asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what steps have been taken, and will be taken, to inform all war pensioners, Ministry doctors and all regional offices, of the conditions accepted as the consequences of the pensioned disabilities qualifying for increased assessments.

I do not think it would be in the best interests of pensioners to publish an official list of all the conditions which have been accepted as consequential on various war disabilities. It would have to be in very general terms as the question whether a particular condition can be so accepted in an individual case can only be settled after consideration of all the facts. I feel sure the existing arrangements, under which pensioners are encouraged to inform the Ministry if their disabilities get worse, so that their cases can be considered individually, are far better. The medical and other officers of the Ministry who deal with claims are fully instructed in these matters.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many old-age pensioners there are in the borough of Barking: and how many of these are in receipt of National Assistance.

I regret that information about the number of retirement pensioners is not available. I am informed by the National Assistance Board that at 30th March, 1954, the Board's Barking Area Office, which covers some territory outside the borough boundary, were paying 446 non-contributory pensions, of which 266 were being supplemented by regular weekly payments of National Assistance, and that 2,115 retirement pensioners were also receiving regular weekly grants of National Assistance. Some of the grants cover the needs of a pensioner wife.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if plans have been prepared for widening the Blackwall and Rotherhithe Tunnels or, alternatively, for the construction of a third tunnel in this area.

I understand from the responsible authority, the London County Council, that they have prepared plans for the duplication of Blackwall Tunnel, but not for Rotherhithe Tunnel or for the construction of any other tunnel in this area.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will institute an inquiry into traffic conditions in the Victoria Street-Victoria Station area in order to seek means of relieving the congestion at this point.

While I agree that traffic conditions in this area are far from ideal, I think that the existing one-way system works reasonably well and that no further improvements are possible until a scheme for the full reconstruction of Terminus Place and Station Yard can be carried out.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what time he anticipates will be required in the construction of the by-pass round Maidstone, Kent, once this project is started.

About three years.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his Department has yet completed the plans and settled the various legal problems involved in connection with a by-pass round Maidstone, Kent.

Orders under the Trunk Roads Act, 1936, were made in 1938 and 1945 fixing the line for a by-pass, and a good deal of the land has been acquired. An extension to the west is now proposed and it is intended to construct the whole by-pass as a motor road. For this purpose a scheme under the Special Roads Act, 1949, will be required before the remaining detailed planning and land acquisition can be undertaken.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he anticipates it will be possible to start the construction of the proposed by-pass round Maidstone, Kent.

I regret that I cannot at present forecast a starting date for this expensive scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decisions have been arrived at regarding the future of the Black Harry Tunnel: and if he is satisfied that the tunnel is safe from collapse over its whole length.

This is a matter for the British Transport Commission, but I understand that the future of the line through this tunnel has not yet been decided. In the meantime, the tunnel has been strengthened and I am satisfied that the work done should ensure that the tunnel is safe from collapse. I have also been assured that steps will be taken to preserve the stability of the ground over the tunnel if it is abandoned.