asked the Assistant Postmaster-General, in view of his policy that, owing to shortage of finance and materials, television facilities cannot yet be provided for Aberdeen, why he has authorised the provision of a booster television station for Brighton and Hove in Sussex, which already had television facilities; and if he will now revise his refusal to provide immediate television facilities for Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland.

As I have already informed the hon. and learned Member, the booster station was authorised in order to give reasonable service to some thousands of people who had already invested in television sets but could make little effective use of them owing to the screening effect of the South Downs. As regards the second part of the Question, a general statement on television will be made shortly.

As official television facilities are being afforded not only to Brighton but to certain continental countries, including France and Belgium, at considerable national expense in money and labour, surely the hon. Gentleman can do something to boost television for Aberdeen?

The hon. and learned Gentleman had better wait until I make my general statement on television development.

What area northwards is the station in Aberdeen likely to serve?

There is no station yet in Aberdeen.

I know that, but what radius northwards will be served if there is soon to be a station at Aberdeen, as I hope there will be?

I must ask my hon. Friend to give me notice of that question.

Can the hon. Gentleman indicate when he is proposing to make the general statement on television development?

I hope it will be not too long after the House reassembles.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to give a list of the daily papers which have now applied for a licence for commercial television.

Since this question was last raised in the House, I have looked at the matter again to see if it would be possible for me to disclose these names. I would very much like to do so. I find, however, that until the frequencies available and the general conditions governing commercial broadcasting are announced, these applications must be largely of a provisional nature. Some of them are little more than enquiries. It is my noble Friend's intention to announce the names of all applicants as soon as firm conditions have been decided and applications have been confirmed.

Does the reply mean that the Postmaster-General will make known in another place who the applicants for the frequencies are before the licences are granted, or will the House be faced, particularly with regard to the newspapers, with a fait accompli?

The House has been promised a full debate on the terms of the licence when the first television licences are granted. I have told the hon. Gentleman that it is my noble Friend's intention to disclose the names as soon as possible.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that among the list of applicants are the "Daily Herald" and the "Manchester Guardian"?

I cannot disclose that, but I can assure the House that there are newspapers of very widely differing political views who wish to have television stations of their own.

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether the Question of the hon. Member for Westbury (Sir R. Grimston) reveals a leak.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General (1) if he is satisfied that the British Broadcasting Corporation requires the whole of the licence revenue in order to carry out the development of very high frequency in accordance with Command Paper No. 8550;

(2) if the British Broadcasting Corporation has yet made representations to the Government for the whole of the net licence revenue in order that they may adequately develop sound and television broadcasting; and what is the Government decision thereon.

The B.B.C. has asked for the entire "net" revenue from broadcast receiving licences, and this request is being considered by the Government.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the Report of the Television Advisory Committee will be published.

My noble Friend has now received the Report, and printed copies will be available as soon as possible after the House reassembles.

May I take it we shall have an early opportunity of discussing it in the House?

That, of course, is not a matter for me to say.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, as a result of the failure of the voluntary scheme, he will now introduce a Regulation requiring the fitting of suppressors to motor vehicles to reduce interference with television reception.

I would agree that the voluntary scheme has not been as successful as it was hoped it would be, but my noble Friend is reluctant to adopt compulsory measures, involving as they would the power of inspection over individual motor vehicles and an increase in staff. This summer it is proposed to start, both through the Post Office and the motor trades, a widespread campaign to encourage motorists to fit suppressors to their cars.

What is the price of fitting these suppressors?

It varies. Some cars need only one suppressor on the distributor, but others want one on each plug.

Is it not possible for the Assistant Postmaster-General to approach his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and suggest that when cars are licensed there should be a declaration on the application form to the effect that suppressors have been fitted? In that event it would obviate this difficulty.

I will look at that suggestion, but quite a lot of information is already asked for on that form.

Is my hon. Friend contemplating issuing a Regulation making the fitting of these suppressors compulsory on new models after a certain date?

Yes, that has been laid before this House and comes into force on 1st July this year.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what information he has sought from the electronic industry as to the capital cost of introducing commercial television, including the use of adaptors for receivers now under licence.

No reliable costs can be given by the radio industry until the size of the transmitting stations and the range of frequencies to be covered by the adaptors have been settled.

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General assure the House that this information and all particulars relating to the matter will be placed before this House when he makes his promised report on television?

I cannot give that assurance, but a general programme of television development of all sorts will be laid before this House at the earliest possible moment.

Would my hon. Friend give some indication as to how much the adaptors are likely to cost?

No, it is not possible at this stage to give any reliable estimate of the cost until it is decided in which wave band or frequency band the station will work.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of television sets in use in the United Kingdom at the latest convenient date, for which licences have been obtained and paid for; and what is the annual rate of increase of such sets, in each of the next five years, that has been assessed by his Department when formulating plans for building new television stations and obtaining capital investment sanction for these new stations, including boosters.

On 31st March, 1953, the number was 2,142,452. So far as can be assessed, growth in television licences in the next few years will be at the rate of about 600,000 a year; but there are many factors, apart from the number of licences, which go to determine the amount of capital investment which the B.B.C. may be allowed to incur for development.

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that he is watching trends in overseas countries in this matter? Is he aware that the number of television sets in the City of Chicago is now reputed to exceed the number of telephones and bath-tubs there, and what deductions does he draw from these extraordinary sociological trends?

That is a prospect which fills me with undiluted horror.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many television licences have been bought in the United Kingdom in the 12 months ended 30th April, 1953; how many sets were in use on that date; whether he has formed an estimate as to the extent of evasion of payment for television licences; and what steps he is taking to prevent such malpractices.

About 700,000. It is not possible to say precisely how many sets are in use at any time, but we estimate that some new sets may be in use for a month or so before the buyers take out their licences. With regard to evasion generally, I would ask my hon. Friend to await the reply to his next Question.

Can my hon. Friend clarify one point? With whom does the responsibility rest for apprehending evasion of payment for a television licence? Is it with the police or is it with the officers of his Department?

The G.P.O. is responsible for the collection of radio and television licences.

Here again could the Minister consider issuing all the retailers with the appropriate application form so that when they sell the set they will sell it with a registered number which can be returned to his Department, which could probably pay a commission because it would pay the Department to get the money in that way?

That interesting suggestion has been considered. The difficulty is that the only way to make it workable would be to make it compulsory, and that would mean the introduction of legislation.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the practice of his Department in regard to the initiation of action against persons owning household or car-borne wireless sets and household television sets for which licences have not been purchased; what is the assessed number of persons evading payment for licences; what is the assessed loss of revenue annually; and what further action he contemplates, notably in connection with car-borne radio sets, which are rapidly increasing in numbers.

There is no reason to believe that wilful evasion of radio and television licences is either widespread or increasing. No reliable estimate can be given of the number of evasions, but the continued use of modern means of detection, which now include special television detection vans, should gradually reduce evasion. As regards sets fitted in cars, it is too early to estimate the effect of the new arrangement with the Ministry of Transport, about which I gave information to my hon. Friend on 21st January.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that millions of man hours are being wasted every year by requiring persons who own motor vehicles with radio sets in them to tax their motor vehicles at one Government office and then to go round to the Post Office to buy a radio licence for it? Is it not possible to amalgamate these functions and sell a radio licence with a car at the same time as the motor car is up for taxing?

The application form which the owner of a motor car is now called upon to fill in before he takes out his annual or quarterly licence contains an item asking him if he has a radio fitted to his car, and if so, does he realise that it has to be licensed. I would like to see how that will work—I think myself it will be successful—before we go further.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the present priority as regards extension of capital investment available for broadcasting and television on the North-East Coast.

As the House is aware, the Government have television development under review and a statement will be made shortly.

Would I be right in assuming from that answer that the North-East Coast would have priority even over sponsored television?

I think the hon. Lady had better await the statement. She has already got television on the North-East Coast.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what capital expenditure has been authorised for the British Broadcasting Corporation for the financial years 1951–52 and 1952–53; and what capital expenditure is estimated for the financial year 1953–54.

Authorisations are for calendar years. For 1951 and 1952 the figures were £18 million and £2 million, respectively. I regret that I cannot give a figure for the current year since the programme is subject to review.

Would my hon. Friend give some indication, because surely the plans must have been laid and the equipment ordered for capital expenditure in the current year?

I have just told the House that I hope soon to make a statement on the future television policy of the Government, and that must affect the amount of money which the B.B.C. will be allowed to spend.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the new books of stamps containing those of the new reign will be available; and how many are being printed each month of each variety.

Five shilling books containing l½d. and 2½d. stamps of the new reign have been on sale at post offices since 12th May: the 2s. 6d. books will be available at some offices this week and at others shortly afterwards. The May edition of the new books will comprise about 1,750,000 of the 2s. 6d. variety and about 1,300,000 of the 5s. The June edition of the 2s. 6d. books will be about 3 millions. The next edition of the 5s. books will be for July and about 1½ millions will be printed.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the book will contain all stamps of the new reign, and whether any are available now, and, if so, whether they are being issued through all the main post offices?

The present books of stamps are mixed, containing both old and new reign stamps.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether his noble Friend the Postmaster-General has yet taken a decision upon the claims of the Post Office breakaway unions for recognition; and if he will make a statement thereon.

No, Sir, but he hopes to be able to do so shortly and to make a statement.

Can the Minister say how long we may have to wait for the report?

I hope not long after the House has reassembled.

As the hon. Gentleman and his friends were adamant about this matter when they sat on this side of the House, will he make sure that before giving the decision of the Committee the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has been consulted?

On a point of order. I want to draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the use of the words "breakaway unions" in this Question. Surely this union is not entitled to be abused in a Question. This is a term of reprobation against the union, and I would submit that this union is entitled to ask for recognition without having terms of obloquy attached to it in this way.

Further to that point of order. Will you, Mr. Speaker, in arriving at your conclusion on this question, bear in mind that this term was used in a Motion which was put before the House by the Conservative Party when they were in opposition?

I do not think the term "breakaway unions" implies anything bad. It merely denotes that members of a union are not content to remain members of that union.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how long it takes an air mail letter, posted in London, to reach Caracas, Venezuela.

Three to four days from the latest time of posting at London Chief Office.

Is that the best performance or is it the average performance? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that information given to me suggests that British exporters are at a serious disadvantage in competing with United States exports in this valuable market because of the slowness of communications?

I know there have been a number of complaints recently, but this is not entirely under our own control. These air mails go via New York, where they have to be handled by the American postal authorities, and therefore the extent to which we can hurry things up must necessarily be limited.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when it is proposed to sell 1s. books of stamps through special machines for this purpose; when these smaller books will also be on sale over the counter; when and at which post offices they will be available; and if he will ensure that Newport is included in this list.

Experimental machines for selling 1s. booklets of stamps are already on trial at a number of offices throughout the country and one will be installed at Newport Head Office when the present reconstruction work is completed. We do not at present intend selling these booklets at counters, but this and other questions arising out of the experiment are being considered and I will make a further statement in due course.

Will the new books of stamps contain the new reign stamps, with pictures of the Queen?

Yes, they will.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what arrangements he proposes to make to enable residents of Croydon to be able to dial telephone numbers in the London postal region when the new system of telephone directories comes into force.

Business subscribers will get, in addition to their own county directory, the four volumes covering the London postal area and also the classified directory which will continue to cover the same area as at present. Residential subscribers who ask for the four London directory volumes will receive them free of charge.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General to what extent the new telephone directories for the Greater London area will enable users of the telephone to find the common names, like Jones and Robinson, more easily.

The most common name in the London telephone directory is Smith. There are nearly 40 pages of them in the present book. In the new directory for the London postal area there will be about 25 pages of Smiths, and not more than five pages in any of the new outer London directories. Incidentally, the Williams are now overhauling the Jones as one of the most common names in the Directory.

Can my hon. Friend tell us what other steps he contemplates taking in this matter? For instance, does he intend to try and arrest this Welsh invasion of the Metropolis?

As the House is aware, not all the Williams's in this country come from Wales, but it is certainly not part of my responsibility to suggest that Welshmen should stay in Wales. My hon. and gallant Friend may be comforted by the fact, however, that the Smiths, whom perhaps we may regard as Anglo-Saxons, are the most prolific family in the country and are increasing far more rapidly than any other.

Is the Minister aware that it was the English who invaded the Metropolis and not the Welsh?

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Williams's are the most numerous in this House?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, when introducing the new telephone directories, he will arrange that subscribers in the London postal area are automatically issued with the telephone directory of the county area nearest to them, so that under this arrangement subscribers in North-West London will receive the North-West Middlesex telephone directory in which Edgware and Elstree appear, with which they have close association.

No, Sir. The community of interest varies considerably between the fringe areas of the London postal area and the neighbouring counties, but any subscriber who wants the directory of a neighbouring county area or for that matter any other county area can have them if he asks for them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that where the boundary between the London postal area and the county area runs through the middle of a borough, grave inconvenience will be caused if the two halves of the area are not included in the London directory, and would he therefore inquire as to whether Edgware and Burnt Oak should not be included with the other parts of Hendon?

The difficulty is that the boundary must be drawn somewhere. I do not think the inconvenience is as great as my hon. Friend suggests, because any subscriber who is in the county area can have all the four London volumes, if he asks for them, free of charge.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the limitations on capital and material which prevent an adequate provision of telephone facilities for the present list of applicants.

The limitation is what the nation can afford. Since the war, national investment, in which the Post Office can have only its appropriate share, has been limited by the resources available, both financial and material. There are many claims on material resources, including those of defence and a rising level of exports. Financial claims are limited by the nation's capacity to accumulate savings.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what amount of the capita] investment programme of the Post Office is being made available for the provision of telephones in the current financial year.

About £38,750,000. This figure, like those given in my reply of 11th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Miss Ward), represents expenditure on local and junction cables, exchange equipment, buildings, and on connecting up subscribers and telephone kiosks; it excludes expenditure on the development of the trunk service.

Can the hon. Member say whether his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will remove the ban on the building of new exchanges which largely accounts for the present shortage?

No, but we have reduced the waiting list by over 50,000 in the past year.

Does the Assistant Postmaster-General from time to time acquaint the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the tremendous pressure exerted upon Members of this House by constituents on the delay that has occurred in granting them these facilities?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Post Office is not more slow than any other Government Department in pressing its claims on the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he has considered the delay experienced by those wanting telephone installations in the area of Meopham, Kent; and if he will take steps to see that the delay is reduced.

Of the 23 people who are waiting in this area seven will be connected in the near future. I much regret the delay in meeting these applications but with the many other demands on our resources I cannot say when the waiting list will be cleared.

There are 16 people in this area who cannot be offered any sure date. Will the Minister do his best to grant them facilities?

I try to do my best all over the country, but we have a waiting list of over 400,000 who can only be satisfied by large capital expenditure which the Post Office has not got at its disposal.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how far the demands of the defence programme upon the electronics industry still imposes limitations upon the rate of provision of telephones and the extension of British Broadcasting Corporation's services.

The demands of the defence programme upon the electronics industry do not directly limit the provision of telephones nor are they the only factor in determining the extension of the B.B.C.'s services.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones were outstanding in the London Telecommunications Region on the latest date for which figures are available.

One hundred and twenty thousand two hundred and seventy-six applications were outstanding at the 31st March, 1953, including 30,903 in course of provision or under investigation.

In view of that enormous figure, can the Assistant Postmaster-General say, now that traffic congestion makes it more difficult for Londoners to visit each other, that he will at least give some priority in telephones so that they can talk to each other, or is it his intention to force Londoners to write more letters and buy more stamps?

No, we have reduced the waiting list in the past year by the largest figure for many years.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones on the Brixton Exchange were outstanding at the end of 1951, 1952 and at the latest date for which figures are available.

1,426 applications were outstanding at 31st December, 1952, compared with 1,403 12 months earlier, but the number has now been reduced to 1,034.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for this welcome improvement, may I ask him now to say whether the extensions to the Brixton Exchange which were to be put into effect by the end of 1952 will, by the end of 1953, result in a really substantial decrease in the numbers outstanding?

There will be a decrease but not as large a decrease as I should have liked, because the limiting factor there is not exchange equipment but the shortage of line equipment.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what branch of the Royal Air Force will operate the guided missiles the responsibility for which was recently transferred from the Army to the Royal Air Force.

In this, as in other matters connected with operations, the main responsibility will rest with the General Duties Branch. Further study, and actual experience of handling these weapons, will be necessary before it is possible to define with precision the role which each branch will play when these weapons come into service. In view of the complex technical problems involved, however, the part played by the Technical Branch must be of great importance.

Would the Minister remind the Medical Branch that the very high physical qualities that are necessary for fighting or for flying an aircraft are not necessary in push-button warfare, whether the officer is in the Air Force or in the artillery?

We will certainly bear that point in mind.

Does this transfer mean that the Army is to have nothing to do with the use of guided missiles as and when necessary? Does it mean that the Royal Air Force is to have the exclusive right to handle such weapons? Has not the hon. Gentleman heard of co-ordination in the Services?

Certainly. The right hon. Gentleman will, however, remember that my noble friend the Minister of Defence said in another place that surface-to-air guided missiles are complementary to fighter aircraft and operate in the same air space, and must, therefore, be under the same ground control.

Is the Minister aware that guided missiles are also complementary to anti-aircraft devices of the conventional pattern?

Of course, but these new weapons will be integrated into the air defence system as a whole.

In the meantime, is the Minister aware that the many thousands of technicians—men and women—in the Army who are at present engaged in anti-aircraft are in a state of great despondency over this transfer of responsibility, with which, technically, we may not disagree? Are the Army doing anything to suggest that they should, or to encourage them to, take over equivalent appointments on a territorial basis under Air Force auspices?

I am not sure what approach has been made to them, but I will look into the point.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air why no Welsh emblem appears on any flags of the Royal Air Force although English, Scottish and Irish emblems are incorporated.

The only Royal Air Force flags to display national emblems are the Squadron Standards. The present design of these follows heraldic tradition and precedent. My noble Friend is, however, considering whether it would be possible to include a Welsh emblem in the design of future standards.

I wish to thank the Minister for that reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will make a further statement on arrangements to enable flying instructors, displaced by the closure of flying schools, to find alternative employment as pilots.

Up to date, 50 flying instructors have been offered appointments in the Royal Air Force as pilots and a further 22 commissions in the ground branches. About 30 more have received offers of employment as civil pilots. Arrangements have been made in conjunction with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Labour and Civil Aviation that, where such offers depend upon the instructor obtaining additional qualifications, financial help will be given to him during his training course. Many others have found posts elsewhere, and we have given them all the advice and assistance we could.

Inevitably, there are cases where instructors have not so far found alternative employment. Some of these have applied to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund for help, and the Air Council has made a special grant of £2,500 from R.A.F. Prize Money in recognition of what the Fund is doing for them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this information will give general satisfaction to all sides of the House, especially to those of us who have sought for so long to try to get these men a fair deal?

Is the Minister aware that although it will give some satisfaction, there are still many of these officers who are unemployed and that there is valuable experience in these men; and will he do everything he possibly can to make use of them?

indicated assent.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he is aware that the continuous noise from low-flying jet aircraft in the Bristol area is affecting the nerves and health of many people; and if he will take effective steps to abate this nuisance.

Most of the noise has, I think, been made by jet fighter squadrons temporarily attached to Filton from the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany. It will be possible to move them away from Filton after the beginning of next month.

While I am grateful to the Minister for the information that this is only of a temporary character, can we have an assurance that this will not be used as a bombing base in the way that some of the aerodromes are at present being used?

I cannot give any definite and absolute guarantee about the future, but we will certainly do our best to keep that matter in mind.

Is any investigation being carried out by the Minister's Department as to the effect on the mind, body and hearing of continuous noise of this description?

Of course, that is a matter for the medical people and, I have no doubt, for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, but I will look into the point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that under the present substitution scheme there is discrimination between established and unestablished civilian substitution officers of the same grade for superannuation purposes and otherwise; and whether he can hold out any prospect of establishment for the 24 substitution officers who still remain unestablished.

I am glad to say that the establishment of these officers has now been agreed in principle. There are some formalities to go through, but I hope that all those who are acceptable to the Civil Service Commissioners will be established within the next two or three months.

Can the Minister say what the position of these officers will be as regards pension?

Yes, Sir. The majority of these officers are likely to qualify for pension, and, of course, we shall look sympathetically at any individual case.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what consideration has been given to the operation of amphibious helicopters between London Airport and the River Thames between London Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge.

I have examined a proposal on these lines with British European Airways, but have concluded that the limited value to be obtained from such experimental operations with existing types of fully developed helicopters would not justify the cost to public funds.

Would my hon. Friend say exactly what the difficulties are, because the use of such aircraft would do away with the use of one particular area, be it the South Bank or anywhere else, and thereby diminish the noise, as it would be distributed up and down the river, and all that is necessary is a series of piers?

That is not quite the problem. We have as much experimental information as, I think, we can get on single-engined helicopters, and until there is a development of the twin-engined helicopter it would only be a waste of public funds to carry on this sort of service.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what progress has been made in recent months in selecting sites for helidromes in London in connection with helicopter passenger travel.

There have been further discussions, which are continuing, with the London County Council regarding the provision of a site suitable for a temporary airstop on the South Bank.

In view of the fact that there has been excellent progress with the Bristol 173 for passenger services, cannot we see a little more evidence of intelligent anticipation and not wait until these things are actually flying about before sites are decided upon?

It would be a considerable time before it would be possible to operate scheduled helicopter services to city centres. I assure the hon. Member, and, indeed, the House, that the development of a suitable airstop in the centre of London is being considered with this factor in mind.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that in a few days' time the London—Birmingham helicopter service will again be started? Could he not obtain valuable data from this service in the matter of a central city site, notably in Birmingham?

I should repeat that I do not believe we can get any further valuable data until we can produce the twin-engined helicopter.

Are the sites to which the Minister referred on the old Festival site on the South Bank, on top of Waterloo Station?

We have not got that far yet. It would be clearly impossible to decide where we should go or what sort of airstop is required until we know what sort of space is required by the twin-engined helicopter.

Is it not a fact that the twin-engined helicopter has been experimenting in the air since February, 1952?

It will not be until the end of this year or, possibly, the beginning of next year that B.E.A. will receive on loan from the Ministry of Supply a Bristol 173. When they have carried out their initial trials, we may be in a better position to get what the hon. Member and, I know, the whole House wish to know.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that, in spite of a recommendation by the Air Transport Advisory Council, endorsed by himself, for an air service between Greatham, County Durham, and Jersey, the service cannot be operated direct, because of a refusal by the Customs authorities to provide Customs clearance; and whether he will consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a view to making it possible for his decision to be put into effect.

My right hon. Friend approved the operation of services between Greatham and Jersey subject to such limitations as might be necessary for Customs reasons. The company were accordingly informed in February that, in the absence of Customs facilities at Greatham, the service would have to be operated via Newcastle or some other Customs airport. As the hon. Member knows, I am discussing this matter with my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and, as he indicated yesterday, the matter is again being considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the only difficulty about providing on-call Customs at this aerodrome is the refusal by the Customs people to exercise this year the facilities that were granted last year; and that there are now nearly 700 provisional bookings for this service between Greatham and Jersey, and that the decision of the Customs means that they will have to fly an additional 70 miles in order to get Customs facilities?

As the matter is to be rediscussed, I should only be prejudicing those discussions if I entered into an argument with the hon. Member now.

Is not the cost of providing Customs facilities trifling in comparison with the disadvantage to people on Tees-side not being able to get an air service?

It is wrong to say that they cannot get an air service. It may be more difficult for them to operate from another Customs aerodrome but this can be done, and I am pleased to tell the right hon. Gentleman that the service concerned has already started.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation is he will introduce appropriate legislation to make aircraft legal security for financial loans.

Her Majesty's Government have in mind the desirability of introducing such legislation in connection with ratification of the Convention on the International Recognition of Rights in Aircraft. Unfortunately there are formidable legal problems involved, and these are at present being examined.

As this matter has been on the stocks for some time, and as it is holding up the development of aviation in many areas, and as I think that such legislation would be non-controversial so far as the House is concerned, would the Parliamentary Secretary see if he can hurry it up?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much money has been claimed and how much has been paid by the United Nations Command in pursuance of its 100,000 dollar offer to MiG fighter pilots in Korea who desert, bringing their fighter planes with them; and for how long that offer is to remain open to them.

With regard to the first part of the hon. and learned Member's Question, the answer is, so far as I am aware, None, Sir. With regard to the second part, I know of no time limit.

Does the Minister realise the remarkable synthesis between this Question and the latest news that another MiG has reached the West? Is that latest news true, and, if so, will the pilot of that machine get the 100,000 dollars and the other rewards?

I am told that the information which the hon. and learned Gentleman has just suggested in the middle part of his supplementary question is correct.

Is it not better that this episode, like the Prime Minister's declaration that it is better to be bribed than to be killed, should be forgotten as soon as possible?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken, other than through diplomatic channels, to ensure that British foreign policy and recent responsible pronouncements thereon are adequately disseminated through our public relations office, or otherwise, in the United States of America.

The practice of the Foreign Office has been to telegraph to Washington and the British Information Services, New York, the full text, or if it is very long, the salient parts, of important Ministerial speeches on foreign policy with all speed as soon as an authenticated text is available. As the Prime Minister stated yesterday, important speeches on foreign affairs by the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition will in future be cabled immediately and in full.

Distribution by the British Information Services in the United States normally consists of issuing the text by means of a Press release and delivering it to leading editors and commentators both of Press and radio.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman feel that our information service in the United States has suffered at all through any drastic economies? Secondly, are there public relation offices in most of the main States, including the State of Wisconsin?

The reply to the question as to whether our information services in the United States have suffered by reason of economies is that that is not so; in fact, the amount of money spent there has been increased.

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman answer the second part of my supplementary question about whether there is a special office in Wisconsin?

I should require notice of that question.

Since information to Europe is also of great importance, are similar arrangements being made for the Continent?

I should like to consider that suggestion.

The Prime Minister has told us that the text of speeches by himself and the Leader of the Opposition will be sent immediately to Washington. Is there any reason why similar treatment should not be meted out to the Foreign Secretary?

My right hon. Friend is in charge of the Foreign Office at the moment.

Who will decide which are the important speeches made in this House which are to be sent to America? Many Back Benchers think that their speeches are the most important.

Naturally that is a matter for judgment. I have no doubt that it will ultimately be decided by the Minister in charge of the Foreign Office for the time being.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received further information about the recent attack upon Mr. Heap in Ubate, Colombia.

Yes, Sir. Her Majesty's Ambassador has confirmed that Mr. Heap's injuries were fortunately not serious. The Colombian Government informed Her Majesty's Ambassador on 18th May that the Governor of the Department concerned had given instructions that the investigation should be pursued with energy and speed. Numerous depositions have already been taken but it may be some little time before the investigation is completed.

Could I ask the Minister a rather different question? From time to time complaints are made—and quite properly—about the ill-treatment of Christians, often Roman Catholic Christians, in other parts of the world. Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider putting to those who complain the whole sequence of events in Colombia? Many of us feel that this sequence could be brought to an end almost overnight if information was sent from the right quarter to that effect.

I think that the hon. Member may be being a little optimistic in that matter, but I will certainly consider his suggestion.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether there is any suggestion of misbehaviour on the part of Mr. Heap, and, if not, will he do everything that is possible to see that the rights of British subjects in foreign countries are safeguarded?

We will certainly endeavour to do the latter. So far as the earlier part of the supplementary question is concerned, I think it is better to wait until we have the result of the investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which overseas services of the British Broadcasting Corporation are at present subject to jamming by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the satellite countries.

No change has occurred since my hon. Friend's reply to a similar Question on 4th February.

May I take it from that reply that there has been no decrease whatever in the jamming of our services to the Soviet Union and satellite countries? If that is so, have any representations been made in the light of the somewhat changed situation?

There has been no decrease. I should like to have notice of the further question about representations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the conversations he held with the Prime Minister of France when he was in London, concerning British association with the European Defence Community; and whether he will now also publish the subsequent interchange of correspondence on this topic.

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the answer which my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs gave to the hon. Member on 20th April, nor to what I said in the foreign affairs debate on 11th May.

But as the Prime Minister has been giving me that sort of answer since last February, is it not time that he brought this secret diplomacy to an end? Is he aware that the French have a very strong feeling that he himself has badly let them down, because he made a great many promises before he became Prime Minister about the co-operation which we would have with the European Army, all of which he has broken? Does he not realise that the European Defence Community will founder completely unless we make a better gesture than we have so far made to the French?

I am sure that questions, including supplementary questions, should be asked primarily for the purpose of gaining information and not for self-advertisement.

Is the Prime Minister not aware that as he never gives us any information it is sometimes necessary to give him some information in order to jolt him out of his apathy?

Since the Prime Minister is presumably proposing to the French that we should undertake obligations towards the E.D.C., and since that is a matter on which this House must ultimately decide, would it not be an advantage that we should now have the information about what the Government propose?

I said in my speech on Monday week all that I think it necessary or desirable to say at the present moment.

Does the Prime Minister remember the occasion in Strasbourg—I remember it, as I was there—when he made his great speech about a European Army? Does he think the spirit and text of that speech is consistent with the policy being followed by him as Prime Minister? Does he not remember also that when he was in opposition he used Question time for his own advertisement as much as anybody else?

I am sure that the last part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question which gave him the opportunity of indulging in the art of tu quoque was the only part to which he really attached importance.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will, at an early date, invite President Eisenhower to London so that he may hold personal talks with him in order that the present differences of approach between Britain and the United States of America towards the international situation may be reconciled.

Few things would give more pleasure to Her Majesty's Government and the British people than that President Eisenhower should visit us in this Island, as he so often did during the war, and I earnestly hope that this great event may occur during his tenure of the Presidency of the United States. If I thought that there was any chance of his being able to detach himself in the near future from the great responsibilities he has—[HON. MEMBERS: "McCarthy."] I did not drag him in. I think it is a great mistake, if I may say so as I am interrupted, to mix up the head of the great American Republic with a politician or a member of Congress in that country. I think separation should be observed in view of the entirely different character of the offices held by the parties concerned. May I read on with this rather important Question—or important answer?

If I thought there was any chance of his being able to detach himself at this moment from the great responsibilities he has so recently assumed, I should certainly make the necessary submission to the Queen so that an invitation could be sent from one head of a State to another.

I certainly do not feel that differences of view or emphasis between Britain and the United States at the present time would in any way require or justify a procedure of such magnitude. If and when the President of the United States visits Great Britain I trust the cause will be the vast, vital body of agreement throughout the English-speaking world and not be occasioned or occupied by discussion of the kind of divergencies of method which naturally arise between friends and allies when faced with practical issues of a complex and changing character.

If the Prime Minister does not mind my asking him a supplementary question since he seems rather to resent it, may I ask whether he does not think that it would be an essential preliminary to there being a great Power conference for him first of all to have talked to President Eisenhower so that the very obvious disagreements that we are having at the moment, over our policy in the Far East in particular, should be resolved before we met the Russians?

I really think the Government of the day must have some latitude in these matters.

Is the Prime Minister considering what has been put to him many times from this side of the House —that on matters of very great urgency which affect the peace of the world the machinery of consultation between the United States and other members of the United Nations is not at present working well, and has he proposals for its improvement?

I think it is working very well. I have seen a lot of it and I think our relations are as intimate and as friendly as they have ever been, but there are some difficulties caused by differences of opinion—quite reasonable differences of opinion—which have to be settled, and I am sure that they can be settled in the regular way especially in view of the personal friendly contacts which exist.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to resolve the difficulties which may prevent Malta participating in the Coronation.

asked the Prime Minister why arrangements were not made for the Prime Minister of Malta to be represented at the Coronation with the Prime Ministers of the other member countries of the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to complaints by the Prime Minister and Government of Malta, as a result of which that Government have decided not to be represented at the Coronation; and if he will make a statement on the subject.

Her Majesty's Government, and I am sure all Members of the House, would be very sorry indeed if Malta were not represented at the Coronation, particularly in view of the Island's imperishable war record which the late King recognised by the award of the George Cross. I have therefore sent a message to the Prime Minister of Malta saying how much Her Majesty's Government hope that he and his wife will be present. I have made certain suggestions to him designed to accord him all dignity and respect as the representative of the George Cross Island. I have not yet received a final reply from Dr. Borg-Olivier, but I hope to be able to tell the House what has been arranged before we separate for Whitsun.

Is the Prime Minister aware that his reply will give the greatest satisfaction in view of the fact that it would be a tragedy if Malta could not take part in the celebrations?

May I supplement that by asking the Prime Minister if he is aware that we on this side of the House are encouraged by his reply? This is an occasion when it is desirable that nobody should manifest any undue stickiness on the matter, and I am glad that the Government have rather modified the line they had taken. We all very much hope that this Island for which we have a deep respect as a result of its war record will be able to be represented at the Coronation.

I am making every effort in that direction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement will give a great deal of satisfaction to those people who realise that the dignity, traditions and importance of this gallant George Cross Island are not to be measured by its size?

We sometimes have used that argument in our own case.

Would not it be appropriate if on this occasion all the Prime Ministers and chief Ministers of territories within the Commonwealth should proceed together in the same part of the procession, because this would illustrate the great diversity and variety of the Commonwealth and show that we recognise that the Commonwealth is a changing and evolving entity?