asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what special steps are being taken to bring the new incentives to savings to the notice of officers and men serving in the Royal Navy.

Special posters and leaflets, which are being prepared by Her Majesty's Forces Savings Committee, will be sent to all ships and establishments.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the purpose, and the cost, of the visit to Monaco, during April, of the Royal Marines band from Malta.

In accordance with custom, a Royal Marine band was embarked in Her Majesty's Ship "Dalrymple" when she visited Monaco at the invitation of the Monegasque Government for the wedding of His Serene Highness the Prince of Monaco. No additional cost was incurred by sending the band. The visit of the "Dalrymple" was a great success and in this the band played a notable part.

Why was there so much of this irresponsible tomfoolery at the Admiralty last month? Would it not have been better to send the Royal Marine band to Portsmouth to welcome the Russians and send our frogmen to the wedding at Monte Carlo, instead of the other way round?

In view of such comments as have just been made and various other comments which one has heard, can my hon. Friend say why this survey vessel was selected to be present on that occasion in preference to any other vessel?

It was because Monaco is the headquarters of the International Hydrographic Bureau, and it was particularly appropriate to send a survey ship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many recruits have signed on since the introduction of the nine-year engagement; and what were the figures for the comparable periods in 1954 and 1955.

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

The House will be glad to know, however, that the figures for the last five weeks show a considerable improvement over the corresponding periods last year and the year before.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the evidence on which his Department officially presumed the death of Commander Lionel Crabb; the circumstances of Commander Crabb's disappearance; whether efforts are still being made to locate the body; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will make a statement in reply at the end of Questions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of Article 0188, paragraph 4, of Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, he will recognise chief petty officers with nine years' seniority as being equivalent to quartermaster sergeants, Royal Marines, and warrant officers II in the Army for the purpose of pay, allowances and pensions.

No, Sir. The reason for this provision in Queen's Regulations is to give the closest equivalent ranks for the purpose of determining status; it does not imply exact equality for other purposes.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this causes considerable dissatisfaction amongst chief petty officers in the Navy, who feel that they should have the pay and allowances as well as the status?

We can get some broad equivalence between the Services for purposes of status but not for purposes of pay, because the degree of responsibility carried by the various ranks differs.

Does the hon. Gentleman suggest that the responsibility of a chief petty officer in the Navy is less than that of a warrant officer II in the Army?

The percentage of chief petty officers to other ranks in the Navy is about 12 per cent. whereas in the Army the corresponding figure for warrant officers is only about 3 per cent. There are far more chief petty officers than warrant officers. The rank of chief petty officer in the Navy comes somewhere between the warrant officer and the staff sergeant in the Army.

Will the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again, in view of the duties of a chief petty officer, which are essential for the smooth running not only of the Fleet but of individual ships? It is not good enough to compare their duties with those of warrant officers, which are different. In fact, the chief petty officer has more responsibility. One has only to look at Her Majesty's submarines and the duties of petty officers therein.

I have said that it is not possible to compare them with warrant officers. That is the point.

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the capital expenditure in Shropshire for the provision of telephone kiosks in rural areas; and upon what basis he calculates what amount should be allocated to various counties.

Expenditure last year was £1,045 and this year is expected to be £1,900. We try to meet the needs of the various counties so far as our resources allow, and before the annual financial allotments are fixed, we consult the Rural District Councils' Association.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a widely scattered county, and will he review generally? Will he look again to see whether the allocation is adequate?

I should be glad to look at any point that my hon. Friend raises, though it is a sound principle to settle these allocations annually in consultation with the Rural District Councils' Association.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new telephones have been installed in the Borough of Solihull in each of the last five years; how many applications for new telephones are now pending; and how long it will take to provide them.

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

In view of the fact that the reply contains only six figures, I should like to have the Answer now.

In fact the Answer contains twelve figures but if my hon. Friend would like to have them they are: 1952, 610; 1953, 579; 1954, 713; 1955, 1,420; and 1956, 1,154.

Will my right hon. Friend answer the last part of the Question, which he has not attempted to answer? How long does he think it will be before the 1,400 applicants on the list are satisfied?

One of the exchanges, the Sheldon exchange, is being extended. New cables are being laid, and we anticipate that when the cables are complete those waiting for line equipment will be satisfied. I cannot give a firm estimate as to complete satisfaction.

May I ask a supplementary question on the main Question—

There is to be a written reply. Perhaps the hon. Member will consider it and then put down another Question if he is not satisfied?

On a point of order, Sir. Surely hon. Members are allowed to ask a supplementary question? [An HON. MEMBER: "The hon. Member asked one."] I only pointed out to my right hon. Friend that he had not answered the last part of my Question. He then proceeded to do so. With great respect, Sir, I have not been allowed to ask a supplementary question on that part of my Question.

The hon. Member has had a chance to ask a supplementary question. First, the Minister said that he would circulate the reply as it was long. Then the hon. Member asked for it to be given. Then he asked a supplementary question. I think that the hon. Member should study the details first.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new telephones have been installed in East Lothian during the last 12 months; how many applications are now outstanding; and the usual delay after application has been made before a telephone is provided in cases where no special priority can be claimed.

Two hundred and ninety-one telephones were connected in the past year and 104 applications are outstanding, apart from those in course of being met or under inquiry. The interval between application and provision is, in straightforward cases, about eight weeks, though, where plant and equipment are in full use, the acceptance of new subscribers must inevitably await new construction.

Am I right in thinking that these encouraging figures show an improvement over previous years?

Perhaps it would help my hon. and gallant Friend if I say that the present waiting list in East Lothian, including applications under investigation, is 174, and it is expected that 330 new lines will be connected in the next twelve months.

Does it not appear that East Lothian is getting preferential treatment, whereas there are still places in South Wales which have been waiting for five years?

It is true that East Lothian is more fortunate than other areas, but there is no truth in the suggestion that it is getting preferential treatment.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that East Lothian deserves more telephones than other areas?

Why?

asked the Postmaster-General how many new tele-phones have been installed in Berwick-shire during the last 12 months; how many applications are now outstanding; and what is the usual delay after application has been made before a telephone is provided in cases where no special priority is claimed.

One hundred and twenty-five telephones were connected in the past year and eighteen applications are outstanding, apart from those in course of being met or under inquiry. In Berwickshire, the interval after application is the same as in East Lothian.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange for coin boxes in telephone call boxes to be altered so as to take 3d. pieces as well as pennies when the rate is increased.

A completely new box mechanism is needed to take 3d. pieces. A new coin box capable of taking such coins and of timing local calls has been designed. There are 120,000 call boxes and it will be a considerable time before the new box is ready. In fact it is timed to come in with subscriber trunk dialling. Much as I would like to do what the hon. Gentleman asks it would be impracticable as well as expensive to modify the existing boxes to take 3d. pieces by January next.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of extra trunk lines, co-axial or otherwise, that have had to be installed to cope with the amount of extra traffic arising from the cheap evening call rate and between which towns over 100,000 of population.

One thousand six hundred and fifty-one new circuits.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the towns requested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a substantial profit arising from this capital expenditure in view of the cheap evening call rate?

It is very difficult to disentangle the finances of the cheap evening calls and trunk calls generally. Therefore, it would be misleading to give a precise estimate of the profitability or otherwise of this part of the service.

If a Question about it were put on the Order Paper, would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to give the House the figure for the total amount of profit arising from trunk services in this country?

I will do my best to answer any Question properly within my province which appears on the Order Paper.

Was this the reason why the right hon. Gentleman decided to increase the charges?

The right hon. Gentleman will remember the exchanges that we had about the increase in charges.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new telephones have been installed in North Down during the past 12 months; how many applications are now outstanding; and the average delay between application for, and installation of, a telephone in cases where there is no special priority.

Just over 1,000 telephones were installed in North Down during last financial year; 549 applications are outstanding, of which about a third are in course of provision or are under inquiry. Ordinarily, the application is met in six weeks though this is impossible where new plant is needed.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply?

asked the Postmaster-General how many new public telephone kiosks have been installed in North Down during the last 12 months; and whether he is satisfied that an adequate and suitably sited number of such kiosks now exist.

Five, Sir. Six more are to be provided this year. I am in touch with my hon. Friend about the siting of one of the present kiosks, and if he has any other case in mind I will gladly look into it.

asked the Postmaster-General if Her Majesty's Government will give a direction to the British Broadcasting Corporation under Clause 15 (4) of its Licence that during the continuance of the present unrest in the Middle East it shall not show propaganda films produced by one Middle East national containing abuse of another Middle East national.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the extract from an Egyptian Government film shown in the B.B.C. Television News on 13th April. I do not think it appropriate to use the powers of direction under Clause 15 (4) of the Licence, as suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggesting that official propaganda films abusing the Prime Minister of Israel or of any other country are authorised by him to be shown, and will he go into the matter again because, apart from the generally distasteful nature of this film, it contained abuse of a Prime Minister of a friendly country?

It is a good sound general principle to leave programme content to the B.B.C. However, in view of the allegation of lack of impartiality in this case, I arranged for my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General to see a repeat of this film. What happened was that there was an agency film illustrating the events. There was also an Egyptian Government propaganda film. That was put on, as was stated by the announcer, to illustrate the treatment of such incidents by an essentially propaganda film. That is the report which my hon. Friend made to me.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General what channel in Band III it is proposed to allocate for the Cardiff commercial station; and whether the Independent Television Authority has yet invited applications from programme contractors to operate it.

No channel on Band III has yet been allocated for this area. The I.T.A. informs me that applications for appointment as programme contractor have not yet been invited.

asked the Postmaster-General his policy with regard to the sharing of masts at television relay stations between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority.

Where the area to be served is broadly the same, mast sharing is the ideal solution on technical as well as aesthetic grounds. At my request, the B.B.C. and I.T.A. are studying their siting problems from this point of view.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether this praiseworthy cooperation is taking place in Cumberland, and will he do all he can to ensure, particularly in areas where a number of masts are unsightly, to ensure that this co-operation takes place?

I can assure my hon. Friend on the general point that I shall do my utmost to avoid duplication of masts. In the case of Cumberland, the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. have agreed to co-operate so as to avoid duplication of masts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his powers to instruct the B.B.C., when it presents its report and accounts to this House, that the actual cost or rental of the sharing of masts should be made obvious to hon. Members?

I will look into the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to amend the Television Act in such a manner as to enable his Department to monitor the programmes.

No, Sir.

That is rather an amazing reply. How can the right hon. Gentleman be sure that the I.T.A. is not breaking the Television Act unless he is in a position to have the services monitored? Is he aware that the I.T.A. has already admitted that it is showing far and above its quota of American films in relation to British films?

In its wisdom, the House placed firmly on the Independent Television Authority the responsibility for securing observance of the Act. It would be wasteful, unnecessary and inconsistent with that for the Post Office to establish a continuous monitoring service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will exempt from increased postal charges printed matter posted by religious, charitable, and nonprofit making organisations.

I am sorry I cannot exempt particular organisations from the increased charges.

But is the Postmaster-General aware that these increased charges cause considerable hardship to those bodies? Is he further aware that in America the President of the United States has seen fit to exempt such bodies from recent increases there, and could not the right hon. Gentleman do likewise?

I am aware of the hardship, but I am also aware that, after allowing for the increased bill, we were losing nearly £3½ million on the inland printed paper rate. As for the analogy of America, the hon. Gentleman should study the substantial losses which are incurred in the postal services there. I think I am right in saying that they are approximately equal to our whole postal income.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the first delivery of letters in Palace Street, Westminster, on Thursday, 3rd May, did not take place until 9.25 a.m.; and what steps he proposes to take to provide a better service in this office area.

The delay was due to exceptionally heavy mails and shortage of staff. It is impossible to ensure complete regularity of service at times of pressure with the present recruitment difficulties in central London, but the utmost efforts are being made to minimise the effect of these difficulties on the public service.

Is this not another example of my right hon. Friend's Department following the golden rule set by all nationalised industries, which is to give the public worse service at increased cost?

Such generalities are of no value when we are confronted in the South-Western district with a 5 per cent. shortage of staff. Add to that exceptionally heavy mail from time to time, and, with all the good will and efficiency in the world, there is bound to result an occasional lateness in the completion of the delivery.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most people in the South-Western district of London are very well satisfied with the service which they get from the Post Office?

asked the Postmaster-General what regulations he has laid down which must be complied with by all General Post Office telephone engineers who intend to visit the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Albania, Bulgaria, China, North Korea, Tibet, the Allied Sector of Berlin or the Eastern Sector of Berlin, in the matter of security.

These regulations, which apply to other Government Departments as well as the Post Office, enjoin certain officers to consult their Department before travelling to the countries mentioned.

Does not the Minister appreciate that this is a foolish and ineffective regulation which cannot possibly have any effect on dishonourable workmen? Is he aware that it is resented by honest-to-god British workers, the more so because it irritates honourable men without having the slightest value in tracing enemy agents? Is there any reason why a considerable number of British workmen should now be asked by their superiors to sign forms marked "secret"?

I suggest that, in the case of officers who are in possession of confidential information, it is right and sensible to ask them to consult their Departments and to seek the advice of their Departments before travelling to the countries mentioned.

Will the Minister take into account the psychology of his honest-to-god countrymen? I have had representations made to me by very fine public servants, who are completely above suspicion, that this regulation causes needless irritation, and they are most contemptuous of it because they know perfectly well that if any of their number were an enemy agent he would sign anything or make any statement he was asked to make. Yet a lot of honest workmen are put to what they consider to be irritation and indignity, and it does not serve the slightest purpose

I agree with the hon. Lady that the vast majority would take every possible care to avoid giving away confidential information, but it is helpful and sensible to ask them to take advice and consult their Departments before departing for the countries named.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that of the 220,000 gallons of paint sold recently at the Woolwich and Melton Mowbray Government surplus auction sale, only 36,000 gallons consisted of low-quality ammunition paint; and why the remaining 184,000 gallons were unsuitable for use by his Department.

The Post Office sampled the paint, which it thought might be useful. What it sampled turned out to be low quality ammunition paint. The bulk of the rest was, from its description, not suitable for Post Office use. I have been through, with meticulous care, the description of the lots which were not sampled. It is conceivable that had we extended our sampling tests and those tests proved satisfactory we might have taken about 2,000 gallons. The remainder was not useful to us.

Will the right hon. Gentleman apologise for the very seriously misleading Answer given to the House on 21st March to the effect that the paint at the two sales was low-grade ammunition paint when, in fact, the overwhelming quantity was high-grade paint of many colours? Is it not a clear-cut case not only of misleading the House but of wasting taxpayers' money?

I am sure that, on reflection, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the Question which was answered related to the paint which was sampled. I have tried in my Answer to give a candid statement of the position in relation to the paint not sampled.

Will my right hon. Friend look into the possibility of making his purchases on the basis of a continuing supply from a number of suppliers, which would mean that the storage and the condition of the paint would be the responsibility of the supplier rather than his Department, and would prevent these occurrences?

As a result of the detailed analysis that I have made—I recognise the part which the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) has played in this—I am re-examining the whole of our arrangements in this respect. Even though the amount was marginal, I am re-examining the arrangements in order to ensure that nothing of the kind can happen again.

On whose authority has this vast quantity of paint, worth at least £500,000, been purchased and then found to be unsuitable afterwards?

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply. I am concerned with the point about the Post Office purchases of surplus paint.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I should like, if you will agree to it, Mr. Speaker, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent technical qualifications are given consideration in the choice for promotion of the junior grades of the civilian employees of the Royal Air Force at outstations.

Appropriate technical qualifications are taken into account.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that there is an impression among those employees that those qualifications, which are frequently obtained as a result of quite hard work and so forth, do not always get the priority which they seem to deserve when the question of promotion arises? Will he keep this question under review and give any instructions which he feels to be necessary?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in view of discontent among the employees at No.27 Maintenance Unit, he will meet a deputation of these employees to discuss restrictions upon their prospects of advancement which have resulted from the agreement made at the beginning of the war between his Department and the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my receiving such a deputation.

Will my right hon. Friend consider consulting the Minister of Labour to see whether a solution to this long-drawn-out problem cannot be found? Is he aware that this is a diminishing problem?

I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend, but on the whole I think that it is best to work through the existing machinery.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a specific and categorical agreement between the Amalgamated Engineering Union and his Department about this question? Does he now propose to take unilateral action which will reopen the whole of this controversial business?

There is no question of not working through the recognised machinery.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that agreement is nearly 20 years old and that there is, after all, much scope for mutual consultation with the union as well as his Department, and will he not take the necessary steps?

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the new units to carry troops of the Army strategic reserve are equipped with Pioneer aircraft; whether this aircraft is single engine or twin-engined; and how many fully-equipped troops can be carried in each aircraft.

The single-engine Pioneer is being supplied and each aircraft will carry four fully equipped men. The unit in the Far East has all its equipment; equipment of the units in the Middle East and in this country will be complete very shortly.

Is not this just nibbling at the problem of moving this important strategic reserve? When can we expect larger and better aircraft of this type, and also big aircraft like the Blackburn Beverley?

These aircraft are not intended for strategic moves. They are intended for tactical moves in a situation where there is internal security difficulty. The Beverleys and Britannias will be used for the strategic reserve, and we already have some Beverleys in service.

Is it true that some of these aircraft will be moved in Beverleys?

Certainly. The single-engine Pioneer is transportable in a Beverley.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will bring to the attention of officers, about to retire, the possibility of being trained, so that they may teach mathematics and science.

Special mention of the opportunities for training in the teaching profession and of the particularly good prospects for men with qualifications in mathematics or science, was made in a recent issue of the Services Resettlement Bulletin. We shall continue to do what we can to interest officers about to leave the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what estimate he has made of the saving in public expenditure to be effected by attaching the personnel of Auxiliary Royal Air Force squadrons to Regular squadrons; whether he is aware that efficiency would thereby be enhanced in an emergency; and if he will make a statement.

Under our present plans selected pilots from Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons are to be given training on swept-wing aircraft in Regular squadrons. Because of the re-equipment of the Regular squadrons we have only recently made a start with the attachment of Auxiliary pilots. We have not gained sufficient experience to indicate comparative costs

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of public disquiet at the present conditions and safety of air trooping, the Government will reverse their policy of forbidding the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British European Airways Corporation from tendering against private air firms for long-term air trooping contracts.

The broad policy of Her Majesty's Government has always been that the Corporations should be concerned primarily with the operation of scheduled services. As a consequence the Corporations do not maintain aircraft for the purposes of tendering for long-term trooping contracts. They are, of course, free to tender for ad hoc contracts.

Is it not a fact that the Corporations are not free to tender for the long-term trooping contracts? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the results of that and of the Government's policy of insisting on cut prices for trooping is that Service families have to travel in very poor conditions, often in obsolescent aircraft?

I am aware that the record of air trooping has been extremely good.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question? Is he aware that, as a result of Government policy, Service families are compelled to travel in poor conditions, often in obsolescent aircraft?

They are certainly not travelling in the newest aircraft. I am aware of that, but they are travelling in carefully supervised aircraft.

Is it not quite wrong to imply that the flight conditions in troop carrying are very bad? Is it not a fact that the record of accidents is extremely good?

The accident record is extremely good.

The Secretary of State is taking his stand on the line that the Corporations do not wish to tender. Is he sure that that is true? Is it not the case that the Government have given them directions not to tender? Will the Secretary of State reconsider that, and give the Corporations freedom to tender? If they do not want to tender, they need not do so and the problem thereby settles itself. However, in view of the very sad incident with the York aircraft recently, ought he not to cease discrimination against the public Corporations?

I do not think it right to use an accident in this sort of way. So far as policy is concerned, it was certainly true, under the right hon. Gentleman's Administration, that the Corporations were free to tender for long-term trooping contracts, but in fact they never secured them. They are now free to tender for thead hoc contracts, and in fact do so.

Will the Secretary of State for Air realise that he is on the verge of misleading the House by emphasising these ad hoc contracts, which are a very small proportion of the whole? Is it not true that for the bulk of the trooping the Corporations are expressly forbidden to tender?

The hon. Member knows the figures, because he received them in an Answer on Monday.

Hughes asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the decision of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to exclude inflatable rafts from its list of approved appliances; and if he will indicate what researches have been made under his auspices, and with what results, into the performance, capabilities, usefulness and reliability of such rafts; and what steps he is taking to improve the provision in ships and particularly in fishing vessels of the latest scientific devices for the safety of life at sea.

The Conference which led to the 1948 Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea considered that equipment dependent for its buoyancy upon inflation should not be accepted for fear of puncture and difficulty of maintenance. Since then extensive tests have been carried out by my Department, the Admiralty and the Air Ministry, and I am satisfied as a result that this objection has been surmounted. The Government have therefore proposed to the other signatories that the Convention should be amended to permit the use of inflatable rafts in place of buoyant apparatus. Meanwhile I have just made Regulations requiring the carriage of inflatable rafts in certain classes of fishing vessels which are outside the scope of the Convention.

Is the Minister aware that thousands of sailors in our merchant and fishing fleets have long been waiting for these scientific improvements? Does his Answer mean that these improvements will be put into operation immediately?

What it means is that, although there is a Convention which prohibits or suggests that these things should not be used, we now consider that all the technical difficulties have been overcome. I know that the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) will be at one with me in saying that the use of these things which I have now authorised may do much to save lives in the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that the present regulations regarding the ejection of oil from vessels at sea near the coast are not adequate to meet the situation, and that large portions of our beaches are still being contaminated and sea birds have to be destroyed after contact with the fudge and oil; and what further steps are being taken to deal more effectively with this nuisance.

There has been a general improvement in the oil pollution situation during the past few months and I am sorry that it has been marred by some recent incidents. I shall soon bring into operation the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1955, which provides for additional measures for the protection of our coasts.

Is the Minister aware that the present regulations are far from satisfactory for dealing with the problem? Is there anything to prevent him from issuing regulations to govern the position around our own coasts without waiting for international agreement on the matter?

That is what I was just saying. I am proposing very shortly to bring into operation the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1955, which will give great protection to our coasts.

Do the new regulations include a provision for oil separators on all vessels coming into British ports? That is the only way to cure the trouble.

The right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) is right on the technical point, but these regulations are very complex and I had better lay them first. I shall be laying them quite shortly

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the increasing transference of ships from British registration to flags of convenience in order to avoid taxation; and what steps are now being taken to stop this trend of transferring ships and companies to flags of advantage and convenience for the purpose of avoiding taxation and evading safety regulations.

No, Sir. I am not aware that British owners are transferring ships to flags of convenience for the purpose of avoiding taxation or of evading safety regulations.

Is the Minister aware that flags of convenience are rapidly displacing the Red Ensign? Has the right hon. Gentleman read the recent statement by the Chairman of the Cunard Company in which he talks about the transfer to these flags in order to avoid certain obligations? Is the Minister aware that the position is now becoming so serious that I think it necessary for an inquiry to be made into the whole position of transfers to these flags?

I agree that in general the question of foreign lines serving under these flags of convenience is alarming, but in his Question the hon. Gentleman asked whether there was a transference by British shipowners to these flags of convenience, and the answer is, "No". I agree that the competitive position of the British shipping industry is being menaced by these flags of convenience and it is a question of great seriousness, to which I must give attention.

Would the Minister kindly repudiate completely any suggestion that ships are being sold to foreign flags for the purpose of avoiding safety regulations? Would he also confirm that in this highly competitive international trade the Red Ensign, being taxed more heavily than any other, is bound to disappear in the end?

I have already answered the first point that there are no sales being made, as I understand it, of British ships to avoid safety regulations. Regarding the second point, I have already said that I am giving close study to the competitive position of British shipping.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the reasons for the appointment of Mr. Gerard d'Erlanger to the Chairmanship of the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

There is only one reason: that I think Mr. d'Erlanger is the best man for the job.

I reach this conclusion, because his wide experience of airline operations will be invaluable in reaching decisions which are urgently necessary on the future aircraft programme of the Corporation, and because his financial knowledge will be of great benefit to the Corporation at a very difficult time when continued profits are by no means assured.

While I thank the Minister for his detailed reply, may I ask whether he is aware that this appointment has caused great unrest among the staff of B.O.A.C.? Thousands of the Corporation's employees live in my constituency and therefore I know them very intimately. Is the Minister aware that the staff of B.O.A.C. is very proud of the great success which it has made of this publicly-owned Corporation, and that the staff wishes it to expand to even greater successes? Will the Minister encourage and inspire the staff to make this the greatest airline corporation in the world?

I accept the hon. Member's point, but he ought to see some of his constituents and those who work on the airport again after the meeting which the Joint Industrial Council had with the top management of B.O.A.C. last Friday. He will find that that meeting was, on the whole, very friendly, because it devoted itself to one object only and that was the last point which the hon. Member made—how we can secure a better and still more prosperous future for the Corporation.

May I ask my right hon. Friend a question about the remuneration of the Chairman? Is it the fact that he is to receive no salary and an expenses allowance of £2,000 a year, and, in those circumstances, would my right hon. Friend give an assurance that—

Order. I gather that the hon. Member is asking about remuneration. There is nothing in this Question about that.

Apart altogether from the personal qualifications of Mr. d'Erlanger—I am not questioning them at all—is the Minister aware that there is great apprehension among the employees that these appointments and the pattern of the administration which he has established are intended to facilitate some change in the scope of the responsibilities of the Corporation and the hiving off, possibly, of some of its functions? Can the Minister give a quite unequivocal assurance that, whatever may be the criticisms about individuals, that change of policy is not intended?

I am very glad the hon. Gentleman has asked me that question. There is no intention, as the Chairman of the Corporation has already said in a written statement issued to every member of the staff, to merge the two Corporations, as has been suggested in some quarters, to denationalise them or to dismember them. I hope that I have made it quite plain, and I say it again for the hon. Gentleman's sake, that there is no intention to merge, to denationalise or to dismember the Corporations. Indeed, the whole purpose of the change in the top management is to enable more attention to be given, because there will be more people to do so, to the urgent problems upon which the whole commercial future of the Corporations now depends.

Could my right hon. Friend say what he meant by the phrase, "continued profits are by no means assured"?

I think it only fair to the Chairman and the Board of the Corporation to say that they face a position of great financial difficulty. Those of us in this House who study the finances of the Corporation know that, through no particular fault on the part of anybody—I am not apportioning the blame—the Corporation is entering a period of great financial difficulty. That is why I wanted to strengthen the top management so that there might be plenty of opportunity for individuals to give their attention to this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman amplify the assurance which he gave to my hon. Friend, because it is felt that, as a result of this change of the Board, there may be some change of policy about private concerns taking further interest in some of the Corporation's present activities or the granting of licences for carrying freight which are not granted at the moment? Could the Minister give a further assurance that no change of policy whatsoever is indicated? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] The right hon. Gentleman said that he had no intention "to dismember." I am asking him to give a further assurance that these appointments do not indicate any change of policy at all.

My position is perfectly plain. I have appointed to the Corporation the people who, I think, will best secure its profitable future. I also think—I say this quite frankly, and, I hope, without making any party political point—that the Corporation is more likely to make a profit if it is run by a businessman.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the reasons given to him for the resignation of Lord Rennell from the Vice-Chairmanship of the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Lord Rennell, who has since at his own request been reappointed as a part-time member of the Board of B.O.A.C., resigned because he considered that a part-time Deputy Chairman was not needed in the new organisation of the Board.

I should like the Minister to clear up a point which puzzles me. Why did the right hon. Gentleman accept Lord Rennell's resignation and then reappoint him?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman has read the letters which passed between Lord Rennell and myself and which were published. He will find, I think, that they clearly explain the position. I would only add one point, that Lord Rennell asked me to be allowed to rejoin the Board, not as Deputy-Chairman, but as a Board member, because he felt—and I think every other member of the Board felt—that in this time, when difficult decisions are to be taken, it is better, on the whole, to put the future of B.O.A.C. before any of our private views.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Rennell is a director of a company called Air Finance Limited whose Chairman is Mr. d'Erlanger, the new Chairman of British Overseas Airways Corporation? Is that fact mixed up with this business, and does not the Minister think that this mix-up of these gentlemen's public and private responsibilities is getting a little too complicated?

What I do know is that the company which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned was responsible for selling Viscounts to Capitol Airlines in America, and, therefore, probably knows more about how to put British aircraft on the map than any other single organisation.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement about the appointment of a chief executive for the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

It is for the Board of the Corporation to appoint its chief executive, and it has now appointed Mr. Basil Smallpeice in that capacity with the title of Managing Director. Mr. Smallpeice was appointed a full-time Board member by my predecessor on 30th September, 1953.

I am sure that the whole House will welcome the appointment of Mr. Smallpeice, who is a man of great integrity of character. But the difficulty arises that while the Board has appointed Mr. Smallpeice as full-time chief executive, the Minister has appointed a full-time Deputy-Chairman. Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that there is a clear and understandable division of responsibility between the full-time Deputy-Chairman and the full-time chief executive?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman has read the allocation of duties, which again the new Chairman handed to each member of the staff, but that shows quite clearly that Mr. Smallpeice is in full executive command of the Corporation, as he should be as managing director, and has direct access to the Chairman. I wish to add that there is only one purpose for broadening the base of the top management. It is to try to solve these very difficult problems about which we have been talking this afternoon. I considered that we needed more people at the top to get these decisions made.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that broadening the base might well mean a blurring of responsibility, and that that point must be borne in mind?

I agree, but it has also enabled a major promotion to be made from the ranks of B.O.A.C., about which I am delighted.

Is the Minister aware that while our anxieties about the new appointments still remain, though we hope that they are unfounded, we shall do all we can to see that the new set-up is successful?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what consultations he had with the Board of British Overseas Airways Corporation before he made his recent statement about the future aircraft purchasing policy of the Corporation.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to make a statement about his future policy with regard to the procurement of aircraft for British Overseas Airways Corporation.

I am and have been in constant touch with both Corporations regarding their future aircraft requirements. I am sure that the whole House hopes that B.O.A.C. may find itself able progressively to equip itself with fully competitive types of British aircraft.

The immediate problem, however, is for the Corporation to formulate in detail its actual procurement programme, taking full account of the re-equipment of its competitors. The new Chairman is fully alive to this important matter and has set up a special committee to review, as a matter of top priority, future aircraft requirements.

I shall examine these proposals in the broad national interest as soon as they are put to me.

Whilst welcoming that statement and also the appointment of this Committee, and particularly the fact that an operating airline pilot is on the committee, may I ask the Minister whether he would not agree that what he has just stated was in complete contradiction to the very unfortunate interview which he gave to the News Chronicle, in which he said that the Corporation had to be a proving ground for British aircraft whether or not there were any successful British aircraft available? Will he say now that he is not going to impose upon the Corporation a fly-British policy unless the industry provides appropriate planes?

I must confess that in the somewhat super-heated atmosphere which surrounded B.O.A.C. at that time everything anybody said, including myself, found its way into the headlines. I am glad to make the position quite clear. It is exactly as set forth by my predecessors, including right hon. Gentlemen opposite. It is and always has been Government policy for the Corporations to fly British, and that does mean, to some extent, being a proving ground for British aircraft. It is equally my responsibility to see that B.O.A.C. makes a profit and maintains its position as a leading world airline. The Corporation has made no firm demand to me for any type of American aircraft and it has not even finalised its demand for British aircraft. Therefore, its first priority, for the sake of the Corporation, is to come and tell me what is its shopping list. That is most important.

Is my right hon. Friend really telling the House that the Board has not come to him with any procurement policy which will ensure that British aircraft will, in the years to come, be able to fly competitively with their competitors throughout the world?

I am saying℄and I want to be fair about this℄that this is a matter of terrific difficulty. It is a great decision and one on which the future both of the Corporation and, to some extent, the whole of the British aircraft industry, depends. Everyone knows that the Corporation has placed orders for Britannias and Comets, but it has not in my view, or in that of the new Chairman, completed the range of aircraft which will be necessary—1 see that the hon. Gentleman agreesߞto secure that competitive position in the future. I regard that as a task of absolutely vital importance, and I am with the hon. Gentleman in saying that I am delighted that the Chairman has done as I have indicated, and equally delighted that he has a pilot to help him in this difficult choice.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation which matters of British Overseas Airways Corporation's policy are reserved for decision between the Chairman and himself, and which are decided by the full Board of the Corporation.

Under Section 19 of the Air Corporations Act, 1949, I must consult the Chairman before directing the disposal of any excess revenue. Apart from this there are no matters reserved for settlement between the Chairman and the Minister and I have no doubt that, following normal commercial practice, the Chairman will discuss all important matters with the Board and will represent the Board in all his dealings with me.

Having been big enough to retract what he said with regard to the procurement of aircraft in an interview with theNews Chronicle, will the Minister be equally big, and retract the statement which is quoted verbatim in that interview, in which he said:

"One clear precedent I intend to maintain is that B.O.A.C. policy is a matter between me and the Chairman."

Does not he think that a most unfortunate statement?

No; there is a clear misunderstanding here. I wish to make it plain that I think it would be wrong were I in any way to go behind the back of the Chairman, whom I hold responsible to me, as Minister, as I am responsible to this House. In my view, the chain of command is that I am responsible to the House and the Chairman is responsible to me. But, of course, before coming to me he discusses, clears and brings to me the collective decision of the Board. I believe that it would be absolutely wrong for any Minister to deal other than through the Chairman, who must be directly and solely responsible to the Minister.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the terms and conditions governing the transfer by the British European Airways Corporation of certain Channel Island routes to Jersey Air Lines.

It would be contrary to normal practice to disclose the details of the commercial agreement between British European Airways and Airlines (Jersey) Ltd. Airlines (Jersey) will, however, operate all the services which it has taken over from B.E.A. under the same terms and conditions as apply to all air services operated by independent companies as associates of the Airways Corporation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the whole of this transaction was undertaken and completed without the knowledge of the men concerned, or even of the joint industrial council, and that they were acquainted with this transaction only when the matter appeared in the Press? Does the right hon. Gentleman believe that to be conducive to good relations?

I will look into the point, but the hon. and learned Gentleman will wish to know that I have made inquiries and that there has been no loss of jobs or redundancies arising from the change.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the result of the recent offer for sale of the meat haulage section of the British Transport Commission.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. L. Thomas) on 2nd May.

Will not the Minister now accept the fact that this meat unit has been twice put up for sale and the only prospective purchaser has been a fishmonger? Having failed to sell the unit, will he accept that it cannot be sold and that the British Road Services are quite capable of continuing to operate it? Will he cease attempting to dispose of it?

I have no intention of again offering the meat unit, as I told the House when we discussed the Bill. It will now be formed into a company.

But will it be offered as a company? Cannot the Minister accept the fact that there are no suitable purchasers for this organisation, and that it is better left with British Road Services?

That is another question.

Davies asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects to receive the final audit on disposal of vehicles from the Road Haulage Disposal Board.

This is a matter for the Board to decide, but I understand that the audit is likely to be completed shortly after the Transport (Disposal of Road Haulage Property) Bill becomes law.

Will the Minister ask the Road Haulage Disposal Board to include in its final audit a statement as to the number of vehicles out of service for maintenance or repair at the time the audit is made? The Minister, as the Parliamentary Secretary will know, has intimated that 7½ per cent. is the figure. We understand that it is far less than that.

I believe it is the intention of the Board to do that, but I will certainly ask it to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is now able to make a statement about the recently published Report of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on the 30 miles-per-hour speed limit in the London traffic area.

Yes, Sir. I have decided to accept the main recommendations of the Committee. I propose to introduce a new differential speed limit of 40 m.p.h. on suitable lengths of road in the London traffic area as soon as the views of the local authorities particularly concerned have been received and considered.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland also proposes to discuss with the local authority associations and other bodies in Scotland those matters of general application raised in the Report.

I am circulating a fuller statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my right hon. Friend how soon he expects to put this new differential speed limit into force? May I further ask whether this is to be regarded as an experiment before being applied generally throughout the country?

How soon will depend on how long it takes to get the views of the local authorities, and of course I am anxious to carry them with me. As to the general scheme, it will be started in London, where I am the traffic authority. I regard it largely as an experiment to see whether this differential speed limit on the edge of large towns will help the flow of traffic?