asked the Secretary of State for Air if, in order to avoid delay, he will simplify the procedure by which approval is given to arrangements made by married officers and other ranks for renting furnished flats and houses.

The present procedure for hiring furnished flats and houses normally works very well. I am, however, looking into the particular case to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention to see whether any improvement is possible.

Would it not be easier if, instead of a central body like my right hon. Friend's works department having to approve these arrangements, the unit concerned were empowered to do so? Would it not save a good deal of delay? Alternatively, would it not be possible for a lodging allowance of some kind to be given to married officers and airmen so that they could make their own arrangements without approval having to be obtained at all?

This is already done. An airman's marriage allowance is fixed to cover the cost of accommodation, and if there is no official married quarter for him to rent he is free to make what arrangements he likes. It is only when a house or flat is hired by the Air Ministry as an official quarter that approval becomes necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many, and which, sites he considered for guided missiles before he decided upon the Island of South Uist for that purpose; what were the characteristics of those other sites which were rejected for the purpose; and what determining factor caused him to select the Island of South Uist for that purpose.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State in the debate on the Vote on Account on 7th March.

Has the Minister no progress to report? Does he not realise that, as a result of his selection of this site, the islanders are driven, in order to escape his clutches, to consider mass exodus to a Gaelic-speaking part of Canada, and does he not think that this is a disgraceful way in which to treat British subjects with whom he has no quarrel?

This project is an extremely important part of the arrangements which we are making for the defence of these islands, and I am quite sure that the people of South Uist are just as interested in that as anyone else. My hon. Friend made it clear in the debate the other day that, after an extensive search in all possible areas, we decided that this was the only place to which to go. I would remind the hon. and learned Gentleman that this scheme will bring many advantages to the islands as well as the disadvantages of which I am well aware.

Will not the advantages which are likely to be brought to the islands mean that this part of Western Scotland is far more likely to be bombed, in the same way as we bombed the German rocket ranges during the last war? Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that some of the advantages may be that if South Uist is bombed by rockets with nuclear warheads some of those bombs may drop on Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that these are advantages for the Scottish population?

London may escape.

This is a range on which guided missiles are going to be tested for training purposes, and it is of such importance that I should have thought that the people of the Western islands would have been proud to play their part in preparing for the country's defence.

Read the Scotsman

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many houses adjoining Greenham Common airfield have been, or will be, purchased for use by United States; airmen and their families; and how many married quarters are to be built for them.

Apart from one house bought some time ago for the commander at this airfield, no houses have been or are to be purchased. The current plan provides for building about seventy new married quarters.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that several houses adjoining Greenham Common airfield are now empty and unlikely ever to be suitable for ordinary people's use when it is proposed to build more married quarters in the same vicinity? Would it not be better, rather than abandon these existing houses, to use our available building resources to better advantage by putting the houses into a proper state for use as quarters instead of setting out to build so many new married quarters?

We have looked very carefully at twenty-three existing houses with a view to doing what my hon. Friend suggests, but it has been found that none is suitable and that the modifications which would be necessary would be far more expensive than the construction of new houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if, before Greenham Common air base is again brought into operational use by jet bombers next autumn, he will visit Newbury to review with the mayor's liaison committee the problem of noise abatement and the further measures that can be taken to prevent avoidable hardship to local residents.

I understand that the committee is in very close touch with the base commander at Greenham Common, but if there are any points which it particularly wishes to discuss with me, I should naturally be glad to meet it

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he—as were his two predecessors—will be very welcome if he can find the opportunity to discuss the problem with the mayor and his liaison committee?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what representations he has received concerning repeated delays in the arrival of both daily and Sunday newspapers in Cyprus; and what action he has taken.

None, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, having regard to an Answer which was given to me yesterday, that these delays occurred over a period of three to four weeks and that on some days no newspapers at all arrived? Will my right hon. Friend not agree that when troops are engaged in operations it is vital that a continuous flow of information is available, and could he see that if a nuisance of this kind occurs again some emergency arrangements are made by the Royal Air Force to get newspapers to the men?

As I understand it, the delay was caused through the temporary grounding of the Viscount aircraft. If this sort of thing happens in the future, we should, of course, always be willing to see what we could do to help at the time and in the particular circumstances, but I would not wish to hold out any hope that we should be able to divert Service aircraft to this task.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further extensions are contemplated in the use of the Decca Navigator systems; and in what areas.

I am informed that a chain of Decca Navigator stations in Sweden and four chains in Canada are due to come into operation this year and that terms have been agreed for the provision of equipment for two chains in India, at Bombay and Calcutta. I understand that the Governments of a number of other countries are considering adopting the system.

Is it not a fact that agreement was reached yesterday with India for the extension of this very useful device? Having regard to its great usefulness, especially to shipping, will the Minister do everything possible at least to facilitate extension throughout the British Commonwealth?

Yes, Sir. As my predecessor stated in reply to the hon. and learned Member on 18th July last, the Government will continue to encourage the use of these very valuable devices.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decisions have been reached following the discussions between the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the Central African Airways regarding the future of air transport in Central Africa.

None, Sir. I understand that the discussions were of a routine nature between the managements of the two airline partners and related to their future operations on the trunk routes between Southern Africa and the United Kingdom. The affairs of Central African Airways are not, of course, a responsibility of the United Kingdom Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that authoritative reports have appeared that the transference of this service from B.O.A.C. to Central African Airways is being considered? Will he bear two points in mind: first, that the aircraft works in this country, such as in my own constituency, which have a magnificent floor area, are now being used as a store instead of for production; and secondly, ought we not to hold these airways as public trustees for the peoples of Africa as they move towards their independence?

What I said was that the affairs of Central African Airways are not the responsibility of the United Kingdom Government.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he is taking to operate the news cinema, constructed at public expense, at London Airport.

Tenders will shortly be invited for the operation of the cinema under a form of management contract.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that a shocking waste has already taken place? Is it not a fact that this cinema has been complete and ready for use for many months but, owing to the allegation that no staff could, be found, it has been lying idle since last August? Would he not take urgent action to put a stop to this waste and to provide this facility?

Yes, certainly. I explained to the hon. Member, in reply to two Questions which he put on 27th March, how it was that this cinema had not been operated before, but my right hon. Friend hopes to find an exhibitor who, on a management basis, will be able to operate it profitably.

If this building cannot be used as a cinema and there is no exhibitor willing to use it, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider allowing the social and dramatic clubs of B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. to use the building? As my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) has said, it is a shame that this new building is not being used for any purpose at all.

I am well aware of the importance of improving amenities at London Airport, but I think that we ought to give the cinema a trial first.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what representations he has received against the proposal to erect a second television mast in a position covering the approaches to Rhoose Airport; and if he will make a statement.

I received representations against the proposal from the Welsh Advisory Council for Civil Aviation and other interested parties. In consequence, a local inquiry was held in Cardiff on 7th March, following which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government gave planning permission for the mast to be erected at St. Hilary Down.

In view of the suggestion that the airport may be moved farther from Cardiff, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if that were done the airport would be farther from Cardiff than is any airport in Great Britain from the chief city that it serves?

That is a rather different question, but there are no definite proposals at the moment to move Rhoose Airport anywhere else.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the reasons for the delay at London Airport of consignments of daily and Sunday newspapers for the Middle East; and what steps he has taken to remove the difficulties.

I understand that the only newspapers for the Middle East which have recently been delayed at London Airport were those consigned to Cyprus: the delay was due to the temporary withdrawal of B. E. A. 's Viscounts for modification. I am glad to say that these aircraft are now operating normally, and the second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

Oh, but it does. Whilst I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his explanation, may I ask whether, in view of the dislocation that the withdrawal of these aircraft causes to the supply of newspapers, he could give some assurance that if a similar delay occurs in future steps might be taken to ensure an emergency airlift of newspapers to the area affected? [An HON. MEMBER: "Why?"] Because newspapers are vital in a democratic society. Can my hon. Friend give some such assurance?

It is to be hoped that such an emergency will not arise again, but if it should, of course certain plans would have to be made.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress he has made in his conversations with the motoring organisations and the British Transport Commission with a view to persuading motorists to park their cars at stations outside London and complete their journeys by train.

Preliminary inquiries have shown that the amount of parking space provided at most suburban stations is adequate to meet the present demand. British Railways and London Transport have, however, already announced plans to extend such facilities, and I hope that motorists will take full advantage of them and, when they can, complete their journeys by rail.

Has my hon. Friend had any discussions with the motoring organisations about this? Can he hold out any hope of his persuasion being successful?

My right hon. Friend and I have spoken to the motoring organisations about this, but what is needed is the general co-operation of all motorists at present coming into London. The organisations will do what they can, but it is the individual who must be responsible.

If that is the case, cannot some inducement be held out to the suburban motorists to use the public transport facilities and park their cars at the outlying stations? Cannot there be some form of cheap-rate season ticket with parking facilities combined?

A good many are doing it now, and I think that motorists will be sensible enough to see the advantage of this to themselves and the rest of the country.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has received the report on the effects of petrol rationing on traffic in London which he requested from the Road Research Laboratory; and what action he proposes to take in regard thereto.

Yes, Sir, and I am arranging for the summary of the report to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In thanking the Minister for the speed with which this has been prepared and looking forward to seeing his comments, may I ask whether he is fully aware that the traffic is already beginning to deteriorate to some extent as more vehicles seem to be coming back on to the London streets and that the public will be very disappointed if they find that traffic congestion returns to the conditions which they experienced before rationing? Will the Minister do everything he can to stop this busman's dream becoming the passenger's nightmare?

I certainly will. It is fair to say that we have learned a good deal in the last few months. The police, London Transport and all concerned have learned a lot and will now gradually start to apply it as the traffic, as the hon. Member rightly says, begins to come back. Therefore, I hope we shall not return to quite the state of congestion—[HON. MEMBERS: "Chaos."]—that we had before.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many part-time members there are for the Northern Transport Traffic Commissioners for the Northern Traffic Area; how many sittings have taken place; and how many times the part-time members have been requested to adjudicate in the previous twelve months.

There are two part-time Traffic Commissioners for the Northern Traffic Area and nine deputies who can be called upon to act in the absence of these Commissioners. In addition, there is a part-time Deputy-Chairman who acts in the absence of the whole-time Chairman.

There were 45 sittings in the past twelve months. At least one part-time Commissioner was present at each sitting; at seven of the sittings two part-time Commissioners took part. The services of three of the deputies were called upon. The Deputy-Chairman acted on two occasions.

Can the Minister give an assurance that there is no discrimination against the part-time members in the adjudications of the Commissioners?

Yes, certainly. The deputies are only exceptionally called in to act. As the hon. Member will notice, only three of them out of the nine were called in to act during the year. There is no discrimination whatever.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress he has made in launching the scheme for the compulsory inspection of motor vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how soon he anticipates completing the arrangements for the compulsory inspection and testing. of motor vehicles.

I am glad to say that the associations representing firms engaged in the motor repair industry have assured me of their co-operation in principle. Discussions with representatives of the industry and of local authorities on the detailed proposals for the organisation of compulsory tests are proceeding satisfactorily. It is too early as yet to say when the arrangements will be completed and thus when compulsory tests will start.

In view of the fact that the Bill was passed over nine months ago and that, judging by experience, the institution of compulsory testing might save a substantial number of lives, is not the Minister going rather slowly in the matter if he tells us that all that is happening is that discussions are proceeding and he can give no hope whatever that the scheme will come into operation within a reasonable period? Does he expect the scheme to start within a few months, or this year? What is he likely to do to expedite its initiation?

Perhaps the right lion. Gentleman did not catch exactly what I said. We have overcome one difficult problem in that the associations representing the motor repair firms have now agreed to the method of co-operation. I am not anxious to hurry this matter. What I am anxious to do is to get it right, and I shall take time to do that.

We are all anxious to get it right, but surely it is equally desirable to hurry this matter. As was pointed out during the discussions, it may be that when the scheme is in full operation something like 500 lives a year might well be saved, judging by extensive experience of a similar scheme in America?

I will go forward as fast as I think is possible, bearing in mind that I want to get the right scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of undertakings carrying passengers in public service vehicles under licence that have increased fares in accordance with Section 2 (1) of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties (Temporary Increase) Act, 1956, to the extent of the permitted amount, and the number that have so increased fares but less than that amount.

I regret that this information is not available. There is no obligation on operators to report increases in fares made under the provisions of this Act.

Surely, they report the fares to the Traffic Commissioners, do they not? Apart from that, how long is the travelling public to have to carry this unfair burden of increased fares? Is it not a fact that bus services have now been restored to normal, that they have a full ration of petrol—in other words, rationing as far as they are concerned has virtually come to an end—and yet they still have to pay an extra tax which is passed on to the public? When will this cease?

It is clearly sot out in the relevant piece of legislation, and, of course, rationing is still in force for petrol.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that if he had accepted the recommendations of the Opposition that public service vehicles should be exempt from the increased tax, now that they are not subject to rationing, their fares could be reduced?

That is quite another matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the removal of restriction on the use of diesel oil for road transport, allocations of petrol to operators of petrol-driven public service vehicles are such as to place them in no worse position than operators of similar vehicles which are diesel-engined.

Yes, Sir.

While appreciating that reply, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if this does not confirm that those operators are now able to obtain all the fuel they require for their services and it is quite unfair that they should continue to be taxed the extra 1s. on fuel they consume—a tax which was imposed to compensate for reduced consumption of fuel? How long is this tax going on?

Let the hon. Member wait till next week.

This Question refers to rationing. I ought to make it quite plain that the present position, in the use of both Derv, although it is not on coupon rationing now, and petrol, is that users must restrict themselves to the very minimum requirement necessary to maintain services.

Although the London buses carry notices saying that as from 1st April the whole of the London Transport Executive's normal red bus services have been restored and that the arrangements for contract carriages have been restored, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that passengers still have to pay 3d. for a 2½d. ride?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the inconvenience and possible danger to both passengers and staff of constant tobacco smoking in coaches, some of which travel for long distances by day and night; and whether he will give consideration to making regulations requiring the provision of coaches or parts of coaches in which smoking is prohibited, in particular in the case of long journeys.

There are considerable practical difficulties about the hon. Member's suggestion, and I should prefer to leave this matter to the discretion of individual coach operators, who are the best persons to judge the needs of their customers.

But may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the heaviest smokers with the foulest pipes seem to be attracted to the front of coaches, and that this causes considerable inconvenience to the drivers, particularly on long journeys in cold weather? Will he give careful consideration to this matter?

I will certainly give consideration to it, but the pipe smokers might take a different view from that of the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what improvements will be carried out during the next two years in the main Gloucester to Cardiff road; and to what extent these will include schemes for by-passing the main towns.

We expect that twenty-one improvement schemes will be started during the next two years on the main Gloucester to Cardiff road. These do not include any by-passes.

With reference to the need for by-passes, will my hon. Friend examine carefully the inadequacy of the narrow bridge and very steep hill at Chepstow and also the extreme danger of that hill?

My right hon. Friend and I recently received a deputation concerning Chepstow, but I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of a by-pass there in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the average cost per mile of providing kerbstones on main roads in the country.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what his policy is towards the use of vertical kerbstones on trunk roads in rural areas.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, Central (Sir F. Medlicott) on Wednesday, 27th March, in which I said that my policy is that vertical kerbs should not be used in rural areas except in certain particular circumstances, and that kerbing costs about £4,500 a mile of road.

I know that my right hon. Friend has had this matter under consideration, but does he not think that there are too many rural roads where these kerbs are not really necessary? At a time when there is such urgent need for more road surfaces, does my right hon. Friend not think that these refinements should be postponed and that the men, money and materials should be used to provide a greater area of road surface?

Yes, I quite agree with my hon. and gallant Friend. He is entirely right, and it is that instruction which has been sent to all local authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on easing the traffic b congestion in and around Hyde Park at rush hours.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has yet concluded his discussions with the Minister of Works about the layout of the proposed Hyde Park Corner Road Improvement Scheme.

I regret that I cannot yet add anything to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Poole (Captain Pilkington) on 13th February, when I said that discussions were proceeding about road improvements at certain points in and around Hyde Park.

My right hon. Friend knows that this consideration has been going on for months and years. Can he give an indication when he will be able to pronounce on this question?

Yes, before very long.

Has approval now been given or a decision reached by the Royal Fine Art Commission, which has had this under consideration for a very long time?

The answer to that is that we have now agreed with the Royal Fine Art Commission on some of the difficulties which arose over the Decimus Burton Screen and one or two other difficult architectural problems, and I think we are now making some progress.

Although the right hon. Gentleman is not able to make an announcement today and says that he hopes to be able to do so before very long, can he say whether there is an agreement in principle reached with the Minister of Works on the sort of layout there is to be there and that he is merely delaying the announcement of it?

That is not quite so. The position, as I think all hon. Members know, is that the whole area of Hyde Park is the heart of the West End of London's traffic problem. Therefore, whatever we do there will have immense repercussions, and I am most anxious that what we do shall be the best possible solution. The right hon. Gentleman is quite correct in saying that I have now agreed with my right hon. Friend on some of the architectural difficulties which were holding up the complete scheme. I hope, therefore, that I can now get ahead with settling some of the more technical details

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects the proposed Manor Way extension at Whitchurch, Cardiff, to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

If it is necessary to build a bridge over the Cardiff—Whitchurch—Coryton branch railway, the scheme should be completed in about two years' time. If. however, the line is closed and a bridge is not required, the completion date will be about the middle of next year.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to make a statement on the alternative road from North Cotes to the seashore, which has been under discussion between the parish council and his Department for some months past.

My hon. Friend is about to publish proposals for an Order permanently stopping-up the highways which were temporarily stopped up last September, and providing for the construction of an alternative road to the shore. For the time being, cockle fishermen can use one of the stopped-up roads under a system of Air Ministry passes.

How long does my hon. Friend think it will be before the new road is completed? Secondly, will he inquire of the Secretary of State for Air to see whether too great precautions are not being taken over the important work which is taking place on this aerodrome. thus robbing the local people of a right to go down to the foreshore?

I am afraid that it will be a few months after it can be started before the new road is completed, but we will certainly do everything possible to expedite its completion. I will bring my right hon. Friend's attention to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question to see whether there is any possibility of meeting the convenience of holidaymakers there.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will instal a zebra crossing on road A19, Stockton-on-Tees, between the Malleable Club and Institute and Windmill Terrace.

I will make inquiries as to the need for a crossing here and will consult the police and the borough council. I will write to the hon. Member when my investigations are complete.

Will the hon. Gentleman in his investigation also take into account the fact that this is a very dangerous stretch of road which has to be crossed very frequently by old-age pensioners and many school-children? Will he also take into account the views of the inhabitants of the locality?

And of the local council.

Certainly I will consider the views of all in the locality, but the hon. Member will bear in mind that Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has turned the proposal down. However, we shall take into account all the local conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he will complete negotiations for the acquisition of Springfield House, Talke Road, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, for the purpose of widening the Winchester-Preston trunk road A34.

Negotiations to buy Springfield House have already been completed. We know the urgency of this case, and the conveyance will proceed as quickly as possible.

Does that mean that my constituent has been informed of the compensation that he will get? That is the important point. Has he already been informed?

I doubt if he has, but I have today sent a letter to the hon. Member, which will give him the assurance which, I think, his constituent needs, that we do definitely intend to proceed with the transaction, which will, I think, enable him to proceed to buy the alternative property.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether orders proposed to be made by the Minister under Clause 43 of the British Transport Commission Bill will be submitted to Parliament; and whether they will be subject to the affirmative or the negative procedure.

No, Sir.

Will these orders receive the right hon. Gentleman's personal attention, or will the power of approval be delegated to a civil servant?

The hon. Member and any other hon. Member interested may like to have a copy, which will shortly be published, of a special report on this very important problem. They will see clearly from it how we are trying to handle this matter and to improve the whole level-crossing system of the country.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the dangers to children in streets designated as "play streets", when those streets are used by through traffic and whether he will take steps by means of the Highway Code or otherwise, to draw the attention of drivers to the fact that it is an offence to drive a vehicle in a play street except when calling at premises in the street.

It is an offence under the Street Playgrounds Act, 1938, for through traffic to use a play street during the hours of prohibition. In the Traffic Signs Regulations, 1957, which came in force on 1st March, the size of the signs indicating these streets has been increased.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are play streets within a mile of this House which are consistently being used by through traffic, which is not an uncommon occurrence in the rest of the country? Would my right hon. Friend have an inquiry made of towns which have play streets to see whether or not they are being observed as play streets? Will he also consider the provision of more conspicuous signs so that motorists know where these streets are, or the use of such a device as bulging pavements at the entrance of these streets?

The signs are being enlarged to make them more conspicuous. I do not think that an inquiry is called for, but if the hon. Member has details of play streets which are being abused. I shall be happy to look into them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is in a position to report progress on the experiment he is conducting in the regulation of traffic by markings on the carriageway.

Yes, Sir. The new system of carriageway markings which I announced on 13th December is now virtually complete on the Portsmouth and Dover roads. It will, I believe, be of great assistance to drivers. Some motorists are still unaware of the meaning of the markings and I am arranging in conjunction with the motoring organisations for further publicity. The rule is that drivers must keep to the left of, and avoid parking within, the solid white line when it is on their side of the road.

Will my right hon. Friend give the greatest publicity to these notices? These lines have proved of great value.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. This is something which could make our roads a great deal safer. I hope that motorists will give them a good and fair trial.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent the institution of parking meters is being adopted in the Metropolitan Police Area; and what representations he has had against these devices.

A number of local authorities are now at various stages in the consideration and preparation of schemes. Since provisions for parking meters first appeared in the Road Traffic Act I have received a variety of representations about them both from interested bodies and from individuals. Local authority schemes now in preparation will allow ample opportunity for objections to be considered.

In view of the many representations of a critical nature, does the Minister not agree that it is just as well to go very cautiously with this innovation?

I do not agree at all. These parking meter schemes are absolutely necessary for the improvement of London's traffic situation, and I am 100 per cent. behind any local authority that wants to bring one forward.

To what extent is the right hon. Gentleman asking local authorities to link parking meter schemes with more off-street parking facilities? Is he aware that these are diminishing rather than increasing in Central London and that this is the crux of the problem?

I think that the hon. Lady will agree that experience shows in other countries that very large sums of revenue are recovered from parking meters. It is this revenue which, under the Act, must be devoted to providing for more off-street parking.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when, precisely, reconstruction of the roadway from Whipps Cross. Leyton, towards Wanstead, will begin; and what alteration in traffic ways arc included in the reconstruction.

The Leyton Borough Council is the highway authority for this road, and I understand that it hopes to start this work early in July. The scheme includes the construction of dual 24 ft. carriageways for a distance of 430 yards from the roundabout at Whipps Cross and the improvement of the junction of Snaresbrook Road with Lea Bridge Road.

Although it is perfectly true that the local authority is responsible in a subordinate capacity, does not the Minister have a certain responsibility? Is it due largely to the Ministry that there has been such a protracted delay in the reconstruction of this very vital roadway?

I will certainly look into that matter and let the hon. Member know.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, as a result of further examination, he is able to reconsider his decision not to give a general direction to the British Transport Commission asking them to give special consideration when placing contracts in connection with the Modernisation Programme of British Railways to the needs of localities where there is present unemployment and unused production capacity.

No, Sir. I have examined what the hon. Lady said on 20th February, but I am afraid I can find no reason to change the reply I then gave her.

As the right hon. Gentleman said he would examine what was said to him on that date, may I ask whether it is at all likely that any of this Modernisation Programme may go to Coventry, where there are skilled men who have been turned off defence work and where there are excellent facilities?

I understand that some discussions have taken place with one firm which, if not in Coventry, is associated with Coventry. I think the conclusions arising from them are not yet finalised. As I said on the previous occasion, it is my wish that the British Transport Commission should help whenever it can by placing orders in areas where there are unemployment difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission and the London Transport Executive that concessions to booksellers on railway premises shall not be granted in such numbers to any one firm that a monopoly is created.

No, Sir. The present arrangements are considered to give a better service than would otherwise be possible, and I have no evidence that the travelling public is dissatisfied with them.

Even if it is necessary to allow Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son to have a virtual monopoly, should there not be an obligation upon them not to exercise a political censorship over what they sell? Is it not quite intolerable that they should be in a position to deprive passengers of certain newspapers or books?

No monopoly in a national sense exists, because concessions are let to Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son, Messrs. Wyman and Messrs. Menzies.

Yes, but in any given area, as the Minister knows, there is a monopoly. Does he think it right that not only should there be a monopoly but an abuse of it by having a censorship?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects to introduce automatic train control for railway traffic passing through Welwyn Garden City.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made with the extension of automatic train control throughout the railway system of British Railways.

As I informed the House on 13th February, I gave my final approval to the British Railways Automatic Train Control system on 30th November last. The British Transport Commission is now going ahead with its plans to provide the equipment as quickly as possible on all the main traffic routes, including the main line through Welwyn Garden City.

Whilst appreciating that it might not be possible to introduce this automatic control immediately at Welwyn Garden City, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that there is the greatest local concern about the mechanical efficiency of these signals? Can he give an assurance that the very highest standards of safety are being maintained at the station?

I think that I know the point my noble Friend is making, and it refers to one signal only. I do not think I ought to anticipate the report of my Chief Inspector of Railways, but I think that I can say to my noble Friend that, so far, prolonged tests and examination of the signal have not disclosed any fault.

Will my right hon. Friend urge British Railways to expedite the setting up of the system as quickly as possible, not only for humanitarian reasons. but because the very high record of safety on British Railways is of considerable commercial value and a great deal of damage is done if there arc accidents that can be avoided?

I quite agree, and I think that the Commission places the utmost priority on trying to get A.T.C. going as quickly as possible.

Would the right hon. Gentleman press the Transport Commission to fix an early date for completion of automatic train control? Is he aware that experiments have been conducted for seven to ten years, which seems a tremendously long time? Is he also aware that in the Welwyn Garden City area, which has been subjected to these tests for years, everyone was disturbed when it was learned that there was an engine running on the line which was not fitted with this automatic control? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that more engines are equipped to utilise the control where it is already in existence?

I will certainly see to that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that a year or so ago there was an accident at Sutton Cold-field, near Birmingham, and the inquiry found that the driver was driving the train a little too fast? Will the automatic control provide some kind of speedometer or some method of ensuring that the driver knows how fast he is driving the train?

Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put a Question on the Order Paper. This is a rather technical matter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what extra parking space is to be made available at railway stations or otherwise in the borough of Leyton.

I understand the British Transport Commission is planning to increase the capacity of the car park at Leytonstone Station by twenty-seven car spaces. We are, of course, willing to consider any proposals by the local authority to provide additional parking facilities on or off the highway.

Does that reply mean that British Railways will be entirely responsible for the new parking space at Leytonstone, or will the Ministry of Transport or the local authority have some share in the responsibility, and, indeed, the fixing of fees?

The British Transport Commission alone will be responsible for this car park.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are the technical grounds on which Her Majesty's Government have advised British ships not to use the Suez Canal for the time being.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the member for St. Ives (Mr. G. R. Howard) on 27th March.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that British shipping will not be prevented from using the Suez Canal because of arguments over the payment of tolls? In trying to settle this question with Colonel Nasser, will he represent to his right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary that the payment of tolls provision, which we insist upon, should not violate the agreement which was reached on 2nd November with the representative in Egypt?

That has nothing to do with my Answer, which dealt with quite reasonable doubts that may still exist as to whether the Gulf of Suez is not still mined to some extent and whether the technical equipment of the Canal is yet complete.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether he has any fresh information, or when any further information will be forthcoming, as to the state of affairs regarding mines in the Gulf of Suez?

Mr. HammarskjÖld was asked to take up that matter with the Egyptians and we are awaiting his reply.

In view of the fact that other ships are passing through the Canal, does the Minister seriously think that there are any technical reasons, apart from the question of the payment of dues, which prevent British ships from using the Canal?

What I seriously think is that the Egyptian Government in November broadcast a warning that a certain area of the Gulf of Suez was mined. We are still waiting for them to withdraw that statement.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will publish General Sir Charles Keightley's despatches on the Suez operation.

General Keightley has not yet submitted his report on this operation. I will consider the question of publication when I receive it.

asked the Minister of Defence what information was made available at the Bermuda Conference concerning the present stage of development of the Thor intermediate range ballistic missile; and when it will be available for use in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Defence when he expects that the United States guided missiles of intermediate range will be available for supply to this country.

I cannot at present add to the information given to the House by the Prime Minister in his speech on Monday and in his replies to Questions on this subject yesterday.

Yes, Sir, but yesterday the Prime Minister simply said that he could not add to the information given before, and so far we have had no information except an unsupported assertion that this will save us money and effort. Was anything told the Prime Minister at Bermuda about the state of development or about anything at all? Is it true that no single Thor yet exists, and if all this is true, how can it be asserted by the Prime Minister that it saves us time and money? Ought not the Minister to share what information he has with the House?

I do not think that I ought to give as long an answer as the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I think we shall have occasions shortly when it will be possible to go into these matters. I do not think I could do so in an answer of this kind. However, these weapons are in an advanced stage of development, and plans have to be made a long time ahead.

Yes, Sir, but if the Minister is now prepared to say that they are in an advanced stage, he must know how advanced. My Question asked him exactly how advanced they are? Will he now tell us what he knows about them?

It is not our custom to give information about the exact state of development of our own weapons, and I think it would be highly improper for me to give information about the state of development of the weapons of other people.

Would the Minister explain to the House how he can frame any intelligible defence policy, or expect the House to criticise it, unless we have some approximate idea as to when these intermediate range ballistic missiles will be ready? Surely the Minister must know that?

The hon. Gentleman asks two questions. First, how it is possible for the Government to make their plans. Well, we have a good deal of information about all this. He then asks how the House can form its opinion about these things. On matters of defence there are certain limits outside which it is not desirable to go.

Is the Minister aware that we have certain advance information about these guided missiles, and that is the cost? Is he aware that they have been criticised by prominent American admirals on the ground that each cost £ 20,000? How many of them are we going to fire off before we solve the economic crisis?

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements he has made with the United States Government for the testing of British guided missiles on United States rocket ranges.

None, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us if we are going to get guided missiles tested in the United States and then test them again on the rocket range at South Uist? Is he aware that he is going to spend about £ 12 million on South Uist, and will not this guided missile programme be an extraordinarily expensive addition to our defence costs before it is finished?

The Bahamas range—the American range—to which I think the hon. Gentleman is referring, is for long-distance ballistic rockets. There is no intention of testing weapons of that kind—

The South Uist range.

But the hon. Gentleman asked about the arrangements in his Question. Perhaps he remembers the Question? It referred to the range in America, which is for testing long-distance ballistic rockets. There is no question of testing weapons of that kind in the Hebrides.

Is there no rocket range for testing short-range rockets in America?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Committee appointed by the United Nations General Assembly in November, 1955, to consider the preparations for a general conference of United Nations members to review the Charter has yet reported; and whether his representative was present.

This Committee has not yet met.

Is it the view of the Government that recent international events have strengthened the need for a review of the Charter, and if that is so, what action are they proposing to take to expedite a meeting of this Committee?

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman knows, the Committee has to make a report to the next Session of the United Nations Assembly this autumn, and the Secretariat means to call a meeting in the very near future. I think he will recognise that the Secretariat has been under considerable pressure in recent weeks, but the meeting will take place shortly.

May I ask the Minister what proposals are being put forward to that Committee by the representatives of Her Majesty's Government? Are we taking any part in the deliberations, and have we some idea of the way in which the Charter should be reviewed? Would he make a statement to this House about our proposals?

We are certainly proposing to take part in the meeting of that Committee and to put forward proposals, but that is a much wider question than the one on the Order Paper.

Would the Minister consider asking the Foreign Secretary to lay a White Paper on all the proposals that have been made for the revision of the Charter?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, in the near future, initiate discussions at the United Nations for the purpose of limiting hydrogen bomb tests and eventually abolishing these tests.

I have nothing to add to what was said by the Prime Minister and by my right hon. and learned Friend in this House on 1st April, and to the reply given by my right hon. and gallant Friend to the hon. Member for Bristol. Central (Mr. Awbery) on 26th March.

In spite of that reply, I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman if lie will ask his right hon. and learned Friend, in the interests of humanity throughout the world, and despite what the Prime Minister said. to initiate discussions at the United Nations to secure agreement on the limitation and eventual abolition of hydrogen bomb tests.

I recognise the hon. Gentleman's great concern in this matter, but there really is not any need for any initiative on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, in that the Disarmament Sub-Committee is meeting at this moment, and discussion on this particular subject forms a very important part of its work.

Can my right hon. Friend now state what is the policy of the Labour Party on this matter?

In view of the Minister of State's suggestion that there is no need for an initiative, can he tell us quite positively that proposals have in fact been put forward by the Government within this Sub-Committee and that they are at present being considered, or is he merely giving careful consideration to other people's suggestions?

The Question asks whether the Government will initiate discussions in the United Nations. I said that there is no need to initiate these discussions because discussions in the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee are at this moment taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the proposals of Her Majesty's Government in the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee for the limitation and control of nuclear tests.

As the Prime Minister told the House yesterday, meetings of the Disarmament Sub-Committee are private and I cannot say what proposals have been or may be put forward by Her Majesty's Government. Hon. Members will, however, be aware that among proposals likely to be considered are the comprehensive Anglo-French plan of 1956 and the new United States disarmament proposals, both of which include provision for the limitation of tests. There is also the resolution by Canada. Norway and Japan on registration of tests. The statements in the Bermuda communiqué on registration and limited observation of tests indicate that we are likely to contribute ideas in support of this resolution. We are awaiting Soviet reactions to various questions put to them.

Is not it a fact that during the debate on Monday the Foreign Secretary gave certain information to the House, admittedly on the basis of questions, which suggested that these were the substance of proposals that the Government have put to the Disarmament Sub-Committee? Why cannot we have that information put in a positive form, even though it only confirms the Foreign Secretary's statement?

The right hon. and learned Gentleman must recognise that if we are to have confidential discussions —and there are certain advantages in having these discussions in private—it really would not be suitable to give exact details of all the statements that were being made in that Sub-Committee.

Were we right in understanding the Prime Minister to mean on Monday that while we might consider the registration of tests in advance and restricted international observation of tests, we were not proposing to accept any limitation on the number or power of the tests?

I do not think that is exactly what the Prime Minister said. It is broadly what he said, but I repeat that it really is impossible to give exact details in this House of the statements we are putting to the Soviet representatives in the Sub-committee which is meeting at this very moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct our representative at the United Nations to propose to the Security Council that each of the permanent members should provide a contingent of equal strength to reinforce the United Nations Force now in the Gaza Strip and in the area near the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba.

No, Sir.

In view of the obvious need to reinforce the United Nations Force in the Gaza Strip if it is to be of any use at all, would not my right hon. Friend reconsider this, as a plan of that kind would bring it back under the control of the Security Council where it was meant to be originally under the Charter?

Yes, but the problem is that this Force was constituted under a Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and that Resolution excluded contingents from the permanent members of the Security Council. It is quite possible under the General Assembly's Resolution for the United Nations Emergency Force to receive further reinforcements if that is considered necessary.

Have the Government considered sending a cruiser on a courtesy visit to Eilat? Might not it, first, assert a right and, secondly, be a suitable complement to a gallant ally in the late "nearly" war?

I do not really think that the hon. and learned Member's question is a very helpful one.