asked the Postmaster-General if he will review the principle governing the provision of public telephone kiosks by which such services must be financially remunerative unless the proposed site is within the boundary of a rural district council.

I wish we could come nearer to the principle stated by the hon. Member. Last year there was a heavy loss on public telephone kiosks, in urban as well as in rural districts, amounting in total to £3 million.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present practice is not very sensible, since many urban district councils have isolated rural areas within their boundaries? Should not cases be treated on their merits?

We do, in fact, try to treat cases on their merits, and take into account not only the commercial prospects of kiosks but also the public need for them.

asked the Postmaster-General in how many cases the cost of a telephone call was increased to 1s. from 1st January, 1958.

Of a weekly total of some 5 million calls previously charged at 6d., or 9d., about 40,000 are now charged at 1s. and the rest at 3d.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Ascot group, two exchange charges have gone from 7½d. to 1s. and another 10 have gone up from 10d. to 1s.? If that is a fair example, does it not mean that there are exchanges all over the country where the cost of a call has increased? How many calls are affected in that way?

It is clear, from the figures I have given to the House, that the case given by the hon. Gentleman is not a fair example.

Will my hon. Friend consider another fair example? Is he aware that it is possible to telephone 19 miles from Kidderminster to Birmingham for 3d.? Is not that very satisfactory?

Does the hon. Member for Kidderminster need to telephone?

Is it not rather a menace to the citizens of Birmingham?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the bad reception of sound and television in the Forfar district; and what steps he is taking, in conjunction with the British Broadcasting Corporation, to improve it.

Reception is not good in this area because of the distance from the transmitters and intervening high ground. Similar difficult areas also exist in other parts of the country, and I cannot yet say what steps will be possible to improve the service.

Will my hon. Friend, in conjunction with the B.B.C., effect some improvement in this area, because, after all, these people are paying their licences and expect the services?

We realise the difficulties of viewers and listeners in the area to which my hon. Friend refers, and they are very much in the minds of the B.B.C. and the Post Office at the moment.

asked the Postmaster-General where the new low-powered unattended transmitter of television programmes, the development of which he recently announced, is to be sited; and whether he will site it in the Forfar district to improve reception there.

The new experimental transmitter is to be given its field trial at Folkestone, where the new Dover station will not be able to give adequate coverage because its power has to be restricted. Further plans for the use of this apparatus must depend on the results of the trial, and on the rate at which the British Broadcasting Corporation can undertake further commitments of this kind.

As there is a possibility that this new invention may be the answer to Forfar's problem, will my hon. Friend place the second experimental transmitter in the region of Forfar?

I think we had better wait to see the result of the first experimental transmitter, and then settle down to the very difficult problem of deciding where priority should be given as between the claims of a great many similar areas.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that his discontinuance of certain long accustomed postal deliveries in the City of Aberdeen has been followed by an intimation to the citizens that they can receive letters, so not delivered, by calling for them at Crown Street Post Office on payment of a 6d. fee on each letter in addition to the pre-paid postage on each letter, and that there is widespread discontent at this new procedure; if he will immediately discontinue it; and if he will state the statutory authority under which he seeks to impose it.

I am sorry I cannot exempt the citizens of Aberdeen from payment of the standard fee of 6d. which is made each time a person calls for letters—but not, as the hon. and learned Member supposes, for each letter collected. The authorities for the fee are the Post Office Act, 1953, and the Inland Post Warrants.

Does the Minister realise that this new practice is retrogressive, invidious and damaging to trade, industry and commerce, and that it will ultimately prove uneconomic to the Post Office itself? Will he look into the matter with a view to withdrawing his exercise of these rather reactionary statutory powers, to which he has just referred?

I am sorry that the hon. and learned Gentleman thinks that anything the Post Office does is damaging to business. This is not a new practice. The fee has recently been increased, but it has always been the practice to charge a fee for all letters separated and handled in this way.

asked the Postmaster-General how many tape recorders were purchased by his Department during the past year.

Most tape recorders for the Post Office, like other office machines, are purchased by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Eight recorders were supplied during 1957. In addition, we purchased three tape recorders for general research purposes.

How many tape recorders are now in use in the London region? Can the Minister give an assurance that none of them is required for telephone-tapping purposes?

If the hon. Gentleman reframed that question it would be very acceptable on the Order Paper.

asked the Postmaster-General when he rejected the pay claim submitted by the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters; and when he required them to exhibit a notice that increased postal charges were partly due to pay claims.

The sub-postmasters' claim was rejected in October. The notice about increased postal charges was exhibited from 16th September to 30th November.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmaster-General himself said last March—I quote his exact words—

"sub-postmasters work damned hard for very little".

"We see no justification for any increase".

I should be very happy to supply the hon. Gentleman with the full context of the remarks of my right hon. Friend to which the hon. Gentleman has drawn the attention of the House. I should inform the House and the hon. Gentleman that sub-postmasters had two increases in salary during 1957, and that when we framed our proposals for increased postal charges we took into account those increases and also the prospect that the sub-postmasters' claim would not be met.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction with the postal service in the village of Madeley; and if he will take steps to improve it.

As I have explained in correspondence to the hon. Member, the recent change in the postal arrangements at Madeley was designed to provide a better service. We are doing all we can to make sure that there are no more delays of the kind the hon. Member has told us about. A new posting box with a larger aperture has now been put up at the corner of Furness Lane and the main road.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the changes made so far have produced deterioration instead of improvement, and that very shortly he will receive a communication from the parish council of Madeley on this subject? Would he therefore make further inquiries whether further changes should be made that will make improvement?

Our intention in making the evening collection at 5.30 instead of 6.40 was to enable the mail posted in the area to catch an earlier and more reliable connection to all parts of the country. In that respect it was an improvement in the service, but if the hon. Gentleman or the council make representations to us we will, of course, consider them very carefully.

asked the Postmaster-General what special postage stamps he proposes to issue in 1958 and 1959.

Present plans for 1958 include special 3d., 6d. and 1s. 3d. stamps to mark the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. In addition, there is to be a new 4½d. stamp in the permanent series, new 3d., 6d. and 1s. 3d. stamps for Scotland, for Northern Ireland and for Wales; and a new 3d. stamp for Jersey, for Guernsey and for the Isle of Man. It is too early to say whether any special stamps will be issued in 1959.

In view of the fact that the Minister has not made up his mind about 1959, will he undertake to look again at the request made by hon. Members on both sides of the House that a special commemorative stamp shall be printed to celebrate the bicentenary next year of Robert Burns? Is he aware that he has already departed from precedent by allowing a stamp to be issued for the British Empire Games and that Scots people think that Burns is as important as the British Empire Games? If he cannot do this, will the Minister have the imagination to arrange for bulk purchase of stamps from the Soviet Union and for them to be sold at British post offices?

The hon. Gentleman and the House know that we have given very careful consideration to the problem of the Burns stamp. I endeavoured to state the Post Office reasons for the decision as clearly and as sympathetically as I could to hon. Members who came to see me, among whom was the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes).

Will the commemoration stamp for the British Empire Games indicate clearly that the venue is in Wales, namely, Cardiff?

Welsh Members and the citizens of Wales generally will not, I think, have any cause of complaint about the appearance of the new stamp when it is available.

The reply of the hon. Gentleman to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) indicates that the Post Office is issuing quite a number of new stamps of various denominations. Does not that indicate that there has been a departure from the normal principle, which was very conservative in the past? In view of that departure, will the Minister look again at the Question of my hon. Friend, in view of the fact that another country is issuing a commemorative stamp for the Burns bicentenary?

I would not have your approval, Mr. Speaker, if I canvassed all the arguments of this case, but I should tell the House that we are aware of what other countries are doing. It gives us no reason to think that we must follow them. For example, it is not only Robert Burns that Russia is commemorating with a special stamp. There are other figures on their stamps which might not meet with such wide acceptance or approval from hon. Members. I should also tell the hon. Member for Keighley (Mr. C. R. Hobson) that we have not departed from the practice followed by the Post Office for more than 100 years of not issuing stamps to commemorate individuals.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers serving in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force who are now wing commanders or above, will reach retirement age during the next ten years; and how many of them will be in the category permitted to serve until reaching the age of sixty.

Thirty-six of these officers are due to retire within the next ten years, including thirty-four who will have reached the age of sixty.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many squadron leaders now serving in the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force are forty-three years of age or older.

Sixty-four, Sir.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the figures given to me now and on previous occasions make it clear that very few squadron leaders, if any, over the age of forty-three have any hope of promotion? Is he aware of the very keen sense of injustice throughout the Education Branch and that it may have a disastrous effect on recruiting?

I think that my hon. Friend is misinformed. Up to date, the rate of promotion for squadron leaders and wing commanders has been reasonably satisfactory. We are examining the position because we realise that in the future, with the new shape of the Royal Air Force and its smaller numbers, there may be difficulties in this career. We are examining the matter most closely.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the committee, set up in his Department under the Chairmanship of the Director-General of Manning to consider the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force, and which in 1956 expected to consider the problem of the promotion to wing commander in isolation and in advance of the general study of the branch, has now completed its deliberations; and if he will make a statement about the promotion prospects of squadron leaders in the Education Branch.

Our study of the measures necessary to preserve a satisfactory rate of promotion beyond squadron leader in this branch has been complicated and delayed by the need to review the requirement in relation to the new size and shape of the Royal Air Force.

Does my hon. Friend recall that as long ago as August, 1956, my right hon. Friend the Member for Flint, West (Mr. Birch), when Secretary of State for Air, told me that he hoped that the problem of promotion to wing commander could be considered in isolation and in advance of the general study? Can he say the reason for the very long delay? The position is extremely unsatisfactory.

The delay has been brought about by the entirely new defence policy, the abolition of National Service and the entirely new size and shape of the Royal Air Force.

Will the Under-Secretary of State expedite clarification of this matter in view of the very ambiguous position of many young officers? Having volunteered to devote the whole of their lives to this public service, many now suffer from frustration. If anything can be done to clarify the position quickly the action would be appreciated.

Yes. It is appreciated that there is uncertainty. My right hon. Friend is pushing on with the investigation. I am sorry that it has been delayed by the change in size of the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement regarding the signal sent to the Royal Air Force units in May, 1957, informing pilots that they could transfer to the Reserve prematurely; and what were the terms upon which these volunteers received their gratuities as compared with those pilots who have been compulsorily declared redundant following the White Paper of September, 1957.

The signal to which the hon. Member refers was sent on 20th March, 1957, after we had been asked if we could help to relieve the shortage of civil pilots. It invited pilots within three years of the end of their current engagements to apply for employment with the British Overseas Airways Corporation or British European Airways, and offered those who were accepted premature release under the normal rules for voluntary retirements. These rules provide for the award of gratuity proportionate to the officer's service, with a deduction of 25 per cent.

As an ex-pilot, does not the Minister think that he has given these fellows a bad deal? Is it not a fact that because they volunteered to help the Minister in his difficulty over manpower they now find that if they had stayed on an extra month or two and been sacked instead of heeding his request they would have got more money than by volunteering? Does not the hon. Gentleman think that a bit harsh?

I am sure the hon. Gentleman and the whole House will agree that when there is a change in conditions one has to set a line. There are always a number of people who fall the wrong side of the line and who feel a grievance. We cannot change that situation and make restrospective compensation payable to people who have accepted another form of exit under previous arrangements.

Can the Minister say why the White Paper was published so late and not in July? It is said in the Service that it could have been published then. People knew the conditions. The White Paper was ready then, but was held back so that more people could volunteer and help the Ministry out of its difficulties.

I think that question ought to be put down to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence who published the White Paper and not to myself.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many flights over Great Britain have been made by Royal Air Force aeroplanes carrying hydrogen bombs; when such flights commenced; and to what extent they are still continuing.

I would refer the hon. Member to the information given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in answer to a supplementary question from the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 5th December. It would not be in the public interest to give more detailed information.

Why should not the House of Commons know, as these things have been advertised very widely by the Prime Minister himself, what, in fact, is happening? Is this not a lunatic policy? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is serious dispute among scientists about the possibility of a disastrous accident occurring if one of these planes crashed, and, therefore, is it not time that action was taken to stop this panic?

No, Sir.

In the interests of security, I will not ask the hon. Gentleman for details, but can he answer the simple question—are Royal Air Force aeroplanes carrying hydrogen bombs, atom bombs or any kind of bombs during training flights over this country?

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said on this matter. My right hon. Friend chose his words most carefully and I do not think that it would be in the public interest to tell our potential enemies just when or where we are carrying these bombs.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that I am not asking for details of where or when, but merely whether, in fact, our aircraft carry bombs during training flights over this country?

Will the Under-Secretary at least agree to report to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air the terms of my right hon. Friend's question, which is a simple question and does not ask for the full details or anything like that? Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to do that?

Of course, I will report to my right hon. Friend the supplementary question asked. My right hon. Friend will study the points made most carefully and he will be answering Questions first next week.

This is a very important matter, and as I see no need for secrecy, at any rate on the general issue, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman can say whether the Soviet Union is unaware of the fact that Royal Air Force aircraft are carrying bombs during training flights over this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what consideration has been given to the use by the Royal Air Force of the Princess flying boats for air trooping.

The proposal to use the three Princess flying boats, for air trooping has been fully considered in the past, and we concluded on both economic and operational grounds that we should not be justified in completing them for use in this rôle. With the run-down of our overseas forces and the consequent contraction of routine air trooping, the case against the proposal is now more cogent than ever.

Can my hon. Friend give any indication as to the use to which these Princess flying boats are to be put? Is there any possibility of selling them or using them for another purpose?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that Question on the Order Paper, in which case it might not be put down to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the rank of air commodore and above are due for retirement during the present year.

Thirty-four, Sir.

Can my hon. Friend say how many air commodores have been declared redundant and how the figure compares with officers of more senior rank? Will he say what is being done to get these men satisfactory jobs in civilian life?

There is a total of 140 air commodores in the Royal Air Force of whom 17, that is, 12 per cent., have been declared redundant. This number compares with the figure of 4 per cent. of other officers in the Royal Air Force. With reference to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary, it has been announced in the House on several occasions that machinery has been set up on an inter-Service basis to deal with the resettlement of officers, and it is progressing very satisfactorily at the moment.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he has any idea what Soviet reaction is likely to be when the Russians hear that so many of these air commodores are regarded as redundant?

I am afraid that I have no Ministerial responsibility for Soviet reaction.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether his reply means that when the 34 are retired only 17 group captains will be promoted to air commodores to replace them?

That is a complicated question. I should prefer to see it on the Order Paper and have due notice of it rather than give a snap answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what reduction in holdings of components such as aero engines and of spare parts has been achieved by the increased use of rapid carriage to overseas units by air instead of by surface transport.

The level of stocks overseas is largely determined by strategic requirements. We do, however, make considerable use of air transport for stores which are required urgently, which are scarce or which are highly perishable.

Cannot the Under-Secretary give us any idea of the reduction in these holdings brought about by the increased use of air transport? In particular, is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous financial savings reported in the United States Air Force by its use of electronic recording of stocks coupled with rapid air transport of these valuable components?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary is that there are so many different factors coming into play with the change in the bases, size and disposition of our forces that it is not possible to provide an exact measurement of the change in our problems of supply. In answer to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, I would say that we are well aware of the great progress in organisation which has taken place in the United States in the supply of its armed forces. In fact, we have several study groups examining electronic data processing and other modern methods of recording and provisioning so that we can bring our supply arrangements fully up to date.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the operation of the double white line experiment.

Following my right hon. Friend's recent announcement of the decision to adopt for general use the system evolved in this experiment, we are now working on the problem of extending the markings as quickly as practicable through the country. We hope to arrange for a considerable extension of this marking to be laid down in the near future.

Can my hon. Friend give any indication of the contribution that this scheme made to road safety during the Christmas holiday period, and, further, any idea of the order of priority under which this extension will take place?

I would not like to give figures, although I have them, of what improvement has taken place on the two roads where this experiment has been in operation, but the initial implication is that it has improved road safety by preventing dangerous overtaking. I can give my hon. Friend no precise indication of the priority for laying down the white lines, but we hope to see a good deal done this year.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that, when traffic is light at night in many continental towns, traffic signals are switched to a flashing amber light; and what experiments have been carried out in Great Britain with a view to introducing a flashing red light at night which would avoid confusion with Belisha beacons.

Experiments carried out some years ago did not show that flashing red lights had any advantage over vehicle-actuated traffic lights, which are widely used in this country.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the flashing amber light is in great use on the Continent, and therefore, presumably, saves a good deal of time in vehicles not having to pull up and come to a dead stop, and a great deal of wear and tear? Would not my hon. Friend reconsider the matter in view of the fact that this system is so widely used abroad?

We have considered it very carefully. Most of the traffic lights used abroad are timed for operation as opposed to the vehicle-actuated lights in this country. I think that the balance of advantage is to be had by sticking to our present system.

Will the Minister be cautious before he introduces any more flashing light apparatus on the roads?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the result of moving the 30-miles-per-hour speed-limit sign at the southern approach to Baldock, on A.1, about 500 yards further south; and what tests have been carried out to discover to what extent it is being observed.

I am informed by the police that the speed limit automatically imposed on this length by the installation of street lighting last February has had little or no effect on the speed of vehicles, in spite of numerous prosecutions. We are considering whether it ought to be retained.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decisions he has reached on the construction of a four-lane instead of the proposed two-lane underpass at Hyde Park Corner and on the flyover on the Cromwell Road Extension at Hammersmith.

I have decided, and the London County Council has agreed, that there must be no risk of under-insuring against future traffic growth at Hyde Park Corner. I therefore propose at the appropriate moment to seek to amend the Bill so that a four-lane underpass can be included at the outset at this point.

While congratulating the Minister on having second thoughts on this matter, and commending him for accepting the advice which was given to him from both sides of the House during the Second Reading debate, may I ask if it is not a fact that in the original proposals of the L.C.C. there was provision for a four-lane tunnel? Why did the Minister in those circumstances, in spite of the L.C.C. recommendations, decide not to authorise it at an earlier stage?

Of course. I am always willing to defer to the collective good sense of this House when it is displayed as clearly as it was when we discussed the problem. As to the other point made by the hon. Member, of course the scheme was always designed for a four-lane underpass, but all the experts took the view—the extreme view—that no underpass was necessary at all. It was not an easy decision, but I think that on the whole it is always right, in London at any rate, to over-insure against traffic growth rather than to under-insure.

With regard to the Hammersmith' flyover, can the Minister state what extra work has been done which would not have been necessary had the flyover been decided upon in the first place, and what has been the extra cost and delay involved?

I am sorry to disappoint the hon. Member—I do not think I will disappoint him. No extra expense has been incurred, because we always saw that the site was fitted for a flyover. Therefore, no additional expense was incurred.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many local authorities have made an Order under the Road Traffic Act, 1956, designating a road upon which dogs are not permitted unless on a lead.

Up to 31st December last, 84 Orders have been submitted for confirmation; of these we have confirmed or agreed to confirm 41 and rejected seven. The remainder are under consideration. Fourteen orders are actually in operation.

Is the Minister aware that if the law of averages is anything to go by, before the end of this year 23 people will be killed, 600 seriously injured and some 2,000 slightly injured as a result of accidents on the roads caused by dogs? Will he not stimulate the local authorities to propose to him many more Orders than have been proposed to date?

I think it is essentially a matter for local authorities to decide. The enforcement will be difficult, to say the least of it, and co-operation from all concerned will be needed to make orders effective. I think that the present arrangement is right.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what report he has received from the Road Research Laboratory on the value, in reducing the accident rate, of the practice of painting "Halt" on the road surface adjacent to halt signs.

We have not yet received the final report from the Road Research Laboratory on this subject.

Can the Minister say when he expects to receive this report? Would he urge the matter forward, because it is one of some importance?

I accept that it is important, but we feel that we should have a full-scale experiment extending over about 100 sites before we finally reach a conclusion. I know that the hon. Member has had a satisfactory experience with this in his own locality, but we feel that we should have a full-scale experiment before reaching a final decision.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to state when the trunk road improvement scheme from London Road to Milehouse Lane in Newcastle-under-Lyme will be carried out.

I have nothing to add at present to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's Question on 18th December, 1957.

Will the hon. Member try to speed this up? Is he aware that many important projects affecting housing and shopping in the centre of Newcastle-under-Lyme are held up until a decision or action is taken on this road improvement? Could he therefore give the council a date as soon as possible?

I will. The main reason for the hold-up has been the necessity to co-ordinate the road with the redevelopment of the area, but I will certainly do all that is possible to expedite a decision.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware of the gradual increase in the number of flashing lights on vehicles, Belisha beacons, and traffic signals; if he is satisfied that this increase is not, on balance, adding to the difficulties of drivers, especially during the winter months; and if he will make a statement.

I do not believe that flashing direction indicators, beacons at pedestrian crossings or traffic signals add to drivers' difficulties. On the contrary, properly used and under proper control they are valuable aids to safety on our roads. We hope to circulate to interested organisations in the near future detailed proposals for the regulation of flashing indicators on motor vehicles.

Does not my hon. Friend realise that there must be a saturation point in a matter of this nature? Will he particularly have a watch kept on the flashing lights on vehicles, which are tending to become too big and too bright and which are tending to be kept on for unnecessarily long periods?

The guidance which we shall send out shortly, preparatory to making regulations, will take account of those factors.

Is the hon. Member aware that reflecting advertisements at dangerous corners, in conjunction with these flashing lights, are apt to divert drivers' attention from corners at very difficult moments?

I agree that they can be a danger and I will call my right hon. Friend's attention to it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many people have been killed, how many seriously and how many slightly injured, on the roads in Great Britain since these statistics were first kept.

From 1926 to the end of 1957, 195,767 persons were killed and 5,568,799 were injured on the roads of Great Britain. The total of injuries does not include casualties in the years 1939 to 1941. The distinction between serious and slight injuries was not made regularly until 1942. From 1942 to the end of 1957, 85,116 persons were killed, 733,821 seriously injured and 2,279,713 were slightly injured.

Would the Minister take some further opportunity of making known these tragic figures, as the impact of these large numbers might, perhaps, do more good even than the routine repetition of the annual totals?

I thank my hon. Friend for calling attention to them. It is continually my responsibility to bring these very serious losses to the attention of the community and, indeed, to do all in my power to make the public generally aware of the rudimentary rules of road safety.

Can the Minister say if there are any records showing what percentage of accidents arise after the closing time of the public houses at night?

Yes, the Annual Report that we publish shows the time of the various accidents, and it is then up to individuals to make their own deductions.

asked the Prime Minister what action is being taken to prevent the ingestion of plutonium over neighbouring areas in the event of an aeroplane crashing on United Kingdom territory when carrying a hydrogen bomb.

I have been asked to reply.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a statement by a number of distinguished scientists in the New Scientist of 2nd January, that whilst the plutonium need not explode it could cause heat and scatter over considerable areas; that the evacuation of all cattle would be necessary there; that the vegetable matter would be destroyed; and that the radioactivity would persist for a long period? In view of this, would he ask for further consideration of this danger?

Certainly; we always have this sort of matter under the closest attention. I understand that the danger arises, in fact, if the nuclear material catches fire, but I then understand that the danger is more from inhalation than from ingestion. I have further examined the newspaper to which the hon. Gentleman referred, and I cannot find that the information there is in advance of the information in our possession.

Can the Lord Privy Seal say whether any Royal Air Force aeroplanes carrying hydrogen bombs are conducting training flights over United Kingdom territory?

I understand that this matter was raised earlier in Question Time today, and I should like notice before giving a considered reply on this subject.

Can the Minister say whether the information he has just given to the House is that given by the appropriate committee of the Medical Research Council?

It is part of the general information at the disposal of the Government. I could not give an exact Answer to the right hon. Lady's question, but I will certainly inform her on making myself acquainted with it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that special training is given at least to Royal Air Force and civilian first-aid organisations in those areas over which these aircraft regularly fly?

That would be a very wide answer to give without being able to ascertain the facts. I will obtain the facts and give them to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Lord Privy Seal at Felstead on 7th January, on the financial and economic situation, represented the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir.

Will the Deputy Prime Minister say whether he is here today in his capacity as Mr. Hyde or Dr. Jekyll? Does he recollect that, according to the Daily Express, in this speech the Lord Privy Seal pounded the table and talked about a split in the Tory Party following the resignation of three Ministers and that, on the same day, the Prime Minister referred to them as "little local differences". Which version are we to accept?

In my case, as I was in my own locality—that is, my constituency—I was handling the matter in, I thought, a most statesmanlike manner, trying to explain to my constituents the many-sidedness of truth.

I beg to give notice that on Friday, 31st January, I shall call attention to the procedure of Parliament and, in particular, to the timetable and the precedence given to Privy Councillors, and move a Resolution.

I beg to give notice that on Friday, 31st January, I shall call attention to the increase in crimes of violence and murder, and move a Resolution.

I beg to give notice that on Friday, 31st January, I shall call attention to juvenile crime and delinquency in England and Wales, and move a Resolution.