asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to the convention on the subject of shipowners' liability which was drafted by the International Maritime Committee at its meeting in September, 1955; and what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take.

The draft convention is being studied with the numerous interests concerned. I cannot state what action Her Majesty's Government may take, until these studies and subsequent inter-Governmental discussions are completed.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that there is grave injustice at present owing to the low limit of liability, and will he realise that time is of the essence? Will he also bear in mind that a somewhat similar convention of 1924 has not been implemented?

I recognise that there is a clear case for review, but we must wait to take any action according to the Answer which I have already given to my hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I, and I have no doubt other hon. Members, have been pressing this matter for a long time? Is the hon. Gentleman not also aware that these international negotiations have been dragging on, to my knowledge, certainly for several years, in addition to the earlier ones which were reported in 1924? There are ships being lost at sea every month, I am sorry to say, and certainly every year from my constituency, and the amount of compensation that dependants can get is certainly not more than about a quarter of what everybody thinks they should get. This really is a very urgent matter.

I recognise the urgency of this matter, but it would be most unwise to prejudice our interests and our negotiating freedom at the conference which will have to take place, by announcing in advance our position or making it publicly known before the conference takes place.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if the new radar apparatus for guiding small vessels into harbour when visibility is bad, which was recently tested at Fraserburgh and Arbroath, is yet in commercial production and on the market for purchase; and if he will give details of the places where, and price at which, it can be purchased.

I understand that a firm of radio manufacturers is undertaking commercial production of this apparatus and will soon be publishing the information for which the hon. and learned Member asks.

In view of the value of the life-saving potentialities of this new invention, but its great cost to small ships, will the Minister devise some means whereby there may be grants or loans provided for its purchase?

I will consider that suggestion, but my present understanding is that the expensive part of the apparatus is that which is installed on shore— the transmitting part—and that the part which is fitted in the ship or trawler is relatively inexpensive. However, I will certainly have another look at the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to control shipping freight charges and prevent such rises as must unduly inflate export prices and so adversely affect our export trade.

No, Sir, I consider that the best policy is to leave the fixing of shipping freight rates to be settled commercially.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the 10 per cent. increase in charges, starting from 1st April, for shipping from Europe, and in particular from this country to the North American Continent, is likely to price us out of the market? We are told that strikes by the workers are liable to price our products out of the market. Surely the right hon. Gentleman can make representations to the Shipping Conference to see that these advances do not take place without his having more to say about them?

I have looked carefully into this, and I find that even after this increase the shipping companies have increased their charges rather less than most other forms of transport.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that rates of freight to this country from the American Continent are on the average about 10s. a ton more than the rates on freight to the Continent, entirely due to the delay in British ports compared with Continental ports?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what methods are adopted to send medical advice to and from ships at sea where no doctor is carried; if he is satisfied that this is adequate; and what steps are being taken to give officers such training that they will be better able to explain the symptoms of a case when drafting a call for medical aid or receiving such advice.

Ships obtain medical advice by radio through shore stations and from doctors aboard other ships. These arrangements are well established and work adequately. AH United Kingdom ships and all doctors concerned have copies of the 'Ship Captain's Medical Guide," so that symptoms and advice can be discussed by reference to it. In addition, all United Kingdom certificated officers must hold a first-aid certificate.

Is the Minister aware that it is highly desirable that on reasonably sized ships there should be someone who can send out and receive medical messages? Will he encourage all officers to pass the examination, and see that they get recompensed for the trouble taken in passing the examination?

That is a very important point and I should like to look at it, although I am advised that the present arrangements are not unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in the proposal to construct a by-pass at Atherstone in the County of Warwick.

The preliminary survey work has now been completed by the agent authority, the Warwickshire County Council. The preparation of the draft Order under Section 1 (2) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1946, which I hope to publish later in the year, is in hand.

Is the Minister aware that plans were made for this road as far back as 1927 when the route was pegged out across the grammar school playing fields? Is it not time that something more active was done?

I am afraid that some of these road schemes take an enormous time because of the difficulties of acquiring property and many other factors.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the proposed tube crossing of the Forth.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Major Anstruther-Gray) on 1st February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is now eight months since his predecessor intimated to me the setting up of this committee? Could not the right hon. Gentleman be a little more definite about the date when the report is expected?

As I said last week, this committee is not behind in its schedule of work. As I think the hon. Member knows, this is a very difficult technical problem.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many pedestrians were killed or seriously injured on zebra crossings during 1955 as compared with 1954.

Figures for the whole year will not be available until the end of this month. During the first eleven months of 1955, sixty-three persons were killed and 697 seriously injured on zebra crossings. Corresponding figures for the first eleven months of 1954 are, sixty-four persons killed and 675 seriously injured.

Is the Minister taking note of the fact that the number of people killed and injured on zebra crossings seems to be steadily rising? Is that a good argument in favour of zebra crossings?

A fact of which I have taken note is that, allowing for the very large increase in traffic last year, the figures of accidents on zebra crossings have remained very much the same. I am not saying that there are not difficult problems to overcome—there are—but at least accidents on crossings are not increasing pro rata to the traffic.

Can my right hon. Friend give any figures showing how many of these accidents occurred through cars overtaking on the approaches to pedestrian crossings? Is that one of the difficult problems which he can try to overcome?

My hon. Friend is on a very good point, and I am having a technical study made of that cause.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the length of the Basingstoke by-pass; how long it has been under repair; and how much longer it is expected to remain under repair.

The length of the by-pass is about 2·4 miles. The work of reconstruction has been carried out in stages as the annual allocation of funds has permitted. The first section was started in February, 1953, and subject to funds being available in the coming financial year, the last section should be started in September, 1956, and completed by June, 1957.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that this is the rate of progress contemplated for the future road plan development in this country? Why is money being spent on putting kerb stones along both sides of this already narrow by-pass?

It is inevitable that there should be delay when the amount of money available is not as large as we should like for this particular job. Secondly, great delay has been occasioned by the acute shortage of labour in that part of the country. Replying to the second question, when this by-pass was begun it was built to the width of 20 feet, which was then the standard width. Since then, the standard width has been raised first to 22 feet and then to 24 feet. Where possible, when kerbs have been put in, they have been put in to these wider limits.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the definition of injured for the purposes of inclusion in the statistics of road accidents issued by his Department.

Any person involved in a road accident who receives or may seem to need medical treatment is classified as injured.

Has the attention of my hon. Friend been drawn to an article in a Sunday newspaper recently in which an official of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is reported as having said that these figures were inflated by 26,000? Will my hon. Friend publicly refute that statement by a society which is paid by the Government to propagate road safety?

My attention has been drawn to the article that appeared in the People. That article gave an extremely false impression. The statistics which are issued by the Ministry of Transport do not contain figures other than those relating to personal injury.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will resume direct control of road safety propaganda so that such propaganda may have a national impact.

Road safety propaganda and education is chiefly valuable in its local and personal impacts, and I should like to take this opportunity of paying a sincere tribute to the immensely valuable work which is being done throughout the country by local authorities and local road safety committees.

Is it not time that we treated 260,000 road casualties with more seriousness than by having silly little slogans on serviettes, sand bins and public urinals? Is my right hon. Friend aware that since his Department gave up control of road safety propaganda, courtesy weeks and safety campaigns have utterly failed to have any effect on road accident figures? Will he consult advertising agents and those who know about advertising to produce some real scheme which will make an impact on the public?

I am aware that my hon. Friend had better brief himself a little better on what local authorities are doing.

Whilst everyone would agree that local efforts are very desirable, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only time when we had a really effective road safety campaign was when there was substantial expenditure on a campaign organised and initiated by the Government nationally, which, with local activities, had a remarkable effect on road accidents? Is it not time we had another such national campaign directed by the Ministry of Transport?

That is a different point. The point I was making in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mr. Page) is that I am not prepared to throw away the valuable work done by local authorities and local road safety committees. The question of supplementing them is a quite different matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, how much per annum is contributed by his Department on road safety propaganda throughout Britain.

My Department spent £262,000 on road safety propaganda in the financial year 1954–55.

Is the Minister aware that that is £262,000 more than is being spent on home safety, and that deaths in the home number 1,000 per annum more than deaths on the roads? Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if one fine day he finds he has too much money for road safety propaganda, he will hand it over to a Minister responsible for safety in the home—if he can find such a Minister anywhere in Westminster?

I am afraid the hon. Lady, in her capacity as a member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, has a dual loyalty, but I am afraid that I cannot spare any money.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any of this sum includes grants made to local education authorities for making road safety a compulsory subject of instruction in the schools? If not, will he include enough money to make it one?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the cost of the road island in the Otley-Wetherby road, near Pool Bridge; its purpose; and the cost of its removal.

This island was installed by the West Riding County Council at a cost of about £160 to improve traffic conditions at the junction of two Class I roads. It was not, however, found to be satisfactory and was therefore removed. The value of the materials so recovered exceeded the cost of removal by about £20.

Is the Minister aware that this island was one which one did not have to go round, and there was no complicated road transport at that junction? Cannot his Department supervise these schemes before public money is wasted on them?

I have already mentioned that this island was built at the meeting point of two Class I roads. Classified roads are the responsibillity of the local highway authorities. My right hon. Friend's divisional road engineer was not consulted, and his consent was not required. The local authority has found that that Island was not well designed, and for that reason it was, very prudently, removed.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the cost of the island at the bottom of Brook Street, Ilkley; its purpose, and what will be the cost of its removal.

The cost of the island was about£130. Its purpose is to help the movement of traffic on the trunk road from the direction of Leeds turning left into Brook Street. As it does this satisfactorily no question of the removal of this island arises.

Will the Minister get his officer to go to look at this island before it is completed to see if its construction can be stopped, so that we do not have to waste money in taking it away again?

My information is that this island has already been completed. It is serving the purpose for which it was -designed extremely well. One of the signal heads was removed forward to a new island, constructed at the mouth of Brook Street. The effect is that traffic from the direction of Leeds on the trunk road can now turn left into Brook Street before reaching the signals. There is a heavy left-hand turn for buses at the junction, and bus drivers prefer the new arrangement.

Would the hon. Gentleman help us by having a map or diagram of the area placed in the Library?

I suggest that hon. Members should visit the constituency of my hon. and gallant Friend and study the island in situ.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) what effect the proposal to build a new bridge crossing the Tyne in place of the proposed Tyne Tunnel has on the priority afforded to the project; and when he expects work upon the bridge to be commenced;

The cost of a bridge has been provisionally estimated at about £6 million as compared with about £11 million for a tunnel. Neither scheme can be included in the earlier years of the road programme, and I cannot therefore say when work will be started.

Would the Minister agree that the Tyne Tunnel project has a specific priority—it follows the Whiteinch Tunnel—and that if a bridge is now to replace the Tyne Tunnel project, particularly as it would cost less, we expect it to hold at least the same priority that the tunnel project held?

We had first better decide whether it is to be a tunnel or a bridge.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that on the North-East Coast we are getting a bit depressed about the way we are being fussed around over tunnels and bridges, and that our trade is as important to the country as the trade in the rest of this island? Therefore, it is of vital importance that we should know when we shall get our new tunnel or bridge. How long is my right hon. Friend taking before he makes up his mind what we are to have?

I must await the results of a lot of technical examinations but I will try to get them done as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will step up the scope and speed of the road programme from the £147 million in four years previously announced.

No, Sir, not under present circumstances.

Is the Minister aware that technical development in many phases of the engineering industry is now being held up because our road system does not permit of large indivisible loads being taken to their points of destination? Will he, therefore, see that in the new age of automation and all that it means, we shall not be restricted and prohibited from making progress by an obsolete road system?

It is a very big question, for perhaps we ought to be carrying some of the loads on the railways.

While it may be generally acceptable in present economic circumstances that the road programme should not be stepped up, will my right hon. Friend be quite explicit that these economic circumstances are not judged to be sufficiently grave as to reduce the announced road programme?

I shall be dealing with that in answering a later Question.

In view of the Minister's statement, with which all of us on this side of the House agree, that many of the loads now on the roads ought to be on the railways, what action is he taking or proposing to take to bring about that state of affairs?

That is quite another question.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what changes in the priorities in the Government road programme as already announced he is proposing to make.

I have no specific changes to announce at present, but I am reconsidering priorities. My immediate aim is to help traffic to flow as smoothly and as safely as possible, and the road works which I shall authorise in the coming year will be selected with that aim in mind.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he will bear in mind the value of the motorways in the road programme, and will he also bear in mind that industry is very anxious that the road programme should advance as fast as possible?

I am just as anxious as my hon. Friend that we should try to get the best roads as quickly as possible, and I have indicated in my answer how I think we can best do it in the immediate future.

Does the Minister know that the authorities in Birmingham are very anxious to build an inner ring road and have consulted the Government about it? Will he say whether there is any prospect of permission being given for that at an early date?

I am going to Birmingham on Saturday morning to look at that ring road.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the most extraordinary policy is being carried out by his Department in making narrow roads with passing places on new trunk roads in the Highlands of Scotland, which have the effect of making the roads much too narrow? Will he took into this very serious problem? All the local authorities think it is quite wrong.

If my hon. Friend will give me details I will certainly look into them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he now has any further information to give in respect of the Eastern Avenue extension through the borough of Leyton, particularly in view of the anxieties of householders likely to be affected.

Not at present, Sir.

When will some information regarding this matter be forthcoming, particularly in view of the undoubted anxiety and apprehension that exists among many of my constituents, including a minority who as a protest now refuse to pay their rates?

The local borough council is carrying out a survey as agent of my right hon. Friend. I understand that it will be about nine or twelve months before this survey is completed. Only then will it be possible to see where it is likely that the road will go.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what percentage of the work on the Cromwell Road Extension has so far been completed on the classified road portion and the trunk road portion, respectively; and whether he is yet in a position to give an estimated date when the work as a whole will be completed.

On the classified road portion 16 per cent., and on the trunk road portion 1·4 per cent. I am not yet able to give a date for completion of the whole scheme.

Will the Minister expedite this work, which has been on hand for a very considerable time? Is he not in a position yet to give some indication when it is likely to be completed?

I do attach great importance to it because of the link between London and London Airport.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the decision of his predecessor not to press for the fly-under at the Hammersmith junction?

That is a very technical question, which I cannot answer now, but if my noble Friend likes to put it down I will do my best to answer it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the exact meaning of the new proposed road sign instructing drivers to yield right of way; and what arrangements will be made to include an explanation of this in the Highway Code.

This sign is intended to indicate to the motorist, more positively than the present "Slow" sign, that traffic on the major road ahead has priority. I propose to await the results of the experiment before I decide whether general use of the sign is desirable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are dozens of definitions given of the word "yield" in the dictionary, and that there is, therefore, a likelihood of confusion? Will he give an idea of what the cost will be if he has to remove the signs being put up now?

I am carrying out a limited experiment, because I think that that is the simplest and most practical way of deciding whether this word is right or wrong.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give a general direction to the Transport Commission to advertise publicly for tenders for all work they are letting out to contractors.

No, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend at least suggest to the Transport Commission that by advertising publicly the Commission might well receive advantageous tenders from new firms which do not have an opportunity of quoting under present conditions?

I will certainly look at that point. I thought my hon. Friend was perhaps on a different point and that he was anxious to make the Commission less commercial rather than more commercial. I am anxious to make it more commercial.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in order to reduce traffic congestion, he will ban the use of private cars in central London during the rush hours.

No, Sir. I am all too well aware of the congestion in central London caused by the influx of private cars, but I believe that there are other and fairer methods of controlling it than by complete prohibition. I am at the moment engaged in an intensive study of possible methods of attack.

If, as may be the case, those alternative methods prove unsuccessful, or are not carried out, will, the Minister bear in mind that about 10 million people use the London buses daily, largely in order to get to and from work? Does he not agree that if it is a question of giving priority, then people travelling to and from work on the buses should have absolute priority over private car owners?

We had better try my other methods first.

Will my right hon. Friend try to get greater facilities for parking and garaging under existing buildings?

Would not one of the alternative methods be that of introducing a system of staggering hours so that the large number of extra buses which have to be introduced at peak times can be reduced?

There I quite agree.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much time elapses in an average case between an application from Walsall and district for a driving test and the test.

Approximately eleven weeks.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this delay causes a great deal of inconvenience? Is not the right solution to have more examiners and to attract them by paying for their very responsible work a reasonable salary?

That is why I am recruiting more examiners.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will guarantee the British Transport Commission against any loss arising from disposal of road haulage vehicles which the Transport Fund is inadequate to meet on the termination of the Transport Levy.

No, Sir. Nor will I require them to surrender any surplus which may arise from disposal of road haulage vehicles, taking into account the proceeds of the levy.

Since the levy was imposed for the purpose of making good any loss which the B.T.C. suffered as a result of the sell-off of the vehicles, are not the Government under an obligation to make good any loss which arises from this policy, which B.T.C. never wanted and still does not wish to pursue?

These are very technical matters which, I believe, we may have an opportunity to debate in the House tomorrow.

Does not the Minister agree that the question of the loss to be suffered by the British Transport Commission is not a technical matter but one of £ s. d.? The British Transport Commission has a very large deficit at present, and if the loss on these sales is not made good the deficit will be increased and the position made far worse.

It seems to me that this subject might be in order in tomorrow's business.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in estimating the loss on disposal at £12¼ million, what amount was taken as receivable on account of sales of the Transport Commission's vehicles and other assets; and what was the book value of such assets.

The estimate of the loss on disposal of vehicles was based, not on the total book value of the Commission's assets, but on the average price per vehicle expected to be realised having regard to experience so far gained. In the case of premises and stores, it was similarly based on experience of sales which had been completed.

Since, then, the loss estimated at £12¼ million is, by coincidence, the same amount as is expected to be paid in levy, does not the Minister agree that there is a possibility that there will be a deficit in the Transport Fund when it is wound up next year if tomorrow's Bill goes through? Will he, therefore, review the estimate in the light of future sales, and will he reconsider the shocking decision he announced to the House today that the British Transport Commission will have to bear any deficit that arises?

This is the best actuarial estimate the experts can make at the moment, but I quite agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is only an estimate; I think we had better wait to see what the final figure is.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the salaries at present being paid to the Chairman and members of the Road Haulage Disposal Board, and its total cost to date.

The salaries of the Board are still as they were when the White Paper "Public Boards" was issued in December last. The total cost of the Board up to 31st December last was £45,483.

Since the desire of the Government is to reduce expenditure all round, would not one way in which a saving could be made be by abolishing this Board, as its work is of no use to the country?

I think that the hon. Member already knows that the Chairman, at his own request, is not drawing a salary. I think that the Board has done a difficult task very well in the public interest.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the decision of the South of Scotland Electricity Board in regard to the pegging of prices for electricity for a future period, thus following the lead of the cement industry; and, in view of this example set by a nationalised industry, whether he will now issue a general direction to those nationalised industries under his control to peg their prices until the end of 1956.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the precedent now set by certain privately-owned companies and by one of the nationalised concerns in Scotland in stabilising prices to consumers for the present year, he will issue a general direction to the British Transport Commission and all other nationalised concerns coming under his jurisdiction to ensure a similar standstill of prices and charges within their respective spheres of operation.

I strongly commend the example of those industries which are stabilising their prices but I am not prepared to issue a direction to the British Transport Commission or the air corporations on this matter of purely commercial policy.

While my right hon. Friend may not wish to issue a direction, would it not be appropriate in present circumstances if he had a few friendly conversations with the people concerned? What is the value of the Prime Minister appealing for price stability if all his efforts and ours are to be sabotaged by the nationalised industries?

I am always having friendly conversations with the chairmen of the nationalised industries for which I am responsible, and I have already said in my Answer that I commend the example of those private industries which are stabilising their prices, but they are making a profit whereas the British Transport Commission, I regret to say, is not.

When commending this example to the Transport Commission, will the Minister remember that cement prices are three times what they were pre-war but that railway rates are about only twice what they were at the end of the war?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the inconvenience and delay on the Great North Road caused by large overhanging lorry transport; and whether he will arrange that such loads should be transported by canal or coastwise shipping.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 1st February to a Question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. J. T. Price) on the subject of heavy and bulky loads.

Could not the Minister give a general indication to chambers of commerce and various industrialists about transporting these heavy indivisible loads by water rather than on the roads?

Not until I have had more time to examine the technical replies that we have received.

Can the Minister say whether any charge is made for the police patrol cars which precede this type of traffic, warning oncoming traffic by loudspeaker?

I think that is correct.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, as promised, the twenty heavy lorries fitted with big wing snow ploughs, the equipping of sixty lorries of this type for gritting, and the provision of sixty-eight trailer gritters and one small rotary snow blower for increasing the snow-clearing plant provided by his Department for use on trunk roads, were delivered by the end of 1955; and how effective this extra equipment has proved in recent weather conditions.

Sixteen of the heavy lorries had been delivered by the end of 1955 and were undergoing final preparations. These sixteen are now fully operational. Fifty-three lorries had been fitted with gritter bodies and all sixty have now been completed. Forty-five trailer gritters were delivered during 1955 and this number has now been increased to fifty-six. The small rotary blower was delivered by the end of the year and has been operated satisfactorily by Ministry personnel. I understand that the other equipment that has been put into use has also worked effectively.

Is the Minister satisfied that there is sufficient provision made now, in view of the effectiveness of what has already been supplied for this purpose?

Yes, I think we have enough for the moment, anyway.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now able to make a statement on the result of discussions with the British Transport Commission on the question of further assistance to superannuitants and pensioners.

I cannot yet add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 25th January.

Can the right hon. Gentleman forecast the possible date of a decision?

This is a very important matter, but it is a very complex one, as the hon. Member knows. I did say that I wanted to look at it myself with the Chairman of the British Transport Commission. I am afraid that I cannot forecast how long that will take.

Is it not possible to bring the railway superannuitants within the compass of the Pensions (Increase) Bill?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what time limit for their deliberations he has indicated to the members of the committee he has set up to consider the problem of canals and inland waters.

None, Sir.

In view of the fact that the Minister has given this committee very wide powers of reference to survey the whole problem of canals and inland waterways once again, is it not likely that, without some direction, the committee will take one or two years, possibly more, in doing its work, and that that will mean that it will be three years before a decision is made, and that the great uncertainty of this long delay will do harm? Ought he not to take some steps to prevent this serious and harmful delay from occurring?

I do not take such a depressing view of when I shall get the committee's report as does the right hon. Gentleman.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that an early report is desirable? Has he informed the committee of that? If he has not, will he do so?

This inquiry is, I agree, a matter of urgency, and that is the opinion of the gentlemen who are carrying it out.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to stabilise both wage rates for the railwaymen and fares to the public for a definite period in an effort to correct the continued inflationary wage-price spiral.

No, Sir. The terms and conditions of employment of railway-men are settled through the long established machinery in the railway industry. As far as fares are concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Scots-toun (Sir J. Hutchison) on 25th January.

Would it not be a splendid thing if the nationalised transport industry could follow the example of the private enterprise cement industry and stock brick industry in stabilising prices, thus making a real contribution to the solution of the nation's economic difficulties? Will not my right hon. Friend further agree that, whilst Sir Brian Robertson's objective of a contented staff is very laudable, there is also something to be said for having contented passengers and contented customers?

Perhaps my hon. Friend has not paid enough attention to the fact that until one has a contented staff one does not get contented passengers.

If the right hon. Gentleman is issuing any directions at all, will he issue directions to the British Transport Commission to bring the wages of railway men up to the normal standard in this country before doing anything about a wage freeze?

I said that wages must be handled through the ordinary machinery of the industry.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give a general direction to the air corporations that maintenance work on their aircraft is not to be let out to independent contractors but is invariably to be done by the staff of the corporations.

These matters must be decided by the corporations on commercial grounds.

Is the Minister not aware that because of the lack of a directive of this nature, or something akin to it, the policy being pursued by B.E.A. is leading to a complete mess up? Is he aware that work has been transferred from Renfrew to London on the ground that maintenance could be done there more economically and more efficiently and that now some of that work is being farmed out to independent firms? Is not that something on which he could issue a directive, because some of the maintenance workers are now being asked whether they want to return to Renfrew.

I understand that the work being placed out by B.E.A. is not normal maintenance but is, for example, the reconstruction of crashed aircraft. The workpeople concerned have their proper channels of communication, and I should always be willing in a sympathetic fashion to try to look at any difficulties about which I hear.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good deal of regular maintenance work formerly done at Renfrew is being farmed out? I have seen it with my own eyes. Is he further aware that some of this work has had to be rejected as not up to B.E.A. standards and that that rejection has caused B.E.A. a lot of trouble? Is not all this the result of the silly decision to shut Renfrew down?

This is all part of the commercial policy of the corporations, and they must sort these things out for themselves.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is now being made towards the provision of a new aerodrome in Kuwait.

Discussions on this subject are in progress with the Ruler of Kuwait.

Can my hon. Friend say whether any progress has been made, and whether a site has yet been finally chosen?

It would be premature to make any further statement at this juncture.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) if he will take steps to make the aerodrome in Kuwait fit for Viscount aircraft;

The work necessary to make the runway fit for Viscount operations is expected to begin in early March. This work should also reduce the comparatively few occasions when the aerodrome is closed owing to heavy rains.

While it is satisfactory to hear that reply, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that any ordinary thunderstorms can put the aerodrome out of action, and that anybody bound for Kuwait is liable to find himself literally at sea?

I cannot entirely accept that. My statistics show that it is not for more than ten days in the whole year that the rainstorms affect Kuwait Aerodrome in the manner in which my hon. Friend suggests; but we shall, of course, hope that if there is a new aerodrome these conditions will be overcome.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the proposed air terminal in the Cromwell Road is to be a permanent or temporary undertaking; how the passengers will be conveyed from that terminal to the London Airport; and what function will be then served by the rail extension from Waterloo or Victoria, surveys of which are about to start.

The construction and operation of the London Air Terminal is a matter between Air Terminals, Ltd., and the airlines concerned; but I understand that the scope of the development would be reviewed if it were decided to build a rail link from central London to the airport.

Surely, a capital expenditure of this kind is one with which the Minister must be in complete agreement. Would he not agree that any large capital expenditure on the Cromwell Road scheme ought to be made in the light of a firm decision about the rail extension? Can he, therefore, hurry up a decision about the rail extension?

I think that the real answer, with which the hon. Member, with his considerable knowledge, would not disagree, is that the traffic at London Airport will increase at such a phenomenal rate that we shall want certainly more than one way of communication between London and the airport.

Has my right hon. Friend considered running the rail link from Olympia or St. Paul's, which is almost adjacent to the new site?

I will certainly look at that suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the subsidy sections of the Air Corporations Act which will expire on 31st March, 1956.

I am glad to say that I see no immediate reason which would necessitate the extension of the Exchequer grant provisions of the Air Corporations Act, 1949, when they expire on 31st March, 1956.

Does that mean that the Minister envisages no change in the rôle which the air corporations will play as the chosen instruments of the Government?

What I mean is that I am delighted to see that the air corporations can stand on their own feet.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make inquiries about the possible places in the Commonwealth and Empire where a plant for making heavy water could be established at reasonable cost; and whether he will consult with other Empire and Commonwealth Governments about the possibility of establishing such plants as would enable the Commonwealth to be independent of foreign sources of supply.

This is a matter for the Atomic Energy Authority, who inform me that the location of a plant for the production of heavy water depends to a large extent on the nature of the process to be employed, and that it would not be profitable to inquire about possible sites within the Commonwealth independently of this factor. The possibility of locating such a plant within the Commonwealth will, however, be examined at the appropriate time in connection with any scheme which may be developed for establishing a new source of supply.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is true that the New Zealand scheme has been abandoned? Does he agree in principle that it is desirable that the Commonwealth should be independent of foreign sources of supply?

I can only refer to the outlook for the United Kingdom, and for the time being our requirements are covered, and that, at any rate, gives us sufficient time to look around. The New Zealand plant was found to be uneconomic owing to a very considerable increase in the estimate of plant costs.

In view of the urgency of this problem as far as advance requirements are concerned, and in view of certain recent developments in scientific experiments in regard to heavy water, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has approached the Canadian Government about this matter?

We are in touch with all Governments primarily concerned, but I should like notice of a question about a particular approach.

asked the Lord Privy Seal to what extent, in obtaining heavy water supplies from the United States of America, Her Majesty's Government are required to furnish data about the use to which it will be put.

Supplies of heavy water from the United States are obtained under the U.K.-U.S. Agreement for Cooperation on the Civil Uses of Atomic Energy, and Her Majesty's Government are accordingly required to furnish sufficient information to satisfy the United States Authorities that the material will be used for developing the civil applications of atomic energy to which the Agreement relates.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is possible to give such information without to some extent disclosing military secrets?

We attempt to carry out the terms of the Agreement. I cannot say more than that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in his opinion the Prime Minister is not already making as much heavy weather in the United States as necessary?

A very poor joke.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what research is being undertaken under Government sponsorship, into the practicability of the development of atomic-powered merchant vessels.

The Atomic Energy Authority is collaborating with the British Shipbuilding Research Association in a joint study of the feasibility of using nuclear energy for marine propulsion.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this country is not being overtaken by the United States in this research work in view of reports of atomic-powered vessels having been built in the United States?

Of course, we are aware of developments in the United States. That is precisely why considerable activity is taking place at Harwell, so that we ourselves show activity in this matter, to which my hon. Friend has rightly called attention.

Does the reply which the right hon. Gentleman gave apply to fishing vessels also, or are the researches in regard to fishing vessels separate?

As a general proposition, marine propulsion applies as much to fishing vessels as to others. However, the hon. and learned Member should not exaggerate too much the immediate application of this power to ship propulsion.

asked the Minister of Defence if, in the light of the recent Services review, he will reconsider his refusal to reduce or abolish the period of National Service.

The policy of Her Majesty's Government remains as set out in the White Paper on National Service (Cmd. 9608).

Does the Minister appreciate that conscripts and their parents would greatly prefer a substantial cut now to vague remarks by the Prime Minister about what might or might not happen in 1958, and that they would greatly prefer bread now to a promise of pie in the dim, distant future?

I have to bear in mind the prospects of recruitment to the Regular Army and the commitments which the Services have to perform, and that is the deciding factor.

Is the Minister aware that the United States Government have now decided to reduce the period of national service for their draftees from 24 to 18 months? Does not that make any impact on his mind?

The reasons which induced us to retain the 24 months were fully debated on 2nd November. I have no reason to change the view which I then expressed.

Will the Minister bear in mind the Prime Minister's recent declaration that it is the Government's aim to abolish National Service altogether? Surely he does not think that that can be done in one step from a Service point of view. Ought the Minister not, therefore, to consider the prospect of reducing the period instead of the Government's present very unsatisfactory scheme of raising the age of call-up?

One considers these things all the time, but the Prime Minister made it clear that what he was talking about was the first of the two qualifications which I made earlier, namely, the growth of regular recruitment. If we have that we can measure up to our commitments and that will make all the difference, but it is no good making promises in advance.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will limit the duty to serve of National Service men strictly to national defence and liberate them from Imperial or international police duties, that is, from serving in colonial or United Nations wars, unless they volunteer for such service.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister not aware that under the military service legislation of Belgium, France and the Netherlands conscripts are exempt from colonial service unless they volunteer? Is it not an anomaly that in this country, in which peace-time conscription is an abhorrent novelty, we should show less respect for human rights and be less scrupulous about exercising the tyrannous power of the State than the old conscript countries?

We must not call it so much of a novelty. It began in 1949, and there has always been since then a world-wide liability. If we altered it we should reduce the efficiency of our forces.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the implications of this Question will be strongly resented by many National Service men of all shades of political opinion?

Does the Minister not agree that the attitude of mind implied in the Question is very insular, and that there is little hope of maintaining permanent world peace unless and until there is created some form of international police force?

asked the Minister of Defence how many French troops have been withdrawn from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Europe; and to what extent British forces in that area have had to be strengthened as a consequence.