asked the Secretary of State for War what action he is taking to improve the accommodation and welfare and recreational facilities for troops in Cyprus.

A further programme of works services for the improvement of temporary camps was begun this year. When it has been completed we shall have spent a total of about £500,000 on improving kitchens, dining rooms, huts and other accommodation.

As it now seems that our troops will have to stay in Cyprus for a long time and will be operating under very unpleasant and hazardous conditions, are not we really obliged to do much more than we have done so far to put these arrangements on a more permanent and better basis?

I do not think that we can prejudge the situation at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is now the weekly cost of keeping the Army in Cyprus.

The extra cost of keeping the Army in Cyprus, compared with keeping it in the United Kingdom is about £70,000 a week. This includes reinforcements sent up to the end of June.

I wanted to know the total cost, including the cost of the soldiers' pay, in this connection. Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether this expenditure is included in the War Office Estimates or whether there is likely to be a Supplementary Estimate?

If the hon. Gentleman would like to put down a further Question on that second point, I will do my best to answer it. I was trying to be consistent. The hon. Gentleman asked a similar Question in February last year which was answered in the same way.

Can my hon. Friend tell us what would be the cost of not keeping the Army in Cyprus?

I think it would be incalculable.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the discrimination by the commanding officer of the North-West District, Mixed Signals Regiment, Territorial Army, in favour of Regular personnel against Territorial Army personnel, resulting in dissatisfaction by the members of the Territorial Army; and, in view of the fact that this is liable to result in many resignations from the Territorial Army unit, if he will order an inquiry into the administration of the unit in order to investigate this matter.

I have found no evidence of discrimination against the Territorial Army personnel in this unit, nor have I any reason to believe that its members are dissatisfied with the way the unit is administered. One officer has resigned, but there have been fifty new volunteers in the same period.

Is not the Minister aware that correspondence has been going on with his Department for quite a while with reference to the difficulties in this Territorial unit? Will he reconsider the question of an inquiry into the whole administration in view of the fact that I can now present him with statements from four responsible officers, Lieut.-Colonel Arden, Lieut. Carmichael, Lieut. Fletcher and Major Griffiths, with reference to the curious things going on in this unit which, in my opinion, require full consideration and full inquiry? Is not the Minister further aware that the whole position is being undermined by the difficulties created by the discrimination between the Regulars and the Territorials?

I have investigated the whole question very carefully; but if the hon. Lady has further information to put before us, we should certainly be very glad to have it.

asked the Secretary of State for War what reason for their move was recently given to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, previous to their being sent to Cyprus.

The battalion was sent to Cyprus for internal security duties and was so informed.

Can the Minister say whether they are still on security duties in Cyprus or whether they are now in Jordan?

They are still on security duties in Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, recently sent to Cyprus, were National Service men.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men have been, or are being, sent by the Army to the Middle East.

About half of the Army is composed of National Service men and this ratio applies generally in all theatres, including the Middle East. It would not be in the public interest to give precise figures.

Can the Minister tell us what maximum field training these National Service men have before they are sent to Cyprus?

They are never sent unless they have had their basic training and usually a good deal more.

If half the number of men in Cyprus and the Middle East are National Service men, on the assumption that these commitments continue, how will the War Office be able to do without them?

It is not for me to try to read the future.

Will the Minister say whether today's Press report that further reinforcements, including National Service men, are being sent out there is correct? Is he aware of the widespread concern that men who are being conscripted to defend their own country should be sent out on an operation which endangers world peace?

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, perhaps the hon. Member would put down a Question. With regard to the second part, I think that the overwhelming majority of National Service men would bitterly resent any discrimination between them and the Regular Army.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement regarding the wireless and television services in the Scottish Border area; what improvement is contemplated; and when.

I assume that my hon. Friend has the East Borders particularly in mind. The B.B.C. is very much aware of the difficulties which are being experienced with reception of its sound programmes and that television is not available. But the Light Programme should be satisfactorily received with efficient sets and aerials. The B.B.C. has in mind some extension of its television and V.H.F. sound services to this area but cannot yet quote definite dates.

While welcoming part of my right hon. Friend's Answer, may I ask whether he is aware there has been a feeling of increasing anxiety on the borders of Scotland, in Peebles, Roxburgh and Selkirk in particular, that the same energy is not being applied by the engineers of my right hon. Friend's Department to radio and television as has been applied by his efficient executives in other branches of the Ministry?

The responsibility for the engineering service of radio and television is not with my Department but with the B.B.C., which is an independent body. It would not be prudent to establish satellite stations until the present experiments with satellite stations have really been completed and the results checked.

asked the Postmaster-General when he estimates that television coverage will be available for central Wales.

So far as the B.B.C. is concerned, the position is still as described in the reply by my hon. Friend on 2nd April to a Question by the hon. Member for Barry (Mr. Gower). The I.T.A. cannot yet make any plans for central Wales in view of its existing commitments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what has been the result of the experimental satellite station at Folkestone? If it is found to be successful, will he give priority for a similar station in Llandrindod Wells?

The results at Folkestone are not yet known, but as soon as they are, I will consider the point raised by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he is aware that owing to the postal address being an incorrect geographical description of areas in the area of the Tettenhall Urban District Council letters are frequently delayed considerably by being sent to Stafford or by being sent by the sorting office to the sub-sorting office at Tettenhall when addressed, Compton or The Wergs; and if he will have the sorting arrangements overhauled;

Correspondence which includes in the address the name of the post town, in this case, Wolverhampton, should not be delayed: I would therefore urge all the residents concerned to include the post town Wolverhampton in the postal address. A new delivery office in Wolverhampton which should be ready in about two years' time may give the opportunity for some simplification of the present arrangements and I will write to the hon. Member to give him further details.

Does the Minister realise that there is serious delay in correspondence in this area and that Tettenhall is a town itself? It will not do him any good to dodge the issue, bearing in mind that this is a strong Tory area?

I am glad to hear that it is a strong Tory area, but the hon. Gentleman must realise that postal services are based on lines of communication, that is, the railways and road services, and the purpose of a postal address is to transmit and deliver corresspondence as quickly and efficiently as possible. Therefore, for postal purposes, the address should reflect the way in which the package should travel. It is not intended to reflect the geographical description of the area. It would help the post office a great deal if people when addressing their envelopes would bear in mind the way in which the package will travel.

What about the Crown Post Office?

That is another Question, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what long-distance flights to Commonwealth and other countries will be undertaken by V-bombers.

Weekly training flights by single V-bombers have been made to destinations such as Malta, Kenya and Aden. Similar flights will begin shortly to Canada and the United States of America. The training programme for V-bombers also includes flights to Malaya.

Would my hon. Friend confirm that most of these flights have been single flights, and will he consider sending formation flights to countries like Australia, where there is a strong American influence in all aviation matters? This could do much to obviate that and to get orders for Britain. Would he bear in mind also that the more Britain shows the flag by means of these modern aircraft, the more people will realise what this country is doing? It is as good as sending round a few old battleships and cruisers.

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I think that probably the single training flight is the best way of getting the maximum experience for the maximum number of crews. In reply to the second part, I can think of four good reasons why we in the Air Ministry do not under-estimate the value of these flights. The first is that they strengthen links with other air forces; the second is that they give impressive proof of our independent deterrent; the third is that I think they help the sales of British aircraft and possibly the sales of other British goods as well; and the fourth is that they give the operational crews excellent experience in operating away from their home bases.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the re-equipment programme of Coastal Command.

The re-equipment of a number of Coastal Command squadrons with the Shackleton Mark 3 is now well under way. The programme should be completed by the end of the year.

While appreciating that the main effort is on the deterrent, will my hon. Friend impress upon his right hon. Friend that it is important that we combat any possible submarine warfare? Coastal Command needs some new equipment and will he confirm that when this new equipment is ordered it will be done through British manufacturers?

The Shackleton can carry all the anti-submarine equipment now in service or in sight. It has a very long operational endurance of about seventeen hours, and I think that in these circumstances it would be wrong and wasteful of taxpayers' money if we ordered replacements at this stage.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the rumour that the reason no new aircraft are being ordered for Coastal Command is that the Air Ministry are prepared to wash their hands of this re-equipment because the Command may well be handed over to the Navy?

I am pleased to deny that. We are extremely interested in the future of Coastal Command and want to make sure that it is composed of the most modern equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of married airmen under the age of 21 denied the facilities for their wives, such as passage and oversea allowances and married quarters, normally available to other married airmen; and what would be the total extra cost of making these facilities generally available.

There are at present about 1,670 married Regular airmen below the age of 21. To provide married quarters for this number of families would entail capital expenditure of the order of £4½ million. Overseas passages and allowances might cost the taxpayer about a further £500,000, depending upon the number of men serving abroad.

Is the Minister aware that a great sense of injustice is being felt because of his discrimination against married airmen under the age of 21, and can he say whether his Department has considered the handicap to recruitment that this discrimination involves? In view of this, will he reconsider removing this discrimination?

I am very glad that I cannot share the hon. Gentleman's feeling that there is a widespread feeling of injustice. I should think that the general feeling in this House is that we ought not to give extra incentives and extra amenities which would persuade young people under 21 to get married early in their Service career. I would point out that the Grigg Committee investigated this and other factors of recruiting and no doubt that Report, when available, will be studied with interest in every part of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the help given by the Royal Air Force, St. Athan, to the organisers and competitors at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

We are making accommodation available at R.A.F. Station St. Athan for the 1,500 competitors and officials. They also have the use of the station recreational facilities which, in addition to a gymnasium and playing fields, include an athletics track and a swimming bath. The buildings handed over form a self-contained village.

As one who has had the privilege of visiting the camp, may I pay a great tribute to the Ministry and those who are responsible at St. Athan for the splendid facilities they are providing for the athletes?

I gladly accept the right hon. Gentleman's remarks. People on the spot have a wonderful opportunity of meeting Commonwealth competitors from all over the world and this very day they may have an opportunity to meet His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

Is my hon. Friend aware that competitors from abroad and Press correspondents have stated that the facilities provided, particularly in the village, have been unsurpassed in any international games in their experience?

Yes, Sir.

Come to Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress in the more efficient use of manpower has been achieved in recent months as a result of recommendations made by the Director of Work Study.

In recent months our work study resources have been deployed on a wide range of studies covering the operational, technical and administrative spheres. They include a review of technical trade groups to produce a higher degree of flexibility, and thus the fuller utilisation of time and skill. This is particularly relevant in those trades where we expect shortages when National Service ends. Other studies include experiments to improve and speed up the servicing of particular types of aircraft; and the improvement of systems of supply. With the re-equipment and re-shaping of the Royal Air Force it is difficult to isolate manpower savings due directly to work study. The value of the work done so far is illustrated by the economies achieved for example in Air Movements and Stock Control Sections, and at an important Signals Centre. All these examples may be capable of wider application.

While welcoming any recommendations from this Director which have resulted in manpower economies, may I ask whether the Under-Secretary of State is satisfied that the setting up of this directorate has not caused other senior officers and heads of departments to feel that the saving of manpower is not one of their primary responsibilities in their own departments?

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has raised that point. The establishment committees go on with their normal work of trying to prune the establishments and to make sure that everyone is essential. That is quite outside the terms of reference of the Work Study Group.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to relieve the congestion of traffic caused by the antiquated level crossing arrangements at Burgh Station on the main Lincoln—Skegness road.

The elimination of this level crossing by the building of a bridge will be carried out when funds permit.

It is a long time since I asked about this matter, but does my hon. Friend realise that I was then given the same Answer? Time will not permit very much longer waiting. This road is the main road from the Midlands to Skegness, but one man has to keep popping in and out of his box to open the level crossing. Sometimes hundreds of cars are kept waiting there at the weekend.

I am afraid that this improvement will have to wait its turn. There are many other roads which are even more important. What I can say, and it may help my hon. and gallant Friend, is that I will ask the British Transport Commission if it will consider putting at this crossing one of its new lifting barriers to see whether that can speed up the use of the crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will consult with the Minister of Works with a view to a model of the Park Lane Improvement Scheme being displayed at a suitable spot in Hyde Park so that the public can be informed about the objects of the scheme.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion. I think we can best meet the point by displaying a pictorial plan of the scheme outside the entrances of the park at Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch, and we are consulting the authorities concerned with this in view.

Have it floodlit too.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proposals he has in mind for regulating traffic on the new motorways, in view of the expected opening of the Preston By-pass in the autumn; and whether he will make a statement.

I laid before Parliament yesterday two Statutory Instruments, one varying the classes of traffic authorised to use the motorway, the other varying for special roads the speed limits applicable to certain classes of vehicles. We have no experience of motorways in this country, and these Orders must therefore be somewhat experimental. Both have been set to expire in a year's time, to ensure full consideration of our experience on the Preston By-pass before the first long motorway, from London to Birmingham, comes into use next autumn. I also propose to promulgate other regulations and a code of conduct dealing with behaviour when driving on motorways.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for tabling these Regulations in good time before the opening of the Preston motorway, may I ask if he is aware that there is a certain amount of concern that heavy abnormal indivisable loads are to be banned from these motorways and left to go on the old roads? Will he consider that?

Motorways are made to speed up traffic and I think it at least arguable that if we filled them with enormous indivisible loads they might not fulfil their purposes. What I should like to make plain to the House is, as I said in my Answer, that we have had no experience with this kind of road in this country. I do not think we can necessarily say that what happens in America or anywhere else is a fair yardstick to apply here. I think we had better try these experiments, including the one affecting indivisible loads, and see how we get on.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these Regulations will be subject to negative or affirmative procedure and whether they will be debatable before they are put into force?

They will be subject to an affirmative Resolution and therefore debatable, and I have specifically made them to run out in a year's time, so they are purely experimental.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will consider amending the traffic Regulations to prohibit vehicles stopping on road intersections.

As my hon. Friend will realise, there are difficulties in dealing with this matter by Regulation. I will, however, consider whether other means can usefully be taken to deal with the problem.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the blocking of traffic intersections by stationary vehicles considerably impedes the flow of traffic in urban areas?

Yes, I do The only difficulty is that probably the solution implies that people who see a green traffic light will not have to move forward so that they block the intersection. It is a difficult situation and I will look at it again.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now able to sanction the Severn Bridge project; and if he will state the conditions which will govern the project, and the starting date.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 16th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Leather).

Is the Minister aware that the Answer he gave last week was rather ambiguous, and that in South Wales and the West Country there is still apprehension? Can he say when he is to give local authorities power to commence the approach roads and if he is to invite tenders for the contracts?

I think there is a further Question on that subject to be answered later, but I should like to clear up any misconception. I can tell the right hon. Member that the announcement made last week means that the Severn Bridge is now firmly in our programme and will follow the construction of the Forth crossing.

Am I to understand that when the underwater work is finished at the Firth of Forth, the contractors and workmen will be transferred to the Severn? Is that the idea of the Minister in phasing the programme?

I am advised on the highest technical grounds that the most economical way of constructing both these bridges—which, as the right hon. Member knows, are almost identical—is that construction of one should follow the other and I think his assumptions are in general correct.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to invite tenders for the construction of the Severn Bridge.

Because of the need to phase the Severn Bridge with the Forth Bridge, it is not yet possible to give a precise date, but it will be about six months before the start of the constructional work.

As the Minister excused himself earlier from answering some of my supplementary questions, will he now indicate whether or not he is prepared to allow county authorities to proceed with approach roads? May I also say that there is widespread appreciation in the West Country, and in South Wales, at the fact that, at last, he has put the Severn Bridge project firmly in his road programme?

I am sure that the Severn Bridge is a very necessary project, and I hope and believe that it will bring great economic benefits to that part of the world. As to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I think that my local representatives will already be in discussion about the approach roads but, if they are not, I shall see that they very soon start.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the fact that the present scale of charges for parking meters, whilst it may be suitable for motorists visiting the central area of London for shopping and pleasure, is ill adapted to the essential requirements of professional persons such as doctors and business men, who may be unavoidably detained with their patients or clients for more than two hours, he will give consideration to a scheme by which such persons may, by payment of an additiontl annual amount in respect of the licence charge for their cars, be given somewhat improved facilities in parking meter areas.

The charges that may be made for vehicles left in a parking place designated under the Road Traffic Act, 1956, are governed by Section 20 of that Act. The Act makes no provision for any form of annual payment such as that suggested by my hon. Friend.

If parking meters are to be extended over a wide area of London, will my hon. Friend bear this in mind as a useful possible scheme to meet the needs of business men and commercial travellers?

I think I have made plain to my hon. Friend that in order to do what he requires Parliament would need to pass fresh legislation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the difficulty which will arise when a motorist has put 6d. in a meter in order to leave his car for a certain length of time, but after that time cannot put in another 6d.? He has to decide at the beginning to pay for one hour or two hours' parking. Surely it would be reasonable to allow the motorist to put in the second 6d. so that if he decides to leave his car for two hours he can do so?

I sympathise with the point made by the hon. Member. The difficulty is that feeding-in, as a general procedure, is illegal. If we made it legal, it would enable anyone to leave a car by a parking meter and return every hour or two hours to put in further coins. To allow that concession would make the enforcement of the feeding-in provision in-operable, and I am afraid we cannot make the concession.

Can my hon. Friend say if any preparations are now in hand for making sure that the money obtained, as decided by Parliament, when available will be immediately put in use for providing off-street parking?

Parliament has provided that funds from this source shall go to that purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why omnibus stops in the London area are located within areas covered by areas forbidding loading and unloading.

Bans on loading and unloading in London do not apply to the picking up or setting down of passengers and so do not directly affect the siting of bus stops. If my hon. Friend considers any bus stops in such areas could be better sited, I will be glad to have the matter investigated.

Having decided that it is necessary to have parking restriction signs, which define the "No Waiting" periods, and then having found that at certain busy intersections it was necessary to superimpose on these the "No Loading or Unloading" signs, and having put a great red ball on top in order to impress us with it, is not it absolute nonsense to have both the biggest and the most numerous vehicles, which cause the greatest amount of obstruction at these intersections, loading and unloading, whether goods or persons, at the most crowded spots?

If my hon. Friend reads my Answer in HANSARD, he will see that I have already told him that bus stops do not come within the prohibition. If he thinks that any bus stop is wrongly sited, I shall be very glad to have a look at it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the permitted maximum width of vehicles and vehicle loads allowed on the roads under the jurisdiction of his Department.

As the Answer is lengthy and detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my hon. Friend aware that much of the good work that he and his Department have done, and are doing, in road improvement, is nullified by the excessive loads permitted on single vehicles? Could not they be routed by sea, or rail, or even by road at night?

Of course, the vehicles have to get to the sea, and have to use the roads to do so. As far as possible, we advise that they should go by sea or rail if they can but, unfortunately, they have on occasion to use the roads and, as far as possible, they are routed at times that cause the minimum inconvenience.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now able to announce the roads programme to be undertaken on the completion of the present four-year programme.

Preparatory work for the extension of the road programme is going ahead. I propose to stick to my policy of giving priority to getting work in hand rather than to announcing detailed plans a long way ahead.

Does the Minister fully appreciate the necessity of announcing his programme as soon as possible in order that the present tempo of the road programme can be maintained? If adequate preliminary work is not done, there will unquestionably be a slowing down of the present programme, and it is most desirable that the present capital equipment should continue to be employed.

I quite accept that. We will, of course, have to step up to the planned level of spending of £60 million on new road construction. We have not yet attained that level, although we shall do so. I agree that quite a lot of the preliminary work has to go on, and it is to go on.

Ought not the roads programme to be announced on what is called a moving total basis; that is to say, at a particular period of each year, to announce the programme for the next succeeding four years?

If my hon. Friend really means that he wants us to issue enormous lists of schemes years ahead, which may or may not be carried out when it is said that they will be, I am frankly opposed to that. Our job is to build roads, and not to worry about hypothetical schemes in the future. The preparatory work is going on, and the building work is going on at a faster rate than ever before, and I think that, on the whole, we are not making bad progress.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when the proposed London-Moscow, and return, air service will come into operation.

Final arrangements for the introduction of this service cannot be made until I hear further from the Soviet authorities. I am awaiting their reply about the progress they have made with the silencing of the TU.104 aircraft which Aeroflot proposes to use on the route.

Is the Minister aware that the Belgians have beaten us and started, on 2nd June, a Brussels—Moscow service with connections to London? It looks as though K.L.M. and Air France are going ahead of us. How is it that they are able to do this while we, after five months, have not been able successfully to prosecute our inquiries in Russia? If world airlines are to use jets, must not we make up our minds quickly about what we are going to do?

I am answering a later Question on the broader issue and I think I should reserve my answer on that issue till then. On the specific question, the position is this, and not as reported in some quarters. We have put a perfectly reasonable request to Aeroflot. When I personally met Marshal Zhigaryev when he was over here, he said that he saw no difficulty in silencing this aircraft. If there was no difficulty I should be glad to have an answer from the Soviets.

I am in sympathy with the right hon. Gentleman in his efforts to get agreement about this matter, on which we have a Question on the Paper. Does the Minister think that he could do nothing more than just send a letter to the Minister there? Could not he consider following it up and having another personal discussion? It would be a pity if the service did not come about.

I quite agree. I would make it plain that I am most anxious that this service should start. We have made most pressing inquiries through the proper channels to get an answer. I can only hope that the answer will come quickly. Nobody is more anxious than I am to start this service.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether the recent discussions at the International Civil Aviation Organisation have resulted in the realigning of the civil air-routes between southern Italy and Athens so as to reduce the risk that aircraft will accidentally cross the Albanian coast-line.

The risk arises only on the more northerly of the routes concerned. I understand that the Greek civil aviation authorities, within whose jurisdiction the relevant section of this route lies, plan a realignment, the effect of which will be to take the route further from Albanian territory.

Does my hon. Friend recall the incident earlier this year when a British "Skymaster", owing to a minute navigational error, overflew Albanian territory and was forced down by Albanian fighters? Does not my hon. Friend think that urgent action is required in order to re-align the route? Am I to understand from his Answer that it is a matter not for the International Civil Aviation Organisation but for the Greek airway authorities?

I am glad to say that there has been no further incident of the kind that my hon. Friend described. The position is that the Greeks intend to install a new beacon on the opposite end of Kerkyra Island, to realign the route. In addition to that, my right hon. Friend has written to our airways Corporations, a number of independent operators and other organisations, asking them to take particular care to avoid flying over Albanian territory or Albanian territorial waters.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will arrange for an inspection by interested Members of Parliament of the proposed R34 memorial design, prior to the intended erection at London Airport.

The model of the proposed memorial belongs to the Air League of the British Empire. I understand that it is on view to the public at the Sabin Galleries in Cork Street.

In that case, presumably Members of Parliament, like others, can go along to see it. As many people think this design cannot possibly be as strange as it looks in a photograph, I hope they will accept the suggestion. As we do not want a lot of controversy about this memorial, may I ask whether it has the blessing of the Ministry and the Minister?

My right hon. Friend does not wish to set himself up as a critic of modern sculpture. He took the advice of the Royal Fine Art Commission on this matter and the memorial was designed at the request of the Air League, which is paying for it and whose choice it was.

Does this mean that we are always to be saddled at London Airport with this horrible two-headed bat, forever and ever?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what discussions he had, during his visit to the United States of America, with regard to international agreement on the control of aircraft noise; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans he has for a unified policy on aircraft noise among airport authorities.

I have had a most useful exchange of views with the Port of New York Authority following discussions in London among representatives of the Western European airport authorities. It seems to be generally accepted, on the basis of information so far available, that unless there is further progress in engine silencing the operations of large jet aircraft at airports in built-up areas will have to be somewhat restricted if they are not to cause considerable disturbance.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, and for the interest and initiative which he has shown in this important matter, may I ask him if he is aware that none of us wants to see London Airport by-passed, or a British Minister taking a responsible attitude and then finding that other countries are under-cutting us? What steps is the Minister taking to get some real international agreement in this matter? Has he considered calling an international conference, or suggesting that the International Civil Aviation Conference should convene one at which these international arrangements could be expedited?

In fact, we have quite a workable agreement and it is that these jets will be tried at each airport. For example, we have had experience of the T.U.104 at London Airport, and, while I was in America, I issued a very warm invitation to American operators to bring the Boeing 707 to London as soon as possible and test it under actual conditions. Generally, what we have agreed to do is to try out the aircraft in normal passenger operating conditions at the airports concerned in order that each authority can say what it feels is the minimum—and I want to underline that, the minimum—restriction that will protect the interests of people living round the airport.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what United Kingdom traffic rights have now been granted to the new Ghana Airways Company; and to what extent it is his policy to share the United Kingdom percentage of traffic to Ghana between more than one British operator.

Pending the conclusion of a formal Air Services Agreement with Ghana, a temporary permit has been granted for Ghana Airways to operate to London via Algiers and Barcelona. Hunting Clan Air Transport and Airwork Ltd. will continue to provide a service between London and Accra via Lisbon, Las Palmas, Bathurst and Freetown.

May I now ask the Minister to be good enough to answer the second part of the Question, in so far as it relates to his policy? As he knows, his policy previously was to allow the two independent companies to go direct to Ghana. Having now to share the traffic between the United Kingdom and Ghana, does he still intend to share the United Kingdom element between B.O.A.C., as the national instrument, and the independent companies? If that is his intention, does not he think that he is penalising the Corporation?

I think that that is not quite correct, because these are two quite different routes, two different ways to the same place, which pick up different classes of passengers. If the hon. Gentleman wants to know what my policy is, I shall be glad to tell him. It is to try to give a fair share of this air traffic business both to the independents and to the Corporation.

Would not he, therefore, agree that the English chosen instrument, B.O.A.C., will be the only national instrument operating from Europe that has to share the traffic down to Ghana with other companies of its own nationality? Does not he think that that is penalising the Corporation?

No. I do not, because, as I said the other day, it is a reasonably competitive world in air transport, and I am sure that the Corporation is prepared to face a certain amount of competition.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state the daily average number of vehicles of all types which cross the extended part of the runway at Prestwick airport on A.77.

The average number of vehicles, including bicycles, crossing the runway during nine days of this month was 14,133.

Is not that an enormously greater number than was anticipated, amounting, as it does, to about 600 vehicles per hour day and night? Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it reinforces our claim for putting that traffic underground, because of the increasing number of aircraft movements at Prestwick? In view of the possible diversion of the A.77 road, could the hon. Gentleman discover how much of that traffic is proceeding beyond the town of Ayr?

I quite agree that we must make an early decision on this question of a tunnel under the runway, and we shall certainly do so. We have not any accurate figures at the moment, but we know that the traffic is substantial. It is for this reason that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has recently published his intention to make an Order prescribing the line of a new trunk road.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that all local people of intelligence who use this road feel that the tunnel alternative is really the only one conceivable for that part of the world?

I have always said that I am well aware of the strong feeling there is about the tunnel, but it will be very expensive, as I have said.

Never mind about the money.

If this is a continuance of the Government's programme for Prestwick to be the second airport of Britain, is not it desirable that there should be a comprehensive programme, planned for some considerable time ahead, so that any changes now made will fit in with the eventual pattern of Prestwick Airport?

We have, of course, a comprehensive programme for Prestwick, and this question of a tunnel is a point that is under active consideration at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will consider making it an offence for a learner driver to carry other passengers in addition to his instructor.

I do not think that this restriction would be justified.

When one drives at the weekend one frequently sees cars bearing "L" plates and containing ma, pa and the baby, who are being carried along. Does not my hon. Friend think that that is distracting to the driver and causes unnecessary exposure to danger?

There may be some distraction in having ma, pa and the baby in the car, but it would be very onerous to put on the restriction for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he has taken to publicise the regulations concerning the display of L plates on motor cars.

A notice is issued to everyone who takes out a provisional driving licence for the first time and a note is printed on the cover of the driving licence itself.

Is it within the law for an instructor to drive a car exhibiting "L" plates? When he stops teaching and the learner gives up driving, ought not the "L" plates be turned round or removed?

I do not think so.

Is not it a fact that many drivers who have passed the test continue to exhibit the "L" plates so that other drivers will give their car a wide berth?

I think that may happen, when, for example, a son or daughter is in the process of learning to drive. The "L" plates are sometimes left on for them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects the scheme for the inspection of road vehicles to start operating.

About the end of this year. Legal difficulties have arisen over the free retest referred to in the White Paper, but I hope these can be overcome with the co-operation of all concerned.

Can we really be certain now that this scheme will start towards the end of this year, which will be two and a half years after the Bill became an Act? Meanwhile, many lives which could be saved are being lost.

I quite accept the view of the right hon. Member that we ought to get on with this as quickly as we can, but there have been great difficulties. I am anxious in particular to help the man who repairs the car himself and brings it back for another test. That has brought to light some rather tricky difficulties. I hope they will be overcome.

In view of the gravity of the situation, may we be assured that there is no legal difficulty of the sort described by the right hon. Gentleman which will hold up the initiation of the scheme beyond the end of this year?

I certainly hope not. The right hon. Member might like to know that we are going ahead with the inspection of the garages and all the necessary work.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that further industrial expansion in South Wales, together with the completion of power stations, factories and other industrial undertakings, must further deplete the surplus of Welsh coal available for export through the South Wales ports; if he will therefore give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to place all ports in the United Kingdom on the same footing in the matter of all charges within its control; and if he will make a statement.

Industrial expansion in South Wales is producing alternative traffics for the ports. It would be inappropriate for us to give the suggested direction; the Commission settles economic rates for the use of its own ports, and for the movement of goods by rail to and from all ports, within the limits prescribed by the Transport Tribunal. As the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas) was informed on 11th June, British Railways is ready to receive sympathetically any request from traders for an economic rate for goods shipped regularly through South Wales ports.

Is my hon. Friend aware that information I have obtained from the National Coal Board and from the Central Electricity Authority indicates that in the next few years there is bound to be a further drop in the ship export of coal from these ports? In view of the seriousness of that news to Cardiff, and Barry in particular, in conjunction with the British Transport Commission will my hon. Friend treat this as a special emergency, requiring emergency treatment?

If my hon. Friend has any special suggestions or proposals to make with regard to the rates in these ports, I shall be very glad to send them to the Commission.

May we take it that the Minister and the Ministry recognise the services which these ports have rendered to the export trade and also the changing pattern of the export trade, which requires that these ports should be on an equal footing with other ports in the country?

We certainly recognise the importance of these ports. That is why we are building improved roads from the Midlands cities down to these ports and want to see them used to the very maximum.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many officers have been recruited for enforcement work in connection with the Road and Rail Traffic Acts since an increase in their number was decided upon; what is the total number now engaged on such work; and how far short it falls of full establishment.

The number of staff permanently assigned to enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts has been increased from 63 in 1956 to 95 at the present time. By September, I hope there will be a full complement of 100 examiners in post. In addition, the number of driving and traffic examiners is being increased by a competition now in progress, and we expect that from the end of this year we can release an average of about 50 of these examiners from driving tests to help on enforcement work.

While I am grateful for the increase, at long last, in the number of enforcement officers, may I ask the Minister if he is aware that only last week the Metropolitan licensing authority, in revoking two licences, stated that unless this breaking of the law, which was considerably on the increase, came to an end, it would be necessary to take further steps against it? In other words, is not there evidence from the licensing authorities of widespread infringement of the statutory Regulations?

I have never contended that there is not infringement. There is infringement, and that is why we have a system of enforcement. I welcome the authority responsible for enforcement imposing more stringent punishment, where it thinks it necessary, to have a deterrent effect.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what conclusion he has now reached in regard to the construction and financing of the projected Victoria line tube.

It has not yet been possible to allocate to this project any of the capital available to the Commission. The line would be costly to construct, and has no prospect of paying its way. It would, however, make a valuable contribution to London travel, and I intend to keep the project under review with the Commission with the object of including it in the Commission's programme as soon as resources permit.

In view of the experience during the bus strike, when the Underground was used to far greater capacity and thereby relieved surface traffic considerably, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the construction of this tube would bring very considerable relief to traffic congestion in London; and that, therefore, it deserves to be given the utmost possible priority, in spite of the heavy cost, because, in the long run, it would probably be worth while?

As I have said, I am certainly anxious to keep it under review, because I do know of its traffic importance.

The Minister says that he will examine the project, and keep it under review in the hope of allowing it to proceed as soon as resources permit. Does not that depend entirely on the decision of the Government?

The position is that the British Transport Commission has a very large capital investment programme, and we have only recently accelerated that portion of it which appears to bring the quickest and most profitable return. This scheme, unfortunately does nothing but increase the Commission's loss.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has now discussed with the Chairmen of the Transport Users' Consultative Committees the British Transport Commission's proposal to withdraw unremunerative rail services from more than thirty lines; and if he will make a statement.

I met the Chairmen on 24th June and informed them that the Government intended to support strongly the British Transport Commission's plans for eliminating from the railway system those services which are hopelessly uneconomic in modern transport conditions. The railways are no longer a monopolistic organisation with an obligation to provide all sections of the community with a railway service.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply and not wishing to do anything to obstruct the railways in removing uneconomic services, may I ask the Minister if he will bear in mind that certain problems may arise in rural areas in connection with rural bus services?

I am only too conscious of the problems of the rural areas, and I had a very useful discussion with all the Chairmen of the Consultative Committees recently. I am sure that they too are fully aware of the problem. On the other hand, the British Transport Commission has to try to get its finances in order, and therefore we must not stand unduly in its way in cutting its costs.

While accepting that, may I ask whether the Minister fully appreciates that there are other standards besides that of making the railways pay, and that it is necessary to maintain a public service? As certain railway services are operated very profitably, must not these be used in order to keep running services in areas where there are no other adequate transport facilities? Is not it necessary to maintain a public service?

I do not quite agree with the hon. Gentleman. Certainly, the British Transport Commission does not advocate removing services in cases where there is some eventual hope of their paying, or providing necessary feeder services to other parts of the railways. What I am not prepared to ask the Commission to do, and I should make this quite plain to the House, is to keep on wholly uneconomic services without any regard to its financial position.

On that point, may I ask the Minister whether there are not other public services, such as London Transport and the Post Office, which, in the national interests, run services which are not remunerative? Should not the British Transport Commission do exactly the same thing, and keep railways going where there is no alternative transport? Does not the same principle of public service apply?

The right hon. Gentleman will know that the Consultative Committees are produced by Act of Parliament and rest upon an Act of Parliament, which lays upon them the duty of seeing that, as far as possible, where, for example, branch lines are closed, alternative services are provided. I am quite sure that they will continue to carry out that task, and there may well be ways of doing it; but I must make it plain that the Commission has to get its finances in order. The Commission is being very heavily subsidised by the taxpayer at the present moment, and I think the House should help and not hinder it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the growing public concern at the delay in publishing the report of the inquiry into the Lewisham train crash on 4th December, 1957; and whether he will now state when the report may be expected.

The Report of the inquiry into the St. Johns, Lewisham, railway accident will be published tomorrow.

While welcoming that announcement, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he can explain to the House why there has been such an inordinate delay in publishing the Report, particularly after the court proceedings arising out of the crash had been completed? Secondly, can he confirm that the report reveals no defects in the system as a contributory cause of this accident?

I think I had better leave the hon. Member and everyone interested to read the Report and draw their conclusions after they have read it. With regard to the delay, there were complicating factors; amongst others, the criminal prosecution of the driver, and the fact that our Chief Inspecting Officer died and further evidence had to be taken. I can assure the House that no time was lost in producing the two Reports, which will come out together, and which were complicated and difficult Reports. I think that when hon. and right hon. Gentlemen read them, they will realise that the time has been well used.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will direct the appropriate Area Transport Users' Consultative Committee to consider the proposal of British Railways to close the branch line from Northampton to Peterborough to passenger traffic.

I am informed that no such proposal has been made.

Do I understand that there is no proposal to close this branch line passenger service?

That is so.

That news will be received with great relief in Northampton.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state whether a date has been fixed for the holding of a public inquiry into the loss with all hands of the s.s. "Narva".

The formal investigation will open on 12th November, 1958, in Glasgow.