asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the unpreparedness for action of the Army in the operations in Egypt as stated in the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces; and if he will make a statement.

I do not accept the right hon. Member's interpretation of the despatch. I have nothing to add to the Answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on 13th and 20th November.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to that portion of Part 4 of the Commander-in-Chief's despatch which states that the Royal Air Force was the most easily prepared for action, and does he accept by implication that that seems to say that the Army was not so prepared for action?

As I have already told the right hon. Gentleman, I do not accept the implications he gives to this. I have already explained that of course we are studying the whole operation carefully and will take advantage of any lessons we can learn from it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose at some future time, in answer to a Question put in this House, to give the House some information as to the lessons he and his advisers have learned from the operation as outlined in the despatch?

I will consider what the right hon. Member has said. I think probably the Army Estimates would be the appropriate time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Army-owned publications receive the news and photographic service of the official Army News Service, Holloway Road, London, N.1, and at Forcereuter; and what is the basis of relationship between such publications and the news services referred to.

The Army News Service sends material to four Army papers, all overseas. A fifth paper is published mainly for Gurkha troops and makes little use of the service. Only one paper is supplied with news by Forcereuter. Besides these newspapers, some local garrison broadsheets are published at stations abroad and have access to the news service. The papers are produced by a duplicating process and do not publish photographs. Their relationship with the Army News Service is that all form part of the Army Educational Services.

Has my right hon. Friend reviewed these arrangements recently? Can he give the House an assurance that the expenditure involved is still considered by his Department to be strictly necessary?

Yes, but I should prefer to deal with that in answering Question No. 5, which is about the same subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many commercially-owned newspapers receive the benefit of the Army News Service and Forcereuter; what such commercially-owned newspapers pay to the War Office for the services received; what is the annual income; when the rates were last revised; what rates are charged for such services: and whether he will make a statement.

Seventeen commercially-owned newspapers, all overseas, receive material from the Army News Service and Forcereuter. It is supplied without charge, in return for the service rendered by those newspapers in printing home news of particular interest to the British Forces.

Is this basis strictly reciprocal, or can my right hon. Friend say whether perhaps the Army News Service sends out more information than it receives from commercial bodies at home or overseas?

If we did not have this agreement with these commercially-owned newspapers we should not be able to get printed a large amount of news of considerable interest to our Forces overseas. This is a very economical way of cutting down the number of our own newspapers and at the same time giving the information available to them which is of interest to our soldiers and other Servicemen overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total annual cost carried on the War Department Vote, or otherwise borne directly or indirectly by Her Majesty's Treasury, in respect of the Army News Service and Forcereuter, having regard to staff salaries paid in the Army News Service, the rent of the Holloway Road, London, N.1 premises, fees payable to Fleet Street picture agencies, payments to Reuter's Agency, and others; how many persons are employed by the Army News Service and Forcereuter; what fluctuations have taken place in the extent of this staff during the last few years; and whether he will make a statement as to future policy for operating the Army News Service and Forcereuter.

The annual cost is about £10,000, excluding our payments to Reuter's Agency, which it would not be customary to disclose. The unit has a staff of six, two of whom work in Forcereuter. These numbers have not fluctuated during the last few years. I consider that this service is of value to our Forces abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an estimate of the stocks and equipment in his Department which are surplus to requirements, and the value of this material; and what steps he is taking for its disposal.

In the United Kingdom, there are about 400,000 tons of equipment and 15,000 vehicles at present declared surplus. At a rough estimate, the disposal value is £10 million. Disposal is being arranged by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply in the usual way. About 40,000 tons of surplus equipment in our depots overseas is in course of disposal by the local military authorities.

I have no doubt the right hon. Gentleman is doing his best, but is it not possible to improve on that result by taking this business out of the hands of the Ministry of Supply? Is there not a great deal of dilatoriness on the part of the Ministry of Supply in disposing of surplus goods? What is the point of having the surplus goods? Are they not absorbing accommodation and manpower and, therefore, involving expenditure; and is that desirable?

That has not been my experience in dealing with the Ministry of Supply, but if I give the right hon. Gentleman this information I think it will help him in getting the answer that I think he wants. We actually received about £6·2 million from sales in this country last year, and in the current year we expect to receive about £12 million. So, in fact, the rate of disposal is considerably higher this year than it was last.

I do not suppose that it is possible for the Minister to say what expenditure is incurred by the Ministry of Supply in the disposal of these goods?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman had better put down a Question to the Ministry of Supply on that.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he is closing down 37 Base Workshops, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Woolwich; and where he is transferring the work previously done by this unit.

The closure is due to a general reduction in repair work as the reorganisation of the Army proceeds. The work remaining will be distributed among other base workshops.

What action is the Secretary of State taking, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, to assist those displaced to get alternative work?

The normal redundancy procedure will operate, and we shall, of course, do everything that we can to help the staff concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in common with other Service Ministries, his Department is making these cuts piecemeal? Can he say whether he has been given an instruction by the Minister of Defence not to show the full extent of the economies being made by showing them in one statement at the proper time?

No, I do not accept what the right hon. Gentleman has just said. It is inevitable for these establishments to run down as the size of the Service runs down. We are trying to give people proper and adequate notice, and shall continue to do so, and shall certainly do all we can to place the staffs concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many soldiers were recruited for the various Scottish regiments in November;

(2) how many recruits enlisted in November in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Highland Light Infantry, as compared with November, 1956.

I regret that these figures are not yet available.

Surely there is something wrong with the War Office when it cannot count the number of soldiers who offer to join?

I think that the hon. Gentleman will not have to wait very long for these figures to be available. I shall certainly endeavour to see that he gets them; I will send them to him during the Recess.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the November recruiting figures will be published at the earliest possible opportunity?

Yes, they will be published at the normal time.

Does the Minister agree that the little dispute about kilts or trews is likely to militate against recruiting in Scotland?

I do not think that it will bring about what I would call any significant change.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of explosion mishaps at Medlyn Moor, Wendron, on 7th September, 1955, and at Carnkie, Camborne-Redruth, on 1st December, 1957, both in the Falmouth and Camborne constituency of Cornwall, he will arrange for similar operations by the Royal Engineers to be suspended pending the results of the investigation now being conducted into the Carnkie incident.

No, Sir. Although the damage at Carnkie is believed to have been caused by a freak effect of the explosion, a full technical inquiry has been arranged. This will take several months. There is no evidence at present that the Regulations require amendment, and I am not prepared to suspend all similar operations during the period of the inquiry.

Is the Minister aware that his reply will cause great consternation in West Cornwall, because there has already been great concern about both incidents, particularly that at Carnkie, where it was really extremely lucky that no casualties occurred?

As I say, this was a freak explosion but, even so, we are having a special inquiry made into it. I hope that the hon. Gentleman is exaggerating the fears of people in that part of the world.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will issue a commemorative issue of postage stamps for the bi-centenary of the birth of Robert Burns on 25th January, 1959; and if he will take similar opportunities of making known to the British public their creative artists and inventors.

No, Sir. The hon. Member's suggestion would mean a fundamental departure from the traditional stamp policy of this country, which I am not prepared to adopt.

Is it not about time that we changed this Victorian tradition, and adopted some of the more interesting designs used in other parts of the Commonwealth, or in countries like France?

Requests for stamps for individuals have been resisted in the past on two grounds; first of all, that it would be unseemly to couple the portrait of an individual with that of a reigning Monarch, and secondly, that the number of people with claims to be remembered in this country is so great that it would be very invidious to choose between them.

Are there not any better English poets?

No.

There are many schools of thought that would give different answers to that question.

How does the Postmaster-General know that the Monarch would think it unseemly to be associated with the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns? Does he know anything of the work of Robert Burns—its art, its elegance and its beauty—and does not he think that outstanding personalities of this kind ought to be commemorated in some way, and that this is a very desirable form?

What I have said in no way denigrates the poetry of Robert Burns, some of which I have read, and some of which I have tried to read but, I regret to say, have not been so successful, because I am not able to understand the niceties as hon. Members from Scotland can. But the main thing is that there are so many poets—Wordsworth, Shelley, Shakespeare, Keats for example—that it would be invidious for the Post Office to have to choose between their merits.

asked the Postmaster-General what saving he expects to make by reducing the number of deliveries and collections on Saturday, dispensing with deliveries on Easter Monday, Whit Monday and August Bank Holiday, and closing nearly all post offices on Bank Holidays.

About £150,000 per annum.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these measures very seriously affect those places which are very crowded during the holiday seasons, when postal services are more, and not less, necessary? Will he look into this again?

I am afraid not, because the Priestley Royal Commission has made two recommendations; first that the pay, and secondly, that the conditions, should be broadly comparable with those in outside industry. This measure was taken, not only for the saving of pay but also to bring conditions of postmen up to those of outside industry.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that this innovation will cause people great difficulty in periods of crisis, when they want to send telegrams? Can he indicate how he proposes to deal with that position?

The Question on the Order Paper relates to the number of collections and deliveries on Saturdays and Bank Holidays, but this particular measure allows most postmen to go off duty on Saturdays two or three hours earlier. That facility exists in outside industry, and I should have thought that, on the whole, the House would have welcomed it.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent he has had cause, since the increase in inland postal charges, to refuse to handle catalogues and other printed papers posted abroad, on the ground that this has been done with the object of evading payment of the higher rate of inland postage.

No instances of this kind have so far come to notice; if they did, I have the powers to deal with them and should, of course, use them.

Is my right hon. Friend able to keep a check on the posting of printed matter—catalogues and so on—in Holland so that he will know whether this is becoming a major problem, in order to save his own revenue and to keep our own printing industry fully employed?

We have that consideration very much in mind and we are looking at it at the moment.

asked the Postmaster-General what requests he has received from companies that a special postal rate should operate for printed matter provided it is collected privately, delivered to the sorting office privately, and sent out at a time convenient to his Department; and what his decision is thereon.

I have received such a request from the Bulk Mail Users Association, which I understand includes a number of business companies. This is one of several suggestions which have been made to us recently about the postal services, and which we are considering. But I think it only fair to say that in present circumstances I can hold out no prospect of adopting any proposal which would involve us in loss of revenue.

Will the right hon. Gentleman acquaint the House when he has made his final decision on this hardy annual?

I think the Association has asked to see Post Office officials and I would rather wait until the outcome of those discussions before I say anything.

asked the Postmaster-General why lettercards were not obtainable at Reading main Post Office on 12th December; and if he will give an assurance that he will continue this device.

I am sorry that exceptionally heavy demands have caused a temporary shortage of lettercards at some offices. I can assure my hon. Friend that there is no question of withdrawing them from sale.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will increase the number of hours per day during which television may be shown so that commercial rather than statutory considerations may be the limiting factor in giving service to the public.

At present, I am not contemplating any change in the maximum hours for television, which are based on an agreement with the British Broad casting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority.

Is the Minister aware mat there are a number of minority groups of viewers, particularly shift workers, who are not able to see the television programmes owing to the restriction of times? Is he further aware that I.T.V. is eager to serve the public? Why should it be restricted by any statutory limitation from giving the proper service to the public?

I have not so far had a communication from the I.T.A. asking to be allowed to increase the hours, but it is not only a question of the quantity of the programmes. The general quality and balance has also to be borne in mind.

Does not the Postmaster-General think it is an undesirable principle to allow the number of hours of television programmes to be dependent on the amount of advertising available?

The present number of hours has been agreed with the B.B.C. and the I.T.A., and no evidence has been produced to me that the number of hours should be altered at the moment. If the evidence is forthcoming, I should like to look at it.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made in the development of a low-power television transmitter to serve areas now getting bad reception.

The British Broadcasting Corporation hope that the prototype of a low-power unattended transmitter will be ready for field trials early in the New Year. Amongst other things, these trials will show the kind of areas for which this equipment is likely to be suitable.

Is the Minister aware that that reply will give very great satisfaction in West Cornwall in particular, in some parts of which reception is now very bad?

asked the Postmaster-General when he intends to make a full statement, covering the technical, financial and social aspects of the problems involved, regarding the repeated rejection of requests for television service for South Uist and the rest of the Western Isles.

I can only inform the hon. Member that owing to the technical difficulties and the consequent high cost involved, the British Broadcasting Corporation can hold out no early hope of providing service to these islands.

In view of the fact that those who ought to know, the technical experts in certain Departments, felt that it was practicable and, indeed, absolutely necessary to provide a television service from Northern Ireland to a few hundred troops stationed temporarily in South Uist for the purpose of the rocket range, how can the right hon. Gentleman reasonably justify his refusal to provide it for a permanent population of over 40,000 people?

One of the main difficulties in the Highlands is the technical difficulty arising from the mountainous nature of the area. Not only that, but there is the financial expenditure involved. The B.B.C. has an annual budget and it decides how to spend that money to the best of its ability.

Would not the Postmaster-General regard the provision of a television service for these islands as a social service? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cables from the mainland to all these islands and that it would be easy, as these cables have to be renewed now and then, to lay one to provide a television service?

The difficulty is not only that of a cable. It involves the line of sight between the aerial which transmits and the aerial which receives.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a direct line with no interference between Northern Ireland and the Western Islands—not the Highlands—with no mountain or contour difficulties? How can the right hon. Gentleman manage to produce all these technical difficulties out of a hat? Is it not the case that, when the rocket range was contemplated, it was intended to provide a full television service from Londonderry under the umbrella of defence expenditure?

The B.B.C. has an annual allocation of money and it has to decide how to use it to the best advantage.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory and appalling nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General what notices he has issued to the Independent Television Authority under Section 9, subsection (2) of the Television Act, 1954, concerning matters of a political nature.

The only direction under this Section was that about the "14-day rule" which, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, has been suspended for an indefinite period.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that transmissions of political broadcasts have been indulged in by Granada, particularly in the Manchester area, during the recent by-election? Does not he think that in view of the use of the regional programmes for television transmissions during by-elections, the B.B.C. ought to be released from the restrictions now imposed upon it, and that the three political parties, together with the B.B.C., I.T.A. and the Postmaster-General, should look at this problem anew so that we may have the maximum use, on an agreed basis, of the regional programmes in relation to by-elections?

I shall have to consider that long supplementary at leisure. If I remember the recent broadcast, it was at Garston where each candidate said that he would win, and the Tory candidate was the only one who was correct in his prophecy.

asked the Postmaster-General how many Regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act to deal with electrical interference are now in operation; and what steps are taken to enforce them.

Three sets of Regulations are now in operation. I am sending the hon. Member copies. They may be enforced in individual cases by notices served by me under Sections 11 and 12 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been considerable interference to very high frequency wireless sets from the emission of electromagnetic energy from motor cars and other electrical equipment, including television sets? What is the purpose of inviting people to have V.H.F. sets in what are termed "mush" areas, as well as in normal areas not subject to interference? Should not he do something about it?

If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars of any area where this is happening, I will have the matter looked into. The real difficulty is that the Regulations which were made apply only to new motor cars and so on after June, 1953. It would be very difficult to examine every old motor car to see whether or not it interferes with wireless reception. That is the major difficulty.

asked the Postmaster-General if the City of Leeds is included in the radius for cheap trunk calls from Keighley under the new proposals announced in Parliament last month.

No, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why towns and villages much further away from Keighley than the City of Leeds are to be granted this cheap rate for trunk calls? Why is Leeds left out—because of its large population?

Whatever the size of the local call area, which has recently been greatly increased, and whichever way it is drawn, there is bound to be some part just outside, and as the average area has increased from 80 square miles to 900 square miles, I think that on the whole it was a very beneficial move.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone subscribers in Scotland have given up their telephones since the last charges and rental increases were announced; and how many of these were in respect of business premises.

The figures are 13,567 and 1,651 respectively. Not all of these are attributed to the increased charges since over a similar period prior to the announcement on 18th July the corresponding figures were 5,740 and 1,640. Since that date over 12,000 new telephones have been installed in Scotland.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new subscribers have been connected to the telephone in the Reading and Newbury districts in the past year; how many subscribers gave up the telephone; and how many applicants are waiting for telephone installation.

For Reading the figures are 925, 284 and 610, and for Newbury 225, 121 and 74.

Those figures sound pretty satisfactory. Is my right hon. Friend able to say how long it is likely to be before he can catch up with the backlog of applications for connection to the telephone service in these areas?

Of the outstanding applications in Reading, nearly two-thirds are in course of provision and the remainder are waiting for line plant. In Newbury half the applications are in course of provision and the others are waiting for lines. In the two areas combined there has been a reduction of 220 in the outstanding applications in the last twelve months.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to have a telephone kiosk erected in the new council housing estate at Long Law-ford.

I would like to do this but cannot promise to provide a new kiosk quickly, because we have to lay new cables as well. The existing kiosk at Long Lawford is within half a mile of the estate.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Messrs. Wimpey who built on the site, and who are now shortly leaving this local housing estate, had a telephone installed at their office? Could he use that cable for a new kiosk on the estate?

I am told that that will not be free until the end of 1958, and we will consider it then.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the small number of horse riders, he will discourage the continued use of the terms "near side" and "off side' in official notices and publications.

No, Sir. I do not think official action is warranted.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is not uncommon to find notices directing traffic in particular places to keep to the "near side" and "off side" lanes, and will not he agree that there are many people who have cause to consider whether they have to go right or left? Would not any action that would simplify and standardise road signs be conducive to road safety?

I do not think this causes serious confusion. It would be a pity to lose the traditional terms.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will publish in HANSARD the detailed items of his request to the British Transport Commission in relation to the provision of car parks around suburban stations.

Our requests to the British Transport Commission to provide more car parks around suburban stations have been in general terms. I am glad to say that considerable progress has been made by the Commission and that it is now actively considering further measures.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commission has recently sold to a private building developer land which was designated as a car park adjoining Bounds Green underground station, despite the fact that cars are parked on both sides of the adjoining road and despite the increasing need for car parking space in outer London? In view of this, would he discuss with the Commission the possibility of its consulting with himself, with the police and with the appropriate local authorities before disposing of any further land suitable for car parks in the London area?

I thank the hon. Lady for letting us know of this incident. I find that, in fact, the agreement to sell this plot of land was made as far back as April, 1955, before we started to press the Commission to develop these car parks for underground stations. I should say, to the credit of the Commission, that it has made good progress in recent years, having raised the car parking space from 1,280 to over 1,900 spaces since 1955, and it has under consideration and in hand a number of other schemes which will finally raise the figure to about 2,500. It will be seen that the Commission is making good progress, and we are continuing to press the matter upon it.

Can the Minister say what consultation his Department has with the municipal and local authorities about the setting up of car parks throughout the country? Is the matter just left to local authorities to act on their own initiative without any form of consultation with his Department about recommendations?

The provision of car parks in towns other than the Metropolis is the direct responsibility of local authorities, and they do consult us, naturally, if they are considering doing anything; but it is for them to initiate proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in the interests of economy of labour, he will now arrange for the issue of three-year licences to be available to everyone and not merely to those whose names begin with the letters A to F.

Immediate issue of three-year licences to all holders would cause every third year to be a peak year for renewals, involving recruitment of additional staff. To avoid this, the issue of three-year driving licences is being spread over three years. Three-year driving licences are now issued to all drivers, irrespective of surname, who pass the test for the first time.

Would my hon. Friend took at this matter again? If it is a peak period, is there any reason why temporary labour should not be recruited to meet it, and does not this action merely create unnecessary work for two years?

No, Sir. I think that the way in which we are doing it will spread the work out better.

Would not it obviate the difficulty if some licences were issued for two years instead of there being some issued for one and some for three?

I think that that would cause further confusion. I think that the present arrangement is a quite reasonable one. We have worked for many years on a one year basis, and it will not do any harm to go on for another two years.

Will my hon. Friend explain why it takes longer and requires more staff to issue a licence for three years as compared with a licence for one?

I think that my hon. Friend has not followed my reply. If all the licences for three years had to be issued every third year, that would obviously require more staff.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he intends to make regulations to bring into effect Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956, so as to limit the number of provisional licences that a learner driver may hold without submitting to a test.

Section 18 (2) of the Act, which extends the period of duration of a provisional licence from three to six months, will be brought into force on 1st March, 1958; I am in consultation with interested bodies in regard to the fee to be charged for the new licence.

I am considering, in the light of the situation in regard to driving tests, when to introduce the provisions of Section 18 (1).

Has my right hon. Friend noticed the ease the other day in which a judge described as very unsatisfactory the fact that a defendant involved in an accident had had several provisional licences over several years; and will he, in the interests of road safety, bring in this provision as soon as possible to cut down the period during which provisional licences can be given?

I think that my hon. Friend will know that Section 18 (I) of the Act, which I intend to bring into force, does meet that case to some extent.

Could the Minister say whether, when driving licences are being issued, any attempt is made to assess the intelligence quotient of recipients?

The Question deals with provisional licences, not driving licences.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, will be issued; and to what extent such revised Regulations will be in accordance with the last draft of the proposed regulations submitted to the road passenger transport associations last year.

Following the comments made on the last draft, I have in mind to make some changes in the Regulations.

I am also considering including amendments to facilitate the use of utility vehicles as rural buses. I shall issue the consolidated Regulations as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the commercial motor show will be held next September and that bus building firms wish to finalise their designs? If the issue of these Regulations is held up by having to make Regulations for the twelve-seater small bus, perhaps my right hon. Friend will consider issuing the main Regulations ahead of the others?

I will certainly consider that, but I hope now to issue the consolidated Regulations quite quickly.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the traffic congestion that occurs in the Mill Road Tunnel below the British Railways Midland Region Station, Rugby, when the workers of the British Thomson-Houston Company and Thomas Hunters Limited are using that tunnel by bus, car, cycle or on foot at peak hours when going to or leaving these factories; and whether he will institute an inquiry with all the interested parties including workers and management and the borough council.

This is a matter for the Corporation of Rugby, which is responsible for this unclassified road.

Is the Minister aware that thousands of workers pour out at different shift times from these works, that the width of this tunnel is 12 feet 5 inches in places and that the pathway is 18 inches wide? Would he consider holding an inquiry at the earliest possible moment?

This really is a matter for the Corporation of Rugby. It is an unclassified road, and it is entirely the Corporation's responsibility.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the increasing infringement of Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, in regard to hours of work and Section 16 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, concerning the keeping of drivers' records, what additional action he is taking to ensure a better observance of these statutory requirements.

I am trying to recruit more driving and traffic examiners so that more can be employed on the enforcement of these statutory provisions.

While welcoming that reply, may I ask if the Minister is aware of the very grave increase in these offences, and that evidence of them appears weekly in the commercial Press? Is he also aware that even the Road Haulage Association has recently drawn attention to the increases in the breach of the law in these respects? Will the Minister do everything in his power to see that this breaking of the law, which is due to excessive competition, is brought to an end as soon as possible?

In this respect, I agree with the hon. Gentleman. The present staff of driving and traffic examiners is 857, and we are hoping to increase it soon to 911, which will enable a much greater amount of enforcement to be carried out.

Is it not a fact that only about one hundred of these examiners are engaged on enforcement work, and does the Minister consider that that number will be enough to cope with over a million vehicles on the roads?

No, I do not; but when we get over the bulge in the driving tests, which I hope we shall be able to do very soon, a very much larger proportion of examiners will be used on enforcement.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of new private car registrations made by firms and by private individuals, respectively, during the latest 12-month period.

The number of new private cars registered during the 12 months ended 31st October, 1957, was 388,188. I cannot say how many of these were registered by firms or private individuals.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I should very much like to have that information, if he could get it?

I am afraid that it is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is proposed to start the construction of the new Victoria tube linking North-East London with Victoria and South-West London, Route C.

Because the project raises difficult financial problems and the capital which is available to the British Transport Commission can be more advantageously used for their modernisation programme, no decision has yet been taken.

Does not the Minister agree with the recent remarks of the Chairman of the Commission, that the only way to solve the traffic problem of London is to construct this new tube, and would it not provide a very considerable economic saving in the City of London and the Greater London area as a whole if this tube were constructed? Further, is it not the fact that these tubes cannot be constructed without capital subsidy from the Government?

We are making very large capital sums available to the Commission to proceed with its modernisation. This scheme would cost an additional £55½ million, and it is computed to make a loss in any event. Therefore, it has to take its turn with other matters which may have greater priority.

Will the Minister look at this with a little more imagination? Is it not a fact that it would bring considerably more relief to the centre of London than the construction of new roads, and would it not, therefore, be quite reasonable to consider financing this scheme in the same way as roads are financed and built, then handing the tube over to the London Transport Executive to operate?

I agree that it would assist in moving passengers about in London, but we must look at it in the context of what would be the greater benefit which we should derive from either this scheme or one of the other railway modernisation schemes all about the country.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation which of the British Railways modernisation schemes will be postponed or delayed in completion as a result of the restrictions placed on its capital investment programme.

It will not now be possible to accelerate by as much as was hoped the programmes for main line diesel locomotives, for some rolling stock and for station improvements. The programme for the fitting of continuous brakes to some mineral wagons has also had to be slowed down. The Commission still hopes, however, that by maintaining and if necessary accelerating its plans in subsequent years, it will be able to complete the programme by the published date.

In view of the Government's record in regard to capital investment on the railways, what chance does the Minister think the Commission will have of accelerating this scheme after 1957, for 1958 and 1959? Is it not a fact that the statement now made by the Minister is in contradiction of the assurance he gave on 30th October, when he said that it was not then necessary to depart from the Command Paper "Proposals for the Railways", that is, the modernisation plan?

That does not seem to me to come very well from a member of a party which has played politics with the railways, without bothering to modernise them. At least, this Government have devoted very large sums of money to the improvement of the railways, and over the next two years we are giving the Commission £170 million each year.

Is it not a fact that the Government have cut down on the railway modernisation programme, and that that is endangering the possibility of the British Transport Commission paying its way by 1961, as was forecast in this Command Paper?

As I have just said, the Commission has advised me that it hopes to be able to complete the programme by the published date, and that is what I said in my Answer.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the expenditure on its railway modernisation programme that had been planned for each of the years 1958 and 1959 by the British Transport Commission immediately prior to the restriction on capital expenditure for all the Commission's undertakings to £170 million a year.

The planned programme against which restrictions were made included £151 million for railway investment in 1958 and £148 million in 1959.

Is not this evidence of the effect of cutting down on this programme, and does the Minister really believe that if the Government cut down the programme, it will be possible for the Commission to fulfil its estimate? Is it not a very short-sighted policy, in view of the very large deficit which is now accumulating?

I do not think this is the case. I think the railways have to play their part in the national scheme of things, like everybody else, and I am quite satisfied that if they get the utmost value out of the present capital investment programme, as I am quite sure they will, we shall complete the programme as we planned.

Is it not a fact that the railway modernisation programme is progressing very well, and that, in some instances, it is ahead of schedule?

In a great many instances, it is ahead of schedule.

May I ask the Minister whether, in fact, in spite of the assurances and the hopes which he has expressed, the cut in capital expenditure on the railway modernisation plan has not done enormous damage and caused enormous retardation to the whole scheme? Is it not a fact that any talk of being able to overtake that in subsequent years is really not accepted by anybody who knows what is really happening?

I think the right hon. Gentleman should keep a sense of proportion. The facts are that what the Commission wanted to do would cost roughly £180 million each year and what we are giving it is £170 million a year. If it cannot make do with £170 million, I think it will be lacking a sense of proportion about its capital expenditure.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects the repairs to the railway workshops at Neville Hill, Leeds, to be completed.

This is entirely a matter within the responsibility of the British Transport Commission.

Is the Minister aware that working conditions in these workshops are absolutely intolerable? Plans for repairing them were first drawn up in 1947. Will he use his own powers to try to get the Transport Commission to advance a decision in regard to this matter?

I think that the right way of dealing with this matter is either for the hon. Member to make his own representations to the Commission or for him to draw the matter to my attention—which he has done—and for me to see what I can do to draw it to the Commission's attention.

Is this what the Minister meant when he told the Trades Union Congress on 9th July that the introduction of a Bill to implement the Gowers Report was delayed by the British Transport Commission?

That has nothing to do with the case at all. The Commission is spending very large sums of money in improving amenities for its workers.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state what progress has been made on his consultations with the associations of local authorities about the powers and responsibilities of urban and county authorities in relation to street lighting.

No consultations are taking place with the associations of local authorities on this subject.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that it is about time such consultations took place with local authorities in order to get something like tidy administration in this matter? Could not his right hon. Friend consider giving some encouragement to local authorities so that lighting, particularly on the traffic routes, could be put on the same terms as road improvements in ranking for grant?

We have considered with them the basis of financing these grants, but not the shifting of powers and responsibilities. We have not at present been able to make progress on the point we did consult about.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made during recent months in improving the Great North Road; how many miles of dual carriageway have been completed; what are his plans for the future and what rate of progress he anticipates.

Since July of this year, 10 miles of new dual carriageway on the Great North Road have been opened to traffic. Work is also in progress on a further 23½ miles of dual carriageway.

The improvement of this road is one of my first priorities, and dual carriageways will be built as fast as funds will allow, but the improvement must obviously be phased over a number of years. I expect that about 70 miles of dual carriageway will be open to traffic by the end of 1959 and a further 70 miles will at that time be under construction.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that those of us who live near the north of England are grateful for the progress which has been made and that we shall be more grateful if that progress can be accelerated?

I certainly want to do my best, because I know what a contribution this road can make to the more efficient movement of both commercial vehicles and private traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in the interests of saving materials and of cost, he will make more use of prestressed concrete for the construction of bridges in the new motorway and roads programme.

The respective merits of the various forms of bridge construction are well known, and I do not think there is any need for me to urge especially the use of any one of them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that on the motorway programme some concern has been expressed about the large number of bridges constructed of the relatively old-fashioned materials like reinforced concrete, and whether, in view of the saving in the cost of materials, it would not be better in some of these road programmes to have prestressed concrete?

As a rule, we leave these matters to the consulting engineers, but I see that a number of big bridges are being built in prestressed concrete, the nearest and most important being the Gunners-bury fly-over at Chiswick. I think my hon. Friend may be confident that it will be used where it is most appropriate.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reconstruction is proposed to be made at Renfrew Airport and its environs; and if he will make a statement.

Plans are under consideration for the extension of the terminal building and the car park at Renfrew Airport to provide for increased traffic. I hope also to divert the western end of Arkleston Road in order to improve the flow of road traffic and also the flying approach to the main runway.

While welcoming this development, may I ask the Minister if any assessment has been made of the cost, and if the cost of the road development will fall entirely on his Department?

Perhaps the hon. Member would not mind putting that Question down, as I am afraid I cannot answer it now; but I think this will make a very great improvement in the flying use of the airport.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether orders have yet been placed for the future requirements of British European Airways for short-range jet air liners.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation for what reason the decision regarding the purchase of the British European Airways medium short-range airliner is still delayed.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave on 4th December to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick).

Negotiations are at such a stage that I do not think it would be helpful for me to add anything to my previous Answer.

Will the Minister give this matter his very close attention, remembering the long delay and uncertainty that we have had with regard to long-range airliners for B.O.A.C.?

I am giving it my very close attention, and I hope that it will soon be with some result.

Are we to understand that as far as the technical considerations are concerned the decision could have been made by now, and that it is simply a question of financing this operation? If that is the case, is there not an obligation upon the Government to come to some decision as quickly as possible?

The House should certainly understand that this aircraft is to be a private venture, financed by funds provided by a firm or firms—and I hope that it will be a project in which some firms will merge their efforts. It has to be financed by them, and I think that that is the right way to place the order.

But is it not a fact that if this private venture is to be successful it has to sell in the overseas market as well as in this country? If it has to sell overseas must not a start be made pretty soon?

Yes. That is why I am so anxious to get a quick solution in this matter. At the moment I think that matters are going forward as quickly as they can.

Why is it necessary in this case for the project to be financed by private venture? Is it not a fact that in other cases the Government have assisted with development costs and otherwise, in regard to the new planes which the Corporation has bought?

The hon. Member will no doubt remember that the V.C.10, of which we have very great hopes and which is on order for B.O.A.C., was a similar private venture on the part of Vickers and Rolls Royce.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether Gatwick Airport will be opened next year in time for British European Airways to operate their summer air traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects Gatwick Airport to be open for operations; what airlines are expected to operate there; and from what date.

I am not yet ready to announce the exact date of opening, but I am confident that the airport will be available for services next summer. It is expected that British European Airways, Channel Island services, Transair Ltd. and Jersey Airlines, and possibly other airlines, will then operate from Gatwick.

Can the Joint Parliamentary Secretary say whether arrangements have been made at Victoria Station for through trains to the new airport?

Those arrangements are under consideration at the moment by B.E.A. and the other parties concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he has taken following the recommendations made by the Commissioner of the public inquiry into the accident to the Viking aircraft G-AJBO.

Changes in the arrangements for pilots' flight tests, which are being worked out, will give effect to the main suggestions made by the Commissioner. His view that alternate "six-monthly" tests should include a night check on engine-inoperative landings is still being studied.

Does not the Minister think that it would be advisable or useful if he could make some more detailed comment upon the recommendations put forward by the Commissioner of this inquiry? Very serious proposals were put forward, and some inadequacies were disclosed by the inquiry into this unfortunate accident. Is not the House to be assured that the Minister is taking action upon those recommendations?