asked the Postmaster-General if he will give a direction under Section 9 (2) of the Television Act, 1954, requiring the Authority to refrain from broadcasting more than a defined proportion of drama depicting physical violence.

No, Sir.

Will the Minister bear in mind on this matter that television authorities have a much greater responsibility than other forms of entertainment. that we can go to the cinema or theatre at choice, but that television has unrestricted access to millions of homes, containing children of all stages of education and degrees of impressionability?

Yes, indeed; but the Question asked me if I will use my power under Section 9 (2). That is a reserve power which has never been used for this purpose.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that Associated Rediffusion has already issued a directive to its producers along the lines of the suggestion in this Question? Will he invite the Independent Television Authority to have regard to that directive, and to see how far it can be expressed to the other programme contractors?

I am perfectly sure that the I.T.A. is constantly vigilant in this matter, and both the B.B.C. and I.T.A. are currently studying the Report of the Nuffield Study Group.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Independent Television Authority is in breach of its statutory obligations under Section 3 (1) (d) of the Television Act, 1954, in that it permits the broadcasting of more than a proper proportion of items not of British origin or performance; and what steps he is taking in this regard.

As the Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative, the second part of the Question does not arise.

May I ask the Minister to bear in mind that there is a good deal of material in the British classics—Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson, John Buchan and so on—which are part of our national heritage, which, if successfully adapted in the form of drama, can provide the excitement and dramatic possibilities which the children need of a much higher quality than senseless gangster films—to give one example, the B.B.C.'s excellent production of Bleak House—and that it is this sort of entertainment and drama to which we should be giving our attention?

Of course, I do not dissent from what the hon. Gentleman says; but I think we should also bear in mind that many of the English classics, from Treasure Island to Macbeth, are also a pretty bloodthirsty business.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an assurance that any third television service will be allocated to some form of public corporation.

I cannot anticipate the form that a third programme might take, if and when it is introduced.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the British Broadcasting Corporation's plans for local very high frequency radio services include a local station for Sheffield; to what extent local interests have been invited to take part in, or advise on, the operations; and if he will make a statement.

With regard to the Corporation's plan for local broadcasting, I fear I cannot add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 9th December. The B.B.C. tells me, however, that it will consider the needs of Sheffield for a V.H.F. sound satellite station when it plans the next stage of its scheme for improving and extending its television and V.H.F. sound coverage.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the B.B.C. has been talking along these lines for a long time and that because of the hills in the Sheffield area V.H.F. reception is very bad? Will he make representations to the B.B.C. on behalf of the citizens of Sheffield, who would very much like the B.B.C. to recognise Sheffield for what it is—the sixth largest city in the country?

The B.B.C. hopes to be able to provide a sound satellite station for Sheffield in the second phase of its programme, but I will certainly take note of what the hon. Gentleman said.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the unsatisfactory television reception in certain areas of Northern Ireland, which has led to many complaints, what steps he intends to take to improve the situation.

B.B.C. television already reaches 95 per cent. of the population of Northern Ireland, and the Corporation intends to extend its coverage by opening a satellite station in the Enniskillen area. There are, however, areas of poor reception within its coverage due to the lie of the land, and the Corporation will bear these in mind in future plans.

With the opening of the Black Mountain station on 31st October, the I.T.A. service is now within reach of nearly 90 per cent. of the population. The I.T.A. tells me that it hopes to open a station in the Londonderry area later on.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer, but may I ask whether he is aware that there are a number of television black spots in the province, where great difficulty is experienced in obtaining Independent Television reception, although the full licence fee must be paid by the householders in that area?

I am aware of that fact. The I.T.A. is planning a further station for Northern Ireland, in the Londonderry area. I am sorry that I cannot say when this station will be opened.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now decided to renew the present charter of the British Broadcasting Corporation until 1964.

The charter does not expire till 30th June, 1962. There is plenty of time for renewal, and I cannot give any commitment now.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that it would be desirable from every point of view that the charters of the B.B.C. and I.T.A. should expire at the same time, so that the House would have an opportunity of discussing the whole problem in all its aspects? Will he try to speed up a decision in the matter, so that the House may know where it stands?

I am aware of all those considerations, and I can assure the hon. Member that there will be no undue delays.

asked the Postmaster-General what would be the cost of providing a television studio of modest dimensions in Leicester; and if, in considering the request for more revenue by the British Broadcasting Corporation, he will ensure that enough is given to cover this additional charge.

The location and cost of the B.B.C.'s studios are matters for the Corporation to settle in relation to its other projects and its total income. Determination of the Corporation's income takes into account the overall requirements of the Corporation.

That does not answer the Question. Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to provide the East Midlands —whether in Leicester or Nottingham— with a reasonable opportunity for a studio, which is essential in that district? Has not he received certain requests from Leicester—and possibly also from Nottingham—to that effect? What is he prepared to do to encourage the provision of this essential studio?

With respect, I think the hon. Member is confusing the Postmaster-General with the British Broadcasting Corporation. I have discussed with the Corporation the probable cost of a studio of this kind. It is difficult for the B.B.C. to give a figure with any precision, but it would be at least £100,000, and might be as much as £300,000. Although the Government are responsible for ensuring that the B.B.C. has sufficient funds to enable it to discharge its duties, we are not responsible for telling it what specific projects it should undertake.

A shocking thing.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) the chief remaining technical difficulties on which he bases his refusal, to date, to authorise the British Broadcasting Corporation to spend the money necessary to provide television and very-high-frequency service in the Western Isles;

(2) when he intends to authorise the expenditure by the British Broadcasting Corporation of the money necessary to provide television service in the Western Isles, now that many of the technical and financial difficulties, impeding development in that area, have been overcome by the local radio dealer who is providing television service in Stornoway.

The B.B.C. is pressing on with a very full programme for the provision of more satellite television and V.H.F. sound stations, including four stations for Scotland, although not for the Western Isles. The Corporation has not yet put before me the details of its later plans, but it tells me that it has the needs of the Western Isles very much in mind.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the problem has a peculiarly social and human significance in an area which is witnessing a serious drifting away of young people? It is a peculiarly important question in the area. Secondly, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it a little humiliating, both for the Post Office and the B.B.C., that the alleged technical and financial difficulties which have stood in the way over the years are being solved by the enterprise of a small local private firm? Is it not time that we speeded up the satellite programme and brought that area into line with the rest of the North of Scotland?

I agree with the point made by the hon. Member in the early part of his supplementary question, but the point he made in the latter part is rather a different one, in the sense that the radio dealer who is providing this television service in Stornoway is doing it on a relatively limited basis. The difficulty is largely a technical one, but I will undertake to convey the hon. Member's views to the authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to consider the future of broadcasting in this country.

The hon. Member's suggestion has been noted for consideration.

Is the Minister aware that a Royal Commission will need a good deal of time to cope with this complicated and controversial question, and that the broadcasting organisations, both B.B.C. and commercial television, will need a good deal of notice in respect of the changes that will be required of them?

Yes. I am very conscious of the time factor in this matter. I can assure the hon. Member and the House that the right action, in the view of the Government, will be taken in good time in order to enable all aspects of this question to be very thoroughly examined.

Will my right hon. Friend also take into consideration the fact that there is a large body of opinion which considers that another Royal Commission on this subject is unnecessary?

Yes, I am aware of that point of view.

asked the Postmaster-General what Post Office services he is arranging to provide for the Bentley Estate in the urban district of Darlaston.

This estate has a sub-post office, four pillar boxes and three telephone kiosks. These facilities are comparable with those we provide in similar areas. I have not the provision of additional facilities in mind at present, but I shall watch the position as the estate grows.

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that the Darlaston Urban District Council is very concerned that there are not proper Post Office facilities available in this important and large estate? Will she ask her right hon. Friend to co-operate with the council in the provision of the facilities which are required there?

I should like to assure the hon. Member that we are doing what we can. The shop where the council would like the second office is only a very short distance from the Bentley office which we recently opened—only 625 yards. There may well be a case later for opening an office on the as yet undeveloped northern half of the estate, where some shops are to be built. We are watching that position very carefully.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the sub-post office recently started in No. 4 area of the Longbenton Estate, Newcastle, has improved the position there, but that it is no improvement for the aged pensioners in No. 3 area; and if he will have this matter investigated and consider having a post office in No. 3 area based on the grounds of population and not distance apart.

The new office has improved the position for the Longbenton Estate generally. I am sorry that I am unable to justify a separate office in unit No. 3, since the three nearby offices are all reasonably accessible to this part of the estate and are, I believe, adequate for the people they serve.

Will the Minister reconsider the position and have another investigation? Will she confirm that there is strong feeling in the district about the need for another post office?

The new office on the Longbenton Estate was opened only on 27th October, and I should like a little longer to consider the matter. The position will be kept under constant review.

asked the Postmaster-General the salary paid to sub-postmasters where other business is carried on within the premises and in the same room; and to what extent a commission, in addition to the salary, is payable on the amount of pensions, family allowances and so forth that are paid at the post office.

The majority of sub-post offices are combined with other business. Subject to minimum payments, sub-postmasters are paid according to the amount of work done. The same basis is used whether the post office is run in conjunction with another business or not. There is no additional commission.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the complaints about the cancellation of Bank Holiday deliveries and the increased charges for all sorts of Post Office services; and if he will make efforts to improve this position.

There have been few recent complaints about these changes. I will always do my best to improve matters, but I can hold out no hope of a general restoration of Bank Holiday deliveries or reduction in charges. It is more than two years since any Post Office charge was increased.

Does not the Minister consider that the Department ought to fall into line with the views of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is anxious to have prices reduced? Can she not make an example in the Post Office to show what can be done?

We are doing everything we can to ensure that the Department is run on an economic and commercial basis.

Is not the Minister aware that the largest profit ever made in the history of the Post Office was made last year? Is it not about time that the Post Office looked at these charges, particularly the telephone charges, which are far too high having regard to the profit made on the telephone service?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that everything is under examination.

asked the Postmaster-General in view of the unsatisfactory postal services now provided for the residents of the Hill Top Estate, Edlington, near Doncaster, if he will take immediate steps to establish a sub-post office on this estate.

I have reviewed the matter, but I am sorry that I should not be justified in opening an office on this estate.

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware of the terrible nature of the route to this post office and that many old people are compelled to use a hand-rail to climb a very steep hill to reach it? Is she aware that there has been much complaint about the late delivery of mail in this area, because of the interference with the postman's ordinary duties through his having to sell stamps, postal orders and other things? Is there not some ground for reviewing the Department's policy on the subject of sub-post offices because of this situation?

I know that the district is hilly and very difficult. Strictly speaking, the area would qualify as rural for postal deliveries, but it is very heavily built up and we have applied the more lavish urban scale to it. I know that the direct route to the post office is down a perilous hill, but there is an alternative route, 1,900 yards long, which is a flatter route, and there is a good bus service on it. I should like to keep the facility of the postman selling stamps and postal orders to the residents in that area. We shall keep the whole position under constant review, but I am afraid that at this point we are not justified in opening another office.

asked the Postmaster-General, having regard to the Government's reiterated appeals for lower prices, what contribution is to be expected from the General Post Office by reduction of their charges.

The Post Office will continue to make every contribution it can towards stability of prices. But I am not able to say when the position will be such as to enable me to adjust tariffs.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that his first responsibility as Postmaster-General is to provide a cheap and efficient postal service? As I am the Parliamentary successor in Kidderminster to Sir Rowland Hill, who inaugurated the Penny Post, would my right hon. Friend observe my special interest in the matter and make an early statement pointing to a reduction in postal charges and a resumption of at least a twopenny post for a letter?

I think that hon. Members on both sides of the House are conscious of my hon. Friend's historical and other associations with the General Post Office, but he ought to bear in mind that our surplus last year was just over £8 million on a turnover of rather more than £400 million, which is 2 per cent. If my hon. Friend can persuade manufacturers in Kidderminster who are working on such a narrow margin to bring down their prices, I shall be interested to know it.

Will my right hon. Friend observe that manufacturers in Kidderminster enjoy no such monopoly as the Post Office enjoys for letters?

It is because the Post Office is a monopoly that we are so conscious of the need to give the public an efficient and cheap service.

asked the Postmaster-General on what date he increased letter-post rates from 2½d. to 3d., and remaining postal rates approximately commensurately; how much of last year's surplus of £8 million arose from these increases; and whether he will state his future policy in regard to postal and associated rates.

The postal tariff changes to which my hon. Friend refers were made on 1st October, 1957. Last year's surplus on Postal Account was £3 million. I estimate that, but for the tariff changes mentioned in the Question, there would instead have been a deficit of about £20 million. My right hon. Friend has already indicated his general policy in the Answer to the previous Question.

That is no excuse for the Postmaster-General seeking to contract out of the Chancellor's policy of a general reduction in prices. Has he not observed that the first step of reducing letter postal charges would have an important bearing on the general level of prices, notably for business and commerce? Cannot he be a little more objective and forthcoming in that important regard?

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply.

Is not the hon. Lady aware that on the letter rate alone the profit last year was £13·5 million?

Was it?

Is not the letter rate carrying far too much of the burden to make the postal charges viable?

We have a general responsibility for all our postal undertakings. The right hon. Gentleman is quite right in saying that the letter post made the highest profit. On the other hand, we have to discharge our other responsibilities.

asked the Postmaster General what percentage of letter sorting and date stamping is still carried out manually in General Post Office establishments; what mechanisation of these processes is taking place; to what extent mechanisation of sorting and date stamping would be hastened by standardisation of envelopes; what steps he is initiating in that regard; and, in view of the desirability of reducing postal charges, whether he will make a statement.

I am sure that my hon. Friend will not mind if I reply to these Questions seriatim and succinctly.

One: about 99·5 per cent. Two: about 1 per cent. Three: a good start has been made with the mechanisation of sorting. Four: standardisation of envelopes would help to some extent. Five: under examination. Six: in good time.

I am circulating a more intelligible Answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I hope that you will not mind, Mr. Speaker, if I ask my supplementary question succinctly but not seriatim.

Send the Minister a letter.

Most important of all, may I put it to my right hon. Friend that as 70 per cent. of the charges for dealing with letters are accounted for by labour, all these processes of mechanisation must lead to economies in cost? Should not those economies in costs be passed on to the harassed consumer and to the community as a whole, instead of being pocketed by the Treasury as additional taxation?

I realise the importance of mechanisation in the Post Office as much as any hon. Member and I have not the slightest doubt that mechanisation is a good thing for many reasons, but I do not believe that mechanisation in itself will give the Post Office the necessary savings to enable us to reduce postal rates. I think there are other and more fruitful approaches.

asked the Postmaster-General how many warrants, signed by a Secretary of State and authorising interceptions of telephone calls and letters, he has received during 1957 and 1958.

It is not the practice to disclose the number or the nature of warrants that have been received.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the number of interceptions authorised by the Secretary of State between 1937 and 1956 is clearly set out in the Report of the Birkett Committee? Will he say to what extent the public interest or national security would be imperilled if he gave the total number of warrants that have been issued? Has he been bulldozed by the Home Secretary into refusing this information because disclosure would be embarrassing to Her Majesty's Government?

No, Sir. Neither the Home Secretary nor any of my colleagues bulldoze me at all. The Birkett Committee, as the hon. Member well knows, gave the figures in the Appendix to its Report, to use its own words, "as an exceptional measure," and made it perfectly clear in paragraph 121 of the Report that it was

"strongly of the opinion that it would be wrong for figures to be disclosed by the Secretary of State at regular or irregular intervals in the future."

Why?

Hon. Members ask "Why?" The reason was given in the Report— that it would greatly aid the operation of agencies hostile to the State —this is not my opinion but that of the Birkett Committee—if they were able to estimate, even approximately, the extent of interception.

asked the Postmaster-General the number and location of the offices where old-age pensions are payable in the Northfield, Mastrick, Cairncry and Woodside districts of Aberdeen; and what steps he is taking to increase the number and convenience of locale of these offices in those areas.

A new sub-office to be opened early in January, in the North of the Summerhill area of Aberdeen, will also cater for the South-West part of Mastrick area. This will bring the number of sub-offices serving the districts the hon. and learned Member mentions to nine. I have gone into the matter very thoroughly and believe that these districts will now be adequately served.

As the information for which the hon. and learned Member has asked about the location of the sub-offices is rather detailed, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that these districts are very hilly, widespread and thickly populated with old-age pensioners and others? Would not a solution of the difficulty be found if mobile offices were provided? Would the Minister look into that suggestion with a view to providing offices, particularly where there are old-age pensioners?

I agree with the hon. and learned Member that the district is very hilly, but when the new office is opened the people in the Cairncry and Woodside wards will be within three-quarters of a mile—most of them less than half a mile —of a post office. There are good local transport facilities. I realise that old people have some difficulty in getting their pensions, but when the new office is open we shall keep the whole situation under review. We have not had mobile offices, but I shall bear in mind the suggestion of the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will review the conditions for establishing sub-post offices in order to ensure that arbitrary standards of population and distance do not frustrate the fulfilment of genuine community need.

I can assure the hon. Member that we keep the conditions for establishing sub-post offices continually under review. But the amount of money we can spend on new post offices is not unlimited and has to be spread equitably over the country as a whole; for this reason, we have to have rough standards related to the position of existing post offices and to the number of people they serve, but we do look at each case on its merits and try to avoid being arbitrary.

Will the hon. Lady consider that where a new housing estate has been established, with its own shopping centre and its own services in every other respect, the residents of such an estate have a right to a postal service of their own, even though there may be an existing post office just a fraction under a mile away?

I can assure the hon. Member that we look at the position in new housing estates very closely, and we are very conscious of the need to put post offices in new shopping centres, which are the focal points of estates. We keep the position constantly under review. I can assure him that I shall do my best to see that we get as many sub-post offices as we can afford.

May I ask the hon. Lady not to be so rigid about the mile limit for these post offices? In these new estates there is a growing density of population and to stick so rigidly to the mile limit causes great hardship, particularly in my constituency.

I can assure the hon. Member that by no means do we stick rigidly to a mile limit. It is a rough guide which we use in the initial stages when judging where to put post offices, but we are not at all rigid. We try to take every possible consideration into account, and it is only the very difficult cases which come before this House.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that numerous complaints have recently been made regarding the late delivery of mail in the Maidenhead area; and what steps he is taking to ensure that no unnecessary delay occurs of such a nature as to cause inconvenience, either to commercial firms or to private residents.

I have little evidence of any general dissatisfaction about the delivery of mail in the Maidenhead area. My hon. Friend has, however, brought to my notice several complaints from one firm in the area, and as a result action has already been taken to make sure that the first morning delivery should be made to it more regularly in future. I am also investigating the complaints of delay to individual letters for this firm; I am sorry about these and will be writing to my hon. Friend about them. I think I should add, however, that some of the complaints seem to stem from an imperfect understanding by the firm in question and others of the regulations governing the printed paper post.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these complaints are not confined to one firm nor to delivery of mail at the twopenny rate? Will she take steps to find why the machinery for sorting and delivery seems to have gone wrong in many cases recently?

I shall take steps to make certain that this position is kept constantly under review and that we provide a satisfactory service for this area.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to establish a Crown post office in the Craigton Ward area of Glasgow.

The Craigton Ward is well served by its seven sub-post offices and I should not be justified in providing a Crown post office there at present. I am writing to the hon. Member about our future plans.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will authorise the provision of a sub-post office at Little London, near Andover, Hampshire.

I am sorry that I should not be justified in doing as my hon. Friend wishes.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that in this hamlet there is a shopkeeper who is more than willing to act as an attendant at a sub-post office there, and that the distance between this hamlet and the nearest post office is not one mile, but over 1¼ miles from the centre, and very much more from the outlying part of the hamlet? Furthermore, is she aware that the distance between Little London and Andover is much more than 1¼ miles, and that the bus service running between the two places is very unsatisfactory? Will not she allow a little of her charm to radiate into Little London at Christmas?

I am looking at this matter very closely. Little London is a village with fifty-five houses, and it is only three miles from Andover. Mr. and Mrs. Green would like to open a sub-post office there. We had a post office there in 1945, but we have not found any reason for reopening it in present circumstances. I would point out to my hon. Friend that those of us who live in the country do not have such generous standards as those who live in urban areas, and that in rural districts we have to apply something like a two-mile rule rather than a one-mile rule.

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider establishing a Crown post office in the Corstorphine district of Edinburgh, if suitable premises can be found.

Corstorphine is reasonably well served by two sub-post offices and should not be justified at present in replacing them by a Crown office.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the population of this district has been growing considerably in the last few years, and that it is now almost equivalent to that of Portobello, which has a Crown post office?

The St. Johns Road office was extended and improved in 1955, and a further extension will be possible if this proves necessary. We believe that the accommodation in the Corstorphine post office is satisfactory. There is the further point that it would be necessary to close both existing sub-post offices to provide sufficient business for a Crown office, and it is not likely that the residents would consider this an improvement.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps are being taken to rectify the inaudibility of the new Isleworth telephone exchange; and if he will treat the matter as one of urgency, in view of the large number of industrial establishments affected in the Brentford area.

I am sorry about this trouble. It does not arise in the new Isleworth exchange but is due to the fact that the network of cables in the area had to be extensively re-arranged when the Isleworth exchange was opened and that it has not yet been possible to bring the transmission over the cables up to normal standards. The cables are being reconditioned, but a great deal of highly technical work is involved. Although the matter is being treated as one of urgency, it may be some time before it can be completed.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that everything possible will be done in this matter as soon as possible after Christmas, in view of the extreme difficulties under which many business organisations in the district are suffering?

Yes. As a short-term measure we hope to give the complaining firms the new type of telephone instrument as soon as possible. We are also reconditioning one of the main cables between Isleworth and Brentford.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the increase in telephone calls which are heard by other subscribers due to defects causing lines to be accidentally crossed and linked; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this awkward and dangerous position.

Although trouble of this kind is not widespread or frequent, I share my hon. Friend's concern about it. I have arranged for a special overhaul of the equipment at the Manningham exchange, which my hon. Friend may have particularly in mind, and I hope that this will put things right.

I am grateful for the help which my right hon. Friend is giving, but will he look at the evidence I shall send him next week, which shows that this problem is a good deal more widespread than in its local aspect? Is not it rather shocking that we should accept this position as inevitable in our telephone service? In view of the cleverness of technologists and Post Office engineers, is not it possible to introduce an automatic tapping device to the service when these lines get crossed, especially in view of the fact that so many party lines are now being used?

The trouble at Manningham is probably due to the building work in progress. I am sorry my hon. Friend has had this unfortunate experience, but I have no doubt that his telephone conversations are just as interesting as his speeches in this House. I do not believe that this trouble is very widespread.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the proposed changes in the telephone directory as it affects the County of Fife.

Both the Edinburgh and Dundee directories have hitherto included separate sections for subscribers in Fife. In future, subscribers in the southern half of Fife will be shown in the Edinburgh directory and those in the northern half in the Dundee directory. In both directories all subscribers will be shown in a single alphabetical list.

Many authorities and organisations were approached and the changes were generally welcomed as making the directories more useful and convenient. Some criticisms, however, have been made, and I am now also arranging for the publication of a separate directory for subscribers in Fife and Kinross.

I thank my right hon. Friend for the latter concession, concerning a separate telephone book for Fife and Kinross, but may I ask whether he is aware that his present plan of having separate Dundee and Edinburgh books, thus dividing Fife into two, will be very unpopular? Will he reconsider the question when the new telephone books are printed?

I agree with my hon. Friend that this change is unpopular in Fife, but of the twenty bodies which the Post Office consulted only two raised objections. The difficulty in which I find myself is that if we were to halt these new arrangements at this stage it would mean that Dundee and Edinburgh would have to work on the basis of the old directories for at least another six or eight months. I will certainly undertake to have regard to my hon. Friend's representations when this matter arises again, in the early part of 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what grounds Warrant Officer R. Davies was refused married quarters when he returned to this country from Singapore to conclude the last six months of his twenty-four years' service in the Royal Air Force.

Warrant Officer Davies could have been given a married quarter at the station to which he was posted only at the expense of someone else with a prior claim. He rejected accommodation elsewhere.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House will be disturbed that a man who has served twenty-four years and is brought back from overseas is not guaranteed any home for his family? Is he aware that his right hon. Friend has written to me saying that in cases of this kind, if men offer to remain overseas, they are entitled to a house and that Warrant Officer Davies made this offer? Is he also aware that the houses which he was offered were such a distance from where his children were at school and where he had the prospect of work that he could do no other than refuse them?

In all three Services a Service man is not entitled to official married accommodation unless he is expected to spend at least six months at that station.

After twenty-four years.

I am advised that the Royal Air Force officers at Uxbridge had many interviews with Warrant Officer Davies in an effort to help him, and he was offered alternative accommodation.

Twenty miles away.

Warrant Officer Davies refused this accommodation, on the grounds that he wanted to be in the Slough area and did not want to disrupt his children's education by further moves. These grounds do not constitute a sufficiently strong compassionate case to justify waiving the rules and giving him a married quarter at Uxbridge over someone else's head.

On a point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory reply, I shall take an early opportunity to try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when he expects to announce his decision concerning the transfer of his Department's land at Gloucester to the British Transport Commission for the new marshalling yard.

As my hon. Friend will now have heard, we are prepared to release this land if the Commission will pay for the reprovision elsewhere of certain essential facilities.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that Answer will give satisfaction to a large number of people in the Brookthorpe parish of my constituency, but will do nothing to lessen their amazement and dismay that the British Transport Commission still requires 125 acres of extremely good farming land to complete this marshalling yard?

I am very glad to hear what my hon. Friend said in the first part of his supplementary question. The latter part of it is not a matter for me.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the rank of air vice marshal and above there were in the Royal Air Force to every 1,000 officers and men and women of other ranks on 1st September, 1959, 1949, and 1939, respectively.

The figures are 0·574, 0·460 and 0·356. They take into account officers serving in other Government Departments and in international headquarters as well as those serving in purely R.A.F. posts.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that, even if we recognise the need for senior officers at N.A.T.O. and other international and inter-Service posts, these figures seem very disquieting? Does not this continued inflation of the rank reflect on the Service itself?

The number of air marshals naturally varies with the responsibilities as well as with the size of the Royal Air Force. For example, officers of air vice marshal rank and above are needed for posts outside the Royal Air Force itself, in N.A.T.O. and in Government Departments. There are ten officers filling such posts at the moment, compared with only two in 1949. The relative strength of officers of that rank to the strength of the Force is continually under observation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that a large number of airmen stationed at Aden, and their families, are living in conditions of squalor, and that in particular thirty-seven families are still living in a dirty and dank hotel that has been condemned as unsuitable by the housing and medical authorities, and whose proprietors are in some cases charging £22 10s. per week for one small room occupied by a corporal, his wife, and three children; and, in view of the detrimental effect on morale and on British prestige, if he will take immediate steps to provide suitable accommodation for these and other families.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he has now studied the report submitted by the team of officers sent out to inquire into conditions at Aden; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many complaints he has received about Royal Air Force conditions in Aden; and what is being done to expedite improvements.

There have been some thirty complaints this year about conditions in Aden. I am well aware that present conditions there leave a lot to be desired.

As the House knows, we are already going ahead with a very substantial programme of new building. We are doing all we can—including using prefabricated construction—to get this programme completed as quickly as possible; but it will inevitably take time.

Meanwhile, we are taking immediate steps to raise the minimum standard of approved family accommodation. If necessary, some men nearing the end of their tours will be posted home early to make room in acceptable accommodation for families now living below the new standard.

To reduce pressure on married accommodation until new quarters and hirings are available, we are considering urgently the possibility of offering more frequent air passages home to officers and airmen whose families remain in the United Kingdom.

Does the Minister realise that, according to the recent Parliamentary delegation to Aden and other visitors, a large number of R.A.F. families are living in conditions which are so sordid and degrading as to be a national scandal, and that some families are living cheek by jowl with Arabs on the lowest Arab standards? [HON. MEMBERS: "0h."] I said "on the lowest Arab standards." Does the Minister realise that the steps which he has announced today should have been taken long ago and that the present situation is the result of complacency, delay and neglect on his part? Will he take every possible step to remedy these appalling conditions?

The hon. Gentleman knows very well that the population of Aden has increased by four times in the last three years. We have done our best to keep pace with this increase, but it is absolutely physically impossible to keep pace with it. We have a very large building programme in hand and we shall do all we can to press on with it. Meanwhile, the scheme that I have announced today should. I think, help quite considerably.

While paying tribute to the efforts of those on the spot and of the authorities in Aden in trying to overcome the problem, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that he has not answered my Question? Do the steps that he has described arise out of the report of the officers he sent to visit Aden, or has he not yet had time to study their report? Further, is not it possible for the Government of Aden to take action against those in Aden who overcharge for accommodation and, indeed, perpetrate frauds on airmen and officers?

Of course I have seen and studied the report, and it was very helpful to me in considering what to do. On the second part of the supplementary question, I hope the scheme which I have outlined to raise the standard of approved accommodation will very largely solve the other problem.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the possibility, until the improvements which he suggests are effected, of reducing the period of service of R.A.F. personnel in Aden?

I have already said that, where necessary, I would bring home early Service men nearing the end of their tour so that when they come home there will be more room for everyone else.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he has now given consideration to the possibility of arranging that a posting to Aden should be a oneyear unaccompanied tour for Royal Air Force personnel, with a view to solving more quickly some of the difficulties prevailing there.

A one-year tour in Aden would mean a considerable loss of productive service. Men would be continually in the process of getting used to the climate; and twice as much time would be lost in embarkation and disembarkation leave and in transit. In addition there would be a large increase in "turbulence" not only among those directly involved in Aden, but also elsewhere. I consider, therefore, that these disadvantages outweigh the merits of the proposal.

While recognising that it might interfere with the operational efficiency of the station, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would agree that it is a fact that, as well as the families of airmen living in deplorable conditions, the airmen themselves are living in shocking conditions; and therefore, if we are to think of the morale of the forces there, and of their state of health, would not a twelve-month unaccompanied tour be better than two years in these hot, humid and deplorable conditions?

I have already said that I realise that the conditions in Aden at present leave much to be desired, but I do not accept that on the whole morale is bad. I have no reason to believe that a one-year tour would produce so spectacular an improvement in morale as to offset the very solid disadvantages which I have enumerated.

If the Secretary of State proposes to continue with the longer tour, which involves families going out to Aden, will he restrain his officer who is reported as having said that he could not care less about what were the conditions of the families out there, which was a most unfortunate thing to say?

I have, of course, asked for a report from Aden on the facts. The right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to comment until I have received that report. But I can say that no one has worked harder or more wholeheartedly to improve the conditions for Service men and their families than this particular officer.

As to all intents and appearances it seems as though the Air Ministry is being extremely slow in this matter, would not my right hon. Friend think it a good idea to send out to Aden a woman who does know something about it?

Hear, hear.

May I please have an answer to my question?

Answer.

Order. Does the Minister desire to answer the supplementary question put by the hon. Lady?

We shall always be delighted to see my hon. Friend if she likes to come to Aden.

If it is not possible for the hon. Lady the Member for Tyne- mouth (Dame Irene Ward) to go—there may be certain points about which I do not know—will the Secretary of State consider sending the Under-Secretary of State to Aden, if the right hon. Gentleman cannot go himself, because for over a year now most serious allegations have been made and there is evidence of quite unnecessary suffering?

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State is going to Aden during the Christmas recess, and so is my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why certain hotels and restaurants in Aden, formerly available to officers and other ranks, have recently been placed out of bounds to other ranks.

The proprietors of two restaurants asked us to do this since there had been misbehaviour on their premises. We shall review the position in a few months' time.

Is not this a very unsatisfactory state of affairs? Why does the Air Ministry add insult to injury by putting out of bounds two restaurants formerly available to other ranks, while allowing officers to visit them? Is it not highly undesirable that local restaurant proprietors should be able to operate this kind of class distinction involving the Royal Air Force?

The proprietors asked us to put the restaurants out of bounds temporarily. I am afraid that this sort of situation is inevitable if a minority let down the Service and their colleagues by unruly conduct, but we shall keep the matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Air his plans for launching satellites carrying scientific instruments when suitable rockets are fired during training.

I have no plans to announce at present.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that, after all that research in finding the Answer among his papers, we had hoped for a little more information? Is he also aware of the full implication of paragraph 14 of the Report on Scientific Policy? Is the Royal Air Force really doing all it can to help our scientists to get satellites into space in the course of ordinary R.A.F. training at no extra cost to the taxpayer?

I am aware of the importance of this matter, but there are other Government Departments involved in research and so on. The Government are anxious to press on and I shall certainly draw to the attention of my noble Friend the Minister for Science, and other Ministers concerned, what has been said by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what proposals he has for setting up rocket bases in the County of Cornwall.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that quite recently at a civil defence lecture it was stated that the reason for the increase in civil defence in Cornwall was because there were to be rocket sites in Cornwall? Will he ensure that there is close liaison with his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary regarding this matter which has caused a great deal of disquiet?

I am aware of the statement to which my hon. Friend has referred, and I am looking into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is yet in a position to make a statement over the disposal of the remaining land owned by his Department at St. Eval.

Ninety-five acres outside the airfield boundary will be sold shortly, but there is at present no intention of disposing of the airfield.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the new Service school for the children of Royal Air Force parents at Khormaksar and Steamer Point, Aden, will be completed; and what is his estimate of the total sum in fees which will have been paid to other schools by his Department up to that time, on account of the failure to provide sufficient places in Service schools.

Nine classrooms should be ready for use by about May, 1960, and I expect the school to be finished by early 1961. I cannot give a close estimate of the total cost of reimbursing fees at private schools, but if expenditure continued at about the present rate the total from July, 1958, to the end of 1960 would be of the order of £12,000

Is not this a shameful story of the sins of the Department being visited on the children? Is not it a fact that this school ought to have been started and completed two years ago and that no explanation why the school was not started in 1957 has been forthcoming from the Ministry? What is the reason why it has taken so long to construct these extra classrooms?

I thought I had already told the hon. Gentleman that we have twice had to restart our plans to incorporate the necessary improvements and to cater for a larger number of children than were originally planned for.