asked the Postmaster-General the sum of money outstanding in the first quarters of the two most recent half-yearly accounts rendered to telephone subscribers in the United Kingdom; and if he will give an estimate of the sum of money which would be saved in interest charges if such accounts were rendered quarterly instead of half-yearly.

About £12 million and an annual figure of something under £500,000 respectively.

Would my right hon. Friend, with that saving in mind, consider issuing these accounts quarterly instead of half-yearly?

No. There would be a saving of £500,000. but there would also be an increased expenditure of £1½ million, with a net loss of £1 million.

Would my hon. Friend then consider why the public should have to subsidise the Post Office to this extent, while they pay their accounts to the gas and electricity undertakings quarterly, not half-yearly?

I do not regard this as a subsidy. There is a most substantial saving of staff of 1,300, and, as I have said, in money of £1 million by continuing this change, made in the war years, to half-yearly accountancy.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will return to the practice of rendering quarterly instead of half-yearly accounts to telephone subscribers.

We have considered this on several occasions, but the large increase in staff and the additional annual expenditure estimated at £1 million, which it would involve, could not be justified at present. I cannot say when it will be possible.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that to many people it is a financial hardship to receive a large account every half year, and that they would prefer to pay quarterly?

I appreciate that a number of people have said that they would prefer quarterly accounts, but that must be balanced against the expenditure of £1 million and the employment of 1,300 men.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the general dissatisfaction that exists about the delay experienced by those wishing to have telephone instruments installed either for business or private reasons; and whether he will make a statement.

I fully appreciate the need to expand the telephone service. The proposals in the recently published White Paper on Post Office Development and Finance provide for the installation of nearly half a million telephones next year, and are designed to develop the service as quickly as economic circumstances permit.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this will be of equal benefit in rural and in urban areas of the country?

It is intended to improve the telephone provisions throughout the country, in urban and rural areas.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that his speech on this subject in Scotland last weekend caused considerable dismay? Is he aware that the 38,000 who are waiting for the telephone in Glasgow did not get much encouragement? Does he not think it would be a good thing if he made representations to his fellow Ministers to spend money, instead of on the rocket range, in accelerating and improving the telephone service in Scotland?

If the hon. Gentleman will study the White Paper recently published he will see that there are signs of hope and not of dismay in the telephone position in Scotland.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of instructing the various telephone area managers to put out to sub-contract work which their area staff are incapable of completing in a reasonable time.

I have considered my hon. Friend's suggestion, but Post Office staff are now capable of carrying out all the work which the available money and stores will allow.

Will the Postmaster-General, contrary to the suggestions contained in this Question, see to it that all work proper to be carried out by established postal engineering grades will continue to be carried out by them, and that the establishment will be adjusted to meet any changed requirements?

I have dealt with the Question as, I think, the House would wish me to, as a practical question. The limiting factors are stores—in the main, stores—at the present time. Speaking practically, the Post Office staff can do the work.

Do I take it from what the right hon. Gentleman has just said that the only limiting factor in developing the telephone system now is finance?

Finance and stores.

Could my right hon. Friend explain why it is impracticable for a private householder, for example, to have the telephone moved from one room to another by a private contractor? Why could not that be done in that way in future?

We have a magnificent engineering staff to do this job. While they are able to do it I think no other consideration should apply.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made with the building of the automatic telephone exchange in Redditch and with the recabling of the area.

We are planning to start building the new automatic exchange towards the end of next year and to open it in 1959. New cable schemes will be completed at the same time. Meanwhile, we are extending the present manual exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for new telephones have been withdrawn since the announcement of increased charges.

The information my hon. and gallant Friend seeks is not yet available.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants await the installation of telephones in the Sedgefield Parliamentary constituency; and how such figures compare with those of twelve months ago.

Five hundred and sixty-four, including 126 whose applications are either in course of being met or under inquiry. This is an increase of 68 during the past twelve months, although some 550 new telephones have been installed in that period.

Can the Minister state whether material has become available in larger quantities at this time for the installation of telephones? Secondly, is it not true that the new proposals set out in the White Paper will have the effect of restricting long-standing applications from people who are desirous of having a telephone installed in their premises?

To reply to the first point, two of the exchanges in the hon. Gentleman's constituency are to have additional equipment next year and in one exchange the additional equipment will be installed in the year after. In regard to the second question, if the hon. Gentleman will study the figures in relation to telephone provision to September of this year and compare them with the programme of half a million new telephones next year and a slightly higher figure in subsequent years, he will find evidence of hope in the White Paper proposals.

asked the Postmaster-General how the sum of £163 million, which he estimates will be required for development of the telephone service for the two years 1956 and 1957, compares with the present annual expenditure for the same purpose.

The amount required from borrowed capital for the 1955–56 programme for the development of the telephone service is estimated at about £69 million. The sum of £163 million might last a little longer than two years, but much depends upon prices.

I appreciate what my right hon. Friend says, but does he contemplate any change in long-term projects, such as the opening of the Teddington Lock exchange in 1960?

I suggest that that is a question which my hon. Friend might desire to raise on Friday, when the Second Reading of the Post Office and Telegraph (Money) Bill is to take place.

asked the Postmaster-General the estimated saving on the telephone service by the slower programme recently announced; and what alternative work will be found for the staff on account of the changed policy.

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. As paragraph 21 of the White Paper shows, the development programme will continue to expand though its rate of expansion will be restrained.

Would I be correct in assuming that the cost of labour is the greatest charge in installing telephones? If certain men are kept on this job, would my right hon. Friend see that these men are properly employed owing to the slowing down of the programme?

I am not sure that I appreciate the point that my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give special priority to the isolated rural districts in his development programme for farm telephones and for telephone kiosks in the villages.

There is a measure of priority for both rural kiosks and farmers' lines. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiry.

While appreciating what my right hon. Friend says, may I ask that while he is making his priorities he will bear in mind that in those isolated districts telephones have a very special importance in urgent cases of human and animal illness?

I do appreciate that point, and we go a good way in the different kinds of priority which are accorded to farmers and to rural areas generally.

Does the right hon. Gentleman give to each local telephone manager, who knows local conditions, the power to decide the priorities in his district?

In general, that is true. In cases of farmers' applications, where the number of poles involved is more than 12 or 14 the telephone manager consults the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the application.

asked the Postmaster-General the circumstances which led to the request for the breaking down by the Post Office telephone service of a recently reconstructed footpath in Lady-moor Road, Coseley, Staffordshire, despite the fact that prior notice had been given to the Post Office telephone service, under the Public Utilities Street Works Act, by the Coseley Urban District Council that this work of reconstruction was to be undertaken, such notice being given in an attempt to avoid any subsequent interference with a completed reconstruction.

Since the resurfacing in July, 1954, a number of unexpected faults have seriously interfered with the telephone service of nearby factories; some replacement of cables is, in consequence, necessary. No other solution seems possible, although I wish it had been otherwise.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that British postage stamps could be improved by including in their designs the faces of famous literary, scientific, and historic persons; that such inclusions would benefit the taxpayers and the Post Office by increasing the sales of such postage stamps to philatelists and others; and if he will consider issuing such stamps in the future.

No, Sir.

Is there any immutable rule which prevents this being done in Britain? Is the Minister aware that no terrible catastrophe has followed the adoption of the practice which I recommend in other parts of the British Commonwealth? Why should Britain lag behind?

It is traditional in this country that the head of the reigning monarch should be the basic feature of all our stamps, and I think that there is no desire to depart from that.

asked the Postmaster-General what increases in wages will be given to employees of his Department to meet increased rents and Purchase Tax.

The wages of Post Office staff are fixed primarily by reference to current rates of pay in comparable outside employment; the question of increasing wages specially for the reasons the hon. Member has in mind does not therefore arise.

Surely Post Office wages are not always going to follow other wages? As there is a claim before the Postmaster-General at the moment, will not he take into consideration the new difficulties about the cost of living which arise from the new impositions by the Chancellor and, perhaps, for once make an offer of a wage increase?

The hon. Gentleman will not expect me to comment upon any outstanding claims, but he will recall that the so-called Tomlin formula, which applies to the Post Office as to the Civil Service generally, has as its main criterion rates of pay in comparable employment in outside industries.

Is there any indication that with the new Bridgeman concept applying to the Post Office there will be a departure from the old practice of the rates of pay of Post Office employees having to follow outside rates?

Until the Report of the Royal Commission upon the subject is published, I suggest that we cannot usefully examine that question.

asked the Postmaster-General what concessions are allowed in the distribution of newspapers and magazines by the post; to what classes of organisation such concessions are available; and why the Cyclists' Touring Club does not come within such classes.

Newspapers and magazines may be posted at newspaper and printed paper rates provided they comply with certain statutory conditions. Eligibility for such rates does not depend on the class of organisation responsible for the publication. The Cyclists' Touring Club Gazette is not eligible for the newspaper rate because one of the conditions of that rate is that publication must take place at intervals of not more than seven days.

Will my right hon. Friend consider widening the scope of the regulations which are now in his province so as to bring voluntary and non-profit-making organisations within the range of their benefits?

I have made a provisional calculation of what the loss would be to increase the period from seven to twenty-eight days, and I find that it is about £1 million.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the injurious effect on voluntary, non-profit-making associations of the proposed increases in postal and telephone charges, he will consider exempting them from these extra charges.

No, Sir. With every sympathy for good causes, I cannot exempt them from paying for the services they use.

If concessions are made to newspapers, why should they not be made to voluntary organisations? Does the Minister appreciate that one of the finest features of British life is the number and variety of its voluntary organisations? Does he further appreciate that their main difficulty is to find the "brass," and that these extra charges will finish many of them off? The trade union journals, in particular, will suffer.

I do not dissent from what the hon. Gentleman has said upon the subject of voluntary organisations and causes, but it would be a task of immense practical difficulty—even if it were desirable—to separate certain bodies for lower and different rates of postage.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will exempt fortnightly and monthly publications from the proposed increased charges in respect of printed papers transmitted by inland postal service.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that publications which are not eligible for registration as newspapers are in many cases trade journals, and that the increased charge imposes an unfair burden on industry by a tax on knowledge which is vital to our export trade? Does he not agree that there is no justification for discriminating between weekly publications and monthly publications?

The so-called discrimination is, of course, based on the long-standing statutory definition of "newspaper." I would point out to my hon. Friend that whereas, compared with before the war, the charge for printed papers up to two ounces has increased by 200 per cent., the increase in the case of printed matter over two ounces will be 150 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider approving the issue of a special postage stamp to commemorate the bicentenary anniversary of Robert Burns, with the poet's head on it.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 26th October.

While, unhappily, I was not able to hear that answer, and while I appreciate all the difficulties in the way, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend realises that his answer will give great disappointment to many millions of Burns lovers throughout the country? Could he not have some other, perhaps bright, ideas on the subject?

I have dealt, in reply to an earlier Question, with the commanding consideration in this matter. I will just add that, even if there were no commanding consideration, were the Post Office to contemplate issuing stamps to commemorate illustrious persons, the task of choosing among such persons would be more than could properly be accepted.

Are there not many precedents for celebrating distinguished anniversaries in this way in Britain and in the Commonwealth? Why not now?

The precedents in this country are that there have been only twelve special stamps issued. Each one of them has commemorated a great event and in no case has commemorated an illustrious individual.

Would not a more proper way of commemorating this auspicious occasion be a reduction in the Excise duty on whisky?

If the right hon. Gentleman will not consider publishing a stamp with a picture of Robert Burns upon it, would he consider putting on one of the other stamps which are put on letters some of the short verses that Burns wrote about the Tories of his day?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take further steps to ensure adequate protection of mail vans.

Further steps in this direction are continually being taken.

Is it right that a driver should be sent alone with a mail van containing substantial sums of currency, as seems to be the case in view of what happened last week?

It is right and necessary on certain occasions that the driver should be alone. In order to get this matter in perspective, it should be recognised that although there are 13,000 vehicles doing about 185 million miles a year, the number of mail van thefts last year was eight and the number so far this year has been five.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman should give an assurance to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) that not only should there be a driver and mate but also a third man.

In view of the apparent inability of the Postmaster-General to answer the Question of my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton), can he at least assure the House that security in these matters is not in the hands of the Foreign Office.

asked the Postmaster-General the normal time of delivery of a parcel posted in London to the West Country.

Parcels posted in London in the afternoon should he delivered in most towns in the West Country on the next weekday but staff shortages, railway transport difficulties, and abnormally heavy postings cause delay from time to time. I can assure my hon. Friend that we are doing all we can to eliminate these delays.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that very recently a parcel was posted to my constituency containing drugs for a doctor, and that it took five days to get there? The Post Office apologised and said that the delay was owing to shortage of staff, and heavy parcel deliveries at that time of the year, and that this situation would be corrected as soon as possible. How soon will it be corrected?

I recognise that from time to time this sort of thing occurs. There have been substantial difficulties in London recently owing to congestion at Paddington and heavy postings. I am making a special study of the London position now, and I hope that we shall not have a recurrence of the kind of thing which my hon. Friend cites.

Do not West Country postmen sometimes go sick?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that parcels are not accepted at all post offices on Saturday for delivery on Monday; and if he will make a statement.

At many country sub-offices the last collection on Saturday is made between about noon and 1 p.m. and parcels accepted at these offices after this collection cannot be sent forward the same day. I shall be glad to look into any particular case of difficulty which my hon. Friend may have in mind.

In some post offices, the customer who goes in on Saturday at any time is told, "It is no use posting this parcel today, because no parcels go out from here on Saturdays. It will be held over until Monday." Should the post offices not accept parcels on Saturday, and dispatch them?

It is right that the inquirer should be told, where it is the case, that there will not be a dispatch from that office on that day, but there is no question of a refusal to accept such parcels where the facts are made plain.

I take it that this question of improving the parcel service —[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] I am asking a Question—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]. Speaker, in order to reassure the other "Speakers" there are in the House, I will repeat my Question. Will the Postmaster-General assure the House that any difficulties in connection with parcels will be examined not only by the Post Office but by the Post Office and the railways in conjunction?

Most certainly. There is, in fact, a working party of the Post Office and the railways now inquiring into some of the London dispatch problems.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will provide facilities to enable broadcast receiving and other annual licences of like nature issued by his Department to be payable by bankers' order.

Payment for broadcast receiving licences may already be made by bankers' orders. The system could not be used for Road Fund licences, and to apply it to dog, game and gun licences would create unnecessary additional work.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, might I suggest—

Question.

Would my right hon. Friend consider trying to devise a method whereby as many of these annual payments as possible could be synchronised and dealt with in one transaction?

It is difficult to answer so general a question. In the individual case of receiving licences it is practicable, and it is done. In the other cases there is no widespread demand, and considerable administrative difficulties lie in the way.

On a point of order. May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, to try to avoid this constant shouting of the word "Question"? Is there not such a thing as an interrogatory statement which can be construed as a Question?

The hon. Member is asking me to give an abstract decision. That I always refrain from doing. I judge each question on its merits.

asked the Postmaster-General how much capital has been passed to the Independent Television Authority to date, and at what rate of interest; and how far any new limitations have been placed upon its development programme.

Three hundred and five thousand pounds at rates of interest varying from 31 per cent. to 5 per cent. The need for restraint in capital expenditure has been stressed with the I.T.A. as with other public authorities, and its proposals in this field will be carefully scrutinised.

In view of the fact that only a fortnight ago the Director-General of the I.T.A. announced a vast programme of expansion and that, following upon it, there will be a vast investment by the programme contractors, will the right hon. Gentleman keep his eye on this matter and see that he withholds licences, in that way preventing the development of this very exorbitant programme?

When the I.T.A. submits its programme, that programme will be scrutinised in relation to the Chancellor's request for restraint, like other programmes of public authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the licence for a wireless set used in a car is not transferable with the car; and, as a car may change owners several times in a year, if he will make it transferable with the change of owners.

A car radio licence, like a car driving licence, is in law a personal authority to the licensee and is not transferable with the car to another person. If the holder of a car radio licence sells his car and gets another, the licence can be made to cover his new car.

Is the Minister aware that, although the amount involved is very small, the principle is a great one? When a car changes hands the new purchaser has to buy a licence, and this may happen three or four times a year. That is quite unjust. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter?

When a man with a car radio and licence sells his car and buys another he can continue the licence. I recognise that when a man who owns a car for which he has a wireless licence sells the car and does not obtain another, and does not at that moment apply for a new licence for his home radio, there is an absence of refund which might well be regarded as a grievance. I am now examining that question with the Law Officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the concern in Kent that 60,000 tons of stone have been brought from the north and west of England for use in building operations at Manston Aerodrome, Kent, when suitable stone is available in Kent where stockpiles are high and a lack of orders exists.

The stone is wanted for resurfacing the airfield pavements. We considered very carefully whether we could use local stone but I am afraid that it is too soft.

Is the Minister aware that I have here copies of three Air Ministry letters, the first of which clearly indicates that proper consideration was never given, the second of which admits an appalling lack of knowledge of the general characteristics of Kentish ragstone, and the third of which, written two months later, says that the Air Ministry would be prepared to use Kentish ragstone in certain of the work that had to be done but now it is found that it cannot be used because of contractual difficulties? Is not this a deplorable state of affairs, and does not the hon. Gentleman realise that in Kent people are very much upset about this bad treatment?

It might be if it were true, but it is not. This stone for resurfacing pavements must be strong enough to withstand the very high tyre-pressures of modern aircraft. We did laboratory tests with Kentish ragstone and found that it had a crushing value of only 85 per cent. of the minimum figure which we can accept for the work at Manston. The reply to the other point is that we did think about using ragstone in the asphalt base course in some areas where the paving had to be exceptionally thick, but we had to abandon that idea because I was advised that the areas involved were very small and the use of this ragstone would have upset the contractor's mixing programme and delayed the programme beyond the target date.

Can my hon. Friend say who will pay for this stone, and what choice the purchaser had in the matter?

Not without notice.

On a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the Regulations governing the practice whereby a member of the Royal Air Force, released five days before his due release date to take up residence at college, is denied three weeks' pay, travel warrant to his home, and demobilisation civilian clothing allowance.

The Regulations on these matters vary according to an airman's engagement, the length of his service, and the method of release if the right hon. Member will let me have details of any particular case he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it and see whether the man has had the benefits to which he is entitled.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a normal case of a National Service man serving his normal period and being released five days before his due release date in order to go into training college, and then having this imposed upon him? Surely, this treatment is not justifiable under the Regulations?

I did not know until the right hon. Gentlaman rose just now that this Question concerned a National Service man. He did not say in his Question that it concerned a National Service man. The Regulation about National Service men is that they can be allowed to leave the Service early to go to college by arranging for their terminal leave to fall inside their two-year period instead of outside it; that is to say that such a man will start his terminal leave 24 days before his two-year period is up. If, on the other hand, he claims his release earlier than that 24 days, he is deemed to be prematurely released and is not entitled to terminal leave.

Yes, but the plain fact of this case is that this man gave notice nine months before his due release date that he had been accepted for college. Despite all this he is denied three weeks' pay, his demobilisation allowance and a travel warrant from Lincoln to South Wales. Surely, this is the sort of thing which the hon. Gentleman ought to look into very closely?

I should be delighted to look into the matter. I have already offered to do so if the right hon. Gentleman will give me the details.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that there can be no case for, in effect, fining a man because he claims the privilege, which is always granted in all the Services, of early release for educational purposes? I can quite understand that in some circumstances a man might be denied it, but surely there can be no case for giving it to him and then inflicting financial penalties upon him.

I agree. We do all we can to help National Service men when they are starting in college but they must have taken the trouble themselves to try to get themselves into the Service in time to complete their two years beforehand. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, it is true; they must. They cannot, half way through their National Service, say that they want to be released early to go to college. These are matters which I should like to look into in connection with this case.

The hon. Gentleman is, I know, aware of the expedited call-up procedure, but in this instance a matter of five days is involved. Had it been a matter of months, and had the man not applied for an expedited call-up, he should have been penalised, but here he is being fined for five days.

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman realises how difficult it is for me to give any opinion without knowing the facts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what consideration is being given to the abolition of pay parades in the Royal Air Force and for the issue of pay and allowances by means of pay packets.

Discretion was given to all R.A.F. commands in 1947 to discontinue central pay parades and to arrange for the issue of pay by flights and sections where the nature and function of the station made this desirable. These arrangements are now being extended. The issue of pay in sealed packets is being tried out at several units, but it is too early to say whether it can be introduced as standard practice.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is the content of the packet rather than the method of delivery that matters?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the large number of derelict buildings on disused airfields in all parts of Norfolk and the weed-infested waste ground alongside and in between runways; and if he will arrange for the derelict buildings to be removed, the land put into good heart and the sites tidied up without further delay.

Nearly all undeveloped land on the disused airfields in Norfolk still held by Government Departments is let to farmers. Any complaint of failure to cut weeds is brought to their notice and I will willingly look into any particular case to see if more effective action should be taken. We have recently reviewed our requirement for reserve airfields and all buildings on those which we must keep will be pulled down if they are not worth maintaining.

Is the Minister aware that many of these airfields are a distinct interference with agriculture, over the broad scene, and are a blot on a very beautiful county? Is not it possible to decide whether these runways are ever likely to be used again, in which case could not they be kept in better shape? If they are not likely to be used again, could not they be returned to agriculture by being broken up as soon as conditions allow?

There are a very large number of airfields in Norfolk and some of them, as my hon. Friend knows, are still held by Government Departments, either because we are using them now or shall need to use them in the event of another war. Some airfields have been wholly derequisitioned, others have been partly derequisitioned, and most of them are, as fully as possible, used for agricultural purposes. The cost of tearing up the runways on the airfields which we have derequisitioned would be enormous. I think it has been estimated that to tear up the foundations of the buildings alone would cost about £25,000 or £30,000 per station. However, as the hon. Gentleman knows, terminal compensation is paid under the Compensation Act, 1939, when we derequisition.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the same considerations apply, perhaps with greater force, to some areas of Suffolk where there is an appalling waste of land through derelict airfields, and the deterioration of the buildings is quite catastrophic?

There is very little waste of land that has not actually got concrete on it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is able to make a statement about the experiments with a new emergency ration designed for use by Royal Air Force aircrew survivors in extreme heat or cold.

This new ration has been produced by the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine with the assistance of the Catering Branch of the Air Ministry and of many private firms. It has successfully passed laboratory and field tests in extremes of heat and cold, and we are now carrying out prolonged storage trials in Singapore, Aden and Canada. We hope that it will give aircrew a greater chance of survival than any other emergency food pack yet devised. It is already being carried in some types of Royal Air Force aircraft and by Royal Air Force mountain rescue teams.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that trained men of the Royal Air Force Regiment at some Royal Air Force stations are often compelled to be idle for the greater portion of each day; how these men are employed at Laarbruch, Germany; how many study classes have been provided at Laarbruch and how many attend; and what attempts have been made more fully to occupy the time and energy of serving men.

No, Sir. Units of the R.A.F. Regiment at Laarbruch, like those elsewhere, are training to a planned programme which includes large-scale field exercises and practice camps. One hundred and seventy-nine airmen from these units attend general educational classes on the station.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that information does not coincide with the experience of those who have been to this camp? May I inform him, from assurances given to some of us, including myself, that many of these men are wasting their time day after day, and they want something to do? Would the hon. Gentleman therefore make a particular inquiry into this allegation to see whether something more can be done to occupy these men for a much longer part of the day than I can assure him they are being occupied now?

When the hon. Member put down his Question I called for details of the training carried out by the R.A.F. Regiment at Laarbruch, and I can find nothing at all to support his allegation. Since the beginning of June these units have taken part in two large-scale N.A.T.O. exercises; they have put on a demonstration before the Commandant-General of the regiment and they have each attended anti-aircraft practice camps. All this calls for intensive training beforehand. I may add that during this period the mechanical transport of one unit alone covered 150,000 miles, which does not sound as if they have been idle.

While, as a result of a recent visit to this station, I can agree with the Minister that the men there seem pretty busy, can he assure us that they are given opportunities to use the very extensive educational facilities which are in existence there?

Yes, Sir, I can give that assurance.

Would my hon. Friend give the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) an opportunity to go to Germany to see the position himself? Then he would be amazed at the facilities available for the men there, both from the point of view of education and entertainment.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why some Royal Air Force officers' married quarters in Gibraltar are in buildings condemned for naval ratings as far back as 1939; and what he proposes to do to remedy this situation.

I agree that these quarters are most unsatisfactory, but the general shortage of accommodation in Gibraltar, and the acute difficulty in obtaining land for new building, have compelled us to use them. Flats are now being built to replace them, however, and will I hope be finished in about fifteen months' time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what will be the length of the Loughton by-pass on road A.5; when work commenced on this by-pass; and when he expects that it will be completed.

The length of the Loughton by-pass will be about two-thirds of a mile and includes a bridge and slip roads. Work started on 9th August, 1954, and is expected to be completed by April, 1956. The work, which is being carried out by contract, was, so the contractors inform me, held up by bad weather conditions last winter.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that the Alaska Highway, which is 1,600 miles long, was completed in seven months? Can he do anything to ensure that this two-thirds of a mile of road in this country is completed rather more quickly?

The Alaska Highway is a long way away. So far as this job is concerned, which involves considerable construction of embankments and of a bridge, the local authority thought that a contract date terminating in February, 1956, was reasonable. Owing to the weather last winter, the contractors will be about two months late with the contract.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is great disappointment all over the country with the extremely slow progress of his road programme?

There is no disappointment at all among those who know what is happening.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that is a very pompous reply?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking in pursuance of his powers under Section 4 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, to ensure that the minimum inconvenience is caused by road works in the London streets.

As laid down in the Act, I approve programmes of road works every six months, after they have been considered by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee. I have recently made some alterations in dates at which work should be done for the purpose referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the present policy in London seems to be to pull up every road and then put it down again? Is the aim of this to get non-skid surfaces, and if so, may we know what progress has been made and how long it is to continue?

My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that in the central London area the removal of the dangerous wood blocks and the substitution of non-skid surfaces in place of them has been effected to a very large degree. Obviously, while the work is being done there is inconvenience, there is no possibility of getting away from that. But we try to do the work quickly, and at a time that will cause the least inconvenience.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is proposed to start work on the duplication of the Great Cambridge Road from Bury Street, Edmonton, to Carter-hatch Lane, Enfield.

Before the end of the present financial year.

Would not the Minister agree that it would have been economic to continue the construction of the next stage of this dual carriageway rather than remove all the equipment, as has been done? The first part has been completed and then, instead of work continuing on the next section, the work has ceased. Why was it not continued?

There is a great deal, in general principle, on which I agree with the hon. Gentleman. In this case, however, the contractor had very many obligations elsewhere, including the Cromwell Road extension.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the construction work on the Cromwell Road extension was started; what percentage of the work has already been done; and when he hopes that the whole scheme will be completed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why the Cromwell Road extension will not be completed until 1959; and to what extent the limitations are financial or constructional.

Construction work started in April this year. On a cost basis about 5 per cent. of the work has been done. I cannot at present give a precise date for completion of the whole scheme, sections of which will be brought into use separately as soon as they are ready.

While congratulating my right hon. Friend very heartily on starting this road, may I ask him to keep an eye on its progress so that it is not held up by administrative difficulties, particularly having regard to the fact that it is the gateway to such important centres as Southampton, London Airport and Twickenham?

I agree with my hon. Friend that for all those reasons this is a very important road, and that is why I am glad that we have been able to make a start on it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman deny the statement that this extension is not to be finished for four years—until 1959? Does not he think that with the enormous advances made in road construction machinery since before the war, that is far too long a time, and would not the interests of economy be served by hastening this work?

I said in my original answer that I was not prepared to give a precise date for completion. The reason is that on one section of this road it is necessary to remove part of a school, and until alternative accommodation for the school can be found, it is not possible for constructional work to be done on that section of the road.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what experiments he has made of different non-skid surfaces for roads; and his conclusions.

In conjunction with the Road Research Laboratory, I am investigating the economy and durability, as well as the non-skid qualities, of some 1,500 different compositions of road surfacing. In addition, periodic skidding tests are carried out on existing roads. The results of these investigations are published from time to time by the Road Research Laboratory.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is obligatory at the present time, whenever repairs to roads are carried out, for the best non-skid surface available to be used?

Without notice, I should be disinclined to say that there was any statutory provision, but, obviously, where questions of grant arise it is my Department's duty to see that the most suitable surfaces are used.

Is the Minister aware of the danger of riding on zebras in wet weather?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement with regard to the progress which has been made in connection with the construction of the London-to-Yorkshire trunk road.

The draft scheme required by the Special Roads Act was published in the week beginning 19th September in respect of that part of the motorway which will run from the St. Albans by-pass to near Ashby St. Ledgers. The scheme in respect of the St. Albans by-pass will be published on the 21st of this month. I have appointed Sir Owen Williams and Sons as consulting engineers to prepare the engineering details of the road and to supervise the carrying out of the work which will be done by contract.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any progress, and, if so, how much, has been made with the Doncaster by-pass.

I have nothing to add at present, but, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, it is at the Doncaster by-pass that this Yorkshire motor road will end, and it is, in a sense, part of the scheme.

Can the Minister give any indication when this London to Yorkshire road will be completed?

I have published the scheme, and the statutory period for objections is now running. Clearly, until I know what the objections are—if any—to the proposed road. I should be very unwise to give a forecast.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he expects that there will be any substantial number of objections to the compulsory acquisition of land for this roadway, due to the very inadequate schemes of compensation which now prevail?

Matters of the level of compensation are not, I think, for me to answer. So far as the question of objections is concerned, I must really wait until the statutory period is over before I can answer that.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many highway toll bridges have been freed from toll payment since July, 1954.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will vary the Regulation which permits vehicles carrying greyhounds to travel at no more than 20 miles per hour to bring it in line with the 30 miles per hour permitted for heavy vehicles carrying horses.

The speed limit for a vehicle carrying greyhounds is 30 miles per hour if the vehicle does not exceed 3 tons in unladen weight. If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to vehicles of a greater unladen weight, the answer is "No, Sir."

Wing Commander Bullus: Would not my right hon. Friend agree that there is a difference between the speed limits allowed for the transportation of greyhounds and horses, and would not he correct this obvious anomaly?

I am inclined to agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that there is an anomaly between the conveying of the two types of animals, but I think this is one of a considerable number of anomalies on this subject which perhaps we should be unwise to try to correct piecemeal.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the planning of the electrification of the Liverpool Street to Enfield Town line; and when it is anticipated work will begin.

I am informed by the British Transport Commission that a scheme for this work has now been approved in principle and that detailed planning is well advanced. It is, however, still too early to state when work is likely to begin.

Is the Minister aware that a statement was made to the local council at Enfield that the work would begin next year? Can he confirm that there is a likelihood that the work will begin next year?

I should prefer not to anticipate the Commission's two-yearly forecast of work to be done, the next edition of which will be issued early next year.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the work will not be held up by the present Government's restriction on national expenditure?

I would rather ask the hon. Gentleman to await the forecast which the Commission will issue.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what experiments he has made in the use of amber-coloured headlights for motor cars, such as are required in France; and his conclusions.

Tests carried out by the Road Research Laboratory showed that there is little difference between white and yellow headlamps of the same intensity in seeing distance or degree of dazzle.

Has my right hon. Friend been in touch with the authorities in France on this matter, and can he say whether they consider the use of amber lights satisfactory?

We have investigated French experience, and I think that the impression which my hon. and gallant Friend has that French headlights dazzle less is due to the fact that, on the whole, they are of a lower power rather than of a different colour.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now initiate legislation to make it illegal for persons other than the Diplomatic Corps to use C.D. plates on their motor cars.

No, Sir. As these plates are neither officially recognised nor confer any special privileges, I do not think they do any harm when adorning non-diplomatic cars.

Will my right hon. Friend consult the Home Office and the Foreign Office to see whether these plates should not be given sonic legal status so that their misuse can be made an offence? This would help the police in their work.

I am always ready to consult my right hon. Friends, but, from my point of view, there is no particular reason to give any privilege or priority in respect of this designation, and, while the plates have no privilege or priority, I think that the House would agree that there is no point in prohibiting them.

It is surely well known—I am subject to correction—that members of the Diplomatic Corps, in respect of motor cars and in other respects, have certain privileges. Therefore, it is some convenience to the police and other parties to know that a car belongs to the Corps Diplomatique. Surely it is quite wrong, is it not, that other people should put these C.D. plates on their cars? I would urge upon the Minister the fact that it is an abuse for other people to do so—they are taking a liberty—and I urge the right hon. Gentleman to get the practice stopped.

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that it is clearly an error of taste to sport one of these plates if one is not entitled to do so. But so long as—and this is not a matter for me —no particular privilege is conferred by them, I really do not think that it would be right to prohibit one further thing which does, in fact, no harm. It is necessary, for traffic purposes, to prohibit quite enough, and I do not want to add a burden to the police and others in enforcing prohibitions which have no real significance.

Surely the letters "C.D." do confer a privilege. The police assume at once that there is a privilege conferred on members of the Diplomatic Corps, and, surely, that liberty ought not to be taken by people not entitled to do so? It is bad enough in respect of the Diplomatic Corps, but for the practice to extend to other people is still worse.

My information is that such privileges are not conferred. If the right hon. Gentleman takes a different view, I really think, with respect, that that is a matter which he ought to pursue with the Home Secretary and the Foreign Secretary. My information is that the police do not, in fact, grant any immunity if one sports a plate of this kind.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now able to make a statement resulting from the inquiries into the use of winking traffic indicators on motor vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will publish the Report of the Road Research Laboratory on vehicular flashing lights; and whether he can now say what action he proposes to take on the Report's conclusions.

The interim Report which I have received from the Road Research Laboratory indicates that further investigation is required into some aspects of the Question. The Laboratory expects to complete this investigation shortly and it will then submit a final Report. Meanwhile, as I indicated in my reply on 26th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Arbuthnot), I am considering the Report I have already received.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these indicators are irritating, confusing, distracting and dangerous both to pedestrians and motorists, and will become progressively more so as they increase in number? Is he further aware that many motorists are already of the opinion—if I may be forgiven the phrase—that these indicators are in every sense a "blinking" nuisance.

I think that, as always, there is a great deal in what my hon. Friend says, but this is not a simple matter, for the considerations which apply to one sort of indicator do not necessarily apply to all of them. I would far rather await the report of the experts before committing myself.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that, out of the 11 persons appointed recently to the new posts of Regional Directors of Civil Defence in England and Wales, 10 are high-ranking military officers, and that only three of the 11 have had previous close connection with Civil Defence; and whether he will issue an instruction that when making appointments of a similar nature in the future, consideration should be given to the work, knowledge, and experience of those actually performing the duties required for the new appointments before appointing military personnel.

I have been asked to reply.

These appointments were made on the recommendation of an impartial board presided over, at the request of my right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary, by the First Civil Service Commissioner. In making the appointments, my right hon. and gallant Friend was satisfied that full weight had been given to the past experience of all the candidates who had been interviewed, but in these particular posts personal qualities are as necessary as past experience, whether that experience has been in the field of Civil Defence or otherwise. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister does not think any general instruction is necessary. The public interest requires that the best candidates should be appointed and it is already the normal practice to consider the qualifications of all candidates who are interviewed.

Are we to take it that because these gentlemen happen to be high-ranking military personnel they must, of necessity, be better for this type of appointment than people who have given long years of service in the job? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the last war many people carried out similar jobs without having any high-ranking military titles? Is it not at least fair to give an opportunity to those who have been doing the job, because we are finding too many of these high-ranking military personnel taking positions in Civil Defence?

I do not think that it is a question of high-ranking military personnel, one way or another. It was a question of an impartial board making recommendations as to who were the most suitable persons.

May I put it to the right hon. Gentleman that my hon. Friend is on a fair point, that this is an unduly high proportion of gentlemen with military qualifications? That was not so among the appointments made before the Second World War. There are people experienced in Civil Defence, but, moreover, there are people experienced in local government, apart from Civil Defence, and people experienced in public administration, and there are people of good character, and so on. I really cannot understand why there should be such a high proportion of military people, although I would not exclude them altogether. Might not the matter be reconsidered?