asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the construction and future service of ships such as H.M.S. "Ashanti"; by whom this ship was built; who provided the gas and steam turbines, air conditioning, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers and other equipment; and what are the prospects for all other such ships now being built.

H.M.S. "Ashanti" is the first of a new class of general purpose frigates of all welded construction. She is being built by Messrs. Yarrow and Co. of Glasgow, with steam and gas turbine propulsion machinery by the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co. of Manchester. Auxiliary machinery and other equipment is being supplied by many other contractors in accordance with the normal practice.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that as a result of that scientific and engineering work we are now leading the world in this kind of development?

It is true that this is an original form of propulsion and that we are certainly in the forefront of the world with it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the experience gained in ship propulsion by the combination of gas and steam turbines, and on its future use; by whom the research work has been carried out; and what financial arrangements were made.

H.M.S. "Ashanti", at present under construction, is the first ship to be fitted with combined steam turbine and gas turbine main machinery; there is thus no operational experience with this form of propulsion so far, but all novel features of this system have been subjected to extensive shore trials. The machinery has been developed by the Admiralty assisted by the Yarrow-Admiralty Research Department and the Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company working under contract to the Admiralty for this purpose.

Now that we have established the facts, will the hon. Gentleman agree to use his influence with the Government so that the result of this scientific and engineering work can be carried out in the locality where it has been pioneered? Is he aware that within a fifty-mile radius of Manchester there are more than 100,000 unemployed, including 28,000 on Merseyside? Will he see that this kind of work is provided for the men and women who can do it?

It is true that Metropolitan Vickers, or Associated Electrical Industries, the parent firm, has been in the forefront of this development, but it would not be right for an Admiralty spokesman to say that by virtue of that it should have the monopoly of producing machinery of this sort. However, it is true that orders have been or are likely to be placed with the firm because of the pioneering work which it has done.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what progress has been made on the application of nuclear propulsion for ships; and what are the prospects of it being used for passenger and merchant ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the frequent references both officially and industrially to the use of nuclear power for marine propulsion, if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the provision of a prototype ship.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether he will make a statement on the progress made by the Naval Research Establishment on nuclear marine propulsion and its application to surface craft in the Royal Navy;

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) when he will place a development contract for the first nuclear propulsion plant for a British ship;

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will now make a further statement on the development of nuclear propulsion for merchant shipping.

The House will recollect that on 8th and 9th May, the Admiralty arranged facilities for firms to present reactor systems in which they were interested and that as a result of this presentation a technical appraisal of the respective merits of the various systems was put in hand.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that statement will be especially appreciated by those who understand the pioneering work which has been done? Is he aware that those who are well versed in these matters are very optimistic about the prospects? Will he use his influence to ensure that Britain can take the initiative in getting the world market now that we have pioneered it?

I will certainly do everything I can, but at the moment I must naturally await until I have had the Sub-Committee's report.

While I associate myself with all that the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith) said about my hon. Friend's Answer, can my hon. Friend make any statement on the possibility of having a prototype ship in which the selected reactor will be installed in order that we may be able to assess in commercial circumstances the value of this new form of propulsion, as this would be very helpful in enabling us to lead the way in this matter?

I appreciate my hon. Friend's interest in the matter, but naturally I cannot anticipate the recommendations of my Committee. However, in spite of that, provided that we are satisfied on all the aspects which I mentioned in my original Answer, I would hope that my Committee would be able to recommend plans for a nuclear-propelled ship.

While I fully appreciate the difficulties of this decision, does not the hon. Gentleman think it is about time we got this matter on Cabinet level? Does he not appreciate—I am sure he realises it—that when the decision is taken there will still be a considerable further delay because of the matter to which the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) referred, assessing the reactor in commercial circumstances, the consideration of tenders, and so on?

I think the hon. Gentleman is being a little unfair. There were eight different systems, all very involved, and there are questions not only of feasibility but of safety, economics, the time scale and potential development, all of which have to be examined thoroughly before a proper assessment can be made.

Can the Civil Lord tell us how many more committees we have to have? I understood that the purpose of the Committee of which he is chairman' was to make a decision on which reactor was to be selected. From what he has already said in this House, I understood that a decision would be reached fairly soon. Now we are told this afternoon that there is another Sub-Committee. How many more committees must we have before a decision is reached?

The hon. Gentleman is wrong in saying that he has been told this this afternoon for the first time. An announcement was made two months ago following the presentation of the eight different systems that a technical Sub-Committee had been set up to assess their potentialities, and it is perfectly obvious that until that Sub-Committee has reported my main Committee cannot come to a decision as to what to advise the Government to do.

Is it not a fact that of these eight different forms of nuclear propulsion machinery, two or possibly three were actually perfected and complete units and the others were no more than the skeleton of some future project? Is it not rather unfair to the people who can produce the completed units, and can do it to a fixed date, if they are held back so that their ideas become outmoded while others who have not yet thought it out get the advantage of the delay?

That is precisely one of the points which has to be assessed—the time scale—and another is the future potentialities of the various reactors for development. They may vary in different reactors.

Is it not true that the Committee of which the Civil Lord is chairman was set up for the purpose of arriving at this decision to select a reactor which could go ahead, so that we should then be able to get into manufacture and production? Now we are told that another Sub-Committee of this Committee has been set up. How many more sub-committees of the Sub-Committee will be necessary before a decision is actually reached?

I have already answered the hon. Gentleman's point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the present premises of the Torpedo Experimental Establishment, Greenock, were first publicly advertised for sale; and if the offer included the present administrative block.

This Establishment was first publicly advertised for sale in May, 1958. The administrative block was included in the offer.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House why there was no formal withdrawal of the offer of the block for sale and why the Renfrewshire Education Committee has been sent on a wild goose chase to try to get it for a technical college? In view of the letter which, by a coincidence, I received today, does not the hon. Gentleman think that he owes some apology for this long delay in putting us six months behind in providing a technical college for the area?

I am very sorry if in endeavouring to help the hon. Gentleman's constituents the Admiralty has caused them and the education authority any inconvenience. The reason why we did not withdraw the building in the first instance was that we were trying to help the local authority and ascertain whether it would not be possible for the Admiralty to centralise all its functions somewhere else. Unfortunately, owing to the increase in the N.A.T.O. commitment, that has been found to be impossible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the re-engagement figures for ratings during the first three months of this year; and how these figures compare with the corresponding period of last year.

Sixty-four per cent. of R.N. ratings who completed 12 years' service in January-March, 1959, re-engaged to complete time for pension, compared with 57 per cent. in January-March, 1958.

Those are very encouraging figures. Can my hon. Friend tell me when they were last bettered, and whether the figures for all branches are as satisfactory?

This is the best figure that we have had since 1936. It has shown a steady improvement over the years. The improvement is spread over most of the branches. It is true that there are just one or two rather weak branches to which we are having to attend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has yet made a decision in regard to giving permission for residents in the Royal Naval Estate, St. Budeaux, Plymouth, to display bills on behalf of the political candidates at the coming election.

No restriction has been placed on the display of election bills by residents of the St. Budeaux Estate, who are quite at liberty to display them if they wish.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. That did not appear to be the case in the local government election. I should like to ask him whether the residents on the estate and the employees, both established and non-established, of the Admiralty in the City of Plymouth are able to see their Members of Parliament or write them letters without their careers being prejudiced?

The normal rules regarding civil servants applying pressure aimed at the improvement of their careers, of course, apply.

If the hon. Gentleman wants to help the Tory Party by using Admiralty property for that purpose, could he not have "Vote for the Tories" painted on the sides of H.M.S. "Vanguard" and tow the vessel round from port to port? The vessel would then at least be performing some useful purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the tonnage of orders at north-east shipyards cancelled or postponed during the latest 12-month period; and what was the similar tonnage for the previous corresponding period.

Seventeen building licences, totalling approximately 178,000 gross tons were cancelled in North-East Coast shipyards during the year ended 30th June, 1959, as compared with 23 licences, totalling approximately 179,000 gross tons during the preceding twelve months. Details of orders postponed are not available.

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that these are serious figures for shipbuilding in the North-East? Will he also try to get the postponement figures, because many cancellations are cloaked as postponements and we want these figures in order to obtain a realistic picture of what is happening?

It will be a difficult job, but I will certainly do my best.

Will the hon. Gentleman take note how very glad we are to see both him and the Parliamentary Secretary here and in good health, as they were absent last night when my right hon. Friend the Member for Belper (Mr. G. Brown) asked a number of very important questions about the Royal Navy?

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) for what reason the Oldham soldier, whose name has been communicated to him, has been refused compassionate release from National Service or compassionate leave, notwithstanding that his wife who is living alone with her recently born first child is suffering from a serious nervous condition originating from a nocturnal felonious breaking in of the home with a view to an assault upon her;

I have every sympathy with this family whose house in Oldham was broken into last October. They have been treated with every consideration by the Army. At the time of the house breaking the soldier was serving in Hong Kong. As soon as the War Office heard of the incident the soldier was flown home and given compassionate leave, which was extended over three months.

Is the Minister aware that with regard to Question No. 18, which is a quite separate question, he is perfectly right in saying that the commanding officer treated this man with great understanding and with great consideration, but that this man has served 12 months and is travelling 30 or 40 miles a day backwards and forwards after duty at his own expense to visit his wife, who is seriously ill, with a young child, and living alone? Does this conform with the undertaking which was given to the House?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, there is nothing very unusual about this. A lot of soldiers who have sleeping-out passes choose to live at home, and a lot of them travel much further than this soldier does on a regular basis to and from their homes. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have been into this case very deeply and that I have seen a number of them in all three Services in the past four years. I do not think it warrants the discharge which the hon. Gentleman wants, though it does warrant the not inconsiderable pains which have been taken in order to facilitate the situation and the life of the family as a whole. I will continue to watch it and, if circumstances change, I assure the hon. Gentleman that I will review the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 1¼ million pairs of surplus boots have been handed over to the appropriate authority for disposal to date; and when will this part of the transfer be completed.

All will have been handed over by next month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply last week said that he could not give the price? Is he also aware that I have a letter from the contractors stating that these boots are realising between 8s. 6d. and 10s. Od. a pair? Since they cost nearly £2 a pair to the taxpayer, is it not becoming obvious that a tremendous blunder has been made in the production of these boots when they could not have been required?

The question of price is a different question to that on the Order Paper. As the hon. Gentleman knows, that is a matter for the Ministry of Supply and not for the War Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Northampton boot and shoe operatives are already on short time and that this sort of unfair competition from his Department is scarcely helpful?

I am speaking at some risk here, because I am not absolutely certain that I am right, though I think I am right. I believe that all, and certainly the vast majority, of these boots are being sold on the condition that they have to go abroad. In view of what has been said about the number of boots, it is established—and I said so when the matter was before the House earlier—that the vast majority of these boots are having to be disposed of because of the change of policy about holding war reserves which has been brought about by Her Majesty's Government, and very sensibly so, in the nuclear age.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a house in Lee-on-Solent was recently damaged by some sort of a rocket projectile emanating from his firing range at Browndown; if he will now make a statement on this incident.

The condition of the missile rules out any possibility that it had just been fired from a rocket launcher. It was the centre portion of an anti-tank practice rocket, corroded with age and lacking its head and fins. The Browndown Range was in any case not in use that afternoon. Inquiries by the police and local military authorities have brought no evidence as to how this incident occurred.

Will my right hon. Friend appreciate that it is at least some satisfaction to have had the matter thoroughly looked into, so far as we can go at the moment, whereas previous complaints from this part of Lee-on-the-Solent about explosions and other things on that range have usually been met by a statement from that Department that there were no such explosions?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the safety precautions on this range are most stringent. If ever there is a missile fired which does not explode, all firing ceases and there is an immediate search for the missile. This missile must have got where it was many years ago, judging by its condition, and I am afraid that I cannot tell him how it came about.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now stated an operational requirement for vertical take-off and ground-cushion aircraft.

The use of vertical takeoff aircraft for the tactical transport of men and matériel features largely in our doctrine and plans. Various operational requirements have been stated. We are watching with interest the development of ground-cushion aircraft, but that is as yet in a very early stage.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give the House an assurance that developments in this field are not being held up by a lack of material resources, including money?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we attach the very greatest importance to the mobility—and mobility by air—of the Army, and that it should not be limited to strategic mobility in getting the Army, or such part of it as is needed, to any particular theatre, but should include tactical mobility within the theatre, which involves the vertical take-off aircraft.

If the War Office has not yet done so, will my right hon. Friend interest himself in the Hawker-Siddeley project for a vertical take-off aircraft and urge his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply to get a move on and have the project proceeded with?

I can assure my hon. Friend that we are interested in many vertical take-off projects.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of helicopters available for use by the Armies represented in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, respectively.

No, Sir. I am not at liberty to give such information.

I can understand the right hon. Gentleman's diffidence about giving answers to Questions on security grounds, but will he give the House an assurance that there is no security element here to keep from the House and the public the basic facts of the difficult situation, to put it mildly, in which the Army finds itself in regard to the supply of helicopters?

Certainly, I can give that assurance. I cannot give the details of what the other armies have, because that information is not provided by our friends to give away to the public. I can say that we have made a great deal of use of helicopters recently in Malaya and Cyprus, and that they are operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. That does not mean that they are any less available to the Army for operations.

While we can understand the security reasons for refusing information about material in the possession of the North Atlantic Treaty countries, what is the security reason for not furnishing information about material in possession of the Soviet Union? Is there any security there?

I must say that I am really astonished at that coming from the right hon. Gentleman, who has been Minister of Defence, who seems to think that it would be a good idea to announce in public what information we might have succeeded in obtaining from that country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, and will he look up the record to ascertain the facts about the matter, that when Questions were asked about material in the possession of the Soviet Union when I was Minister of Defence it was furnished to the House? Will he look up the record?

I will look up the record with great interest, but I had always thought that the right hon. Gentleman was a rather good Minister of Defence.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, as I am sure he must be, that there are now developments of large helicopters, which have been well and thoroughly tested, which are capable of lifting quite a substantial number of troops and heavy weights as well? Will he give consideration to what has been done in this country?

I can assure my hon. Friend that consideration is being given to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now stated an operational requirement for small atomic weapons for the Army's tactical use.

I am sorry not to be able to be more forthcoming with the hon. Gentleman, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.

While I can understand the right hon. Gentleman's diffidence, could he not tell us a little more than this? For example, an operational requirement has been stated for the Corporal, and we have got it. Is anything else being done, or is the field being left because of shortages of material resources or shortage of money?

No, Sir. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have two Corporal regiments at the moment, but our future plans in this field are very sensitive from the security point of view. I can reassure my hon. Friend that this field of development is not being overlooked, but I think it would be wrong of me at this time to give any precise information.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the grounds on which he considers that the Hylton Red House Estate, Sunderland, is adequately served by existing post offices.

There are two post offices within a mile of the estate. These provide reasonably convenient facilities for the residents, and there are no special features which would demand more generous allotment of offices than is our practice on similar estates. We have to keep a careful watch on the costs of the service we provide.

I am obliged for that answer, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that there seems to be a dispute about the facts here? The corporation believes that the distance is greater than a mile? In view of this difference of opinion, will the Assistant Postmaster-General arrange for one of his officials to visit the area, with the local government officials, in order to reach a better decision, since the post office is very much wanted by the people on the new estate?

I am sorry that there should be any dispute about the facts. We have gone into this very carefully, and the estate has been visited by officials of the Post Office. The distances have been measured. I will consider a further examination on the lines suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange that when a registered letter is put in at the post office it shall not only be stamped with the date but also with the time at which it is handed in.

No, Sir. This would be a costly thing to arrange. Where a record of the time of acceptance is asked for, it is entered on the certificate of posting.

I appreciate what the Assistant Postmaster-General has said, but is he aware that this Question was put down with a view to eliminating or curtailing certain malpractices which take place? While accepting that it may be costly, would not a small charge over a period of years counteract that? If the Postmaster-General cannot do what I ask, will he at least publicise the position so that the general public may know, when they do take a registered letter for post, that the certificate could be marked with the time as well as with the date stamp?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving us the opportunity to publicise this fact. I hope that people who want it will take advantage of it.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the loss of "Ocean Layer" owned by Submarine Cables, to what extent he estimates that additional cable laying work will need to be carried out by ships under his control; and what effect such additional work will have upon the cable-laying programme of the General Post Office.

At the time of the disaster, the cable ship "Ocean Layer" was sharing with the Post Office cable ship "Monarch" the laying of a transatlantic cable between Europe and North America. Both ships were under charter to the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. "Monarch" will now undertake the work which remained to be done by "Ocean Layer" and this will delay her own programme in 1959 by about four or five weeks. "Ocean Layer's" commitments for 1960 could be added to "Monarch's" programme, although very little margin would be left for contingencies.

I associate myself with the hon. Gentleman's remarks about the extra work and duties involved for the crew of the "Monarch", but does he not think that his reply denotes the urgency of the construction of a new cable ship by the Post Office so as to avoid this delay, particularly having regard to the dollar-earning capacity of the General Post Office fleet of cable ships?

I entirely subscribe to the views of the hon. Gentleman, but he has a Question on the Order Paper about the new ship, which I shall answer later.

asked the Postmaster-General when it is expected that the keel will be laid for a new cable ship to replace H.M.T.S. "Alert".

Tenders for the new vessel have been received and are now being considered. Until the order has been placed I cannot say when the keel will be laid, but I expect the new ship to be ready for service in about two years.

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say whether the telegraph ship "Alert" is still at sea, in view of the somewhat peculiar incident that occurred when, in the course of repainting the vessel, a brush went through some of the plates?

That incident received a great deal of publicity and, not unnaturally, caused us to make careful inquiries. The fact is that "Alert" has an Al certificate from Lloyds as a result of a recent survey, and is due for another survey next February. We are considering what the ship's future ought to be. Meantime, she is kept in home waters.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with rewording Post Office forms to make them less rigid.

About 150 forms out of the 2,000 have so far been revised, and the first batch of these has been printed. They have been reworded to make them more friendly, more personal and easily understood. The typography and layout have also been improved. I have arranged for some typical specimens of old and new versions to be displayed in the Library for Members to see for themselves what has been done. About 120 standard draft letters used by the Post Office have also been revised. We are pressing ahead with revising the remaining forms and standard letters. I should like to acknowledge our debt to Sir Francis Meynell, who has given us very helpful advice in this connection.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the general public will be grateful for that Answer, which is thoroughly in keeping with my right hon. Friend's admirable practice of reviving that old-world habit of courtesy?

I will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to my hon. Friend's remark.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has made for a trunk dialling station in North Staffordshire.

asked the Postmaster-General when a new telephone exchange will be provided to replace the existing one in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

We are planning a new automatic exchange at Hanley, which will give subscriber trunk dialling facilities from a number of exchanges in North Staffordshire. A new building is needed and we are at present acquiring a site. We expect to complete the new exchange in 1964–65.

I thank the Assistant Postmaster-General for his reply, but all that seems to be rather far in the future. Would it not be possible to accelerate this development, in view of the very serious complaint in North Staffordshire that we are not receiving a fair allocation of capital expenditure? Will the Post Office reconsider the matter and look again at the timetable?

We cannot do more than we are doing. We are providing this new exchange which will provide improved facilities at eight exchanges in the area, and the timetable is set for us by the requirements of building the building and providing and installing the equipment.

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that the Hanley exchange in my constituency is very old, and does he agree that it is a quite unsatisfactory building for modern purposes? Can he explain why a much smaller town than Stoke-on-Trent, namely, Stafford, is to have a new telephone exchange in 1961, while we in our great city have to wait until 1964–65?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will accept that it is not out of any lack of regard for the importance of the town he represents. It is simply a matter of putting these things into a programme in their right and most convenient order.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in order to avoid constant reference to telephone directories, he will advise subscribers in exchanges surrounding London to print the code number of their exchange, where such is applicable, on their notepaper.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, and I am sorry that I cannot adopt it. These code numbers can be used only for calls by London subscribers. Other subscribers have to use different codes to dial the same exchange. To show the London code on notepaper could, therefore, be confusing.

I am absolutely amazed that my hon. Friend should turn down my most excellent suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the capital expenditure on the telephone service in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the financial years 1957–58 and 1958–59; and what rate of capital expenditure is planned for 1959–60.

I regret that I cannot give these figures because detailed accounts of capital expenditure are not compiled for individual towns.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the figure for North Staffordshire as a whole? Is he not aware, from letters I have sent him, that there is serious complaint in Newcastle-under-Lyme about Post Office capital expenditure, especially in regard to sub-post offices and the provision of telephone kiosks? Will he, therefore, look at the situation again, because we believe that the Post Office should greatly increase its effort here?

I will certainly look at it in the light of the considerations the hon. Gentleman mentions. We cannot give figures for areas since so much of our capital expenditure is based on national tasks of one kind and another, such as the provision of trunk lines and trunk switching apparatus.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are waiting for telephone service in the borough and rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what is the longest waiting period.

Apart from applications under inquiry or in course of being met, there are only two applicants on the waiting list in the borough and one in the rural district. The earliest of these is dated October, 1958, and this will be satisfied when the residence for which it is required is ready for occupation.

Does not that Answer show that the Post Office in this area, as I suspected, is not seriously pressed in the provision of telephone facilities for potential subscribers? Is it not quite clear, therefore, that the Post Office could get much more of a move on in North Staffordshire in capital development so that we should not have to wait for a trunk dialling station for five years as compared with facilities being provided in other areas with half a million people?

I had hoped that my reply would show that the Post Office was dealing quite fairly with this matter.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very strong feeling in North Staffordshire among the workers in his Department that, if more were done and there were more capital expenditure, many more people than have already applied for them could be persuaded to have telephones? Is not that, therefore, where the move could be made?

I am quite aware of that. It may be true of this area and other areas also. We have to plan our expenditure over the whole nation.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of dissatisfaction regarding the number of outstanding applications for telephones by residents in the Whitchurch and Rhiwbina areas of the county of Glamorgan; and if he will take steps to expedite the work of providing telephones to these applicants.

Yes, Sir. Three hundred telephones were installed in these two places during the past 12 months, and we hope to put in a further 450 by the middle of next year.

Does my hon. Friend realise that whereas there were three on the waiting list in an area which has just been referred to, there are hundreds on this waiting list, and a disproportionate number of those on the waiting list are people with an urgent need for the telephone for business, professional and other reasons, who have had telephones at their previous addresses for very many years? In the circumstances, can more be done and done more quickly?

Those considerations are what have led us to embark on the provision of a new telephone exchange which is to open next January and on a large number of the new cable schemes which are going on.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for private and business telephones are now outstanding in the borough of Barry; and how long a time will elapse before all these applications are satisfied.

Thirty-nine private and 22 business applications are on the waiting list; in addition, 33 others are under inquiry or are in course of being met. New cables are being laid to cater for these applications and new demand, and I hope that nearly all those at present waiting will have telephone service in about 15 months. During the past 12 months, 217 new telephones were connected.

asked the Postmaster-General how many vacant lines are now available at the telephone exchange at Douglas, Lanarkshire.

Thirty-two, including 11 earmarked for applications on hand.

Can my hon. Friend say whether he would be able, at short notice, substantially to increase the availability of telephones there, in view of the fact that I have received two inquiries this week from firms which might be willing to come to Douglas? Will he give every possible assistance if such inquiries "come to the boil" and result in a satisfactory project?

Yes; our present belief is that we shall be able to meet reasonable forseeable demands. We will certainly keep a watch on the situation and be ready to help my hon. Friend if at all possible.

asked the Postmaster-General how many subscribers are now connected to the Uxbridge and West Drayton exchanges, respectively; how many applications are now outstanding for connection to each of these two exchanges; and how many of these applicants have been waiting for a period of more than one year.

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I asked for only six figures. Is there any reason why I should not have them, or is it that the hon. Gentleman cannot laugh off this waiting list as he tried to do in an earlier case? In any case, can he say when the Treasury is to allow him to deal with the waiting list in this area?

I am happy to be able to inform the hon. Gentleman that I shall give him more than six figures in order to bring his information up to date. As for laughing off the waiting list, I can tell him that in the past twelve months 318 new telephones have been connected to the Uxbridge Exchange and 137 to the West Drayton Exchange.

I asked the Assistant Postmaster-General for the waiting list, not for the number of those for which he had found a line. Why does he not answer the questions rather than say what he has just thought up?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the Answer that I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT he will find that most of his troubles are being dealt with.

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the net gain in numbers of telephone subscribers since the last increase in telephone charges.

During the period referred to in the Question, the number of subscribers increased by 110,301.

Does not that reply show quite clearly that as a result of the present policy on telephone costs and rentals the public can no longer afford this essential modern requirement? Is not this the lowest increase in the number of phones of any country in Europe?

As I have explained on previous occasions, we must keep our charging system in proper balance with costs, and that we are endeavouring to do.

Is it not the fact that the recent very large increase in the number of telephones is yet another indication of the greatly increased standard of living under this present Government?

My hon. Friend is probably right.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that a net increase of only about 100,000 telephones indicates the necessity for reconsidering the whole of the postal charges in order to meet the requirements of the Department?

We have the charges constantly under consideration, endeavouring always to keep a proper balance between costs and charges.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will recommend the inclusion of North Wales in the first stage of the British Broadcasting Corporation's plans for satellite television stations.

I am sorry I cannot do as the hon. Gentleman asks. The B.B.C. tells me that it cannot meet all the needs of Wales for satellite television stations in the first stage of its plans. It hopes to be able to improve reception in North Wales in a later stage.

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that there is very great disappointment in parts of North Wales where reception is particularly bad because the area is not included in the new scheme? Why is North Wales singled out for exclusion in this way? Will he look at the matter again and see whether the area can be brought in?

I am aware of the disappointment in that area and in other areas. I think that the hon. Gentleman will see, as Questions proceed, that North Wales is not alone in being disappointed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in the British Broadcasting Corporation's plan which the Postmaster-General has approved, only two satellite stations are going to Wales, five are going to Scotland and six are going to England? Does it not appear that insufficient regard is being paid to the needs of various areas in the planning?

No. The B.B.C. is responsible for these proposals, and it has to take into account not only its financial resources but very complicated technical considerations which are particularly difficult in mountainous and fringe areas.

Has not the Postmaster-General special powers in this matter? Cannot he direct the B.B.C.—I think he can under the Charter—to place satellite stations in various places? Has there not been a complete disregard for equity between the three nations in this plan?

It would be wise for me to refrain from commenting on that supplementary question until we reach later Questions on the Order Paper.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General how much longer the people who live in Sutherland will have to wait for a reliable sound broadcasting service; and, as the British Broadcasting Corporation has now overcome the technical difficulties involved, if he will authorise the Corporation to go ahead with its development plans, including television, in north-west Sutherland.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in overcoming technical problems causing delay in providing television and very high frequency services in the Western Isles and the north-west Highlands coastal area; and when he will authorise the expenditure by the British Broadcasting Corporation to provide these services.

The B.B.C. tells me that it has the needs of the northwestern Highlands coastal area, including Sutherland, and of the Western Isles in mind. These areas will be considered when it plans the next stage of its satellite development, but it is too early for it to say when further stations will be built.

Does the Assistant Postmaster-General realise that there has been a national sound broadcasting system for about forty years but that we are still without reliable sound reception? Is it not high time that we got a service similar to that provided in other parts of the country, and is he aware that the B.B.C. says that there are no difficulties except cash?

There are, of course, a lot of technical problems involved, as I have already mentioned, in getting television and radio programmes to remote areas, and the actual planning of the chain of stations has to be taken in an order dictated by technical considerations. It is certainly not the intention of either the B.B.C. or the Postmaster-General to do less than justice to that part of the country.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the lack of these amenities is definitely recognised as a cause of depopulation in these areas, and can he say whether or not the B.B.C. has altered its planning programme for the future in this area by putting satellite stations in the south rather than including these parts of Scotland in the programme?

I know that the B.B.C. is very much aware of its responsibility in this matter and is trying to get ahead with a very large programme as quickly as it can.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the likelihood of a progressive worsening of the supply of newspapers to the public; and whether he will use his powers under Section 15 (3) of the British Broadcasting Corporation Licence and Agreement to ensure that such worsening will be balanced, in the national interest, by an increase in the news services provided by broadcasting and television, and whether he will further ensure that these increased news services include comprehensive reports of the proceedings in Parliament.

Clause 15 (2) of the Licence and Agreement already places on the Corporation the duty to broadcast an impartial account day by day of the proceedings in Parliament. Clause 15 (3) of the British Broadcasting Corporation Licence and Agreement does not give my right hon. Friend power to give a general direction to increase news or other coverage. It relates to such matters as specific announcements.

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is in the national interest that the public should be kept fully informed of events as they occur, and will he do his best to see that any diminution in the news services supplied by the national newspapers is matched by increased news services provided by broadcasting and telecasting? Will he bear in mind that no reasonable person could object to this being done, as the national newspapers are not involved in any industrial dispute?

Yes. I am quite sure that the B.B.C. is conscious of its responsibility in this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans exist for relaxing the rules for televising outside events or for television on Sunday mornings.

Broadcasts of outside events up to a limit of 200 hours a year did not count towards the weekly basic hours. My right hon. Friend increased that limit to 350 hours for 1958 and the current year. He has now decided that the higher limit should continue for the future. The restrictions on television broadcasting before 2 p.m. on Sundays will also be lifted. Up to the present, only broadcasts of outside events, religious programmes and Welsh language programmes have been allowed, the latter in the period from noon to 2 p.m. The B.B.C. and I.T.A. have assured my right hon. Friend that they will continue to broadcast Sunday morning church services, and on that basis their Central Religious Advisory Committee raise no objection to the change. Moreover, this change will not lead to any reduction of the output of programmes in the Welsh language.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the consultations he has had on the Sunday proposals are sufficient to inform him adequately as to the state of religious opinion generally in regard to his proposals?

Both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are advised by their Central Religious Advisory Committee, which reflects the main stream of religious thought in the country. The assurance they have been given ought to be adequate for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement about the present conditions and amenities for serving men at the Royal Air Force station, EI Adem.

A start on a building programme which includes a new airmen's club and the extension of four messes will be made within the next few weeks. Until this programme is complete, conditions will, I am afraid, fall short of what we should like. Facilities do exist, however, for a wide variety of sports and hobbies.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there is, and has been, considerable grumbling among other ranks about the conditions existing at this desert station and particularly about the very wide disparity between the standard of amenities provided for the officers and those provided for the men? Will the hon. Gentleman treat it now as a matter of high urgency to have that very considerable gap closed in order to make life tolerable for the men under the very disagreeable conditions existing at El Adem?

I agree that this is not a comfortable place to serve in at the moment, but various amenities exist—I can tell the hon. Gentleman about them in detail, if he wishes—which are quite good, and our plan is to improve them.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he will take to restrict the times and streets in which driving instruction may be given to learners, in view of the dangers and delays which vehicles in their charge cause to other motorists.

It is very doubtful whether my right hon. Friend's powers under the Road Traffic Acts would enable us to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. In any event, we consider it important for learner drivers to experience as wide a variety as possible of traffic conditions before taking the test.

Will not the Joint Parliamentary Secretary consider taking further powers if they are needed? Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is a considerable problem, particularly in congested streets in central towns, where sometimes learner drivers are a great menace to the general public?

It is a matter of balance. Unless learner drivers are allowed to drive in dense traffic, they will never learn. It is better for them to make their first steps there with an instructor alongside them than when they are on their own.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action is proposed to improve traffic conditions at the Burgh level crossing, now that his investigations have disclosed the true state of affairs there.

To ease road congestion at weekends, the railway management are considering whether they can reduce railway freight movements on Saturdays, and alter the timings of trains to give longer intervals for road users.

Now that the roads have been so greatly improved on either side of this level crossing, is it not rather ridiculous not to construct a fly-over so that the benefit of the widening can be reaped?

It would need a good deal more than a fly-over to ease the congestion on this road at week-ends when the holiday traffic is very heavy. If my hon. and gallant Friend will be patient a little longer and let us see what benefit we can derive from reducing freight movements on Saturdays, we may find a considerable improvement there.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, on the completion of the Manor Way extension at Whitchurch, Glamorgan, he will forthwith authorise the schemes for bypassing the villages of Tongwynlais and Tails Well; and if he will make a statement.

The trunk road from the northern end of the Whitchurch By-pass as far as Abercynon will be reconstructed to dual carriageway standards, with by-passes of the built up areas, including Tongwynlais and Taffs Well. The cost of this rebuilding is estimated at about £4¼ million. The plans for the new road are at present being reconsidered to make greater use of abandoned sections of the Cardiff and Rhymney railways, and it is not yet possible to say when the various by-pass schemes can be authorised.

Will account be taken of the fact that the full value of the extension of the Manor Way will not be obtained by the public unless it is continued further?

We well knew that, but this is a very difficult route to establish.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many of the thirty-one farmers in Worcestershire who on 29th April had not been paid for land taken for construction of the Ross Spur motorway have since received payment; and if he will expedite payment to the remainder.

Eleven owners have received payment in full or advances of 90 per cent. Eleven others will receive full payment or advances when documents are returned by their solicitors. One application has been withdrawn and in two others there are questions of title. In six cases no application for an advance has been made.

asked the Minister of Transport; and Civil Aviation whether he will now make a statement on his proposals relating to the construction of the Leicestershire portion of the London-Yorkshire Motorway.

I cannot yet add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member's Question on 13th May.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman realises that the attitude which he has adopted towards this road is preventing a considerable amount of business coming to Leicester and Leicestershire and that people in the district are becoming thoroughly upset about the fact that the road is not being constructed? When does he propose to take some step to expedite its construction?

The hon. Member should address his questions to the local interests and local authorities and not to me, and then he would find out why there has been a delay.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I propose to raise this matter again on the Adjournment if given an opportunity to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what investment is anticipated by his Department in the new Air College at Hamble.

None, Sir. The contribution for which I am accountable will, except for the first two years, be limited to £1,000 for each pilot trained. The grant will be somewhat higher for the first two years if, as is expected, the total cost of training while numbers build up exceeds £4,000 per pilot.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while many of us feel that the idea is the right one, nevertheless the airfield selected is the wrong one and that Hamble will be unable to take modern aircraft, whereas at Cranfield in Bedfordshire the Ministry of Education is already subscribing £600,000 a year to support the College of Aeronautics The Air College should be on a modern airfield, and there should be one definite centre for this.

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend. Cranfield serves a quite different purpose, and serves it very well. The purpose of Hamble is to be a college where air pilots of the future will be trained. My advice is that the airfield and general situation is quite adequate for that very necessary purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take in view of the refusal of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry to grant the order for the closure of the roads necessary for the re-development of Prestwick Airport.

In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, I am studying the implications of the Commission's report, which affect every aspect of my plans for the development of Prestwick, but I am not yet ready to say what action I propose to take.

Does the right hon. Gentleman at least realise that all the troubles which face him now arise from the fact that he has refused to build a tunnel under the runway at Prestwick Airport? When he is thinking the matter over, will he think again about that and realise that there is still time to provide the tunnel if he is prepared to provide the money?

I fully agree with the hon. Gentleman that the recent decision does not make it easier to get on and provide Scotland with its international airport, which I thought was my first duty. As to the tunnel, the line of tunnel now supported is one which saves only about 800 yards of travel for a very large sum of money and, therefore, does not add to its attractiveness as far as I am concerned.

While agreeing with much of what my right hon. Friend has said in regard to the difficulties of preparing Prestwick for supersonic aircraft which will one day come to us, will he consider giving some sort of undertaking to our local people that they can have the present crossing over the runway maintained, even if it is only for certain hours each day and Sundays, so as to allow people to get to Prestwick and to their church?

That is one of the matters arising from the Report of the Commission. I am giving it very careful study. I am sure everyone realises that, as soon as jet aircraft arrive, there will be very great dangers in having pedestrians and motor cars on the runway.

Is the Minister aware that the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry has amply justified the county council's opposition to this proposal? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be wise on his part to adopt a more conciliatory attitude to the county council and discuss things with it again?

I am always ready to discuss things with the county council, but I hope that all concerned will realise that in the end they have to choose between Scotland having its international airport or failing to have it in time. I believe that it would be a very sad thing if it failed to be ready in time.

In view particularly of the latter part of the Minister's replies, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to make a full statement regarding the joint operation of Turnhouse Aerodrome by his Department and the Air Ministry; and whether this will ensure that the aerodrome will be open for use, if required, for 24 hours a day.

I hope that the Secretary of State for Air and I will soon be able to reach conclusions about the long term control of Turnhouse Airport which we are discussing. Meantime, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air explained on 18th March, improved arrangements have been made to accept aircraft whose arrival has been delayed after normal hours. There is no present requirement for a 24-hour service at Turnhouse.