asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many orders for new naval vessels have been placed as a result of the recent agreement with the Government of the Union of South Africa.

None, Sir. The first orders for the programme will be placed in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at present the shipyards, certainly those in the North-East of England, are suffering from a shortage of steel? Is it not a possibility that the present programme may be put back even further?

I will go into that point, but I hope very much not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to give me an answer to the question which I put to him earlier when he made his statement? Can he say what work will go to Chatham Dockyard?

I cannot say what work will go to Chatham Dockyard, but I can say that all shipyards and dockyards will be considered fairly so far as the orders to which the Question refers are concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the output of British shipyards for 1955 to the latest available date and the figure for the corresponding period last year.

In the first nine months of 1955, 202 ships of about 957,000 gross tons were completed in British shipyards, compared with 172 ships of about 1,126,000 gross tons in the corresponding period of last year.

In view of these figures and in view of the desire of the shipbuilding industry to speed up output, will the right hon. Gentleman use his good offices to see that they get the steel they need, which is lacking due to the current shortages?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I will do everything I can and that the Admiralty will do all in their power to help over the steel question, but the present shipbuilding position is really pretty satisfactory.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the restrictions upon the placing of orders in British shipyards by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other East European countries.

Apart from warships and a few types of merchant ship of particular strategic value, there is no prohibition on the export of ships to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other Eastern European countries.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his explicit reply, may I ask if he would further define the particular types of merchant ships the building of which is prohibited, because there is still some confusion about this matter?

I think that the position is pretty well understood by those in authority. Some ships concerned are tankers, which are useful for refuelling submarines; whaling factory ships, which are used as submarine depot ships and whalecatchers, which are convertible into anti-submarine vessels or minelayers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that these restrictions which the British Government make in regard to Soviet orders are being complied with by every other N.A.T.O. Power and that we are not being placed in an unfair position?

These are not restrictions made by the British Government they are international. An international decision is taken by an international committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress is being made in providing nuclear propulsion for warships.

Investigations into the use of atomic propulsion in Her Majesty's ships are proceeding satisfactorily, although some years must elapse before a warship powered in this way can be expected to be in service with the Fleet.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people feel that not only the future of the Royal Navy but that of the Merchant Navy is bound up in the question of nuclear propulsion? Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that this development is receiving highest priority and that we are not falling behind the United States, as would appear from newspaper reports?

I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we are pushing on with this as a question of highest priority. Of course, the United States had a three-year start on these matters, but we are making up time as best we can.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been reached in the consideration given to the allocating of oil bunkering tankerage for commercial purposes in Gibraltar.

The technical arrangements for such a scheme are well advanced. A final decision must, however, await the recommendations of the Governor of Gibraltar on the details of the port development scheme and the means of financing it, to which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies referred in the debate on the Adjournment on 31st October.

Will the First Lord do all he possibly can to get a decision on this matter? Does not he and the members of the Cabinet appreciate that, in the economic field, Gibraltar is fighting for its life, and that it is time something was done to assist Gibraltar to resist the blackmailing tactics of Spain?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Cabinet as a whole is well aware of the importance of Gibraltar. All I can say is that our schemes are well advanced and really we are waiting now for the report of the Governor of Gibraltar. That is a question for the Colonial Office and not for the Admiralty.

Does the Minister appreciate that the frequent changes of Governorship in Gibraltar mean that each succeeding Governor has to consider the scheme afresh? When considering the report of the present Governor, will he take into account the invariable approval of the scheme by the late Governor?

The question of the appointment of a Flag Officer to Gibraltar is one for me. The question of the appointment of the Governor is, as the hon. Gentleman must know, one for the Colonial Office.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when H.M.S. "Discovery" will be open to the public.

As from Wednesday, 16th November, Her Majesty's Ship "Discovery" will be opened to the public every afternoon, including weekends, between 1 and 4.45 p.m.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware of the gratitude that will be felt by the public to the Admiralty for enabling this lovely and worthy monument to our national genius to continue to adorn the London scene? May I further ask if he is aware of the great satisfaction felt by many of Her Majesty's subjects that this splendid ship should once again be flying the proudest and most beautiful flag in the world, the White Ensign?

We are thankful for the very encouraging messages about this ship.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain the reason for withdrawing the Naval Mission from Athens.

Before the termination of the tour of duty of the recent Head of the Naval Mission, the question of the appointment of a successor was taken up with the Greek Government. In compliance with their views, it has been decided that no successor shall be appointed and that the Mission as a whole shall be substantially reduced. In order to maintain the cooperation between the Royal Hellenic Navy and the Royal Navy, a member of the Mission will continue as Director of Studies at the Greek Naval War College. The other liaison functions of the Mission will be taken over by a senior officer, who will shortly be appointed as Naval Attaché.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it somewhat strange that after such a very long time the duties of this Mission should be concluded? Is it not in any way due to the deterioration in Anglo-Greek relations as a result of Her Majesty's Government's policy in Cyprus?

I must correct the right hon. Gentleman. It has not been concluded; it has been reduced from five officers to two. I remember dealing with this question when I was out there twoand-a-half years ago. The Mission was under discussion then, which was long before the present violent troubles over Cyprus arose.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what sailors have been recently convicted for assaulting superior officers; what were their sentences; and how many are still serving sentences.

During 1955, twelve naval ratings have been convicted by courts-martial on charges including striking their superior officers. Nine of the men concerned have not yet completed their sentences. I will circulate details of the sentences in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the First Lord say whether these convicted prisoners include Mr. McSporran, who had an unfortunate difference with an admiral? Is Mr. McSporran still in prison, and what point is there in keeping him in prison when he is no longer of any use to the Navy and could be doing useful work outside?

The list I have mentioned does include Mr. McSporran, whose sentence on consideration I considerably reduced. I cannot agree with the hon. Member. This is a disciplined Service, and any attempt to strike a superior officer is a very serious offence and must be severely punished.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the Royal Yacht "Britannia" is undergoing a refit; and what the total cost of refits has been to date.

The Royal Yacht "Britannia" is now in hand for her normal annual refit. The total cost of previous refits was £109,198.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the periodical necessity for the refitting and overhaul of this ship is not due to quality of the ship when launched and when she left the Clyde, but is mainly due to the workers in Portsmouth messing about with this ship, and will not the right hon. Gentleman send her back to the Clyde?

It is not a question of the workers messing about with the ship at Portsmouth. These are the usual teething troubles of a new ship.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the main items comprising the £109,000?

I cannot give details without notice.

Is it not the fact that the construction of this ship was authorised by the Labour Government and, instead of all this talk, would it not be a good thing to leave it alone, because we are all very proud of it?

It is perfectly true that it was authorised by the Labour Government. I think the "Britannia" is an extremely good ship, and I should like to congratulate the constituents of the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Bence) on the work they put into it.

asked the Postmaster-General when he is planning to install an automatic telephone exchange at Congleton.

In 1960. The existing exchange equipment will be enlarged in the meantime.

Will my right hon. Friend say why Congleton has been left so far behind in the Post Office programme, and will he try to improve on that date?

There are many arrears to be made up in Congleton as elsewhere, and I am afraid that Congleton cannot be dealt with in the matter of a new automatic exchange until 1960.

That is very bad.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the inconvenience being caused to Greater London telephone subscribers by the separation of the directories for the London Postal Area from the London Telecommunications Region; and whether he will consider restoring the directories to their former arrangements when the next issues are due.

The purpose of the issue of separate directories for the London Postal Area and Outer London areas was to reduce the weight, size and cost of the main London directory. To do as my hon. Friend suggests would defeat the object of the rearrrangement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that subscribers in the London area who wish to telephone to exchanges only about ten miles away, such as Popesgrove and Molsey, are put to the inconvenience of having to have another book, namely, the West Middlesex book?

The suggestion of my hon. Friend would mean that they would be put to the inconvenience of having to have a vast volume. It is the case that in each area, and there are now six, the London Area and five outer areas, any subscriber, in addition to his own directory, can get any of the other directories on demand.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us the financial saving by this arrangement?

About a quarter of a million pounds.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that people who use the telephone deserve a little consideration as well as the Post Office?

asked the Postmaster-General the cost to his Department of one black telephone instrument, one green telephone instrument, one ivory telephone instrument and one red telephone instrument.

The price of a typical instrument is about £6 in black and about £1 more in the other colours.

On a point of order. This question was not called, Mr. Speaker.

It was called.

No, Sir, the hon. Member did not call it.

The hon. Member asked an earlier Question.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion of applicants for telephones who are compelled to share a party line are former subscribers transferred owing to a change of home or business.

This information is not available and could only be obtained by special scrutiny of a large number of records.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that, eventually, this sharing of lines will be entirely voluntary, possibly with the addition of some substantial reduction in the telephone rental?

It is hoped that eventually the sharing of lines may not be necessary, but, for the present, it should be borne in mind that half a million people are enabled to obtain the telephone service today by virtue of the shared line system.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some confusion and dissatisfaction about this, that where the subscriber transfers from one house to another he is, in some cases, asked to sign a new agreement, and that when he signs the new agreement he loses the exclusive use of the line and has to share it with another subscriber? Could not the right hon. Gentleman have the matter looked at more closely to see that the undertakings given are carried out?

I will look into the point raised by the right hon. Gentleman, but he will recall that since 1948 it has been an obligation on new and removing residential subscribers to accept sharing.

asked the Postmaster-General what evidence has been given to his Department that certain members of the public have discovered a method of using public call boxes for making telephone calls without paying the charge.

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Post Office is well informed on this problem. Several people have been prosecuted for this type of fraud recently.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that the rumour that this comes from Aberdeen is quite wrong?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what evidence he has that certain members of the public have discovered a method of using the public telephone for a whole evening for a charge of 3d.?

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for the installation of telephones there are still outstanding in the Tadcaster rural district area.

Fifty-seven.

Can my right hon. Friend say how that figure compares with the figure for this time last year?

Yes, it is 36 less.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of applications for telephones outstanding in Northern Ireland; and how many of these are in Belfast.

Seven thousand, five hundred and sixty-eight and 2,806, respectively.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in the Upper Cave Hill Road in Belfast there are people who have been waiting six years for the telephone, and would he see that those responsible on the spot get on with the job of giving this service?

I realise that there are big arrears, but I can say that in Belfast alone three extensions of exchanges will take place next year, one other in the year after, and extensive cable laying is to take place next year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the last cable-laying operation of "Monarch."

"Monarch" has recently completed the laying of 1,941 nautical miles of telephone cable, including 51 repeaters, across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Scotland at depths reaching two-and-a-half miles. This unique operation, completed on schedule despite very difficult weather conditions at times, is the first stage in the construction of the submarine links in the joint Anglo-American-Canadian Transatlantic Telephone Cable system, particulars of which were given to the House in December, 1953.

According to present plans "Monarch" will lay a two-way cable between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the early summer of next year, followed by the second one-way cable between Scotland and Newfoundland; the aim is to have the whole system ready for service towards the end of 1956.

I am sure the House will wish me to congratulate all those on both sides of the Atlantic whose skill has contributed to the successful outcome of this year's operations and to wish them continued success in 1956.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will withdraw his directive which provides that the British Broadcasting Corporation shall not, on any issue, arrange discussions or ex parte statements which are to be broadcast during a period of a fortnight before the issue is debated in either House; and whether he will withdraw a similar directive to the Independent Television Authority.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 25th October by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Harold Davies) and to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond).

Does the Minister appreciate that this ban is not the outcome of any democratic decision by Parliament, and, in view of that fact, as well as of the fact that the attempt to enforce it has become somewhat of a farce, will the right hon. Gentleman withdraw the ban, at any rate until Members of this House have had an opportunity of expressing an opinion on it?

While I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's views, I have nothing to add to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Could my right hon. Friend explain how the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are expected to know the business for next week when we ourselves in this House are not likely to know for another 40 minutes?

No doubt my hon. and gallant Friend heard the replies of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on that subject yesterday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the significant thing about this ban is that it is not just a self-denying ordinance of Members of Parliament, but affects all people regardless of whether or not they have anything to do with this House? Is the right hon. Gentleman now prepared to say whether this was the original intention?

The 14-day rule in its present form continues an arrangement which has been working since 1948 in the respect in which the hon. Gentleman makes his point as in other respects.

Will my right hon. Friend at any rate convey to his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that the House quite honestly is not satisfied with the statement which he made yesterday? The position has changed, it must be reviewed, and it is overdue for revision.

I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will note what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what alterations in instructions were given to the British Broadcasting Corporation in relation to the 14-day ban in order to enable the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden and others to broadcast about the Budget;

(2) if his attention has been drawn to the difference between the interpretations put upon his ban on political broadcasting by the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Television Authority; and what steps be proposes to take.

asked the Postmaster-General what protests he has made to the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority regarding infringements of the 14-day rule in connection with televised broadcasts of 4-man panels which occurred between 28th and 30th October on the subject of the Budget, the general debate on which was not concluded until 31st October.

As soon as the general debate on the Budget ended at about 4 p.m. on 28th October, it was in my view in order for the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. to broadcast discussions about it. Both organisations were aware of this, but the B.B.C. decided not to have the matter discussed. No new instructions have been issued to the Corporation since 27th July, when I issued the direction on the 14-day rule. In the B.B.C.'s view, and my own, this rule does not affect the usual Budget talk by the Chancellor and the reply by the Opposition, or any authorised series of party political broadcasts.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that there was the most incredible muddle over this matter? Is he aware that neither authority knew what the position was, and that there was a censure debate—which the Chancellor surely should have noticed—on Monday? In my view, he has missed a most admirable opportunity of confining his right hon. Friend and his predecessor to the Tower of London.

There has been no lack of clarity, except, perhaps, in the minds of some newspapers and some hon. Members. It was made perfectly plain to both the Corporation and the Authority, in response to their requests, that it was not regarded as a breach of the rule to have these Budget discussions over last weekend. I have no right or desire to instruct the Corporation to include this or that item in their programmes. I am reporting to the House what was the exact position in relation to the rule.

Under what authority does the Postmaster-General issue this rule?

The 14-day rule, issued on 27th July last, was issued under Section 15 (4) of the Licence.

Can my right hon. Friend say if it would now be in order for the B.B.C. to arrange a debate upon the clarity of its understanding of the 14-day rule?

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain what are the considerations which prevent the rule limiting discussion on the radio and television from applying also to the newspapers?

The rule which is made under Section 15 (4) of the Licence relates to broadcasting, and to broadcasting only.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider issuing books of stamps to the total value of 10s. in addition to those already issued at lower values.

I doubt whether there would be a sufficient demand for 10s. books to justify the cost of production and stocking.

Would there not be a ready sale for these books, particularly among long-suffering Members of Parliament, who are always short of stamps?

The sales of 5s. books of stamps are a little more than one-third of those of 2s. 6d. books, and I do not really think that there is sufficient demand for 10s. books.

Apart from whether or not there is a demand, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the actual cost would be?

Not without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered a request from the town clerk of Newport for an additional sub-post office on the Gaer Housing Estate, Newport; and, in view of the large increase in population and the present inadequate service, if he will authorise its provision at the earliest possible date.

I am having inquiries made, and I hope to reply very shortly to the letter which the hon. Member has sent to me about this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at present the Post Office facilities are a very long way from the centre of this housing estate and that the only convenient place is in the middle of the shopping centre of the estate? Will he give special consideration to that point?

The hon. Gentleman wrote to me on 17th October, and I am looking into the problem which he raised.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to improve the parcel post service between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Improvements have been made in this service during the past few years. We are doing our best to maintain it at a high standard, though from time to time abnormally high postings and staff shortages cause some delay.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the parcel post between these two parts of the United Kingdom at present is little short of a national scandal? Parcels rarely take less than three days and frequently over a week to reach their destination, and perishable goods frequently do perish. Furthermore, is my right hon. Friend aware that he is asking the public to pay more for what is a totally inadequate service, particularly for the business community of Northern Ireland which depends on it?

I am really not aware of the kind of conditions to which my hon. Friend refers. Some two or three years ago it took two days for parcels posted in London to reach Belfast whereas now, I am advised, such parcels usually reach Belfast the next day. I do not pretend that the service is as satisfactory as we would wish it to be, but I suggest that my hon. Friend's statement is an exaggeration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the financial situation and the proposals to deal with it, as outlined in Command Paper No. 9576, were discussed by the Post Office Advisory Council; and on what date.

Yes, Sir. The Post Office Advisory Committee was consulted on the problem generally and on tentative proposals to deal with it on 10th February, 1955.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make it perfectly clear that the position and the solutions were known long before the General Election and that no attempt was made to deal with the matter?

It is also perfectly clear that in recent months there have been added problems, including increased wage awards of £14 million a year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he expects to have guided missiles in operational use in the Royal Air Force.

I am afraid I cannot reveal this information, but good progress continues to be made in developing both surface-to-air and air-to-air guided missiles.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that it is only a year since the Army's Anti-Aircraft Command was wound up and its functions handed over to the Royal Air Force? Surely he will say something better than he has just said about our guided missiles service?

I did point out, during a debate upon the Adjournment before we rose for the Summer Recess, that it was a mistake to regard these missiles as substitutes for anti-aircraft guns. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will realise that we cannot bring these missiles into use until we have carried out full tests—which we are doing; hundreds of rounds have been fired—and until we are quite satisfied that the whole system will fit our long-term needs.

Would not the Under-Secretary agree that the real lesson of the recent exercises was that these missiles really provide the only hope of effective interception of high-level four-engined bombers?

No, Sir. They should be regarded as an integral part of our fighter defence, together with manned fighters.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the Hunter has now proved itself to be by far the best interceptor in operational service in the world today?

It is certainly a very fine manned interceptor fighter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why batmen serving at Halton Camp were sent, at public expense, to an officers' ball at Henlow; and what action he proposes to take to prevent any repetition of such an incident.

The summer ball at the Royal Air Force Technical College, Henlow, provides a valuable opportunity to return hospitality and to maintain contacts, not only with different branches of the Royal Air Force and other Services, but also with industry, the universities and local dignitaries. There are not enough batmen at the college to provide the waiters needed for the ball, and others were therefore brought from nearby stations.

Because of the importance of the ball to the Service, it was considered appropriate that they should travel at public expense, although other costs were met by the officers themselves. However, I have now decided that the travelling expenses also shall be recovered from mess funds.

I thank the Minister for that small concession, but does he still feel it to be in order that men in National Service should spend their time going from one camp to another in order to act as waiters for officers at their ball? Does not he think that if waiters are necessary upon these social occasions they should be employed from private sources, which are no doubt available? Is it not disgraceful that National Service men are used in this manner?

No, Sir. As I told the hon. Gentleman, most of these men were volunteers, and very few were National Service men.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why batmen are still used in the Royal Air Force; whether he will take steps to prevent the use of service personnel in married quarters; and what action he has taken in respect of the details forwarded to him of the batmen at Halton Camp who were chiefly engaged in undertaking domestic chores for the wives and relatives of officers stationed at that camp.

We need batmen for various essential duties in messes, and to provide personal service for officers, particularly in looking after their kit. I am not prepared to deny batman service to officers living in married quarters, but Commands have been reminded that the service should not exceed that provided for single officers. I have also decided that no National Service batman is to be employed in an officer's married quarter unless he volunteers for this work.

Is the Minister not aware that there is a considerable difference of definition between what the Services regard as volunteering and what other people regard as volunteering? Is he not further aware that, of the nine detailed statements of batmen at Halton Camp, which I sent him—batmen who were being asked to fetch coal, make beds, press ladies' clothes and take children to school—not one has been refuted? Is it not scandalous that three National Service men and three full-time men out of these nine should so misuse their Service time? What steps will he take to end this system of having batmen for officers' wives—a costly system, which most of the rest of the country cannot afford, and our wives and others have to go without?

End National Service.

I am sure the hon. Gentleman would agree that there is no reason why a married officer should be penalised just because he is married. Therefore, it is fair and logical that married officers should have the batman service which single officers enjoy. What we have now done is to remind commanding officers that these services should be confined to those which single officers get in mess. There have, for a long time, been perfectly workable and agreeable arrangements whereby an officer may ask his batman to undertake special extra duties in his spare time and offer to remunerate him accordingly. If the batman agrees, there is no reason why we should interfere.

Would not the Under-Secretary agree that, however logical these arrangements are, they do in fact have a very bad effect upon National Service and upon people's attitude towards it? Will he not look into this matter again?

It is because such doubts have been raised that we have now said that National Service men must volunteer. I absolutely refute the allegation that these men will be forced to undertake this work. We are to get their agreement to volunteer in writing—and I think that we shall get plenty of volunteers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why, during the two years' National Service performed by Mr. B. E. Holland, and others, details of which are in his possession, these airmen received only nine weeks' training during the whole of their service; and what action he proposes to take to prevent any repetition of this abuse of National Service.

These airmen completed the full course of recruit training. They were then posted for duty as batmen and were trained as such "on the job." I cannot regard this as an abuse of National Service.

Does not the Minister regard it as most remarkable that this man, who has completed two years' service in the Royal Air Force, did eight weeks' initial training, and for the rest of his service of one year and 10 months did only one week's ground combat training, which he himself regards as farcical? Does not the whole of this make complete nonsense of the Government's case for two years' National Service?

No, Sir. I cannot accept that view. These boys did the normal recruits' course, and they also had trade training to fit them for a particular and necessary job. Naturally, the length of trade training must vary according to the duties which the man is to carry out, but because he is selected for a trade which calls for only limited training, or for training on the job, it certainly does not mean that he is being wasted.

Can the Under-Secretary state whether it is the case that, out of the two years, as is alleged by my hon. Friend, there were actually only nine weeks' training? Is this a fact?

I have not checked up definitely. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I have looked into the case of Holland, and I understand that this man did eight weeks' recruits' training and a week's training while on the station in combat duties. That concerns Holland. Certainly I will look into all the others, if it is felt to be necessary, but the instructions are quite clear on the matter.

It is curious, but I was afraid the Under-Secretary was going to say that, notwithstanding the Question on the Order Paper, he did not know whether the facts were one way or the other. As he now admits that, in respect of Mr. Holland, it was eight weeks plus one week of actual training, does he really regard that as satisfactory out of two years' National Service?

I must agree that as much general service training as possible should be given to everybody. Whether one thinks that a week would be enough or not is a matter of opinion. This is a matter which is left to the discretion of commanding officers, and the task of every station varies. I am quite prepared to look again at this matter and see whether these people who are not concerned with general service but are doing special jobs of this kind should do a little more general service, but it does mean taking them off their jobs for the time being, which means that the task they are doing has to run light to that extent.

Does not all this really bring home to the House and the Under-Secretary the fact that the Royal Air Force has now become so technical a Service that it simply finds the greatest difficulty in using National Service men at all and that the system really does not fit the Service any longer?

With great respect, I think it shows exactly the opposite—that these men are kept so fully employed that it is difficult to find time for them to do general training.

Does not my hon. Friend recall that five years ago National Service men were sent to fight in Malaya with only eight weeks' training?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what part of the sum of £292 million estimated to be spent on the purchase of aircraft and stores in 1955–56 he now estimates will be spent; and whether he will make a statement.

Expenditure on the purchase of aircraft and stores in 1955–56 is likely to be below the estimate, but it is not possible at this stage of the financial year to say by how much.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to say whether one of the reasons for the shortfall is the absence of technical staff to maintain V bombers? In other words, has the Air Ministry cut back the supply of V bombers because it lacks the technical staff to maintain the aircraft?

I think I must refer Questions about V bombers to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

Would the hon. Gentleman be quite frank with the House? Is it not true to say that the estimate for the Royal Air Force will not be fully used? Is it not true to say that?

I did say that it looked at the moment as though we would be underspent, but I did not think it fair to say by how much at this stage, because there is still a lot of the financial year to go, and it might be a quite different figure by the end.

As the hon. Gentleman has not been as frank as usual with the House, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made towards acquiring the land for the Stevenage by-pass.

Land plans have been prepared and negotiations will be opened shortly with landowners for the acquisition of land on the three-mile length of the by-pass between Bridge Road and Broomin Green Lane.

While thanking the Minister of Transport for that news of progress, which will be very much welcomed by everyone living in the neighbourhood of this very dangerous road, may I ask him to press ahead with the preparation of land plans for the rest of the by-pass and the acquisition of the land with the greatest speed?

I know my hon. Friend's views, which he has expressed on several occasions, as to the importance of this by-pass, and to a very considerable extent I share them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why he has allocated only £290,000 in grant to the Middlesex County Council for major road improvements towards their programme of £1,984,700 for the year 1955–56.

The funds available do not permit me to authorise all the work which highway authorities would like to undertake, and I consider £290,000 a fair allocation to Middlesex, taking into account also the needs of other areas.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the average Exchequer grant to the Middlesex County Council before the war for roads was about £400,000, which today would be worth about £800,000? Does he hold out any hope of getting nearer to pre-war conditions next year?

I must not commit myself with respect to the grant to a particular county before I have considered all the applications, but I very much welcome the initiative which the Middlesex County Council is showing in getting ahead with road schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what major road improvements in the Eton and Slough areas proposed by the Buckinghamshire County Council have been included in his Department's five-year programme.

I have not been able to accept for grant this year any of the major improvements in Eton and Slough proposed by the county council, but I hope to be able to include some of them in the programme for the next three years.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say, in particular, when he anticipates that the southern Slough bypass section of the South Wales relief road and the Eton-Windsor by-pass are likely to be authorised by his Department, in view of their urgency?

I am not able to add, with respect to major schemes of this sort, to the statement I made in the House earlier this year.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the progress of the Slough safety experiment, including figures regarding the number of fatal and other accidents during the period of the experiment compared with those in a similar period a year ago.

As the Answer is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give the figures for accidents, both fatal and otherwise? While realising the devotion of those engaged in this experiment, and expressing the hope that it may be of value to the whole nation, could I ask the Minister to say whether the figures do not indicate the need for road changes, such as the Uxbridge Road, the railway and canal bridge and the Slough by-pass, to which I have referred?

I must ask the hon. Member first to study the Answer which I shall be circulating. Let me say at once that I very much appreciate the co-operation which the Slough County Council is giving in undertaking this most important experiment.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the sharp increase in heavy traffic using the Penarth Road, Cardiff, since the abolition of the toll; and whether he will now consent to the placing of zebra crossings at appropriate places on this road.

The Cardiff City Council has not approached me over this; I will gladly consider any suggestions that are made.

Is the Minister aware that at a recent public meeting of residents in this area considerable concern was expressed at the increased danger, and that if he consults the Cardiff police he will find that they support this recommendation?

As I have said, I will gladly consider any recommendation that is made, but, as I told the hon. Member, the city council, as the highway authority, has not made any recommendation to me about this.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he has taken to warn the public of the close relation between road accidents and the drinking of alcohol.

By publishing the message inside the front cover of the Highway Code.

That is not enough. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the B.M.A. has drawn attention to the increased danger on the roads caused by drinking alcohol and then driving a car? Is he further aware that almost every public house in the countryside is surrounded with motor cars at night and that the danger on the roads is thereby increased? Will he give further consideration to this matter?

As the hon. Member may know, Professor Drew of Bristol University, together with the Medical Research Council, is at present conducting an investigation into this very difficult problem. I would prefer not to say anything more about it until I have his report.

Does the Minister realise that our hoardings are covered with advertisements saying how valuable alcohol is under various conditions? Could he not do something to counteract that?

I really have nothing to do with the advertisements that appear on hoardings.

As a member of the Government, has not the right hon. Gentleman something to do with the advertisements that appear on Independent Television?

All sorts of things appear on television of all sorts.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that the Bristol City Council has prepared a five-year plan which is considered the minimum required to reduce the congestion of traffic on the roads in the city which amounts to £3 million; that the grant authorised by him for road improvement this year is only £41,000, and that this is inadequate; and if he will take steps to substantially increase this amount.

I am aware of the plan of the city council. I am afraid I cannot increase the amount of grant this year.

Has the Minister estimated, as he has reduced the estimates, how long it will take the Bristol City Council to complete its five-year plan?

The estimates to which the hon. Member refers as having been reduced are, of course, the estimates of the council. Within the financial limits, I have done my best to meet them in respect of grant. I do appreciate that Bristol has very considerable problems.

Will the Minister reconsider the very substantial reduction made in the grant?

I should like notice of any allegations of reductions in specific grants.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the difficulties experienced by local authorities in finding parking places for vehicles, what methods he has considered of dealing with this problem other than those in general use.

I am endeavouring to encourage the provision of off-street parking facilities both by local authorities and private enterprise and am always ready to make available to them the large amount of technical information in the possession of by Department. I would also draw the hon. Member's attention to the Road Traffic Bill now before Parliament.

Quite a number of schemes have been propounded for garaging cars in buildings with multi-floor space. Has the Minister considered those?

I am glad to say that quite a number of local authorities are proposing and contemplating schemes of this sort. As I said in my original Answer, I am only too glad to assist them with the very large amount of technical information from the United States and elsewhere which I have at my disposal.

As the parking-meter experiment is likely to be a complete success, and in any case can only be a partial failure, will my right hon. Friend do everything possible to expedite the passage of the Road Traffic Bill through the House and so get the experiment started?

I agree that the parking meter can help, but the passage of the Bill is, of course, a matter for Parliament.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to reduce the traffic congestion during the holiday season on the A30 road in the neighbourhood of Launceston.

I am afraid that it is not possible at present to authorise substantial works on this part of A30.

Would any right hon. Friend bear in mind the very urgent need there is to do something to relieve this congestion? Is he aware that a scheme has been submitted to him which will effect a great improvement at a modest cost?

I know that, as my hon. and gallant Friend says, there is a good deal of congestion here during the holiday season, but I must look at this scheme in competition with a good many others.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the increasing number of Britons taking cars abroad and of foreigners bringing cars to this country, he has considered making the new proposed traffic signs conform to those already in use on the Continent.

I have recently circulated new draft traffic signs regulations for the comments of representative bodies. The regulations set out comprehensively our present system, with a number of important changes, some of which are designed to bring us closer to Continental practice. The new regulations will lead to greater uniformity in our traffic signs generally, but I have at present no power to cause traffic signs to be illuminated.

Where my right hon. Friend considers that our signs are better than those of the Continent, would he suggest that the Continent changes?

I am inclined to think that, in most matters, our practice is better than that in foreign countries.

Are those draft regulations available to hon. Members?

Not yet, I think, but they will, of course, have to be laid before Parliament in the ordinary way.

I suppose an hon. Member can get a copy if he applies to the Ministry?

I will look into it. I anticipate no difficulty.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will introduce legislation limiting the number of hours which an air pilot may be required to be on duty.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport and Fare-ham (Dr. Bennett) on 26th October.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend was at least a little naive in that reply when he said that the only difference between himself and the British Airline Pilots' Association was that the latter required rather more detail? Is it not a fact that they require a much closer limitation of hours, and is he looking into that matter again?