asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to make regulations appointing the day on which licences to drive heavy vehicles will become compulsory for drivers of such vehicles in accordance with Section 912 of the Road Traffic Act. 1960.

I cannot yet say. But I shall shortly be circulating to employers' organisations and to the unions a draft scheme for special driving licences for heavy goods vehicles. The scheme will provide for graduation up the range of vehicles sizes and types as a driver's experience grows.

asked the Minister of Transport what evidence he has of the harmful effects on health of diesel and other urban traffic fumes; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce them.

The investigations so far conducted have not shown that the concentration of traffic fumes at present found in our city streets has any serious effect on health. Natural dispersion is normally sufficient to prevent harmful concentrations in the air but research into the medical aspects of the whole matter of air pollution, including that from motor vehicles' exhausts, is being carried out by the Medical Research Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress he has made in his efforts to enforce the laws governing the emission of offensive smoke and fumes from road vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

The number of vehicles found making too much smoke during a roadside check on 8th April was nearly 3,000 out of a total of 25,570 which were observed. Prohibition notices were issued for 2,068 vehicles. 107 of these became subject to immediate prohibition. Excessive smoke will be one of the things looked for during the intensified roadside checks which are taking place this summer.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take action to ensure that all new cars are fitted with anti-smog devices to reduce atmospheric pollution by car exhaust fumes.

It has not as yet been established that the concentrations of motor vehicle fumes in our streets do constitute a danger to health. In any case the action suggested by the hon. Member is contingent upon the availability of an effective and practicable device.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek power to authorise the payment of fees to police officers and other persons with suitable qualifications, who give lectures or other instruction on driving motor vehicles at evening classes.

No further powers are needed to authorise payment of fees to persons giving instruction on driving motor vehicles at evening classes.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that there is a considerable demand for further driving instruction from persons who already hold a licence to drive a motor vehicle; and what action he will take to make this available or to assist suitable organisations who are already providing such instruction.

I know there is some demand for this sort of instruction, but I think arrangements for making it available are best left to local authorities who know the conditions and facilities in their own areas and have powers to arrange for practical training for road users.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage of heavy goods vehicles on which road-side inspections were carried out by his Department's technical officers in the past 12 months was found to be mechanically unsound and unroadworthy.

During the 12 months ended 31st March, 1964, 38 per cent. of the heavy goods vehicles examined on the road or in their garages had some defect which justified the issue of a prohibition notice. 10 per cent. were regarded as sufficiently unroadworthy to necessitate making this notice immediately effective. These figures cannot fairly be related to the vehicle population as a whole because any vehicle which is clearly, or likely to be, defective is included in a roadside inspection.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he now proposes to take to end the danger to the public involved in the fact that transport drivers work considerably greater hours than those permitted under present regulations.

I cannot at present add to the answer on this subject given by my hon. Friend on 15th May to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for The Hartlepools (Commander Kerans).

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now rescind that part of his directions to the Transport Holding Company of 20th December, 1962, that restricts the manufacturing output of its subsidiaries, in the light of the company's experience that such interference results in unused capacity and higher unit costs, and in order that a publicly-owned enterprise may compete freely and on equal terms with private industry.

No. I have noted from their Annual Report for 1963 that the Transport Holding Company would hope to find some way of sharing the advantages of their relatively small bus works with others and of widening the commercial approach. I shall, of course, consider very carefully any proposals they may put to me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce regulations to control the use of stickers on car windows, in view of the potential danger to safety caused by the resultant loss of driving vision.

No. The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1963, already require the driver to have a clear view through the windows of a motor vehicle.

asked the Minister of Transport what conclusions he has reached as a result of his consultations with local authorities and other bodies on the Rural Transport Survey results; and, in particular, in what way he proposes to help those households without private transport.

These consultations are still in progress. I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 22nd June to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir).

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, when youth organisations voluntarily work on clearing canals, waterways, and repairing locks, no insurance company is prepared to insure them against accident; and whether he will introduce legislation to empower him to work out a scheme to cover this contingency.

I am aware of a difficulty of this nature that has arisen in one case. The British Waterways Board tells me that it will be discussing this with the voluntary organisation concerned in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a motorist who is overcome by the approach of sleep commits an offence if he pulls into the side of any road and rests there, even if he causes no obstruction; and if he will introduce legislation to ensure that when a motorist takes such precautionary measures he does not thereby render himself liable to prosecution.

No. It would be an offence only if there were a specific prohibition of waiting or if obstruction or danger were caused. Lay-bys are provided expressly for the use of drivers who wish to rest.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now considered the possibility of the land opposite Leyton Underground Station being used as a parking place; and what action he is prepared to take to facilitate arrangements for that site being so used.

I understand that the London Transport Board is now reviewing this case.

asked the Minister of Transport what publicity he is giving to the activities and the increase in the number of vehicle examiners and to their powers to deal with the nuisance of diesel fumes; and how many of such vehicle examiners will be operating in Essex.

My plans to increase roadside inspections have been widely publicised through the national and technical Press, broadcasting and the associations representing goods vehicle operators Up to three weeks' advance notice will be given to local newspapers and to operators' associations of the intended "blitz" operations.Most of Essex forms part of the Eastern Traffic Area where the present staff complement includes 22 vehicle examiners and 2 supervisory engineers. I cannot say how many will be working in the county at any particular time.

asked the Minister of Transport how many heavy lorries have been put out of action during the last ascertained period of 12 months or less after spot checks have been made by his engineers; and how many teams of engineers are available for these examinations.

Thirty-two thousand, eight hundred and forty-five prohibition notices were issued during the 12 months ending 31st March, 1964, of which just over 9,000 were made immediately effective. The teams used on spot checks vary in size, but the total number of vehicle examiners at present in post is 341. This number is to be increased to 410.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has now been made in the review of the construction and use regulations regarding commercial vehicles designed to allow them to be built to dimensions and weight more in accord with continental standards.

Revised proposals were circulated on 26th March, 1964. I have had comments from interested organisations and I propose to make some changes which will be embodied in the regulations now being prepared. These regulations, which I will lay before Parliament as soon as possible, will increase the permitted weights and dimensions of motor vehicles to the extent shown in the annexed table.I have had particular regard to road safety.Only vehicles constructed on or after 1st February, 1963, will be permitted to carry weights higher than the current maxima. Vehicles permitted to carry the higher weights will be required to comply with the braking efficiency requirements already prescribed for private cars and goods vehicles up to 30 cwt. (unladen). They will also have plates attached by their manufacturers showing the maximum weights which they are satisfied the vehicles can carry safely.The new maximum width of 2·5 metres (8 ft. 2½ ins.) is identical with that applicable in Europe. But considerations of traffic density and road safety have led me to fix shorter vehicle lengths. All dimensions are being expressed in metres so as to minimise difficulties that could arise from small discrepancies due to the use of different units of measurement.Because there are still many weak bridges in this country maximum gross weight limits for vehicles will be lower than those proposed on the Continent. The axles, too, will be further apart.At present the length or width of vehicles can, by the use of removable extensions, be increased beyond the statutory maxima. This practice will be prevented.Another safety measure is a limit to the overall length of a vehicle and trailer. This will be 18·0 metres (59 ft. 0¾ ins.),

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to increase the publicity over the Christmas and New Year period concerning the dangers of drinking and driving;

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Webster) on 4th June, in which I announced my intention to launch a campaign to make people aware of the dangers of driving after drinking. The campaign will not be related specifically to Christmas or the New Year, although it will be given special emphasis during this period. The details of the campaign are still being worked out and the estimated cost is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Transport what was revealed by the technical reports of his examiners on the lorry involved in a fatal accident at Crickley Hill, near Birdlip, Gloucestershire, on 27th March, 1964; what conclusions he came to as to the cause of the accident; and how long a period had elapsed since the vehicle in question was last examined by his staff.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what stage the survey of transport problems in the Greater Manchester area has reached; what are the names of those conducting the survey, and the names and qualifications of the steering committee; what action has been taken to date; what area is to be covered; whom it is intended to consult; what organisations will be asked to give evidence and make proposals; whether Trafford Park is to be included in the survey; what industrial representatives will be consulted and asked to make proposals; and on what date it is expected that the result of the survey will be published;(2) if he approved the appointment of the Greater Manchester Survey Central Panel in connection with the transport survey; what are its terms of reference; and what plans it has for inviting a British firm of consultants to carry out its work.

The major local authorities in the South-East Lancashire, North-East Cheshire and North-West Derbyshire conurbation, the transport operators chiefly concerned, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and I have agreed that a comprehensive transport survey of the conurbation should be undertaken. A Steering Committee representing all these interests has been set up to exercise overall control of the work. They will be helped by an expert Technical Committee which will work very closely with the consultants who will carry out the survey. The Steering Committee is now considering the appointment of consultants.The precise area to be covered by the survey has not yet been settled but it will cover the continuously built-up area of the conurbation and will in addition take account of traffic flows into and out of the conurbation. Trafford Park will therefore be included.The survey will be directed to establishing facts about the present availability and use of transport and its relationship to land uses and other factors; to forecasting future demands for transport and to providing guidance on the planning of comprehensive transport facilities. The collection of data will involve approaches to industrial and other organisations.I cannot yet say when the survey will be completed.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will propose the appointment of a Greater Manchester Transport Steering Committee, to be composed of the chairmen and managers of the transport departments of the local authorities within the area where the survey is to be conducted, and direct it to introduce proposals for a co-ordinated and unified publicly-owned transport authority within the Greater Manchester area.

No. I do not believe that any study of possible changes in the organisation and ownership of public transport could usefully be undertaken until we have the information which the comprehensive transport survey will provide.

asked the Minister of Transport why road traffic on the A.1 at Newark was held up on Wednesday, 1st April, for from two to three hours.

The delay was caused by abnormal traffic conditions after the Easter holiday.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for greater discrimination in the use of speed limit restriction signs in side roads where a speed in excess of the limit is obviously impossible.

Where there are permanent speed limits the law requires that signs should be provided. But it is always possible to reconsider the justification for the speed limit and if my hon. Friend will let we have particulars of any case I will try to help him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the need for bulk road-making equipment to reduce the cost of road construction, he will take steps to establish a publicly-owned construction undertaking so that the roads programme may be advanced with maximum speed and economy.

Arrangements are being made for a team of experts to visit the U.S.A. to inspect road construction equipment in use there; we can then consider how best to make any suitable equipment available for our own road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport what Her Majesty's Government's expenditure on road building in England and Wales is to be in the next five year period; and what it has been been in the last five years.

The present road programme provides for the expenditure by Her Majesty's Government of about £800 million on new construction and major improvements of motorways, trunk roads and classified roads in England and Wales for the five years 1964–65–1968–69; in the five years 1959–60–1963–64 the corresponding expenditure was £382 million.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the amount of Government expenditure on road building in 1950–51; and what it will be in 1964–65.

Total Government expenditure on new construction and major improvement of roads in Great Britain in 1950–51 was £4·4 million. The estimates for 1964–65 provide for the expenditure of £144·9 million.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the expenditure on the roads programme during the past five years in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively; and what is the projected expenditure during the next five years in each case.

In the five years 1959–60 to 1963–64, Exchequer expenditure on the road programme for new construction and major improvements of motorways, trunk roads and classified roads in England and Wales was £382 million and in Scotland £59 million. The present road programme for the five years 1964–65 to 1968–69 provides for Exchequer expenditure of about £800 million in England and Wales and £105 million in Scotland. The corresponding expenditure by local authorities on their share of the cost of classified road schemes for the 1959–60 to 1963–64 programme is estimated at £50 million in England and Wales and £7 million in Scotland and for the 1964–65 to 1968–69 programme at £120 million in England and Wales and £16 million in Scotland.There is no separate road programme for Wales and separate expenditure records are not maintained. Estimated Exchequer expenditure for the five years 1959–60 to 1963–64 on new construction and major improvement of roads in Wales is approximately £22 million, while the corresponding local authority expenditure is estimated as approximately £3 million. For the period 1964–65 to 1968–69 it is estimated that the comparable figures may be about £40 million and about £6 million.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the A.645 is an important access route for major export industries in the West Riding to the port of Hull; and if he will state his plans for its early improvement.

We intend to provide a new high-class dual carriageway road linking the West Riding with Hull. I shall be receiving in a few days the report of the consulting engineers I appointed to survey the area and to make recommendations. We will announce our plans as soon as we can.

asked the Minister of Transport what traffic census has been taken on the A.30 between London and Camberley; and how this compared with a similar stretch of the A.1.

The latest comprehensive census taken in August, 1961, gave a peak daily flow of 26,000 vehicles on this stretch of A.30 compared with 39,000 vehicles on A.1 between London and Stevenage. The minimum daily flows were about 15,000 vehicles in each case.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ban speed trials on motorways by professional motor-racing organisations.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received on the subject of using the M.1 for the testing of cars intended for racing; and what action he has taken.

We have received no representations on this subject, although there has been a good deal of comment in the Press and elsewhere. My right hon. Friend met the President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and was given the assurances referred to in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Yardley (Mr. Cleaver) on 19th June. We do not consider that special legislation is necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to limit the speed on motorways to 100 miles per hour.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to make it an offence to exceed 100 miles per hour on a public road or motorway.

No. We are keeping under review the possibility of a speed limit on motorways. If we do introduce one it will be lower than 100 miles per hour.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now considered the consultant's report on the proposed route of the Croydon-Crawley motorway; and what the report recommends.

The report is being considered, but I have nothing to add to what I told my hon. Friend when replying to the Adjournment debate on 20th April.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) in view of the increasing use by holidaymakers by car and motor coach of the A.2 trunk road from London to the south-east resorts and Channel ports, what has been the outcome of his consideration of the problem of the abuse of lay-bys so as to remedy the present hazards to health during the warm weather and the holiday season;(2) if, in the consideration he is giving to the provision of elementary sanitary facilities in lay-bys, he will take account of the fact that at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 6th June, 18 motor coaches and many private cars were parked within the 200–300-yards length of the tree- and bush-lined grass verge on the A.2 trunk road, in the vicinity of the Laughing Water Restaurant, a part much used by holiday-makers.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of his consideration of the abuse of lay-bys, and the provision of public conveniences on trunk roads.

I recognise the seriousness of this problem which is a difficult one. It raises issues which go beyond the strict scope of highway responsibilities. We have had a useful report from the Automobile Association about conditions along A.1 and from the County Councils' Association a comprehensive survey of the position on trunk roads in rural areas. We are studying their suggestions and will announce our conclusions as we can.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total sum paid in grants to the city of Bristol for new or improved roads in each of the years 1957 to 1963; and what further sums have been authorised.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport what roads will be provided linking the A.19 road with the new town of Peterlee.

No new roads giving Peterlee access to the A.19 trunk road are contemplated. My divisional road engineer is discussing with the new town corporation the future layout of the junctions of the existing access roads with the trunk road when it is improved.

asked the Minister of Transport in what year the development of the A.19 road will be completed.

The schemes for the improvement of A.19 will be put in hand progressively over the next five years. They should all be completed within seven or eight years.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for future motorways through inner London areas; what route he proposes within London for the Dover radial extension; and whether he contemplates the extension across the Thames of the west cross route from Holland Park Avenue to the Embankment.

The L.C.C. as highway improvement authority are primarily responsible for considering the need for new roads in the inner London area. An overall plan for highways will be dependent on the full working out of the London Traffic Survey. Meanwhile the L.C.C. are with my encouragement investigating a route for the Dover Radial Extension that would run along the line of the railway between Falcon-wood and Kidbrooke. They have also, with my agreement, appointed consultants for a feasibility study of a possible extension of the West Cross Route south of the Thames.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now hold a public inquiry into the collapse of a crane on the North Circular Road on 20th June.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will investigate as early as possible, and institute a public inquiry into, the accident at Hendon on Saturday, 20th June, which wrecked a motor coach travelling from Feltham, and killed and injured a number of residents of that area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the inquiry which he proposes to set up in connection with the accident caused by the collapse of a crane on the North Circular Road on 20th June will be held in public or in private; and whether he will publish the report in full.

I would refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Members to the reply given on Monday, 29th June, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Sir H. Lucas-Tooth).

asked the Minister of Transport if he will undertake a full review of safety precautions relating to road works on the North Circular Road and on all road schemes for which he is responsible.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour to Questions on 29th and 30th June about the Brent Cross accident. I have drawn the advice referred to in the second reply to the attention of highway authorities generally and the local authorities and consulting engineers who act as my agents for work on trunk roads. More generally, I think we must await the outcome of the inquiry which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has directed. But, in the meantime, I am considering whether there are any further immediate steps that should be taken.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take to prevent further loss of life at the Burton and Stony Lane junction on the Christchurch bypass.

The Christchurch Borough Council is the highway authority for this road. I understand it has recently agreed in principle on certain safety measures. I am ready to consider grant on approved proposals when these are put to me.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to prevent cars parking within school entrance carriageway markings.

It is open to the competent authority to make a prohibitory order if carriageway markings alone are not observed. If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any such case in the London Traffic Area, where I am the traffic authority, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps, in view of the steady growth of traffic, to substitute four-lane roads in all cases where three-lane roads have been contemplated or approved.

No. Three-lane roads are a reasonably safe and economical form of construction within the traffic capacity for which they are designed. In deciding the design standard for a new road, I take into account the expected growth of traffic over the next twenty years.In practice there is little scope for constructing three-lane trunk roads. Only 5¼ further miles are planned in the next four years. Over the same period we plan to convert 50 miles of three-lane road to dual carriageway.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will make a decision concerning traffic signals at the junction of Brentfield and Knatchbull Road, N.W.10, in reply to the representation made on behalf of elderly constituents by the hon. Member for Willesden, West, on 6th December, 1963.

I agree in principle that there should be traffic signals at this junction, but a final decision on the arrangements to be made must await the conclusion of discussions with the county and borough councils and the police.These are taking some time because they must cover other measures which are likely to be necessary if signal control here is to be effective, for example, alterations in road layout, signalling of the adjacent junction with Craven Park Road and, perhaps, local one-way traffic working.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is intended to reconstruct and re-route the approaching roads to Whipps Cross, Leyton; how long it is estimated this will take; and what extent traffic in cars and heavy vehicles has increased at Whipps Cross during the past five years.

The borough councils of Leyton and Walthamstow, as the highway authorities, are considering improvements to these roads. Until firm proposals are put to me, I cannot say when the work will be started or how long it will take. The traffic figures requested are not available, but traffic on Lea Bridge Road increased by 58 per cent. between 1954 and 1963.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the annual grant allocation for the South-East Lancashire and North-East Cheshire area phased programme of road works for each of the years 1965 to 1969, indicating the percentage differential between the annual allocation and the annual estimated cost of schemes for these years within that programme.

The long-term programme of classified road works proposed by the local highway authorities for the South-East Lancashire and North-East Cheshire area is to be reviewed in the light of the results of the comprehensive transport survey which they are carrying out. In the meantime I have approved in principle for grant authorisation a short-term programme consisting of the whole of the schemes proposed by the local highway authorities for the first three years of their programme, i.e. up to and including 1965–66. My divisional road engineer is now discussing with them the further schemes which might be authorised for grant in an extension of this short-term programme for a further two years.

asked the Minister of Transport how many tenders for over £1 million for new roads have been invited by his Department during the past year; how many different contractors have been invited to tender; if he will give their names; how many times each firm has been invited to tender; and what is the total value of orders being carried out by each firm alone, or in consortium, for his department or other bodies receiving a grant-in-aid from his Department.

Following the invitation of tenders, the Ministry let 29 contracts of over £1 million during the year ended 30th June, 1964. The reply to the other parts of the Question consists of the following table of names and figures:

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that it is now 30 years since major improvements in the important east-west traffic route in North Staffordshire between Stoke-on-Trent and Uttoxeter, the A.50, were approved, and that a recent seven day count indicated that the average daily traffic figure at Draycott in January, 1964 of 5,519 vehicles had risen to 6,400, an increase of 881 vehicles in six months; and, in view of this and the fact that this traffic meets a level crossing with hand-operated gates, where between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 70 trains a day use the line, if he will now take immediate action to improve the A.50, as each delay in the implementation of this work means an increased burden of costs.

I am aware of traffic conditions on the A.50 generally, but they are not such as to justify my diverting resources required for other urgent works.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as a means of assisting road safety, he will, for the specific roads for which he has authority, make the necessary orders to compel pedal cyclists to use cycle tracks on roads where these are provided.

Yes, where I think this desirable in the interests of safety and where the cycle tracks are adequate.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider the plans for the bypass at Wall, Staffordshire, so as to provide for a dual carriageway.

No. The traffic expected to use the bypass will not justify the provision of dual carriageways yet, although it is designed for a second carriageway when traffic calls for it.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will be in a position to publish his draft scheme in regard to the London-Basingstoke motorway.

In a few months' time.

asked the Minister of Transport why he decided that the first motorway warning system in this country should be installed on 26 miles of the M.5 Bristol-Birmingham motorway; on what dates he received representations from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South that it should be introduced on the Stretford-Eccles-Worsley portion of the M.6; by what factors involving road safety he is guided in deciding on what motorways a warning system should be introduced; on what date and where the system will first be introduced; and on what date it will be introduced on the M.6.

It was decided to use M.5 for the experiment with the motorway warning system because spare circuits were available in the emergency telephone cable system of M.5 and were not available on M.1. It was also an advantage that the whole of the length of M.5 came within the jurisdiction of one police force.The hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith) asked a Question on 9th May, 1962, about the need for an experimental warning system on the Stretford-Eccles motorway. The experiment on M.5 should start in September, but until the results have been assessed I cannot say what the criteria should be for any extension of the system to other motorways or when it could take place.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many cases of road accidents in England and Wales in each of the last three years the person held responsible for the accident was alone in the vehicle; and in how many cases he was accompanied by one or more passengers.

The information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal accidents occurred in motorways during Whitsun weekend; and to what extent, in deciding on expenditure on motorways, he takes into account the reduced risk of accidents on them.

There was one fatal accident on motorways during the Whitsun weekend. The expected reduction in accidents is one of several factors taken into account in settling the composition of the road programme including the contruction of motorways.

asked the Minister of Transport what types of barriers or safety fences have been installed experimentally on the central reservations of motorways; and how long it is proposed to continue the tests before their effect on accidents is assessed.

Two nine-mile lengths of double steel rail safety fence are being erected on M.1 to test the value of crash barriers. Observations will begin as soon as possible, but it will be some time before significant results are obtained.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received the report of the Road Research Laboratory on the effect upon road safety of the parking of vehicles after dark without lights; and if he will now amend the present regulations to give effect to the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Police.

The Road Research Laboratory Report was forwarded to me yesterday. I now need time to study it.

asked the Minister of Transport what instructions he gives to his agents on the rebuilding of bus shelters where these have to be removed on account of trunk road improvements.

The provision of a bus shelter on a trunk road needs my consent as highway authority. Where consent is given, it is conditional upon the provider of the bus shelter accepting responsibility for its removal and re-erection in the circumstances referred to. My agent authorities are instructed accordingly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the danger and obstruction to traffic caused by thoughtlessly parked vehicles on trunk roads in the countryside; and whether he will take action to remedy the situation this summer.

Yes. It is an offence ranking for disqualification to leave a vehicle in a dangerous position, and paragraph 54 of the Highway Code gives advice about stopping and parking. On trunk roads where sufficient lay-bys and hardstandings can be provided I shall continue to create clearways as the necessary improvements are completed.

asked the Minister of Transport for what reason he has not accepted the need for the immediate reconstruction of those parts of A.5 from Fazeley northwards through Staffordshire which are not dual carriageways, in view of the recommendation of the Staffordshire County Council and the increasing traffic on the A.5 between M.1 and M.6.

With many other urgent works requiring the resources available, I do not consider wholesale reconstruction of this route is justified at this time. This is only one of several routes between M.1 and M.6 and its importance will be diminished when the Midland Link Motorway is built. Improvements to the most heavily trafficked lengths are in the programme and works should start later this year.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has given to the Report of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee on the inquiry held in Whitley Bay on 19th March regarding the proposed closure of the Blyth and Tyne line; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now considered the report on the Transport Users' Consultative Committee's inquiry of 19th March into the proposed closures of the railway services in the Newbiggin, Ashington, and Blyth areas of Northumberland; and whether he will make a statement.

I am carefully considering these proposals in the light of the T.U.C.C.'s report on hardship, and I am in consultation with my colleagues on the industrial and planning aspects. I am not yet in a position to reach my decision.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Railways Board, in the public interest, that no increases in cheap fares or withdrawal of cheap fares shall take place on lines where proposals of closure have been issued until such time as he has considered the proposal.

No. This is a matter which must be left to the Board's commercial judgment.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reject the Railways Board's proposal to withdraw passenger services from intermediate stations, including the newly-built Purton Station, between Swindon and Gloucester, in view of the plans for Swindon set out in the South-East Regional Study.

I have not yet completed my consideration of the report of the Transport Users Consultative Committee on hardship to users and of the other effects of the proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, pending the completion of the comprehensive west Midlands traffic survey, he will give an assurance that he will not authorise any closures of stations in the overspill receiving area of the Lichfield and Tamworth constituency.

No. I will consider each proposal on its merits.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress made to date on the implementation in Scotland of the Beeching proposals on rail closures.

The Railways Board has now given notice under Section 56 of the Transport Act, 1962, of all but one of the 51 proposals to close passenger services in Scotland listed in "The Reshaping of British Railways". The Transport Users Consultative Committee has reported on 31 of these proposals. I have given my consent to closure in 14 cases and refused it in one. In addition, I have refused consent to the withdrawal of the service as a whole on the lines from Inverness to Kyle and to Wick and Thurso. I shall announce as soon as possible my decisions on the proposals now before me, including the intermediate stations on the Inverness lines.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has given to recent representations he received on the West of Scotland transport study, being undertaken by Her Majesty's Government and local authorities, jointly, and which involves the proposed electrification of the Glasgow-Gourock railway.

I have sent the hon. Member a copy of the reply sent on my behalf. Briefly, the local authorities have been assured that I should be prepared to study proposals for capital investment on the Glasgow-Gourock line without necessarily waiting for the results of the Glasgow transport survey.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider his decision to close the Goole-Selby rail way fine, in view of Dr. Beeching's tour of the line on 17th June and the concern expressed by local people.

No. My decision to consent to the Railways Board's closure proposal was given after the fullest consideration of representations from users and of the effects that closure could have.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will withdraw his consent to the proposals of the British Railways Board to discontinue railway passenger services between Birmingham and Dudley, pending the completion of the West Midlands Traffic Survey.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will withdraw his consent to the closure of the Birmingham Snow Hill-Dudley railway line, pending the completion of the West Midlands Traffic Survey;(2) Whether he will withdraw his consent to the closure of the Dudley-Old Hill and Walsall and Dudley railway lines.

No. I gave my consent to the closure of the passenger services between Swan Village and Dudley and on other two lines on 30th April. Before doing so I satisfied myself that the train services from Swan Village, Dudley Port and Old Hill, in conjunction with the bus services, provided adequate alternatives for travel to Birmingham. I therefore considered the sure justified irrespective of the results of the survey. I was also satisfied that, with certain additional bus services, the Walsall-Dudley passenger services could be closed.But, to safeguard the future, I made it a condition to all three consents that the Board must notify me of any intention to dispose of the land at present occupied by the lines in question.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to British Railways to withdraw the rule recently issued that no intending passengers must be informed of any alternative cheaper way of buying tickets than that quoted at railway ticket guichets for direct fares, in view of the letter sent him by the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion.

No. Matters of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers are for the British Railways Board, and I have sent his letter to them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now reached a decision on the future of the Glasgow-Kirkintilloch railway line; and if he will make a statement.

No. But I hope to reach a decision very soon now.

asked the Minister of Transport how much it has cost British Railways to repair damage to rolling stock and track caused by acts of vandalism since nationalisation.

I am told by the British Railways Board that this information is not available for years before 1963. For 1963, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson) on Friday, 15th May.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the British Railways Board to provide concessionary railway fares for whole families travelling by train.

No. Concessionary fares are a matter for the Railways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the period of time normally required by his Department to institute a public inquiry into the loss of a British fishing vessel on the high seas after he has taken the decision that such an inquiry shall take place.

Since the beginning of 1959 there have been 23 public formal investigations into casualties to British fishing vessels. The average time between the decision to order an investigation and the hearing has been just under four months. Seven of these were losses on the high seas, and the average time in these cases was just under five months.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now state the outcome of the consideration by the European and Japanese Governments of the proposals recently made by the United States Federal Maritime Commission to meet the objections to their original demand in respect of contracts between shipping companies and shippers.

These matters are now the subject of further discussion with the Americans at Government level.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the construction of a British nuclear propelled ship.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will have discussions with the Elder Brethren of Trinity House in order to ensure that there are adequate lights and navigational guides in the area of the Blackwater and Crouch estuaries.

I am not aware that the aids provided for general navigation in this area by the Trinity House are other than adequate, but if my hon. Friend has any specific proposal in mind I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the tonnage of merchant shipping being built abroad for registration in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at the latest available date.

I understand that at the end of March, 1964, about 275,000 gross tons were under construction in foreign shipyards for registration in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the progress being made regarding the building of the new Cunarder.

Cunard is now working on the specifications and hope to go out to tender in the early autumn. It has already sent out to interested builders preliminary information on the requirements for machinery.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that both of Aberdeen's two floating docks are old, what applications Aberdeen Harbour Board have made for capital sanction in order to establish a new pontoon dock in Aberdeen Harbour and so to enable Aberdeen to discharge fully its increasing trade and business; what expert study has been made of these needs; what assistance Her Majesty's Government will now give Aberdeen Harbour Board; and when such aid will be available.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer my hon. and gallant Friend gave him today.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now report on the evaluation studies of the Phantom aircraft.

Evaluation of the Phantom aircraft by my Department is continuing and tests are proceeding in the United States of modifications necessary for its operation from R.N. carriers. I am not yet in a position to make a definite assessment.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement about the future of Middleton St. George Airport.

Control of Middleton St. George has been transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Aviation pending sale to the local authorities. We hope to ensure that civil operations are not interrupted and that new services can begin as planned.An additional grant of £150,000 has recently been promised to assist development of air communications in the North-East region, on condition that this aerodrome and Woolsington (Newcastle) are run jointly by a single consortium of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is the estimated sum required for the Supersonic Transport Project in the year 1964–65; and what is the cumulative total which it is estimated will have been required by the end of the year 1964–65, for this project.

The estimated sum required by the Ministry for extramural expenditure on the British share of development of the Concord in the financial year 1964–65 is £11 million. The cumulative total of the Ministry's extramural expenditure from 29th November, 1962, the date of signature of the Anglo-French Agreement, to the end of the financial year 1964–65 is estimated at £15·2 million.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he can now state the date on which it is intended that the TSR2 will first carry out flight trials of its contour-following equipment.

No, but extensive trials of the TSR2 contour following equipment have already taken place in other aircraft.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he can now state the date on which it is intended that the TSR2 should enter squadron service.

The TSR2 should enter service in about three years' time; it is not the practice to disclose precise dates.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware that, during the past five years, expenditure from funds made available by his Department and devoted to capital facilities at civil airports in England has been 90 times as great as in Wales, that similar expenditure in Scotland in the same period was nearly 27 times as great as in Wales, and that during the post-war period prior to 1959 expenditure on such facilities in Wales was disproportionately small; and if he will authorise expenditure to provide Wales with airport facilities commensurate with its growing economic and industrial importance.

I am aware that the expenditure in England and Scotland has exceeded that in Wales to the extent stated, but expenditure in England and Scotland has been predominantly on facilities at the main international airports which serve the United Kingdom as a whole. Expenditure at Rhoose, though much less, has been sufficient to meet the needs of the traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations govern the grant of permission to purchase a compassionate discharge to a naval rating who signed on for the long-service engagement while under 21 years of age.

A naval rating, whatever the engagement he is serving on and whatever his age on entry, may purchase his compassionate discharge if his dependants are suffering severe hardship for which his release is the only remedy.But as an exception, junior ratings who are not yet 17½ years of age and who are still under training in the initial training establishments may be discharged by purchase if it is clear that they are genuinely unhappy in their choice of career and unlikely ever to settle down in the Royal Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds he refused a compassionate discharge by purchase to radio operator J. Hardy.

I have written to my hon. Friend explaining that it was not possible to grant Radio Operator Hardy's application for compassionate discharge by purchase, as Hardy's circumstances did not meet the conditions described in my reply to my hon. Friend's previous Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the frequency of British air patrols over the waters surrounding the Bahamas group; and what types of aircraft are deployed thereon.

Now that other effective arrangements have been made, air patrols by the Royal Air Force have been withdrawn from this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the reason for the 61 per cent. rise in the annual out-turn of defence expenditure from 1951 to 1963–64 at current prices, in view of the fact that there was a 25 per cent. reduction over the same period at constant prices; and whether he will make a statement.

The reduction at constant prices was 5 per cent., not 25 per cent., and the increase in cash terms (current prices) was due to changes in the value of money.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the expenditure on roads in East Aberdeenshire over the last five years.

Separate figures for East Aberdeenshire are not available, but total

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what maintenance grants are paid to men and women admitted to training under the Special Recruitment Scheme for Teachers; and what grants are payable to dependants of those so recruited.

Maintenance grants are payable as follows for a full year:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the projected expenditure on the roads programme in East Aberdeenshire over the next five years.

Detailed programmes for the area have not yet been drawn up by the county council or my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of teachers employed whole-time in public and grant-aided schools in Scotland, giving the number of certificated, uncertificated, married women, and the number of retired teachers who returned to teaching for the years 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963, respectively.

Following is the information:Applicants over 25 may qualify for a mature student's allowance of up to £75 per year.The grant may be less if the applicant or his dependants have income from other sources.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of defended and undefended divorce petitions from each county and city in Scotland, which were dealt with in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, during 1963.

I regret that this information is not available and could not readily be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many cases of road accidents in Scotland in each of the last three years the person held responsible for the accident was alone in the vehicle; and in how many cases he was accompanied by one or more passengers.