asked the Secretary of State for Air how much space the TSR2 will require for landing.

About 600 yards.

In view of the remarkable possibilities of this aircraft and of the recent failures of the Government to impress upon our Allies the qualities of our military aircraft, will the Secretary of State do all he can in the course of the development of the TSR2 to give as much information as possible, following the American pattern, so that our Allies may become interested in buying this aircraft?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent flights of aircraft loaded with nuclear bombs are still continuing over United Kingdom territory.

The occasions on which nuclear weapons may be carried by aircraft over this country were described in the full statements made last year by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal and by the Prime Minister.

I take it from that Answer that these flights are still continuing. Will the right hon. Gentleman now re-examine this policy? What is the purpose of these flights? Is he not aware that the American authorities have now learned the unwisdom of such flights and have definitely forbidden them over American territory, and why should we not now do likewise?

I said in reply to the hon. Gentleman in the House not long ago that I am informed that the Americans have given no such instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state in sterling value the average weekly wage being paid to the labourers working at the Royal Air Force staging post on Gan Island.

The sterling value of the average weekly wage on the scale agreed with the Maldivian Government is £1 18s. 6d.

Does the hon. Gentleman not feel that this is a very low wage indeed to offer to these labourers? Because it is so low, is he paying this wage to the Maldivian Government instead of to the workers who earn it, and can he defend that practice? Does he realise that is a cause of a great deal of the discontent on Gan Island today?

We cannot look at this in terms of wage rates in this country. I have explained already that the scale was agreed by the Maldivian Government and also the method of payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force is undermanned overall; and how many redundancies there are in the rank of wing commander and squadron leader for existing established posts.

By about 15 per cent. A small number of wing commanders are at present in posts which would normally be filled by squadron leaders, but until the future structure of the Branch is decided in detail it is not possible to say how many will be redundant.

Is it the intention of my right hon. Friend to maintain the policy of employing wing commanders and squadron leaders in posts which could be filled by junior officers?

No, Sir. I hope that when the final structure is approved these wing commanders will be either promoted or become redundant.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the Education Branch of the Royal Air Force have been allowed to serve beyond the age of 60, and in what rank and on what grounds.

One air vice marshal and one group captain. Both have been retained for particular tasks.

While in no way questioning the value of the services given by these officers, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the existing hold-up in promotion, this also does not aggravate to some extent the already serious position?

The only effect has been on promotion to group captain and above. In the rank of wing commander there is a small number of over-bearings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable discontent among junior officers in this branch? When will he be in a position to tell the House of the results of his investigations and review?

I apologise for the fact that this is taking rather a long time, but the problem has been complicated by the need to relate our earlier proposals to a change in the requirement. I will make a statement as soon as I can. The important thing is to get the answer right.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many men are being made redundant at Stoke Heath Royal Air Force Station; what steps are being taken to offer them alternative employment; and if, in the matter of redundancy, he will treat Stoke Heath and Ternhill stations as a unit.

One hundred and twenty-four civilians were employed at Stoke Heath. Established staff are being transferred to vacant posts as near as possible to their homes. Wherever possible we have also offered other employment to unestablished staff. Of the 44 who are being discharged as redundant, most were offered employment at Sealand. Stoke Heath and Ternhill have been dealt with separately as regards redundancy in the past and in fairness to the staff at Ternhill we could not now insist on treating them as a unit.

May I ask the Secretary of State what consultation there has been with the trade union in this matter? Is he aware that some of the draftsmen involved have worked on an interchangeable basis between Stoke Heath and Ternhill stations? As men have been taken on quite recently at Ternhill and some men with long service have been made redundant at Stoke Heath, should not this point be considered, and will the right hon. Gentleman consult the trade unions about it?

If we are to be fair we must be consistent. We could not suddenly insist that Ternhill should be treated as an extension of Stoke Heath just when the transfer of the maintenance unit from Stoke Heath had caused redundancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has now had an opportunity of completing his study of the text of the recent statement by General Thomas White, United States Air Force Chief of Staff, before a United States Senate Committee, that Her Majesty's Government regards Thor missiles in this country as being operational and ready to be fired; and whether it remains Her Majesty's Government's policy that these missiles shall be used merely for training until they are modified as a result of tests in the United States of America.

I have now received a verbatim report which I have sent to the hon. Member. General White correctly stated that we have accepted the first emplacement for Thor as operational. This means that the ground equipment has been satisfactorily demonstrated. So far as missiles are concerned, the position remains as stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 18th March.

While very much welcoming that assurance, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not about time that there was more coordination between him and the United States authorities on Thor, because almost monthly and sometimes even weekly we have these contradictory statements coming out of the United States?

I think that very often the apparent contradiction is one of interpretation rather than of what is actually meant.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will consider raising the present speed limit of 30 miles-per-hour for cars with light trailers.

I am not in a position to make a statement on this matter at the moment.

Has not this matter been under consideration by my right hon. Friend for nearly a year? Will he bear in mind that this speed limit is now really archaic in modern conditions of brakes and roads?

If my hon. Friend refers in particular to the towing of boats en trailers, I must inform him that some boats are very long and constitute a considerable obstacle on the road.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now state whom he proposes to appoint as Chairman of the London Transport Executive in succession to Sir John Elliot; and which members of the Executive have had experience in the organisation of workers in accordance with Schedule 2, relating to provisions as to executives, of the Transport Act, 1947.

A successor to Sir John Elliot has not yet been appointed. There is one present member of the Executive who has spent a lifetime in work involving the organisation of workers and there are other members of the Executive who have had wide experience in staff matters.

Does the Minister appreciate the desirability of reaching a quick decision as to who should succeed Sir John Elliot, in view of the difficulties confronting London Transport and the undesirability of having a chairman in charge whose resignation is in his hands? Secondly, whilst it is true that Lord Geddes has spent his life in the organisation of workers, is it not a fact that he is only a part-time member?

The present circumstances are no different from those of the past. As to the successor to Sir John Elliot, I am anxious to find a man who will perform as able and successful public service as Sir John Elliot, and that may take some little time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of goods vehicle licences which were revoked or suspended, respectively, for offences committed under the Road Traffic Acts during 1958 or the latest available period; and how this number compares with the corresponding period of the previous year.

During the twelve months ended 30th September. 1958, twelve licences covering sixteen vehicles were revoked and eiehteen covering thirty-six vehicles were suspended. During the previous year three licences covering three vehicles were revoked and three covering five vehicles were suspended.

While welcoming that in some cases more severe penalties have been imposed for infringement of statutory regulations, may I ask, in view of the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary stated last week that he was in consultation with the licensing authority, that he will consult the licensing authority in regard to the severity of penalties which are being imposed and will see whether it is not desirable to use the sanction of revocation of licence in a far greater number of cases in view of the increase in the number of offences?

No, Sir. The Traffic Commissioners and the licensing authority have a statutory independence. I am sure that we can rely upon them to use it in a sensible and judicial way. We should leave this matter to them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now ready to make regulations with regard to direction indicators; or when he expects to be in a position to do so.

We have decided to recirculate for comment some of our original proposals where substantial modifications seem to be required. Until these comments are received I am not in a position to say when we shall be able to make the regulations to which my hon. Friend refers.

Does my hon. Friend recall an answer which he gave to a supplementary question of mine of 2nd April, last year, when he said:

"My right hon. Friend has undertaken to make regulations as from the beginning of next year with all new registered vehicles. We have every intention of keeping to that programme, —[OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd April, 1958; Vol. 585, c. 1194.]

My memory is not quite as good as that, but I remember the main drift of the question. What has happened is that the replies to our original proposals raised so many complicated points that it has taken longer than we expected to draft these regulations. It is a complex matter to decide exactly where these signals should be placed, what their intensity should be and so on. We must make sure of that before we make the regulations.

In view of the general interest among many hon. Members, can a copy of the draft regulations be placed in the Library so that hon. Members may study them?

We have not reached the point of making draft regulations yet, but I will see whether it is possible to place in the Library the letters we have sent out to the trade so that hon. and right hon. Gentlemen can see what is happening.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will ensure that as far as possible the siting of official stopping places for public service vehicles does not contravene the advice given by the Highway Code to drivers of private vehicles.

I am sure that the Traffic Commissioners, local authorities and the police who are normally concerned in the siting of bus stops do have full regard to all the considerations of road safety, including the advice given in the Highway Code.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in a number of cases the advice given on page 12 of the Highway Code is contravened and that a little thought and a little rearrangement of stopping places would add greatly to the safety of pedestrians and of traffic as well?

It is not easy for the bus authorities to arrange the stops to suit both the convenience of the passengers and the necessities of road safety. If my hon. Friend has any specific cases that he feels should be dealt with, I shall be very glad to have them looked at.

I could give my hon. Friend twenty cases in the space of 20 miles.

We are still very willing to look into them if my hon. Friend will let me have them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in considering the future of the Forth and Clyde Canal, he will give due regard to the importance of this canal to those fishermen with smaller boats who use the canal when moving to fishing grounds from the east to west coast and vice versa according to the season.

The position of these fishermen will be taken fully into account when the future of this canal is considered.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will be welcomed by the fishermen, who have sometimes been doubtful whether their interests have received sufficient consideration and who, I think, will now be reassured?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is satisfied that the swing bridge linking Canvey Island with the mainland is safe for vehicular traffic; how frequently the bridge is inspected; on how many occasions it has developed a mechanical failure in the last twelve months; and what is its expected life.

Essex County Council is the bridge authority and the Council tells me that there have been two mechanical and 14 electrical failures in the last twelve months, but the Council is installing new electrical machinery this summer which will substantially reduce the chance of electrical failure. The bridge is inspected at least 12 times a year, and the Essex County Council tells me that it is satisfied that it will be safe for normal loading for at least ten years.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether, bearing in mind that £100,000 will be spent on an improved access scheme which does not include the provision of a bridge, he is satisfied that this money will not be wasted?

Yes, Sir. We are.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give priority to the elimination of the bottleneck at the railway level crossing at Malton on the Scarborough-York road, in view of the importance of this to Scarborough and the surrounding district.

We intend to eliminate this bottleneck by constructing the eastern arm of the Malton by-pass. It is not yet possible to say when the scheme can be included in our programme, but we hope to begin its preparation this summer by advertising the order under the Trunk Roads Act to establish the line.

In considering the priorities, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a delay of as much as 40 minutes in the summer because Scarborough is a place to which many people want to go?

We understand the salubrious attraction of Scarborough. My hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) pressed this matter last year. We have looked at it very closely and we are well aware of the need to relieve this condition as soon as we can.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) from what sources outside his Department he has received advice on protective headgear designed to minimise injury to the head in road accidents;

The Road Research Laboratory, which co-ordinates activities in this field, has done most valuable work on protective helmets for motor cyclists and also on materials for protective caps for motorists and their passengers. This provided the basis of the Regulations on protective helmets for motor cyclists which we made in 1957. It would be premature as yet to set up a standard for protective caps or hats.

Does the Joint Parliamentary Secretary recollect that last week he gave figures of fatal casualties in 1957 which showed that no less than 63·3 per cent. were due to head injuries? Will he, therefore, undertake to do some research into this subject and, when he is satisfied that protective headgear is available for the use of motorists, to give some publicity to the fact for the better safety of motorists?

Yes, Sir. We understand, of course, the significance of the large number of fatalities from head injuries to drivers and passengers in motor cars. When we are satisfied from the research now proceeding that these hats or protective helmets for passengers and drivers are good enough, we shall certainly be prepared to consider the second part of the hon. Member's supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is now able to announce the date upon which the construction of a second carriageway of the trunk road A.40 over the Bucks-Middlesex border will start.

Preparatory work on a second carriageway for trunk road A.40 near Denham is well under way. Construction should start before the end of this year.

Will my hon. Friend bring forward as much as he can the start of work on this very dangerous stretch of road?

We hope to let the contract by the middle of the summer.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce greatly reduced speeds on main roads during the peak periods, when people cross in large numbers and when children must cross to and from school.

I do not think a temporary speed limit of less than 30 m.p.h. during limited times of the day would be practicable or enforceable.

If this action cannot be taken, what action will the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend take to reduce the anxiety in the minds of parents whose children have to cross dangerous roads daily to and from school?

Far the best solution is the school-crossing patrol and asking the local police to do their best to enforce the 30 m.p.h. limit whenever they are.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give instructions which will result in reduced speeds on the main road through Trent Vale in the City of Stoke on Trent and in the replacement of all guard rails at once.

A speed limit of 30 m.p.h. is already in operation on this road, and I understand that the county borough council recently requested the chief constable to concentrate on its enforcement. Following completion of the recent major improvements to the road, guard rails have been re-installed, in agreement with the county borough council, at all points where they are necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will treat as a matter of urgency the need for the completion of the new trunk road which will relieve the main road through Trent Vale, in the City of Stoke on Trent.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the proposed Birmingham-Preston motorway. A draft Order has already been published for Staffordshire, and we hope soon to be able to publish draft Orders for Cheshire and Lancashire. Three large viaducts on this motorway will take longer than the other work, and tenders have already been invited for work on them.

That is good news which the people will appreciate, but can any more be done to facilitate the work being carried out to ease the traffic on the roads?

We realise that this will be a great blessing to the hon. Member's constituency. We are proceeding with all speed with the preparatory work.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many bridges have been relieved of toll payments since 1st January, 1955.

We have not yet redeemed any toll bridges on trunk roads nor contributed to the freeing of any tolls on other bridges since 1st January, 1955.

Will my hon. Friend please note that I did not ask about trunk roads but about all toll bridges? What is the reply?

The reply is in the second part of my Answer which is:

"… nor contributed to the freeing of any tolls on other bridges since 1st January, 1955."

That means that the Ministry has kept very strictly to the pledge given by my right hon. Friend the present Secretary of State for the Colonies. Could my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he is really well aware of the inconvenience caused by the existence of a toll bridge between Selby and Barlby?

We certainly are, and we have great hopes of being able to redeem the toll there. Unfortunately, the cost is so high that we are unable to do it at present.

Is not the original answer of the Joint Parliamentary Secretary shocking? Can he tell us what is the policy of the Government in regard to toll bridges, which are a complete anachronism today? No service is provided by most of them, many are kept in a poor state of repair, and the sooner they are purchased and eliminated the better.

We shall buy them out as and when the cost of doing so fits into the broad picture of our road programme.

I understood it was the Government's policy to encourage private enterprise to build bridges and to charge tolls. Could my hon. Friend clear up this misunderstanding?

In special cases, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made on the Doncaster by-pass road; how many workers are at present employed on the undertaking; and what is the time-table to which the authorities are working.

Tenders were invited during January and are due to be received today. As my right hon. Friend told the House last week, we hope that work on the by-pass, which will be a motor road and take about two years to complete, will begin in the early summer.

Can the Minister explain why there is such shocking delay in starting this important scheme? Can the hon. Gentleman remind the Minister of Transport of his experience when he tried to get through Doncaster and could not?

I do not accept that there has been a shocking delay. We are pressing on extremely well with our road schemes, and I think everyone will welcome this one.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us when physical work will start on the scheme?

I answered that question at the end of the substantive Answer. It will begin in the early summer.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in response to requests from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the local road safety committees, he will now give some general guidance to motorists as to who has right of way at traffic roundabouts.

The Departmental Committee on Road Safety is making a further examination of this subject in the light of all known facts, including the practice and experience in other countries. Until that study is complete the advice the Committee has given so far stands, namely, that it is not in the interests of road safety to prescribe a priority rule at roundabouts.

Is not the view widely held by experienced and knowledgeable people that it would help if the Ministry of Transport could give guidance about the right of way at roundabouts, especially now that we are having many more constructed? Also, could we have the benefit of the experience of other countries, such as France, which give a right of way?

That is what we are considering. We are about to collect information on what is being done in other countries. I am not at all certain that where there is Priorité à droite, or something similar, it is altogether satisfactory, but we will collect the information and if, in the light of this, it appears that we should make a change we will do so.

At one roundabout, at least, there is a sign "Give way to traffic coming from the right". Is that experimental, or is it illegal for such notices to be displayed?

They are probably unofficial.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to make a decision with regard to the commencement of work on the portion of the London-Yorkshire motorway in Leicestershire in view of his recent visit to Leicester.

As soon as the necessary statutory preliminaries have been completed.

Does the Minister realise the considerable number of people in Leicestershire, and especially in Leicester, who think that all the delay is due to the fact that the Minister is peeved—and, if I may say so, he is not entitled to be peeved—about the refusal to accept the first road? When does he expect the work on this road to be commenced? Has he accepted it?

As usual, the hon. Gentleman has his facts wrong. Neither I nor my Ministry is peeved about this. The delay is due to the local opposition, probably quite justified, to the two previous lines of this road.

In view of the fact that the road will pass near my home in Leicestershire, will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking to the local inhabitants that work in the Charnwood Forest area will be carried out with the least possible disturbance to the amenities of the forest, so that the local residents can enjoy them?

That seems to be a good answer to the previous question.

In view of the very unsatisfactory reply I have received, propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has considered the recommendation of the jury at the inquest upon the four men who lost their lives through the accident on the new high level Barton Bridge on 19th February; and how far he intends to make it a condition of grant towards such projects that effect is given to that recommendation.

We have made a grant towards this scheme, but its execution is the sole responsibility of the Lancashire County Council. The conditions of contract applying to major road works and bridges provide that the works should be constantly supervised by the contractor or by the engineer named in the contract.

In view of the fact that, according to the recommendation of the jury, it appears that there was not proper supervision in this case, will my hon. Friend make representations to his agents in similar instances that proper supervision must be carried out, and will he take steps to see that it is?

We have ascertained that this condition was included in the contract. At present Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate is investigating the circumstances of the accident and will be reporting to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour shortly. We shall, of course, consult my right hon. Friend and be advised by him if there is any further action we should take.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what effect the recent accident to the new Barton Bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal has had on the time-table for the construction of the new Manchester by-pass; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by the Lancashire County Council that the probable effect is to put back the estimated date of completion by two to three months, that is from November this year to next January or February. This represents the time required to replace the 330 tons of fabricated steelwork damaged in the accident.

In view of the great importance of the new bridge to both the industry and the workers in Trafford Park, will my hon. Friend take all the steps he can to ensure that Lancashire County Council does not delay unnecessarily in getting the bridge finished?

Yes, Sir, I am sure it is most anxious to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress is being made in extending the parking-meter scheme to other parts of the West End and the City of London.

An Order authorising St. Marylebone Borough Council to install parking meters in south-west St. Marylebone has been laid before Parliament, Westminster City Council has asked to extend its present metered zone to the whole of Mayfair, and Holborn Borough Council has asked for an order covering the north-western part of its borough. Other Metropolitan boroughs are known to have schemes under active consideration.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask whether he is aware that it is almost impossible for short-term parkers to find anywhere to park in Central London unless they get there before nine o'clock in the morning, except where there are parking meters? Will he do everything possible to encourage local authorities to bring forward schemes to provide off-street parking for the long-term parker?

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is becoming more and more obvious what a success the first initial, small parking-meter scheme has been. I will do anything I can within my proper constitutional power to help local authorities to bring these schemes forward.

Is it my right hon. Friend's intention to produce a profit-and-loss account for these meters in due course?

That is not a matter for my Ministry, because this income goes to the local authority and not to the Government.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further progress has been made with the proposal to reconstruct Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane and Marble Arch.

The Government have approved the scheme prepared by the London County Council, and is making a grant of over £4 million towards the cost, which is estimated at £5·8 million. The preparatory work of diverting the mains and cables under Hyde Park Corner started last September, and I understand that the London County Council hopes to begin the main works this autumn. These will include the conversion of Park Lane into a twin carriageway road, greatly enlarged one-way systems at Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch and a four-lane underpass between Knightsbridge and Piccadilly. The London County Council expects to complete the scheme, which will be the most comprehensive road improvement in London for fifty years, in 1962.

While welcoming the progress made, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he expects very much traffic dislocation when the later stages are reached?

My hon. and gallant Friend correctly surmises that we cannot carry out a big scheme like this without some dislocation. I am glad to say that the London County Council and my Ministry are trying to work out a special scheme of traffic diversion which will minimise the difficulty.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now announce the date when he will authorise the scheme for the second part of the Birmingham Inner Ring Road.

My Department informed the Birmingham Corporation yesterday of my approval of their scheme to provide dual 30-foot carriageways between Upper Priory and the junction of Snow Hill with Great Charles Street, and the grant to them of up to £791,000 towards the cost, which is estimated at over £1 million. The completion of this part will provide a workable inner ring road system.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that excellent news, may I ask him when he expects the work to be started and how long it will take to complete? Further, can he say whether the first part of the inner ring road is up to schedule?

The first part is on schedule, so far as I know. This is, of course, a matter for the Birmingham authorities and not for my Ministry. My job and the responsibility of the Government in this case is to provide £791,000, of which we notified Birmingham yesterday.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what further information he will now give concerning the present position with regard to the duplication of Blackwall Tunnel.

My Department have told the London County Council of my approval of the council's proposals for the duplication of the Blackwall Tunnel and the Government are making a grant of nearly £5½ million, that is 75 per cent. of the total cost, which is estimated at approximately £7½ million. The council expects that work will begin in the autumn and that it will take about five years to complete.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this information will give very great satisfaction to many thousands of people who are inconvenienced day after day?

This is a very important improvement, and I am glad that the Government have made it possible for the L.C.C. to get on with it.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what reply he has sent to the letter of 6th March, 1959, sent to him by the Town Clerk, Liverpool, with reference to the refusal of the divisional road engineer to agree to pedestrian crossings at the junction of Queen's Drive, Menlove Avenue, Allerton Road, Liverpool, against the unanimous opinion of all responsible departments of the council and the council itself.

We have replied that the Divisional Road Engineer will review, and report on, the matter when the permanent works for improvement of the junction layout are completed. In his letter to the council of 2nd February he had already expressed his intention of doing so.

Is the Minister aware that the only person who disagrees with the requirement of a pedestrian crossing seems to be his divisional road engineer, and that the statement he made was that the permanent alteration would make it completely unnecessary for pedestrian crossings to be put in? In view of the fact that his reply has been sent in those terms, will he please take notice that the local authority will hold him responsible in the meantime for any pedestrian who is injured or killed at this particular spot, due to the fact that there is no place at which they are able to cross the road?

I cannot accept the whole of that responsibility.

The hon. Gentleman will get it.

I take note of the hon. Lady's charge. The fact is that almost every day we are asked to provide pedestrian crossings and if we agreed to them there would soon be so many that nobody would take any notice of them. We have to be most cautious before we agree to new ones. I assure the hon. Lady that we will take the greatest care to listen to the local views.

On a point of order. As the district referred to in the hon. Lady's Question is in my constituency, am I precluded from asking a supplementary question?

I did not observe the hon. Member rise.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) if the precise line of the Eastern Avenue Extension, through the borough of Leyton, has now been decided; and whether a public inquiry will be held in order to receive representations from affected householders and others;

We are now considering the objections received to the proposed line of the Eastern Avenue Extension, which was published in draft last October. A detailed investigation of these objections is required and we have not yet decided whether to hold a public inquiry. Which houses will eventually be affected cannot be known until an order has been made. The present estimated cost of the scheme is about £2,000,000. Constructional work is not likely to start for some years. There are no powers to pay compensation to people living in streets used by diverted traffic.

Is the Minister aware that this matter has been prolonged for many years and that it has caused a great deal of embarrassment and apprehension to a large number of my constituents? Will he not at least guarantee that there will be a public inquiry at which they can present their case, which would at least to some extent mollify their disturbance? Secondly, is he aware that traffic is increasing in my constituency, which is a kind of bottleneck or funnel, and will he therefore consider providing some means to alleviate the pressure on this district?

Of course, we are well aware of the traffic difficulty. That is why we contemplate this road improvement. With regard to a public inquiry, I would ask the hon. Member to give us a little longer to consider the objections, and then we can consider generally the problem of the line before we decide whether or not to have a public inquiry. I am certainly well aware of the large number of house tenants and owner-occupiers affected, and I will bear in mind his request.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the proposed increased expenditure on road development and the resulting increase in the number of cars using the roads, what further action he is taking to give publicity to the need for conduct upon the roads which will promote safety for all road users beyond that already announced for 1959.

Publicity for road safety is organised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in a series of quarterly campaigns, presented in the main by the local authority road safety committees, who number more than 1,000. In addition, a national campaign is promoted each year. The theme this year is "Be a Better Driver". These campaigns are supported and amplified by the help we receive from the B.B.C. and the I.T.A.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that this road safety message goes wide enough to reach the whole community and is not just concentrated on a few posters issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents?

Yes. Sir. We are now receiving very great help from television. Last year over 1,000 showings were made of our television "shorts", which are used as "fillers" in the programmes, which would cost, I suppose, several hundreds of thousands of pounds if we actually had to pay for the time. I am confident that these road safety messages and these short films of a quarter of a minute to two minutes, shown in special cartoon form, have been seen widely in 9 million homes. We are very grateful both to the television people and to the Shell Company who are helping us with them.

While agreeing that these television performances are most successful and most valuable, may I ask the Minister whether he is satisfied that the amount of money granted direct to local societies for local activities is sufficient? Is it keeping up with the yearly increase in a number of accidents, and should not the contribution be substantially increased to enable societies to conduct more effective local campaigns?

I think it is sufficient. We look at it very closely every year, though a case can always be made out for giving more. We have been very greatly helped by the television people in disseminating this publicity, and I think that this form is really an effective one.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what sample counts have been made in respect of traffic increase now, compared with five years and one year ago, passing Whipps Cross, Leyton.

None, Sir. At Dalston Lane, Hackney, which is the nearest census point on A.104, traffic increased 9 per cent. between 1956 and 1958.

Will not the hon. Gentleman take action to see that a traffic count is taken in view of the fact, to which I referred just now, that part of Leyton is becoming a very congested bottleneck? Is he further aware that, in spite of what he said in answer to a previous Question, the number of pedestrian crossings is quite inadequate in view of the very great increase in traffic in that part of Leyton?

I will ask our divisional road engineer to give us a report on that point and will then see, in the light of what he says, what further action we can take to help.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many miles of trunk road will be laid down under the present road programme.

Since the end of 1954 about 90 miles of new trunk road have been completed. It is expected that about 180 miles will be finished in the next two years. In addition, preparatory work is going ahead on some 840 miles.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much money has been spent in the last eight years on the London to Colchester road; and what are the comparable figures for the London to Brighton road.

Over the past five financial years, the period for which figures are most easily available, about £1,708,000 has been spent on the London to Colchester trunk road compared with about £2,003,000 on the London to Brighton trunk road. This latter figure includes about £837,000 spent on the Gatwick Diversion, which was not paid out of the Roads Vote.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the London-Colchester Road serves the important industrial areas of Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford, as well as a large seaside area, and that there is an impression that it has not been getting a fair proportion of the funds that are available for improvement, as compared with other roads, like the London-Brighton road? Will he assure me that this is not going to occur in future?

The figure I have given my hon. Friend should be some reassurance to him. I may add that over the course of the next three years we expect some £3 million of new work on that road to be authorised, so perhaps that will be an additional reassurance to him.

Could my hon. Friend give me an assurance that the Brentwood by-pass will shortly be started, and will he now accept the offer I made a year ago to view the enormous traffic at weekends at Gallows Corner by helicopter, at his expense?

"No" to the latter question; I will look into the former.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what plans he has for installing traffic signals at the junction of Harrow Road, Wembley, with Bridgewater Road and District Road.

We have received no proposals from Middlesex County Council, which is the highway authority, for signal control at this junction, and I understand that it does not think traffic signals are likely to prove a satisfactory solution. It has, however, a scheme for a roundabout, to be put in hand when funds are available.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that roundabouts eventually get so clogged with traffic that they have to be replaced by traffic lights in any road where there is great congestion of traffic? Will he have this matter investigated to see whether traffic lights can be installed as they are just outside Buckingham Palace at the Buckingham Palace Road-Birdcage Walk junction, where a similar problem arises?

There are some complex traffic turning movements at this junction. I think we can leave it to Middlesex County Council to deal with the matter adequately.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on what basis he estimates the Victoria Line would operate at a loss of £3 million a year; and to what extent that sum includes interest on its capital cost.

The British Transport Commission informs me that, estimating the cost of the Victoria Line at about £55 million, between £2¼ million and £2½ million, depending on interest rates, of the estimated annual loss will represent interest charges on capital.

Would not the Minister agree that this adds justification to the argument that the Victoria Line should be proceeded with by the Government as a Government project, in the same way as roads are built, so that the interest charged to London Transport could be dispensed with? Further, does he not consider, in view of the long time that construction would take, that it is difficult to make these estimates so far ahead, and that by the time the line is constructed the number of people desiring to travel underground because of the increased traffic congestion will be so great that the loss may not be nearly as substantial as is suggested?

All this question of loss is relevant, but what is more relevant and important at the moment is whether £55 million laid out on a new tube would pay a better traffic dividend than £55 million laid out on surface road works, which is the problem that the London Travel Committee is grappling with at the moment.

Whilst not disagreeing with my right hon. Friend, may I ask whether an estimate has been made of the economic savings which might be achieved by improvement in communications here?

That is exactly what the London Travel Committee is studying; in what way the expenditure of this large sum of money would pay the best dividend as regards public convenience and everything else.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, whenever alterations are made in the authorised extents of airways, he will ensure that such alterations do not become effective till maps showing such changes are available to the public.

Changes in the authorised extent of the airways are promulgated in advance by printed Notices to Airmen (Notams) with a sketch map. The aeronautical information on topographical maps is amended in new editions. As efficiency of operation and aircraft safety are concerned, essential alterations in the airways cannot be delayed until new flying maps are on sale.

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that, while flying with a false map may be very interesting, it is extremely dangerous? Can he ensure that the maps are really capable of being overprinted and are available to the public before they become effective?

My hon. Friend had better study my answer. We have every reason to believe that the process we use for NOTAMS, with a sketch map attached to the Notam, is completely effective.

Can the hon. Gentleman make certain that these Notams are in the possession of private fliers and glider pilots, who are exactly the people who ought not to be flying in extended airways?

We cannot be certain that every person who will take up an aircraft is in possession of the latest available NOTAM, but I believe that there are regulations which make it an offence in certain circumstances if the flier has not this sort of information.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now make a statement about the proposed London-Moscow air service.

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that an Exchange of Notes, bringing into effect the Air Services Agreement between this country and the U.S.S.R., was signed in Moscow yesterday. I am hopeful that services will be able to start early this summer.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that information, which I am sure will be very gladly received, may I ask him whether the agreement means that B.E.A. will be operating at the same time? May I also congratulate my right hon. Friend on establishing this new commercial link with Russia which, surely, can do nothing but further trade relationships, and help to remove the differences and difficulties, which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is so valiantly struggling to do?

This will be a full reciprocal service, and, of course, that means that B.E.A. will be running a counterpart service to Moscow. As to the second half of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I have to be satisfied that these new jet aircraft do not create conditions which are intolerable for people living round the airport. I am very grateful to Aeroflot for meeting, as far as it is humanly possible for them to do, our rather strict requirements.

In view of the complaints by residents around London Airport about noise from all these new jet airliners, irrespective of nationality, will the right hon. Gentleman watch the position very carefully indeed in the interests of local residents?

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) whether he is aware that the Chief Inspector of Accidents, in breach of the provisions of Regulation 7 (5) of the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations, 1951, has ignored three successive requests made to him in writing on 4th November and 12th December, 1958, and 9th January, 1959, by Captain W. H. Nankin, the pilot of a British European Airways aircraft which crashed at Prestwick on 28th April, 1958, that he should be permitted to be fully heard, and to call and cross-examine witnesses, before the Chief Inspector made his report on the crash and what action he will take to protect the rights of Captain Hankin;

The letters from Captain Hankin were fully discussed with him by the Chief Inspector of Accidents and members of his staff. I am satisfied that Captain Hankin was afforded, under Regulation 7 (5) of the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations, 1951, every opportunity to make a statement and give evidence to the Chief Inspector and, had he so desired, to produce and examine witnesses.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have in my hand a copy of a document which Captain Hankin was pressed to sign in circumstances which are sometimes referred to as a "blood chit," which stated that he did not desire to exercise rights open to him under the Regulations and that he twice refused to sign it? In those circumstances, is it not a fact that the report of the Chief Inspector contains a statement in paragraph 7 to the effect that the Regulations have been complied with, which is false? What does my right hon. Friend propose to do about it?

I am afraid I do not agree with my right hon. and learned Friend. The position is as I stated in my Answer to the three Questions, which I have very carefully considered. The facts are as I then said, that I am satisfied that Captain Hankin had every opportunity to discuss the letters which were written to the Chief Inspector with him and with his officials. He could have called witnesses if he wished to do so. As to the issue of a public inquiry, I have given the reasons why I decided it was not in this case appropriate.

I wonder whether the right hon. Gentleman recalls the quite categorical assurance given in the House on 14th July, 1954, in which the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Profumo) said:

"My right hon. Friend has decided to extend the existing criteria of a court investigation to include accidents in which it may appear from the preliminary report of the Chief Inspector that such measure of blame may be attached to an inndividual as seriously to prejudice his career."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th July, 1954; Vol. 530, c. 464.]

The Answer then given, which I carefully looked up was, as the hon. Member said, that one of the criteria the Minister must take into account is the question of the position of the captain of the aircraft. I most carefully considered that, as I have said in answer to my right hon. and learned Friend, and still came to the conclusion that the public inquiry was not in anyone's interest.

As this was an almost unique accident, happening at night and all the crew surviving, does not my right hon. Friend think it would be better when there are survivors to take full advantage of the fact that they are there to give full evidence in public? As this man had flown something like 10,000 hours and the first officer had flown over 5,000 hours and the only statement made was while he was in hospital, will my right hon. Friend review the matter and see that it is fully ventilated publicly?

The purpose of accident investigation, as I think my hon. Friend knows, is not to ascertain who was responsible, but to establish clearly the cause of the accident in order that any remedial action might be taken over other aircraft and other services. The cause of the accident was clearly established and clearly set out in the Inspector's report, which, of course, is available and was published.

While making it quite clear that I do not accept my right hon. Friend's statement with regard to the letter of complaint, may I ask him a supplementary question in regard to a different matter, dealt with in Questions Nos. 48 and 49? Is he aware that as long ago as 1954 officials of his Department were made aware through their membership of the group of I.A.T.A., which reported on the matter, of the danger created by the possibility of misreading an altimeter, but that nothing was done to warn pilots or controllers until this accident took place? Does he not think that that is a very serious matter indeed?

I should think so if that were the fact. I regret to differ from my right hon. and learned Friend, but the fact is that a great deal of action has been taken to try to improve the presentation of the altimeter dial as presented to the pilot. The altimeter dial in use in this particular Viscount had been modified in that respect and had a new and redesigned series of pointers to try to make an error by the captain of the aircraft less likely. This has been a constant difficulty in aircraft, not only in this country but all over the world. That is why I have recently set up a further committee to see whether we can make further improvements. To say that no action was taken on this matter is, I am afraid, not correct.

The Minister said that the captain had an opportunity to make a further statement. Is he aware that when Captain Hankin was invited to make a statement, he asked if he could first read the evidence on which the charges against him were based and he was refused permission to read that evidence? In that case, he said he would refuse to make a statement. Is not this an entirely unsatisfactory method of obtaining the truth? Why is the Minister so obstinate about it?

The hon. Member has given me the opportunity to say that no charges were made at any time against Captain Hankin. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] That is perfectly true; there were no charges at all. As to what he was shown, as the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) knows quite well, he was shown the information written by my Chief Inspector of Accidents. That is the normal procedure. No departure has taken place from the normal procedure of dealing with an accident. The duty of my inspector and my Department is to get at the facts, and they are normally set out in the report.

May I ask my right hon. Friend quite specifically, does he or does he not say that pilots were warned before the accident of the danger arising from the altimeter which had been known to his Department for four years?

What I quite clearly and specifically say is that every possible step has been taken to make known to pilots the danger of misreading an altimeter dial, including instructions issued by B.E.A. to all its pilots.

I beg to give notice that, having regard to the unsatisfactory nature of the answers given, I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity when the House resumes after Easter.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proposals he is now considering for the future recruitment and training of civil air transport pilots; and when he expects to make a statement on this matter.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering proposals for this purpose, the importance of which he fully appreciates, but he is not yet in a position to make a statement.

Will the Joint Parliamentary Secretary give us any idea of what proposals he is considering, and can he tell us whether he is contemplating using the services of the Airways Flying Club, which is a non-profit-making and very efficient organisation with a proven experience in training pilots?

The proposals to which the Answer related were those referred to in the Question. As regards the second part of the supplementary question, I am not in a position to make a statement today.