled by the British Transport Commission, companies owned or controlled by the British Electric Traction Company Limited, and other operators, respectively.

One thousand and seventy-four prosecutions were undertaken by the licensing authorities for public service vehicles in the two years ended 31st March, 1954, for contraventions of Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. I am afraid it would not be possible to break down this total in the manner desired by the hon. Member without considerable research.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now make a statement about the establishment of a pension scheme for wages grades employed by the British Transport Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether the details of the new pension scheme for railway wage grades have yet been agreed by the British Transport Commission and the trade unions; and whether he will make the full scheme available to hon. Members at the earliest possible moment.

I am very glad to inform the House that, following complete agreement between the British Transport Commission and the trade unions upon the terms of a pension scheme for male wages grades, I have made Regulations establishing this scheme as from 1st October next. These Regulations have been laid before Parliament today and copies will be available to hon. Members. The scheme provides a pension of 30s. a week at 65 after 40 years' membership, with a further 10s. for certain senior grades. With permission, I will circulate a summary of the main provisions in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will give great satisfaction to all those concerned?

Will the Minister take note of the fact that it is not until we get public ownership of the transport industry that it is possible to get a pensions scheme for wages grades?

I take notice of the fact that nothing happened in the six years of Socialist Government.