asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has yet received the Report of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on the possible use of the Kingsway Tunnel.

No, Sir.

Could not the Minister say when the Report is likely to be received? Is there not some way in which this tunnel can be used in the meantime?

I understand that the Committee is to study the matter at its meeting fixed for the 15th of this month. Of course, I do not know what its conclusion will be.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to make a statement giving details of the progress being made in the work of completing the Dartford-Purfleet tunnel.

The preparatory work of overhauling the existing plant and equipment which was authorised in January last should be completed about the end of this year. I have now formally authorized the main tunnel scheme, and this should enable the scheme to go out to tender in September.

Jolly good.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will initiate a programme for the construction of lay-bys for use by heavy road transport on all main trunk roads in Scotland.

I have for some time been constructing lay-bys on trunk roads and many have already been provided in Scotland. I propose to continue to provide them where needed.

Is the Minister aware that in the recent scheme for straightening the road between Aberdeen and Elgin, carried out in the last few months, no provision was made for a lay-by, although an already macadamised road was alongside the track and could have been used for that purpose?

I will look into the point to which my hon. Friend has been good enough to draw my attention, I have particulars of a number of roads where the work is being done, or is authorised.

When my right hon. Friend makes provision for the construction of lay-bys, will he make sure that they are properly looked after, for many are becoming dumps for an enormous amount of rubbish, if not public lavatories?

Responsibility for that state of affairs depends on whether they are trunk or classified roads.

Do we understand, when the right hon. Gentleman says "where needed," that it depends on the local authority making application to the Minister for this work to be put in hand?

I would prefer to put it that the views of the highway authority on the need are matters to which I give weight.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many road accidents took place in 1952, 1953, and 1954 on the road A38 between the Gloucester City boundary and Berkeley Road Station; and what was the number of killed and injured involved.

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that when necessary resources can be

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the dangerous traffic conditions on the Bath Road, A4, between its junction with the Parkway and the eastern end of the Colnbrook by-pass; and what action he proposes for the improvement of this road.

I hope to widen this road and improve the refuges next year.

Would the right hon. Gentleman please bear in mind that the local authority concerned has a request for a subway, and would he kindly consider a subway again?

My present proposal is to proceed by improving the refuges, which, I think, is the best method of dealing with what is, I agree with the hon. Member, a rather difficult stretch of road. I think the right thing is to try that. If it does not prove successful, I will look into the alternatives.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now grant to the Wrexham Borough found for the building of a Severn Road Bridge that will do a great deal to relieve difficulties and dangers on that important road?

I take the point which my hon. Friend has put forward, and I am sure that he will consider the figures I am circulating.

Following is the answer:

Council permission to carry out improvements in the main road near the zebra crossing at the junction of Kenyon Avenue and Chester Road, Wrexham.

I hope to authorise this scheme very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he anticipates starting building the proposed trunk road diversion north of Louth; and, in view of the heavy traffic carried on this road from Grimsby and its many dangerous bends, if he will give the alterations urgent priority.

I hope to include this scheme amongst those which I shall put in hand on the Norman Cross-Grimsby trunk road. I cannot at present give a date.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has so far been made in carrying out the road development plans announced in his statement on 2nd February, 1955.

In my statement on 2nd February I named twenty-seven large schemes which I hoped to authorise this year. I have no reason to doubt that they will be duly authorised. I expect that actual work will have started on at least a quarter of those schemes by the end of September and that work on practically all the remainder will start before the end of the financial year. Many other smaller schemes will of course also be put in hand this year.

While that interim progress report appears to be satisfactory, would it not be more helpful to give details of the progress of particular schemes such as those for the Catterick by-pass and the Newcastle-Throckley dual carriageway improvements?

I announced on 2nd February a number of larger schemes, and, as I then said to the House, for the sake of keeping the programme reasonably flexible, I did not want to announce too many ahead. I should like to consider what my hon. Friend has said.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the preliminary work is being undertaken progressively on the Doncaster by-pass?

I have very much in mind the Doncaster by-pass, which the right hon. Gentleman was good enough to talk over with me the other day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some people may, by the announcement he made yesterday, have been misled into believing that the February programme has in some way been extended or expedited? Would he say what is holding up this programme? Is the reason technical or financial?

The programme, as the hon. Gentleman will appreciate if he reads the report of the Answer I have given, is proceeding satisfactorily.

All these schemes which have so far been authorised represent one-quarter of those announced. How many of them were included in the programme of December, 1953, of the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor? What is the right hon. Gentleman's estimate of the Exchequer expenditure during the current financial year? Will it be more or less than what the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor estimated in December, 1953?

If the hon. Gentleman wants more information than that I have already given the House on the subject, perhaps he will be good enough to table a Question about it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the daily congestion of traffic at the Victoria and Alexandra Gates of Hyde Park, he will construct roundabouts at both places forthwith.

Work in the parks is within the control of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works. I am discussing these questions with him and the highway authorities concerned.

In view of the terrible congestion at both these entrances, does my right hon. Friend not think that action ought to be hastened? Does not the layout there allow for the construction of roundabouts, which would speed up the traffic? Will my right hon. Friend look at the situation there himself, to see how bad it is?

I am well aware of the facts about both those places, but I must not be led into giving an expression of opinion on matters in which I am only one of the three authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that a number of fatal accidents have recently taken place at unattended railway level crossings; and whether, in order to promote road safety, he will arrange for the provision of better safety devices at the crossings.

Yes, Sir. In the light of recent accidents I have been inquiring into the old and thorny problem of occupation and accommodation crossings. The difficulty arises not so much in determining the types of safety devices needed as in deciding who shall pay for the additional measures required as the result of the increased use of the crossings. I am reviewing the whole matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the basis upon which applications made by highway authorities are considered for the upgrading of unclassified roads to Class III roads.

Applications are considered on the basis of the value of the road to through traffic and its relation to the general traffic system.

Will the Minister reexamine the situation, in view of the ancient formula there is regarding through traffic, which is of no great use in hilly country such as we have in Wales? Ought not local usage to be taken into account in such areas? Will he re-examine the method of application?

That raises, as I am sure the hon. Member appreciates, a very much wider question indeed, affecting the financial relations of the central Government and local government, which I had better not comment on at Question Time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will ask for a return either from the local authorities or from the police of those places where accidents are abnormally high in order that he may see to what extent road improvements in such places should be carried out immediately.

Under existing arrangements, the police are asked to forward information to local highway authorities where accidents appear to have been caused or contributed to by deficiencies in the road. These arrangements, however, are under review and I hope to issue a circular to local highway authorities on the subject soon.

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been called to the excellent publication, "Roadway to Safety," and does he not think that the improvement of these bad spots is the quickest way of saving lives and preventing accidents?

Certainly, Sir; that is why I am glad to say that we shall be clearing up some hundreds of them this year.

Is the Minister aware that even where only moderate investment is involved, the burden of proving a spot dangerous falls on local road safety committee? Is there not a case for speeding up decisions, bearing in mind such classic cases as Mackley Corner near Lichfield, which has been known to the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry for over two years? When the various authorities who have responsibility have got themselves into a Gordian knot, should the Minister not cut it?

I said in my original answer that I am not satisfied with the existing procedure and I am trying to bring it up to date. I have in mind something like the preparation of accident maps, which would show the incidence of accidents on the road more clearly than does the present system.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many toll bridges in England, Wales and Scotland are still in existence; and what steps he contemplates in his roads programme to take over these bridges or supersede them by the provision of new road bridges.

Fifty-seven, Sir, including footbridges. At present, I am concentrating the resources available on construction of roads and bridges.

Does that answer mean that the Minister is going to supersede some of these toll bridges in his roads programme? As the Minister is probably aware, in my constituency we have one problem which is causing not only irritation and inconvenience, but considerable expense to my constituents.

I am aware of the case about which the right hon. Gentleman is concerned but, as I told him on an earlier occasion, at the moment I am giving greater priority to actual construction works rather than the redemption of tolls.

Does my right hon. Friend recall the promise given by his predecessor that Selby toll bridge was on the top of the list of bridges to be freed?

I am not sure whether that is a precise paraphrase of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary, but I am aware of my hon. and gallant Friend's proper concern about this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what improvements are to be made to Chiswick High Street and the approaches to the Great West Road during the period before the new approach road is complete, and when that will be.

The highway authority for Chiswick High Road is the Middlesex County Council, which has not made any improvement proposals to me. The Cromwell Road Extension scheme includes an altered layout at the junction of Chiswick High Road and the Great West Road and I expect this to be completed before the new road is open to through traffic.

Is it not the case that some time long before this very necessary new extension is completed traffic on this important approach to London will seize up if it goes on increasing at its present rate; and while part of the road may not be under the direct control of the Minister it must be a matter of concern to him? Could he not ease some of the obstructions as a matter of urgency?

If the hon. Gentleman studies my Answer he will appreciate that by the time of the completion of the road the approach to the other road which he has in mind will be dealt with, and the question of its condition further up can certainly be considered with the highway authority responsible.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made in the elimination of raised kerbs and the provision of more road space by reducing verges and unnecessarily wide pavements on roads under his control.

Where new kerbs are necessary it is my general policy to provide flush or splayed kerbs. I am proposing to send out a circular to highway authorities in the next two or three weeks containing advice on this point. It is the normal practice to widen substandard roads when resurfacing, if sufficient verge width is available.

Does that answer mean that while the new roads are to have this new type of kerb the Minister is unable to take away some of the dangerous kerbs which are on existing roads?

It is not a question of what I can do in respect of a large number of roads which are the responsibility of the highway authorities. What I am doing is to amend substantially the advice given by my predecessor some years ago on the subject of kerbs, which I have no doubt the local highway authorities will find helpful.

Is the Minister aware that recently many of the arterial roads for which he is responsible have been provided with these high, steep and dangerous kerbstones, and that we cannot wait until they wear out? Should he not rectify the matter at the earliest possible moment in order to reduce the accident rate and the seriousness of it?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I dislike all vertical kerbs except where they are rendered necessary by the overwhelming importance, for local reasons, of preventing vehicles getting off the roads, for example, in the case of a footpath. I share my hon. Friend's general approach on this matter and, as I have indicated, I am trying by means of this circular to get some improvement on past practice.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consideration has been given by the Central Transport Consultative Committee into the regulations relating to property found by members of the public on public transport; and when action will be taken to introduce regulations more in keeping with modern practice.

I understand that the Committee has made good progress and that the matter will be considered at its next meeting on 12th July.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many road accidents during the past twelve months have been attributed to flashing indicators; and how many have been fatal.

This information is not available.

As statistics are kept about road accidents, and in view of the growing public opinion against these lights, which are sometimes called "blushing ears," cannot my right hon. Friend have a very careful check made to learn what is the number of accidents caused through the use of these lights?

There are no separate statistics kept about them by the police, but, as I think my hon. Friend knows, the Road Research Laboratory is looking into the question of the use of these indicators, and I am awaiting its report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Birmingham City Police have discarded flashing indicators and prefer the side arm as better for road safety? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the appalling number of road accidents, that that course should be generally approved?

The hon. Member may well be right, but when a thorough investigation by a highly expert body is being made, I think the right thing is to suspend judgment until one knows the result of that investigation.

Would it not be a good thing to advise motorists to open their windows and use their arms?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many applications have been made to the South Wales Licensing Authority for the reduction of omnibus services in rural districts and how many have been allowed and how many services have been cancelled during the last twelve months.

Applications were made to reduce twenty-one services to a greater or lesser degree. Seventeen of these were granted; one was refused; three have not yet been decided. One service was withdrawn. I understand that at the same time about thirteen services have been improved in one way or another.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether the Government have now accepted the recommendations made in paragraph 139 relating to little used canals of the 1951 Report of the Land Drainage Legislation Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee made to Her Majesty's Government.

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he is likely to be able to make an announcement about those recommendations?

No.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the Regulations by which owners of cars can leave them without lights if within 100 yards of public lighting, will come into operation in London and in the provinces.

Before the end of August.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to speed up the machinery for the consideration of the draft charges schemes which are submitted from time to time by the British Transport Commission to the Transport Tribunal under Section 76 of the Transport Act, 1947.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister satisfied with the speed of the machinery, when it is borne in mind that the hearing of the draft charges scheme for merchandise goods which was published by the British Transport Commission on 21st March will not, in fact, be before the Transport Tribunal before October? In view of the urgency of this matter, is the Minister satisfied about the time lag?

It is extremely important in matters such as this very Comprehensive charges scheme that all the interests concerned should have a right to put their views to the Tribunal, and I should hesitate very much before curtailing that right. If the hon. Member will consult Section 23 of the Transport Act, 1953, he will find that there is provision for emergency procedure.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give instructions that in all serious accidents involving motor lorries on trunk roads, inquiries shall be made as to how long the drivers have been on duty during the previous twenty-four hours.

I understand that it is the normal practice of the police to make such inquiries in all serious accidents involving motor lorries.

What use is the right hon. Gentleman making of the information which he could so obtain from the police? Is he aware that it is freely stated that many of these lorry drivers are working far too long hours?

I think that we can rely on the police if, in the course of their investigations, they find that there is any indication of a breach of the law, to take the normal steps.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is commonly alleged that drivers are driving for 23 hours at a stretch? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, they were doing it before the Act was passed. Is there no method of discovering drivers who are driving dangerously long hours and trying to put a stop to that, as these things lead to accidents?

That raises the wider question of records and the inspection of records. I think that the right hon. Gentleman will agree that that does not arise out of the Question, which relates expressly to accidents.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that if these drivers were allowed to travel at 30 m.p.h. the number of hours during which the men would have to drive would be reduced?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what estimate he has made of the wastage to the community resulting from the present road congestion.

Very large.

In view of the fact that it is very large, does my right hon. Friend not think that he ought to expand his present plans and expedite them?

That is a fascinatingly interesting question, but it does not arise out of this Question.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the unemployment among drivers caused by the disposal of units of the British Road Services at Swanley and other depots; and if he will make a statement on the compensation payable to such drivers under his regulations.

I have no evidence of other than purely temporary unemployment. Compensation is payable in appropriate cases under the British Transport Commission (Compensation to Employees) Regulations, 1953.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if, out of forty to fifty vehicles sold, only two are to remain in the district, it will be impossible to absorb these drivers locally? Is he aware that no amount of compensation can compensate them for the loss of employment which they have had for 20 to 30 years? Is he aware that this break-up will cause a cessation of trunk services between Kent and Cheshire? In view of these disastrous results, will he stop the sale of these vehicles?

I gather that the effect of the hon. Member's question is that he is against road haulage disposal.

Is the Minister aware that this unemployment will not be merely temporary but is likely to be permanent, not only causing trouble in industrial relations, but, I am told, likely to result in the industrial community making a complaint to the Minister?

My information about employment is to the contrary but, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, further questions about employment are better directed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman review the point which was made by my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Irving) because the Act provides that vehicles should not be operated from different bases, and that if these are changed they are subject to the surrender of the licence? Will the Minister look into that to ensure that the law is observed?

If the hon. Member cares to define more precisely any breach of the law, I will look into the matter. The compensation is, of course, under denationalisation more generous than it was under nationalisation in 1947.

But is the Minister aware that my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford said that the vehicles were being moved from Swanley to another part of the country? Is he aware that that in itself would be a breach of the law, because under the Act the vehicles have to operate from the same place and if they are not so operated the licences are taken away?

I certainly do not accept the hon. Member's interpretation of the law.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he has taken on the dispute referred to him under Section 3 (8) of the Transport Act, 1953, in regard to the disposal of the British Transport Commission meat vehicles.

I have asked the British Transport Commission for further information bearing on this matter. When I receive this, I will consider the matter.

Will the Minister state what is the cause of the difference between the Commission and the Road Haulage Disposal Board? Is it a question of price or a question whether the tenderer is a reputable buyer or not?

I have nothing to add to what is stated in the Report of the Road Haulage Disposal Board, which the hon. Member has no doubt seen.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has given his consent to the Commission to sell its contract hire vehicles as chattels under Section 6 (1) of the Transport Act, 1953.

My consent was asked for as part of an arrangement for dealing with the Commission's contract hire vehicles that had been agreed between the Commission, the Disposal Board and the Road Haulage Association. As the arrangement was a good one I gave my consent.

How can the arrangement be entirely a good one if these vehicles are to be sold off since, although the British Transport Commission has succeeded in renewing a large number of contracts, the Minister's permission has been given to sell the vehicles as chattels, presumably, at bargain or low prices? Can he explain the situation a little more?

As the hon. Gentleman understands, the disposal of vehicles requires, during the currency of the contract, the consent of the other parties to the contract. In those circumstances, it seemed to all the bodies concerned that this was a workmanlike way to handle the matter.

If the Commission is tendering for some of these contracts again and is likely to get them, as I understand from the Report it is, how is it going to be in a position to carry them out if it has sold these vehicles as chattels?

In its very form that is a wholly hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what estimate he has now made of the loss likely to be incurred in the disposal of vehicles under the Transport Act, 1953.

My estimate, for the purpose of determining the rate of levy, of the road haulage capital loss made last September is £20 million. I have not yet had occasion to revise this estimate.

Does the Minister believe that that estimate is likely to prove correct in view of the sales which have taken place since it was made? Surely he does not think that the situation has developed in the way he anticipated at that time. Further, in view of the fact that the British Transport Commission Report states that during 1954 some £14 million was received from sales, should not Parliament be informed of what the loss is on that amount?

That may well be so, but certainly not in answer to this Question. So far as the Question is concerned, as the hon. Gentleman knows, under the Transport Act the present rate of levy continues for the rest of this year and, as I said in my answer, I have not yet had occasion to revise it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will hold a comprehensive inquiry into the present position of road transport, with a view to securing a clear idea of the parts to be played respectively by private enterprise and British Road Services.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is still some confusion as to what transport is going to be in the hands of private enterprise and what is to be in the hands of public enterprise? Would it not facilitate the Scottish Committee which is going to deal with the co-ordination of transport if this matter could be cleared up at the earliest possible moment? Is he further aware that there is a considerable amount of concern that great chunks of Scottish transport are being handed over at bargain prices to people who are occupied in other sections of his Department?

I certainly do not accept that large chunks of any Scottish or other transport have been handed over at bargain prices, and I would say that in all cases a fair price has been paid. The right hon. Gentleman's Question asks for an inquiry in order to secure a clear idea of the subject. So far as I am concerned, I have one.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent lower qualifications are now required of applicants for the position of driving examiner.

In the next competition, motor cycling experience, although an advantage, will not be an essential qualification, but successful candidates who do not possess it will not be employed in testing motor cyclists. No other changes in qualifications has been made.

Would it not be better, in order to get the requisite number of driving examiners, to pay a wage sufficient to attract people with higher qualifications rather than reduce the qualifications in order to get people who failed previously?

No doubt the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware that the starting rate for this job has been raised by £45 a year from 1st July.

It is still too low.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many L drivers are now being tested weekly in the London area; and how many pass the test.

In the week ended 25th June, 1955, 5,158 tests were conducted in the Metropolitan Traffic Area, and 56.8 per cent. of candidates were successful. The figures in the two preceding weeks were similar.

Even assuming that all the people pass the test on the first occasion and no more applicants come forward for tests, is it not going to take a very long time to clear the backlog of applicants?

I do not disagree with the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I should like to see the process quickened, and it is for that reason that, with the aid of an improved starting rate, I am making considerable and successful efforts to increase the staff of examiners.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will take steps to abolish the driving test required of drivers of motorised bicycles with engines of less than 50 c.c.

No. Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in almost every country in Western Europe no test and no licence is imposed on these very small machines? Would it not help the right hon. Gentleman to reduce the tremendous number awaiting tests if this particular category of motorised cyclists were exempt from the process altogether?

Many of the vehicles that come within the definition which the hon. and gallant Gentleman put in the Question are really in the nature of light motor cycles. Many of them are far more difficult to handle than they appear to be, and I do not think it would be consistent with road safety to allow people to drive them without a test.

Have not the figures for accidents to these motor cycles gone up phenomenally in the last few months, and is there not a case here for stiffening the test rather than for abolishing it?

I do not go the whole way with my hon. Friend, but there is a good deal of evidence that these bicycles require careful and skilled handling.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to bring up to date the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

No, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any plans for bringing up to date that Act, which is now some sixty years old, in view of the fact that the National Union of Seamen has made plans about it, and in view of the fact that there is obvious dissatisfaction in the Merchant Service?

I am always prepared to consider representations that the National Union of Seamen or other responsible bodies may make to me, but as to bringing up to date this sixty-year old Measure the hon. Gentleman will, no doubt, be aware that since its enactment it has been amended on no fewer than 40 occasions, five times since the war.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is hardship for dependants in the cases of life claims under the present low statutory limit of liability?

I will gladly look into any further point which my hon. Friend has in mind on that matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the National Union of Seamen had a Bill prepared to make this reform many years ago, that his predecessor had the relevant problems under consideration a long time, and that the present state of affairs is causing industrial unrest at the ports? Will he look into the matter and take energetic steps to rectify it?

I have no doubt at all that the National Union of Seamen, which is a union with which, I am glad to say, I have very good relations, is quite capable of putting its point of view to me from time to time, as I am glad to say, it does.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the recent strike of the crews of certain Transatlantic liners, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the living conditions of the crews of liners.

The standard of crew accommodation in ships, including passenger liners, is governed by statutory requirements, which are reviewed from time to time in consultation with the National Maritime Board. The accommodation initially provided in each ship is approved by my surveyors, and any subsequent alteration must also be approved by them.

In the circumstances, I do not think there is any need for a special inquiry to be made, but I am, of course, always prepared to consider any representations which may be made to me by the National Maritime Board or any of its constituent bodies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the travelling public are greatly concerned about the reports that the recent strike was due to bad accommodation in liners? If they be true, would not an inquiry lead to improvement? If they be untrue would it not be fairer to the shipping companies to give the information?

There is no question that there has been a great improvement in the more modern ships in the standards of crew accommodation provided. The Regulations which my predecessor made, which came into effect on 1st January, 1954, in respect of ships constructed after that date constitute a very considerable advance. I do not think there is any reason to have the inquiry which my hon. Friend has in mind. I am constantly in touch with all concerned on this very important matter, and a special inquiry would not bring to light anything not already known.

Is it not the case that in 1948, when the last amendment to the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, was put on the Statute Book, that the provision of accommodation for crews in liners was lower than that in modern ships generally, and that the Government specifically did not adhere to the international Convention? In view of this recent dissatisfaction does not the Minister think that the time has come for him to review this question again to see whether we ought to adhere to that Convention?

The hon. Gentleman is not quite correct: there have been amendments to the Act since the date to which he referred. On the main issue, as I have already said, there is really no difficulty in ascertaining the facts. I am in constant touch with the whole matter, and therefore there is no reason for a special inquiry.

But has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiry? Is he aware that it is the Government's responsibility to decide whether to adhere to the Convention? In view of the recent dissatisfaction, is it not the responsibility of the Minister himself to set inquiries of this nature on foot?

If the hon. Member will study the answer, he will know that through my surveyors I am completely in touch with the facts. The Convention is a quite separate question from that which appears on the Notice Paper. If the hon. Member wants to deal with that, perhaps he will be courteous enough to put a Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many waiters and stewards who previously had been granted indefinite deferment from National Service have left the Merchant Navy within a short time of their attaining the age of 26 years.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an impression that many of these men retire from these jobs immediately they are past the age for the call-up? Why give them a deferment when, for instance, scientific research workers in universities are not granted such deferments?

The question of deferment is one for my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour. As far as this category is concerned, all I can tell my hon. Friend is that these statistics are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the discussions with the Government of Eire about amending the Anglo-Eireann Agreement so as to allow air services between Wales and Ireland.

Discussions have recently taken place in London between British European Airways and Aer Rianta and are due to continue in Dublin shortly. I hope to resume inter-Governmental discussions when these talks have been completed.

Is the Minister aware that these negotiations have been going on for a long time, I think since 1951? Is he further aware that the existence of this monopoly of Aer Lingus is retarding the progress of civil aviation in Wales? Will he hear that in mind and take it into consideration before he enters into a final settlement?

I fully realise that these negotiations have taken a very long time indeed. That is due to the fact that we are negotiating against the background of an Agreement, the effect of which the hon. Member has substantially summarised but which was not an Agreement which I concluded. It was made in 1946.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the annual cost of the civil airports in this country; and how much of this is borne by the taxpayers, passengers, and freight consignors, respectively.

The gross annual cost of civil airports in this country, including technical services, was £3,873,000 in 1953–54. Of this the taxpayer paid £1,667,000. No direct charge is levied on passengers by the Government, but the airlines paid £239,000 in respect of passenger service charge. Separate figures for freight consignors are not available. These figures do not make any provision for capital or depreciation charges.

Is the Minister aware that it seems perfectly fair that the airlines should pay more than they do towards the cost of these airports, but can he ensure that the method of payment is, if possible, by an addition to their own charges and not by the rather tiresome extra charge made on passengers at the airport?

The charge is levied by my Department on the airlines, but the steps that they take to pass on the charge, if they pass it on at all, is a matter for them. I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that a great many of them have adopted the policy of incorporating the charge or at any rate securing that it is paid at the same time as the fare.

Can the Minister say how much income is derived from landing fees, rent of shops, and so on, at these airports?

For rents as a whole, which go far wider than shops and include office premises, the figure for the last year that I have was £723,000. I cannot, without notice, give the other figure for which the hon. Gentleman asked.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to state, to the nearest convenient date, the actual amount of money on Civil Vote, expended on the development of London, Gatwick, Ridgway, Renfrew, and Prestwick airports; and the sums allocated on Civil Account for further development in each case but not yet spent.

I will, with permission, circulate these figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures: — (A) Expenditure to 31st March, 1955 (B) Sums allocated for further development £ £ London … 21,900,000 5,300,000 Gatwick … 30,000 6,000,000 Manchester … 440,000 75,000* Renfrew … 580,000 100,000 Prestwick … 1,500,000 1,400,000 * Represents the amount included in current estimates on account of a development programme, details of which have not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give his reasons for increasing the number of members on the Board of British European Airways.

To strengthen the Board.

Could the Minister say whether or not he had any representations from the Board that it was so overworked that it needed this extra strength; and if it needed it so badly, why did the right hon. Gentleman make a part-time appointment and not a full-time appointment? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is the salary that attaches to this appointment?

The reply to the first part of the supplementary question is that it is my responsibility to secure that the Board is properly manned, and even with the most recent appointments there are still vacancies within the total complement provided by the Act passed by right hon. Gentlemen opposite. The salary will duly appear in the White Paper on the nationalised boards which my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary lays annually.

asked the Minister of Defence how many members of Her Majesty's Forces belonging to which Services, were due to take part in the exercise "Medflex 3" in mid-June.

About 1,700, practically all of whom were from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.

Can the Minister say whether he hopes and expects that there will now be a resumption of joint exercises with full Greek participation under N.A.T.O., pending the holding of the conference recently announced?

I think that this matter is one in which the Greek Navy is concerned to some extent. The reason for the cancellation of this exercise given by the Commander-in-Chief was that the strain upon the Greek Navy as a result of the earthquake at Volos was such that it was unable to take part.

Is the Minister entirely satisfied that those were the only reasons for cancellation? Further, can he say now whether any new joint exercises are planned?

The reply to the first part of that supplementary question is that we certainly accept the assurance given by the Greek Commander-in-Chief. In reply to the second part, I have nothing further to say.

asked the Minister of Defence what steps are being taken to repatriate Maltese and Cypriot civilians now employed by the British Forces in the Canal Zone who are not able to obtain employment in the Zone after the evacuation is completed.

Some of the Maltese and Cypriots in the employment of the Services in the Canal Zone are entitled to repatriation under their terms of service. This will be done. Most of the remainder were living in Egypt when they were recruited. Her Majesty's Government will give all possible assistance to these men in obtaining further employment.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for that sympathetic reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that the British community in Egypt are worried that a large number of British nationals may become unemployed in that country, and would he consider making representations to extend the scheme of assisted emigration to Australia to operate from Suez as well as from Malta and the mainland?

There are about 240 persons in the category referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. I will certainly bear his suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Defence the cost to public funds through the payment for cancelled contracts in connection with the rearmament programme.

A total of between £12 million and £13 million in the four financial years ending 31st March, 1955. I should, however, point out, to avoid possible misunderstanding, that this does not include the liability in respect of the Swift.

asked the Minister of Defence what submissions on the subject of defence have been made to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation by Field-Marshal Montgomery; and whether he will acquaint hon. Members with their substance.

I have no authority to disclose the views expressed confidentially, in the course of their duties, by British officers serving in international appointments within N.A.T.O.

As I understand that references have appeared in the Press to submissions of this kind, may I ask whether they have been taken into account in considering the review which the right hon. and learned Gentleman contemplates of the position of our own defence Forces?

I cannot reveal whether or not confidential views have been expressed, but to the extent that such views have been expressed they certainly will be taken into account.