asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in the light of the information supplied to him by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 5th February, he will investigate the state of No. 30 Maintenance Unit with a view to finding ways of fully employing the manpower and resources there.

As a result of the transfer of major m/t repairs to industry and of the reallocation of the remaining repair and salvage commitment to other units, the establishment of the maintenance unit at Stoke Heath has been reduced by 27 officers, some 1,100 airmen and approximately 10 civilians. The strength is now being run down to conform with the revised establishment. In view of the contraction of Maintenance Command, I do not at present see any likelihood of allocating additional work to this unit.

Is not it a fact that there have been both valuable machines and men idle at this unit for some months now? Cannot action be taken more quickly to dispose of the machine tools that are said to be kept there doing nothing, and apparently not required at the unit, and to make a quicker redeployment of forces because of the wastage that is going on?

I will do my best to see that there is no unnecessary delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what the relationship is between the Air Member for Personnel and the newly appointed Air Secretary; and whether he will make a statement on the duties of the Air Secretary.

Within the framework of personnel policy generally, the Air Secretary will be responsible for matters affecting officers' careers, appointments, and Service affairs of a personal nature. He will be concerned with promotions to squadron leader and above, and with postings within these ranks. Officers will be able to consult him or members of his staff on personal career problems.

On the questions with which he deals, the Air Secretary will have a direct responsibility to the Air Council and direct access to each of its members. He is placed in the department of the Air Member for Personnel to ensure the necessary co-ordination of officers' affairs with officer manning and conditions of service. He will naturally keep the Air Member for Personnel closely in touch with all aspects of his work.

Will the Secretary of State tell us whether this is an additional air marshal post or whether another air marshal post in the personnel department has been disestablished?

This is an additional air marshal post.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give details of all British bombing during the recent operations in Egypt.

The bombing which was carried out by the Royal Air Force in Egypt was against seven airfields; the barracks and equipment depots at Kasfareet, Al Maza and Huckstep; radio masts and installations near Abu Zabal; the marshalling yard near Ismailia; and the coastal defences at El Agami Island.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Mr. Dulles recently told a Congressional committee that British bombers dropped bombs over Cairo? Will my right hon. Friend categorically deny that statement?

I have already done so. in reply to my hon. Friend on 4th February.

Is it quite clear that none of the casualties at Port Said and Port Fuad, totalling about 3,000 and mentioned in the Government's White Paper, was caused by the bombing and, if so, what were they caused by?

The Royal Air Force dropped no bombs whatever on Port Said.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will arrange for the present Royal Air Force officer seconded to the Ministry of Supply as Controller of Aircraft to remain at the Ministry of Supply for a longer period than his predecessor.

I am considering, with my right hon. Friends, the recommendation made by the Select Committee on Estimates. While I agree that as much continuity as possible is desirable, an officer's tour of duty must depend to some extent on the course of events. I cannot promise therefore that the newly appointed Controller of Aircraft will remain in his present post for a particular length of time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the evolution of one aircraft project is equal to the tour of duty of three aircraft controllers, and does not he realise that the only person who has a shorter period in his job than an aircraft controller is a member of the Tory Government? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to leave the R.A.F. to continue to suffer under that stigma?

Two points arise out of that question. The first is that both the previous controllers were in the post for three years each, which is not bad. Secondly, as I have said, we are considering the recommendations of the Select Committee. The present Controller of Aircraft has only just gone there, and the problem does not immediately arise.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that for a number of years this post has been the last tour of duty for officers who have held it? Does not my right hon. Friend think it right that we should have an officer in the job who will later go back in the Air Force, where his experience will be used, rather than have an officer who will look upon the appointment as his last job in the Service? That matters needs looking into.

Certainly. That is one of the matters which we shall consider. It is probably more important that the Controller should have come straight from the Royal Air Force and be closely connected with it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what action he proposes to take to ensure that the pilots of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force shall have continued opportunity to keep in flying practice.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 30th January.

Does the Secretary of State realise that that Answer means that he is literally throwing down the drain £3 million worth of experience and training by taking these people away from flying duties? Does he not propose to do something about that? If the objection to putting these pilots on to Regular airfields for their weekend training is that the airfields are not open at the weekend, does he really mean to tell the House that there is no fighter station throughout the country in preparedness on Saturdays and Sundays?

It is not only that. May I give the hon. Gentleman one or two figures—

Answer the question.

I propose to do so. The hon. Gentleman was talking about using airfields for weekend flying by Auxiliary pilots. Leaving aside the cost of conversion to Hunters—and remember that there are only 15 auxiliary pilots already converted—it costs £175 an hour to fly a Hunter, including repairs, spares and P.O.L. If we are to give the pilots 120 hours flying a year, which is what we reckon they ought to have to be operationally efficient, that means that the cost would be £21,000 per pilot per year; and with 300 pilots that means £6 million, which is more than the Auxiliary pilots are costing us now.

asked the Secretary of State for Air his latest estimate of the costs to train bomber and fighter pilots.

The cost varies with the type. but the average for bombers and fighters is in each case of the order of £45,000.

Can the Minister explain why the cost has gone up from £30,000 to £45,000 in the last year? Will it be cheaper when we go over to rockets?

There are a variety of reasons for it. First, there was the change from the Prentice-Harvard-Meteor sequence to the Provost-Vampire sequence of training. That alone increased the cost of training by about £10,000 a pilot. Then there are the heavy operating and other associated costs of flying jet aircraft in the more advanced training establishments. Finally, there is the general increase in cost since I last replied to a similar question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what Royal Air Force aircraft will be equipped with LABS, the American low level bombing device; when it was decided that this device would be used by the Royal Air Force; and why the announcement of its adoption was made in the United States of America and not in this country.

Orders for this device were placed last year but clearly I cannot disclose what Royal Air Force aircraft will be fitted with it. My present information is that no official announcement was made in the United States.

How long are we to go on getting these announcements from American sources before they are made in this country? Surely the Secretary of State should recognise that we are entitled to know at first hand what has been done in the R.A.F. rather than to read about it at second hand in the American papers?

I can only repeat that there was no official announcement, so far as I can tell. I am looking further into the matter. I cannot stop leakages to the American Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to reduce the noise caused by jet aircraft and particularly the Vulcan bombers at Royal Air Force Station, Waddington, near Lincoln.

We do what we can to reduce disturbance from jet aircraft, in particular by routing flight paths away from built-up areas wherever this is practicable. I am afraid, however, that there is no easy answer to this problem.

While recognising that so far as ground testing is concerned, may I ask the Secretary of State to assure us that, not only at this station but at other stations, everything possible is done in using modern mufflers to reduce the noise?

Yes, Sir, we are doing that as much as possible, but the task is very great. I do not know exactly what the cost of a static muffler is, but I think that it is about £46,000. That is a very great expense. However, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this is a problem which we have very much in mind. We shall try to do all we can about it.

Is there an inquiry taking place into the problem of jet aircraft noise, and can the Secretary of State say what progress has been made?

The right hon. and learned Gentleman will know that we have not yet reached a stage—and we shall not in the foreseeable future—where we can silence aircraft in the air. The only thing we can do is to silence them as much as possible on the ground, and that is a very expensive business.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what arrangements have been made by his Department, the Essex County Council acting as the Highway Authority and British Railways, Eastern Region, to ensure adequate road access from Canvey Island to the mainland following the proposed electrification of the Fenchurch Street-Shoeburyness line and the expected increase in rail traffic.

The Essex County Council and the British Transport Commission are considering these matters, and I understand that the Commission hopes to reduce the time during which the level-crossing gates are closed on each occasion so as to offset the effect of any increase in the frequency of trains after electrification.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that over and over again plans for a high-level bridge at this point have been taken out of the pigeonhole, dusted and put back again because of the difficulty of finance? Is he aware that my constituents are repeatedly fobbed off with suggestions of alternative schemes which never materialise? I wonder whether he could infuse a little energy into Essex County Council and ensure early consultations on this subject?

I understand that the difficulty about the bridge is not one of finance. It is discussions with P.L.A. about headroom to be provided over the creek. If there is anything which my Ministry can do, we will certainly do it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, as the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel will have only one two-lane carriageway while the approach roads to the tunnel will have twin two-lane carriageways, what arrangements will be made to deal with the traffic which the approach roads were designed to carry.

The tunnel is designed to carry all the traffic which will want to use it, but not to provide the same facilities for overtaking, variations of speed, etc., as the approach roads.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in his opinion and that of his advisers the tunnel will not, at peak periods, be a bottleneck, with many delays which will, of course, be costly?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made in grouting the soil in connection with the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel; and when he now estimates the tunnel will be completed.

Progress with the grouting is satisfactory, and the necessity for it will not cause any delay to the tunnelling. The whole scheme should be completed by about 1962.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to Cmd. 3513 the consulting engineers of the Economic Advisory Council of the Channel Tunnel Committee say that a Channel tunnel of 24 miles and three channels could be constructed in eight years? As the Dartford-Purfleet tunnel will have two channels and will be only one mile long, will the right hon. Gentleman say why the time for its completion cannot be reduced, in view of the great need for this tunnel?

When I go to see the work, in due course. I will certainly take heed of what the hon. Member has just said.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the total cost of schemes submitted by Cornwall highways authority for grant approval, and the total cost of schemes approved, in each of the last five years.

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

Does the total cost of the schemes exceed substantially the total amount of grants, and will the Minister take that factor into account when he reviews the highway grants?

I think that the hon. Member will see that the authority has not done too badly.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made with the preparatory work necessary for the construction of the Great North Road, Doncaster by-pass.

The draft scheme showing the proposed route of the Doncaster by-pass was published last July. A number of objections have been raised by agricultural and other interests, but I hope soon to be able to resolve these and to proceed with the making of the scheme. As soon as that has been done, I shall issue a formal invitation to the agent authority to undertake the detailed preparatory work.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has yet decided on improvements at Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Alexandra and Victoria Gates, with a view to easing the traffic congestion at these points.

The discussions concerning these various improvements are progressing but I still cannot say when I shall be in a position to announce any decisions.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that these discussions have been going on for many years and that meanwhile the congestion gets worse and worse? As there are not very many great buildings involved, does he not agree that the operation should be comparatively cheap and that now, surely, is the time to take action?

I agree, but there are also many difficulties. For example, there is the question of how much of the park one is prepared to sacrifice to build a new road.

As some of these are among the worst points of congestion in London, and discussion on action has gone on for years, can the right hon. Gentleman indicate that there is likely to be in the near future some final decision? The thing is really quite scandalous.

I think that the House will accept that I shall not find it difficult to co-operate with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, and I hope that we shall make some progress.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether the proposed Eastern Avenue extension through the Borough of Leyton will have a double carriage way; and approximately to what extent the existing thoroughfare will be extended in area when the project is completed.

Dual carriageways will be provided on the proposed Eastern Avenue extension through the Borough of Leyton, but until the detailed engineering design has been carried out I cannot say to what extent the existing thoroughfare will be extended in area.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give at least some indication of the area that will be used if the double carriageway is continued through Leyton, in view of the fact that there is no double carriageway there at the moment?

I will certainly write and let the hon. Member know.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are his regulations with regard to grants of certificates of fitness for use as public service vehicles in regard to vehicles in the 12- to 14-seater range.

All public service vehicles adapted to carry eight or more passengers have to comply with the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations, 1941, as amended, before a certificate of fitness can be issued.

If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular point in mind in regard to these Regulations, I will be glad to consider it.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many makes of this type of vehicle advertised as suitable for small buses, which, because of their construction and layout, will never qualify for a certificate of fitness? In view of that, will he widen the scope of his Regulations to include them, or take steps to inform the public so that they do not purchase these vehicles and then find that they have bought useless objects?

The small vehicles to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers —and he is quite correct—should not be sold as entirely fitting the Regulations. I am looking now to see whether we can modify the Regulations to include more of them, but that will take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what have been the results of the road safety experiments inaugurated by his Department in the Borough of Slough.

The Slough experiment, which will end on 31st March next, has produced encouraging results. I am most grateful to all those who have worked so hard in the borough to make a success of this scheme. I am circulating fuller details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his appreciation of the people of Slough, the Council of Slough and particularly the Road Safety Committee; may I ask him whether the recent thinning of traffic in Slough High Street and other main roads, because of petrol rationing, has not shown, by the reduction in accidents, that what is really wanted is more roads rather than incidental devices? Will he press ahead with the by-pass for Slough?

That is quite another question, and if the hon. Member will put it down, I will try to give him an answer.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement regarding the result of his inquiry into the sinking of the oil barge "Stone Heath".

Since the inquiry which I ordered into the cause of this casualty, a case has been heard under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1955, by the magistrate's court. The owners pleaded guilty and were fined £200 with costs. In the circumstances, I do not propose to take any further action under the Merchant Shipping Acts.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the R.S.P.C.A. has been compensated to any degree for the money which it spent in trying to save the swans?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what staff is employed on examining the records of drivers of commercial vehicles and the approximate number of such records submitted annually.

Seventy-one staff are normally employed full time on this work and I hope to increase this number to 95 when fuel rationing ends.

Information is not available about the number of records examined but during the past few years the number of summonses taken out for offences disclosed by these examinations has averaged nearly 6,000 a year.

Does not the Minister consider that this very large number of breaches of the law in regard to records is the result of the denationalisation of road haulage, which has brought about excessive competition on the roads?

No, I do not.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the hardship caused to disabled drivers of motor vehicles by the increase of "No Parking" notices in urban areas; and whether he will make regulations under which motor vehicles in the charge of such drivers can carry a special badge and be permitted to park for reasonably short periods in restricted streets, to enable the disabled drivers to do essential shopping and other business.

I am well aware of the difficulties that these restrictions can create for disabled drivers. The police habitually show them every consideration, and I think that is preferable to a legal exemption which might well lead to abuse and difficulty.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that policemen are very often difficult to find when required by a disabled driver? Comparatively few cars would be affected by a concession of this kind. Would he not have a look at the matter again?

Yes, I will certainly have a look at it again, but I do not think that legislation is the right answer.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action has been taken following his discussions with the Standing Joint Committee of the Metropolitan boroughs to carry out the general recommendations in the interim report of the committee on the parking survey of inner London.

I met representatives of the Standing Joint Committee of the Metropolitan boroughs on 7th February and had a full discussion with them on parking generally and parking meters in particular. The Committee assured me of its readiness to co-operate.

Under the Road Traffic Act, 1956, action now rests with the local authorities; I have no reason to suppose they will be backward in submitting schemes to me.

While I am grateful for that reply, may I ask the Minister whether he cannot use his powers to see that the recommendations in the interim Report on parking within inner London are carried out as speedily as possible and without necessarily waiting for the installation of parking meters? Surely there are a number of recommendations on increasing restrictions on parking which, if they were instituted speedily, would assist in a solution of the problem.

If the hon. Member will study my Answer to the previous Question, he will see that that is exactly what I am doing.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will take steps to encourage motorists who now leave their cars in car parks at stations outside London and travel to and from the City and West End by train, to continue to do so after petrol rationing has been abolished.

Yes, Sir. The practice to which my hon. Friend refers has advantages for everyone, and I propose to consult the motoring organisations and the British Transport Commission in order to determine what further action can be taken to encourage motorists to park near railway stations and complete their journey by rail.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is still plenty of parking space at some suburban stations which is not used and therefore there can be no valid excuse that there is no room?

I quite agree. I wish that more use was made of those spaces.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the general principles he proposes to observe in ensuring that congestion of London traffic does not resume its former proportions when petrol rationing is ended.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how he proposes to maintain, after petrol rationing ends, the present reduction in the number of private cars in central London.

The policy must be to try to spread the traffic load more evenly as it increases again. I hope to do this by the increasing application of staggered hours and the full use of the traffic provisions of the 1956 Act.

I am examining with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and with the Commissioner of Police what additional enforcement measures, including the towing away of parked cars, may be necessary or desirable in the coming months. In the longer term I look to the general installation of parking meters by local authorities as a major contribution to the solution of this problem.

In addition to these measures, which I am sure the House will welcome, would my right hon. Friend not consider placing an absolute ban in certain streets on all unattended cars and vans except those belonging to the occupier of the premises or his immediate agent? Does my right hon. Friend really defend a situation in which every butterfly that wants to flit round London can park its steel chrysalis on the Queen's highway?

If I may say so, even butterflies, in a free world, can sometimes fly where they like. I have to be very careful to strike a proper balance between giving motorists reasonable freedom and keeping London's traffic flowing.

While welcoming the belated support of the noble Lord the Member for Dorset, South (Viscount Hinchingbrooke) for the suggestion that I made a long time ago that there should be some kind of ban on parking in central London, may I ask the Minister whether he will really face the problem? Is he aware that there is not sufficient money available for road improvement in central London and that therefore he should indicate that he will give priority to the needs of London Transport buses and goods vehicles over the use of these roads by private cars in central London?

The hon. Member has so often asked me for a complete and final ban on private motor cars entering London, and I have said that I am quite opposed to that.

Surely the Minister's proposal is simply fiddling with the problem. Is it not perfectly obvious that, in the general interest of everybody who lives, works and travels in London, the time has come to face the problem and provide the ultimate solution, which is a complete ban on private cars, at any rate in the centre of London, with the exception of priority cases, like that of doctors? Is not that the right thing to do, through legislation?

I do not think that hon. Members opposite should let their desire to limit people's freedom carry them too far.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that part of the trouble is that, certainly before petrol rationing was introduced, the present regulations were not being enforced?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is the freedom of the people to use public service vehicles which is being interfered with, and that it is only since there has been a reduction in the flow of traffic on the streets that London Transport buses have been able to keep to their schedules? If banning is not the answer, is the answer not that we should do everything in our power to deter private motorists from coming on to London streets by a very strict enforcement of all parking restrictions?

I quite agree, and that is the policy that I shall carry out.

It is not enough.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many regional transport commissioners have not yet granted general authorisations allowing a C-licence holder to carry the goods of another C-licence holder, provided those goods would have been carried in a C-licensed vehicle, in order to save fuel.

None, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a very welcome concession, as a means of saving fuel, to C-licence holders, particularly in Yorkshire, where there has been a certain amount of delay in granting these authorisations?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, since the learner drivers of industrial vehicles have to be accompanied by a fully qualified driver, he will, when reintroducing driving tests, give suitable priority for the testing of the learner drivers of industrial vehicles.

No, Sir. Drivers of industrial vehicles are not the only persons who could legitimately claim priority for their driving tests, and any priority system of this kind might lead to great inequality of treatment.

The requirement that a learner must be accompanied by a qualified driver is at present in suspense. I will consider most carefully the timing of its reintroduction.

Would not the Minister agree that for this type of driver the matter is of extreme importance, in that it affects his livelihood? In the circumstances, would not the right hon. Gentleman say that he will give some kind of priority to these cases?

The reintroduction of the driving test is of great importance to a large number of people. I am not prepared to give priorities within the scheme. My object is to try to get it going again and to have as many people as possible tested.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent it is expected that long-distance coach holiday tours will be restricted in the coming season owing to petrol rationing.

I cannot, at present, add to my reply to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 30th January, when I said that I would let bus and coach companies know how they are likely to stand as soon as it is practicable to do so.

Will the reduction in the number of tours be proportionate to the reduction in the amount of petrol?

I want to be as helpful as I can. All that I can say now is that I am sure that we shall manage to do better than the 50 per cent. ration now allocated to long-distance coaches, but I cannot say by how much the ration will be increased.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in the course of his inquiries into the use of station ranks by taxi-drivers, he will give consideration to the special problems of Leeds, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Leeds, South-East.

I am obliged to the hon. Lady for the particulars which she has given me. I understand that she has already arranged to see the Chairman of the British Transport Commission on this subject with other hon. Members and will no doubt represent to him any special problems in Leeds. After that discussion has taken place, I will consider the general question further.

Would not the Minister agree that the position at Leeds is particularly deplorable in that British Railways take £900 from the Leeds Taxi Proprietors Association in order that its members, and its members only, may ply for hire; and that to be a member of the Leeds Taxi Proprietors Association costs a £10 entrance fee, £22 10s. per year per cab with one driver and £32 10s. a year if the cab has two drivers? Is not this a case of British Railways taking money so that passengers can be inconvenienced?

As I have said, as soon as the hon. Lady and other hon. Members have seen the Chairman of the Commission, I shall be only too pleased to look at the matter again.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he proposes to take to ensure that there is within the London area after Croydon is closed down an aerodrome suitable for use by light aircraft including private and club pilots; and whether he has considered the acquisition of Hendon for this purpose.

I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air to see what can be done to find a suitable aerodrome for club and private aircraft when Croydon closes. Hendon, the future of which has not yet been decided, is one of the aerodromes I am keeping in mind.

Does the Minister appreciate that with the decreasing opportunities for Service flying now open to young men, if we are to keep alive some interest in aviation and provide opportunities to practise it, it is absolutely essential to give more opportunities to the private club flyer? Will he do something about it as a matter of urgency?

I agree that we want opportunities for the club flyer, and I will do my best about Hendon and one or two other projects.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made by British Overseas Airways Corporation in the purchase of new British-built long-range jet airliners to operate on the North Atlantic and on the Commonwealth routes by 1962.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) on 30th January. B.O.A.C. is in discussion with various British manufacturers, and it is hoped that decisions can be reached within a few weeks.

May I refer the Minister to what he said to us in November last year, when he said that B.O.A.C. would buy the D.H. 118? On 19th November last year his Joint Parliamentary Secretary said that a substantial number had been bought, or were to be bought, and he actually told us how much they would cost. What has happened since that time to cause the cancellation of the D.H. 118?

The hon. Member has not studied the reply which I gave previously. What has happened is perfectly plain. It is no use B.O.A.C. placing an order for an aircraft which cannot be sold to overseas customers.

Those are precisely the words which I used when I said in November last year that it would not be a successful aircraft, because, through the delay, there were no overseas markets for the D.H. 118. Why has the Minister suddenly changed his mind?

I congratulate the hon. Member on his foresight. I have changed my mind because it was worth having a go to see if we could sell the aircraft overseas.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans are in hand to improve the amenities for passengers and friends at Ringway Airport.

Plans are being prepared by the Manchester city architect for a new terminal building with modern facilities for passengers and friends to take the place of the existing temporary buildings. I understand that the city council will shortly present the plans for my approval in accordance with my agreement with it.

That news will be welcome to all users of Ringway Airport, but can my right hon. Friend say what is the intended completion date for this work? It is rather important, in view of the growth of Manchester Airport as an international airport.

I understand that the corporation—of course it is its project—hopes that it will be completed in 1959.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the loss on Prestwick Airport and the need for reducing this loss by increasing the revenue, he will use his powers for the compulsory purchase of the hotel.

The hotel at Prestwick Airport is already owned by the State.

Could the Minister assure us that all the profits of the hotel go to the State?

The profits of the hotel are received by my Ministry through the concessionaire, Scottish Aviation Limited.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what representations he has received in respect of congested passenger transport to and beyond the Borough of Leyton.

I have received through hon. Members a number of representations about these train services with suggestions for improving them. I understand that the local authorities have referred the matter to the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for the London area and will be meeting the Committee for a discussion.

Is the Minister aware that since petrol rationing the congestion has become worse, if anything; that I have travelled many times there and have found it hard to breathe? Can the right hon. Gentleman not indicate some means by which this severe disability can be eased for passengers who go to Leyton and beyond?

I know the difficulties, and as soon as the meeting has taken place and there is anything I can usefully do, I shall be only too happy to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has any statement to make with regard to the railway disaster which took place on Saturday, 9th February, at South Chapel-en-le-Frith station.

Yes, Sir. On Saturday morning, 9th February, a freight train ran away down a steep incline and collided with another freight train just passing Chapel-en-le-Frith station. The wreckage block the lines but traffic was resumed yesterday morning. I much regret that the driver of the runaway train and the guard of the other were killed. I know that the House will wish me to express its deep sympathy with the relatives.

I have appointed an inspecting officer of railways to hold an inquiry into the accident.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he would state what steps were taken to advise the next-of-kin of the casualties in advance of any public announcement?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question, but I will look into the matter and let my hon. Friend know.

Is it the case that the driver and the guard showed great gallantry and devotion to duty, and will my right hon. Friend pay a tribute to them in that event?

We must await the result of this inquiry, which I hope will show what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement about the future contribution from the West German Government towards the cost of maintaining British Forces in Germany, having regard to his discussions at the conference of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Powers.

Yes, Sir, as soon as the discussions with the German Government on this subject are concluded.

But can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that these discussions this year will be more successful than those of last year? Will he also make it perfectly clear to the German Government that since the upkeep of the troops—four divisions—costs approximately £170 million, and half of that is in hard currency, unless the Germans make a much more substantial contribution, he will have no other alternative but to bring the troops home?

The discussions are going quite well so far, but I am not counting my chickens yet.

Will the Minister make it clear that our keeping troops in Germany is not a private bargain between us and the Germans? It is part of our contribution to N.A.T.O. and the defence of the West, and if that involves us in a hard currency loss, as it does, is that not a matter to be discussed with other partners in N.A.T.O. as well as Germany, to see what contribution they can make?

That is quite correct.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on his discussions with representatives of the United States Government on problems of defence, with particular reference to the provisions of the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement on the purposes and results of his visit to the United States of America.

asked the Minister of Defence his proposals with regard to the use of existing American-manned air bases in Britain as rocket bases; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent he discussed with the representatives of the United States Government the danger which might result to the civil population, following the establishment of additional rocket and guided-missiles sites in Britain; whether he stressed the fact that our present civil defence plans estimate that 12 million British citizens may have to be evacuated in the event of war; if he is satisfied that, as a result of his conversations, the increased risks of attack upon this country by rockets and hydrogen bombs will be offset by increased efficiency in defence; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement I made on Wednesday, 6th February, to which I have at present nothing to add.

Is the Minister aware that his statement on 6th February made no reference to the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement, and are we, therefore, to conclude from that that there was no discussion in Washington about that Agreement? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Agreement specifies that equipment supplied by the United States may be used only for purposes approved by the United States Government and N.A.T.O., and as that Agreement was violated when Her Majesty's Government chose to invade Egypt—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, certainly—was this subject not raised at all in Washington.

We discussed more agreeable matters.

Is the Minister aware that he has not exactly answered Question No. 59? Did he inform the United States authorities about the dangers that are ever present to the island as a result of this strategy, and do they really understand that the Civil Defence authorities estimate that 12 million people would have to be evacuated, and did he ask whether any of those 12 million would be evacuated to the United States of America?

In the debate this afternoon I propose to say something about rockets and hydrogen bombs—that is, Mr. Speaker, if I am fortunate enough to catch your eye.

Is the Minister aware that he has made no reference to Question No. 54, which stands in my name? Could he say whether it is intended to employ all the existing American-manned bases as rocket bases, and will the present bases continue to be used as rocket bases even although, as at present, they are sometimes on the edge of existing towns?

I think that it would be premature for the hon. Gentleman to make those assumptions.

asked the Minister of Defence if, in the light of Her Majesty's Government's claim to take independent military action in certain fields, he will now instruct the Service Departments to maintain separate accounting of the material received under the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement.

This has always been done.

Is the Minister aware that his predecessor informed the House not long ago that it was impossible to distinguish between the equipment supplied under the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement and British equipment, and that was why he was unable to say whether or not American equipment had been used at Suez, in violation of the agreement? Is the Minister now claiming that there is a separate account kept of all equipment received from the United States?

If the hon. Gentleman will read his own Question, he will see that it refers to accounting. What he is now talking about is the distribution and use of that equipment, which is a different matter.

asked the Minister of Defence (1) whether he will allow National Service men to object on grounds of conscience to serving in military operations which they believe are being conducted in disregard of the United Nations Charter;

(2) whether, in view of the Government's announced intention to employ British forces against subversion, whether overtly Communist or ostensibly nationalist, in the territories of other countries, he will recognise the right of National Service men to object on conscientious grounds to serving in military operations of this character.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 21st November last.

Does that mean that the Government recognise this right or not? Are the Government aware that there is strong feeling about this among young people called upon to serve, and that if they register conscientious objections they will have overwhelming support from public opinion?

The hon. Member can form his own view about public opinion.

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the fact that the military service Acts of Belgium, France and the Netherlands exempt conscripts from service in colonial wars or police actions unless they volunteer, he will grant similar exemption to National Service men.

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this means that the Government claim to make men kill or be killed for purposes that have nothing to do with national defence, and that they thereby show less respect for human rights than the old conscriptionist countries?

asked the Minister of Defence how many Cabinet Ministers have taken part in discussions at the Imperial Defence College during the last twelve months.

Three, Sir.

Will my right hon. Friend consider encouraging more of his colleagues to visit this College, because there could be a very useful exchange of ideas?

Considering that it has been quite a busy year, three is not a bad record.

Is this limited only to Cabinet Ministers? Was it not the practice before the war that the College had a close connection in one way or another with individual Members of the House, who were able sometimes, perhaps, to give enlightenment to those high officers who attended the College?

Others also have addressed the College.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will direct the Service Departments and the Ministry of Supply to prepare an inventory of all the stores, equipment, and weapons in their possession.

The Services hold regular stocktakings of their equipment. The problem, as the Select Committee on Estimates has stated in its Third Report of the 1956–57 Session, just published, is to ensure that changes in policy are reflected as quickly as possible by changes in holdings. This matter is receiving my attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now answer the Question? Will he direct the Service Departments and the Ministry of Supply to find out what they have got? Is it not desirable that they should know what they have got before they buy anything else?

An inter-Departmental committee is now examining certain aspects of this problem. Until I receive its report, I do not think it would be right for me to decide on any special action.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear that whenever he gets the information for which he is asking from the Service Departments and the Ministry of Supply, he will see that they have an inventory of everything in their possession?

The fact that the right hon. Gentleman has raised the point will ensure that it receives my very close attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the specifications of the material that is being held? During the war, it was discovered by the Select Committee that the Army was still ordering wood-burning stoves that were used in the South African War, and that the specification had never been changed.

I did not know about that.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will direct the Service Departments to reduce the number of officers and other ranks at headquarters staffs at home and overseas.

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that it will be my aim to reduce administrative overheads, including headquarter staffs wherever practicable.

Did the right hon. Gentleman read in one of our daily newspapers, a paper of repute, that on his retirement the ex-commander of our forces in Germany said, either in an interview or in an article, that the headquarters staff in Germany could be reduced without inconvenience?

It is not customary for Ministers to be asked to comment upon newspaper reports.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will examine the possibility of introducing a scheme of insurance for men and women in the Armed Forces, to make financial provision for them and their dependants in the case of wounds, injury, disease or death caused during service in the Armed Forces.

No, Sir. There is already provision for payment of benefits in the cases mentioned without contribution from the individual.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will state the present terms of reference of the Atomic Energy Commission; whether they are sufficiently extensive to include all forms of nuclear fission and fusion, or what extensions are necessary for these purposes in their terms of reference; and what steps he proposes to take to reap from this commission as much benefit as possible.

The powers of the Atomic Energy Authority are set out in subsection (2) of Section 2 of the Atomic Energy Authority Act, 1954.

These powers are wide enough to include all the processes mentioned by the hon. and learned Member; and my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council is satisfied that the Authority's programme, and the arrangements for applying its achievements for the benefit of the nation, are capable of maintaining the advanced position which the United Kingdom has won in atomic energy field.

Is the Minister aware that he has given a very general answer? In particular, do the terms of reference include the application of nuclear energy to the propulsion of ships? Is he aware of the great strides that have been made in that respect in America, and do the terms of reference include that topic in Britain?

Yes, Sir, the terms of reference include research into any matters connected with atomic energy. Whilst I know that much progress has been made on this matter in the United States, I do not think that the progress which we have made in this country is negligible.

asked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take to implement the proposals of the joint investigating committee for an amalgamation of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The scheme to integrate the Society of Incorporated Accountants with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is in the first place a domestic matter for the accountancy bodies concerned. I do not know of any joint investigating committee and, although the Privy Council is aware of the scheme, I understand the proposals have not yet been considered by the members of the Institute in general meeting. Any application which the Institute as a chartered body may subsequently make to the Privy Council for amendment of its Charter and byelaws will of course be considered by their Lordships in the normal manner.

Does the Paymaster-General appreciate that opinion on this subject is by no means united, either within or outside the accountancy profession? Will he bear in mind that there are also public interests involved before he makes any decision on the matter?

This is at the moment essentially a domestic matter for the professional bodies concerned.

May I ask the Minister to leave this to the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the incorporated body, to settle their own affairs, rather than to have any Government interference in this matter?