asked the Secretary of State for Air what proposals he has under consideration for the use of Filton Aerodrome by the United States Air Force.

None, Sir.

Is there any substance whatever in the rumour, which is current in Bristol, that there is a possibility of Filton aerodrome being used by the United States nuclear bomber force? If not, would it not have been better to make a statement allaying the suspicions which have been aroused?

As I have told the hon. Member, there are no plans for using this airfield for the United States Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on whose authority British fighter aeroplanes have on several occasions recently intercepted transport aircraft of the United Arab Republic following their usual air route between Cairo and Damascus.

With the approval of the Government of Cyprus, the Royal Air Force authorities in Cyprus have standing instructions to identify aircraft approaching the island.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether it is necessary to try to force these transport planes down on Cyprus before full indentification can be made? Is not it correct that these transport aircraft are following their usual routes that they have taken now for quite a long time, and that they are being interfered with illegally?

The point is that these aircraft are not on their normal routes. They are flying much nearer Cyprus than their normal routes and fighters approach them to establish their identity and their course. It is a perfectly proper procedure to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of unemployment in Camborne-Redruth, Cornwall, he will arrange for detailed plans to be prepared for a northeastern extension of Redruth by-pass road from Treleigh to Scorrier.

It will probably be some time before this road is built. It would not therefore be useful to prepare detailed plans now.

May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that his reply will give considerable dissatisfaction in West Cornwall, because there is rising unemployment there and great apprehension exists among thousands of people, and that all that is asked is that plans be prepared for a by-pass which would provide a very useful diversion for holiday traffic? Will he reconsider the matter?

I am afraid it really cannot be justified solely on traffic grounds, and it would be wrong to mark out the line, thereby prejudicing the property concerned many years in advance of the road being built.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what new Welsh road construction and road improvement schemes he intends to include in the next phase of his programme; and if he will make a statement.

As I have said before, in the interests of keeping my programme flexible I do not intend to issue lists of specific road schemes long in advance of the time when work on them can start.

Will my right hon. Friend take account of the fact that a few years ago the Committee which sat under Lord Lloyd said that in its opinion the particular difficulties of industry in South Wales could be met by a vast improvement in the road communications?

Yes, Sir, I accept that. I think my hon. Friend will see, as the road programme develops, that Wales is certainly getting its fair share; some people might say more than its fair share.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the progress being made on the London to Birmingham motorway.

Progress is well up to schedule. Site clearance is almost complete, as well as about 25 per cent. of the excavation and 20 per cent. of the drainage. Work has started on about half the bridges, and most of the 150 miles of temporary fencing has been put up.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made during the last year in the devolution of the work of his Department in Wales; what new Welsh officers have been appointed; what progress is contemplated during the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement.

I hope at an early date to appoint a senior officer to represent me generally in Wales. It will be his responsibility among other things to report to me the Welsh interest and views on any matter which may have a particular impact on the Principality.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that British shipowners are sending their vessels to Rotterdam for repair whilst shipbuilding and repair workers in Cardiff are unemployed; and what action he proposes to take with a view to assisting the industry in Cardiff.

While I fully appreciate the difficulties which some repair yards in this country are experiencing, it would not be in the national interest to place any restrictions on the freedom of British shipping companies to have their ships repaired abroad. Moreover, a restrictive policy of this kind might affect the volume of foreign tonnage which is repaired in this country.

Yes, but does not the Minister believe that the shipowners in this country who are sending their ships over to Rotterdam are little better than those who fly the Liberian flag on their ships, since it is only to save money and they care not what happens to the workers in this country?

No, I do not accept that for a moment. The fact is that the whole of our British mercantile operations have always depended, and always will depend, on getting the maximum freedom of trade, and this is a vital principle of our prosperity and thus of our full employment.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that what he has just said will have very wide support not only from this House and the country but from the industry, and that it would be absolute madness for this country to go in for a wholesale policy of discrimination?

But will the Minister bear in mind that, while I am not asking for direction, I am asking for an appeal to these people to bear in mind that skilled craftsmen in this country are unemployed at a time when they are sending work abroad?

That is a different issue, and that I accept. I think any shipowner, or any person who is considering these matters, should take most careful account of the facilities offered in this country.

Will the Minister realise that these ports have for generations made a very big contribution to the economy and wealth of the country, and now that they are meeting with difficulties his Ministry has the responsibility, within the lines of general policy, of doing everything possible to help them?

I agree with that, too.

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that the crucial point in this matter is the question of cost and the time in which the job can be done and, whether one likes it or not, the question of cost will force people to behave in certain ways, and that is all there is to it?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what recent consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire in January. 1955, that he should ask the British Transport Commission to undertake an urgent and exhaustive review of the level and content of rates for port traffics, with special reference to the anomalous position of the South Wales ports.

The British Transport Commission has given most careful consideration to these recommendations. British Railways, under its new charges scheme, is prepared to receive sympathetically any request from traders for an economic rate for goods regularly shipped through South Wales ports.

In view of the fact that it is now three years since these recommendations were made, is not it disappointing that no visible improvement has been made by those responsible for the docks in the rates charged? It seems to those concerned in Cardiff that nothing has been done in this matter.

All I can say is that the facts are as I have stated them and that British Railways will do their very best to meet any requests from traders who want to get an economic rate through South Wales ports.

Does my right hon. Friend recall that three years ago the Chairman of the British Transport Commission, Sir Brian Robertson, said in a speech at Cardiff that at an early date he was certain the ports of South Wales would be placed on what he described as an equal footing with other ports in the British Isles? Is my right hon. Friend aware that so far the resistance in London and on Merseyside has made that impossible, and will he use his own influence to speed this up?

I am not aware of that, but if my hon. Friend would like to send me any details I will gladly look at them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made since April, 1957, with regard to the proposals for ship-owners to accept responsibility for certain dock charges at South Wales; and if he will make a statement with particular reference to Cardiff.

I understand that there have been no new developments in this matter which, as my right hon. Friend indicated in reply to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) on 11th April, 1957, is one to be pursued directly by the interests concerned.

But in view of the great importance to the port of Cardiff of some move in this direction, will not the Minister himself make a move in connection with these shipowners? Is he aware that much lower rates are charged for Merseyside and London than are charged by the same shipowners at Cardiff? Will he try to get them to make some effort towards helping the port?

I know that the hon. Gentleman's point is one of some importance. I have been in touch with the Industrial Association of Wales and Monmouthshire, which is in touch with the shipping interests concerned. They are having a further meeting of their committee on 13th June, and I will get into touch with the hon. Gentleman about it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission that it may sell or lease disused branch lines to private firms or agencies in areas where lines are to be closed for reasons of economy despite a continuing local demand for transport facilities.

No, Sir. The Commission has already power to do this under Section 2(7) of the 1947 Transport Act.

Will my right hon. Friend set up a Departmental committee jointly with the British Transport Commission to examine the way in which a policy of this kind can be implemented? Is he aware that there is something rather disagreeable, as well as uneconomic, in the policy now being pursued by the Commission in ripping up the metals, removing the girders of the bridges, and allowing the embankments and the cuttings to grow weeds worse than those on Lady Garbett's farm?

I will gladly look at any suggestions my noble Friend makes, but I hope what he is saying does not mean that he opposes the closing of uneconomic branch lines, because I must warn the House that this closure must go on. Perhaps I might take this opportunity of warning the House that it will be greatly expedited in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many motor vehicles, private, commercial and military, crossed the extended runway at Prestwick Airport on 31st May or 6th June using that part of the road, A77, which lies between the village of Monkton and Prestwick town.

I regret that this information is not available.

Would not the hon. Gentleman try to provide this information? Does he realise that it will be an important factor in guiding us as to whether or not there should be an underway at that part of the road in order that road transport may proceed without interruption?

I know the hon. Gentleman's view about a tunnel under this roadway. I have nothing to add at the moment to what I said on 7th May, when I said I knew there were strong views about the matter and that they were being considered. I could not give the hon. Gentleman an exact answer to his Question as it stands on the Order Paper, but a present estimate of the average is about 8,000 vehicles a day.

Since the question of the lengthening and broadening of these runways at Prestwick depends on information which my hon. Friend was seeking from Canada and the United States of America, can he tell us whether that information is now available and whether the broadening and lengthening of the runways is to proceed?

It is certainly our intention to make plans in regard to that matter, but at the moment I cannot add to what I have said already. It is proposed to extend the runway by about 2,000 feet and so to divert A77 that it does not cross the runway unless, of course, it is possible to provide a tunnel.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many accidents, including fatal accidents, have taken place to York aircraft during the last five years.

During the last five years there have been twelve accidents to United Kingdom registered York aircraft, of which five have involved fatalities.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether or not he thinks the time has come seriously to consider whether the use of this aircraft ought to be allowed any longer? Does not he recollect that this aircraft has had a pretty unhappy history, and that in recent years in particular there has been growing evidence of the fact that the national interest would perhaps best be served if, possibly after giving due notice, we were to withdraw the licence?

That is quite a proper point to put, but, on the other side, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, this question of airworthiness is examined as one of the issues that comes out of every accident inquiry. What I have to say is that so far in any of the inquiries which have been held no information has been brought which would necessitate my technical advisers saying to me that the general certificate for this aircraft should be withdrawn.

Is there any common feature running through all these accidents from which certain conclusions may be drawn?

No, I understand not.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects the agreement with Ghana with regard to the allocation of air traffic rights between the respective countries to be completed; and to what extent this agreement provides for operation into the United Kingdom of a Ghana national airline.

Provisional agreement has already been reached on the traffic rights to be exchanged between Ghana and the United Kingdom, but some details remain to be settled and I cannot be specific until an air services agreement is signed; I hope that this stage will be reached shortly.

It would be wrong to ask questions about details, but would the Minister answer a question about the principle involved? Is not it obvious that a proportion of the traffic between the United Kingdom and Ghana will have to go to the Ghana airline, which will mean less for British operators? In this case, would not the Minister reconsider his declared policy of sharing this traffic from the United Kingdom to Ghana between B.O.A.C. and independent operators?

That leads us into technical considerations, because, as I explained the last time we discussed this matter in the House, the independent route to Ghana is quite different from the B.O.A.C. route and does not involve quite the same considerations.

Would the Minister bear in mind that the Ghana Government will now be making agreements with other countries, in particular Holland and Belgium, I should imagine. In these cases, the chosen national instrument of Holland and Belgium will not have to put up with the competition which the Minister is now inflicting upon the British national instrument.

I think we had better get a little further. I shall tell the House the full facts of the agreement when it is reached, and perhaps the hon. Member will return to the charge.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proportion of the loss of £2,750,000 made by the British Overseas Airways Corporation for the year ended 31st March, 1958, was due to their operations on the East African routes.

It is not the commercial practice of B.O.A.C., or airlines generally, to publish figures of financial results on particular routes.

Is not it the case that hitherto the Minister and his predecessors justified their policy of allowing independent companies to compete with B.O.A.C. down to East Africa on the basis that the traffic so far made possible this parallel operation, and that they pointed to the profits made as proof of this? Now that there is a substantial loss, part of which does arise on the East African routes, is not there a good case for reconsidering the policy of the present Government of sharing the traffic between B.O.A.C. and the independent operators?

I think the hon. Gentleman has raised an important principle, and that I should answer it. My answer is this. B.O.A.C. has been provided with modern aircraft and good facilities and is a highly successful and well-run airline, and it must not be too frightened of competition.

asked the Minister of Defence what stage in the development of Thor missiles has now been reached; and if he is still satisfied that these weapons can make a useful contribution to the defence of this country.

asked the Minister of Defence what portion of the £10 million to be spent on surface installations for the Thor missiles will be used for the missiles which will be launched from underground.

The Thor rocket is now in an advanced stage of development. It is too soon to say how much of the site works for it will be suitable for later rocket weapons. I am confident that Thor rockets, deployed here and on the Continent, will constitute a valuable addition to the Western nuclear deterrent, and thus to the peace of the world.

While I appreciate that both security considerations and the fact that another Government is involved may make it very difficult for my right hon. Friend to say much, may I ask if he will bear in mind that there is a very widespread and strong desire to know the maximum possible about the development of this weapon on which so much reliance is being placed?

I think a good deal has been said already. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air gave a certain amount of information on 14th May, to which I would refer my hon. Friend.

Can the Minister explain why it is that, almost without exception, independent aviation and military correspondents in this country, and indeed many in the United States, have described the Thor as not only ineffective, but obsolete before it has come into service?

The hon. Member never misses an opportunity to belittle the value of this weapon. If I may adapt a famous phrase of my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, I would say that it is the best rocket we have got.

Does my right hon. Friend recall that the policy to establish these rocket bases in this country was justified to this House largely on the expectation that the United States Government would amend the McMahon Act? If, in fact, it is not amended, will there be any change in the Government's policy in this regard?

I know of no connection between the two points. The purpose of deploying these rockets over here is to increase the effectiveness and the variety—because that makes a difference from the point of view of knocking out the deterrent—of the Western nuclear deterrent. Jokes with the hon. Member opposite apart, all I would say is that in test firings of new weapons we do expect failures, and we very often gain more experience from the failures. I have already given an assurance that this weapon will not be deployed here until both we and the Americans are satisfied that it is effective.

rose—

Order. I am afraid that this matter cannot be debated now.

asked the Minister of Defence what measure of agreement he has reached with the United States Government concerning the sales of military aircraft and other weapons to foreign countries at prices substantially below the cost of production.

None, Sir.

Would my right hon. Friend consider making an approach to the American Government bearing in mind that, in any competition which is based on Government-subsidised sales, this country is almost bound to come off worst, and that foreign sales are of the utmost importance from the point of view of our home aircraft industry?

Of course, I fully understand the problem to which my hon. Friend has referred, but the prices at which Governments, or for that matter firms—and very often the problem arises as much with firms as with Governments—decide to sell weapons to foreign Governments is their own affair.

asked the Minister of Defence the ratio of air-trooping to sea-trooping in each of the last three financial years; and whether, in view of the relative increase in the cost of sea-trooping, compared with air-trooping, he will ensure that there is an increase in the proportion trooped by air.

Three to 2 in 1955–56, 7 to 6 in 1956–57 and 3 to 2 in 1957–58. It is the Government's policy to increase the proportion of trooping by air, during the next few years.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that in successive Service debates in this House we have been promised that this ratio would increase much more rapidly than seems to be apparent from what the right hon. Gentleman has just said? Cannot he give the House any hope that we intend to depend mainly on air trooping rather that sea trooping in the future to make our forces much more mobile?

The figures that I have given show that there has been an increase. As the carrying capacity of R.A.F. Transport Command increases, the number of troopships in use will be reduced. In general, it is, I think, undoubtedly more efficient and more economical to move troops by air. Nevertheless, I am sure hon. Members will recognise that for the sake of flexibility a certain number of troopships will always have to be retained in service.

Does the right hon. Gentleman imply in his answer that trooping is done entirely by Transport Command? Surely it is quite another matter altogether.

I am not saying that, but the increase in the capacity of Transport Command will help us to increase the movement of troops by air, because that is one of the ways of using the capacity of Transport Command. One wants to retain a substantial fleet of aircraft in Transport Command, and unless one uses them for ordinary routine purposes it is very wasteful.

In view of the announcement of the change in Government policy—

Order. I think this is more a matter for a defence debate.

In view of the announcement of a change of Government policy in respect of trooping, I beg to give notice that I shall attempt to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Defence what alterations in the military disposition of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces are contemplated in view of the French situation.

I am not aware of any.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the French commitment in Algeria, which is likely to continue for some time, will effect no change in the military dispositions of N.A.T.O.? Is he in constant touch with the Supreme Commander on this subject?

The Algerian situation is, of course, not a new one. With regard to the general question, I have every confidence that France will, as always, faithfully discharge her international obligations.

asked the Minister of Defence the total number of recruits for the three Services in May, 1958, by comparison with those for May, 1957.

I am not yet able to publish the recruiting figures for May, since the returns are not yet completed; but the provisional figures I have received look pretty healthy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what bearing these healthy figures have on his current estimate of the prospects of being able to end National Service?

They go further to support my contention.

Would the right hon. Gentleman like to make a book on this subject? Is he prepared to have a sweepstake in the House available to all hon. and right hon. Gentlemen?

I should be prepared to have a private discussion with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the accidental chain-explosion of eight United States rockets, resulting in the loss of several lives and much damage, and the consequent danger to life and property in this country through the establishment of rocket bases in the United Kingdom, he will now reconsider his decision to allow United States missile bases to be stationed in this country.

No, Sir.

While I admit that it may be the best rocket that the Americans have got, why do the Government want it in such a hurry when it is obsolete already, as my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. de Freitas) has pointed out, when it is obviously dangerous to the population, which has to move out of the localities, and when we are supposed to be having a Summit Conference shortly to agree on disarmament? Why are the Government in such a terrible haste to have these very imperfect and dangerous weapons installed on our territory?

I think the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Thor rocket. The rocket which exploded was a Nike.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the British delegate on the Security Council of the United Nations voted on the complaint of the Lebanese Government of intervention by the Government of the United Arab Republic in the internal affairs of the Lebanon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government as a result of the situation in the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement.

Since my right hon. and learned Friend answered Questions on this subject in the House on 19th May, some violence has continued. With the exception of damage to the Iraq Petroleum Company pipeline, which has now been repaired, there have been no reports of damage to British property nor of loss of British life.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, but may I ask him whether, as the American Government are supplying arms to the Lebanese Government, it is not desirable that we should seek to disengage the whole of the area from external political influence and military contributions?

That goes very much wider than the Question on the Order Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will ask the British representative on the Security Council to take Steps to ensure that there is no armed intervention in the Lebanon except in circumstances which are approved by the United Nations General Assembly?

I must make it perfectly clear that there is all the difference in the world between supplying arms to a recognised Government of a country and introducing arms over a border to support dissidents in the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much British arms and military equipment has been supplied by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of Lebanon; and why.

It is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to reveal details of arms transactions with other Governments. The reasons for this were explained by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal in reply to a Question on 4th December, 1956.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman admitted this afternoon that arms are being supplied to this discredited Government of the Lebanon? Are not the Government aware that all such interference in the past has failed?

Her Majesty's Government have for some time been a normal supplier of the Lebanese armed forces, and it would be an interference in the affairs of Lebanon to refuse to honour particular orders for arms which have been placed by the recognised Government of the Lebanese State.

Has not the Minister seen the report in today's newspapers that one of the arrangements made between the Prime Minister and President Eisenhower in Washington is for the Lebanese Government to be supplied with twelve Hawker Hunter jet fighters?

I have not seen the report, but I do not see why the authorised Government of any country should not place orders for arms.

Would the Minister bear in mind, first, that this principle has not always been honoured—particularly in the most tragic case of Spain, during the civil war—and, secondly, that to follow the principle of supplying arms of this character without conditions and control to any Middle Eastern Government that happens to be able to maintain itself in power and buy them would merely be to add enormously to the danger in what is already the most explosive area in the world?

I would say that the recent supply of arms to the Lebanese has been on a very small scale.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an analysis of the unemployment figures in Dundee at the most convenient recent date in May according to the lengths of time for which insured workers have been unemployed.

As the reply includes a Table of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployment in Dundee at the most recent convenient date in May; and the ratio of unemployed to unfilled vacancies.

For the purpose of computing a percentage rate of unemployment the Dundee and Broughty Ferry areas have to be combined; the figure for the combined area at 12th May was 6·1 per cent. At that date there were about seven unfilled notified vacancies for every 100 persons registered as wholly unemployed.

Is the Minister aware that these figures are particularly disturbing in a city where the workers have proved themselves specially adaptable to new skills whenever there has been an adequate Government effort to bring in new industries? What are the Government doing to bring jobs to the Dundee workers far more quickly than at present?

I agree that the figures are disturbing; there is a high and increasing rate of unemployment. The hon. Member will appreciate that this is largely a matter for my right hon. Friends, but I can say that we have done a great deal to help Dundee, and it is clear that we must do a great deal more—and we certainly will.

Will not the Minister announce shortly, on behalf of the Government, that in view of these figures they will not contemplate any further reduction in the so called mark-up of jute goods imports? That is the key to the situation.

That is not my Departmental responsibility, but I will certainly discuss it with the Minister responsible.

Can my right hon. Friend say how soon the five new factories which the Government have induced industry to go to in Dundee will be employing workers?

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered at employment exchanges in Dundee as being jute workers and building trade workers, respectively; and what percentages of them were unemployed at the most recent convenient date in May.

Estimates of the total numbers of employees in local areas are available for one date only in each year, and the latest figures relate to end-May, 1957. The estimated numbers of employed and unemployed in the jute and building industries in the area of the Dundee and Broughty Ferry Employment Exchanges at that date were 15,630 and 4,880, respectively. The numbers registered as unemployed at 12th May, 1958, represented 13 per cent. and 5.8 per cent. respectively of those two totals.

Is the Minister aware that this very high percentage of unemployment in the jute industry is mainly the result of the Government's action? Does he realise that there is desperate anxiety in Dundee for a definite assurance from the Government as to their future intentions in respect of the jute industry, so that this dreadful uncertainty can be removed?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the dock strike in London will soon cause a large number of small businesses, particularly those in the import and export trades, to close down; and whether he will make a statement on the progress of conciliation in this matter.

I have been in close touch with the situation throughout and fully realise the loss and damage which have resulted. The strikes are unofficial and it is, of course, for the unions to secure a resumption of work so that any matters in dispute may be discussed through the established machinery. Union officials have tried to end both the meat transport strike, which was the original cause of the trouble, and the unofficial stoppages in the cold stores and docks. I have invited the union representatives concerned with the meat transport dispute to meet my officials as soon as this can be arranged. If a settlement of this dispute can be effected I expect that the other unofficial strikes will at once be called off.

Can my right hon. Friend give any estimate of the amount of damage done to foodstuffs as a result of this unofficial strike? Can he say what consideration prevented Her Majesty's Government from at once using troops to clear perishable cargoes from the ships?

I cannot give a direct estimate, although it is a good deal less than most of the reports have suggested. Of course, there is a responsibility upon all Governments; they clearly have to consider the use of troops if the food supplies of the public are in danger. But that position has not been reached.

Would not the Minister agree that the officials of the Transport and General Workers' Union have worked valiantly to get these men on unofficial strike back to work? Would not he also agree that if the advice proffered by his hon. Friend had been taken by the Minister he would have had every single port in the country out on strike?

This is certainly a very difficult position. The talks are now on the tightrope between success and failure, and I do not want to make the position more difficult. In reply to my hon. Friend, I would say that Governments naturally have their responsibilities where the food of the people is concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make an approach to the Trades Union Council to invite that body to recommend to trade unions generally that their rule books should be modified so that strike action and its discontinuance be decided by a secret ballot of members in each instance.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby) on 10th April, 1957, of which I am sending him a copy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a strong body of opinion which thinks that when strike action or its continuance is being considered the men are fearful to declare themselves by a show of hands, and that it would be in the national interest if these questions of strikes were decided by a secret ballot? Has not the time arrived for my right hon. Friend to consider having a talk with the T.U.C. on this matter?

This is a very difficult problem. It is quite true that a considerable body of opinion thinks as my hon. Friend does. I would merely say that from what study I have given to this matter—and I have studied it over a long period—I do not believe that a secret ballot would in any way reduce the incidence of strikes. In particular, it would have practically no impact upon the unofficial strikes which are the present main difficulty.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that those who have experience in industrial affairs on both sides of industry and in this House are not all of the view held by some Government supporters that a secret ballot would lead to greater industrial peace, and that it might have quite the reverse effect?

There is a very considerable body of opinion on both sides. I have expressed my own opinion and that of the Government.

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that there is a very considerable volume of opinion on this side of the House which shares his view on this subject?

Can the right hon. Gentleman estimate how long a strike might drag on if there had to be a secret ballot on the issue of its continuance?