asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amounts have been spent on roads under the Crofters Counties Programme in each year during the four-year period 1959 to 1963; and what amounts were spent on roads in these counties during the four-year period 1947 to 1951.

The total for 1959–63 was almost £3½ million. Accurate figures for the earlier period are not now available, but the total is estimated at less than £700,000. The following are the details:

CROFTER COUNTIES PROGRAMME
Expenditure in 1959–63			Estimated Expenditure in 1947–51
		£			£
1959–60	…	488,558	1947–48	…	80,000
1960–61	…	835,634	1948–49	…	150,000
1961–62	…	890,941	1949–50	…	194,000
1962–63	…	1,246,825	1950–51	…	233,000
Total	…	3,461,958	Total	…	657,000

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which county councils have refused to co-opt teachers to their education committees.

Banff, Dumfries, Fife, Kincardine, Lanark and West Lothian. Of the others, 22 have decided to appoint teachers and three still have the question under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendation in the 14th Report of the Law Reform Committee for Scotland relative to a landlord's right to proceed against a tenant's goods for non-payment of rent where such goods are subject to a hire-purchase agreement.

The Report was published on 15th July and I am studying it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there will be places in the colleges of education for all candidates with valid entry qualifications seeking admission in October.

The colleges expect no difficulty in accepting all qualified candidates for courses other than for the three-year course for primary school teachers. The indications are that all qualified candidates will be accepted for that course also, but a final assessment will not be possible until the end of August by which time entry qualifications will have been verified and places allocated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated cost of the bridgework at Duneaton on the A.74 and if he will state the cost of the work now completed, and the estimated cost of the work on completion.

The total estimated cost of the culvert and associated embankment was £249,000; expenditure of some £238,000 has been incurred so far; the final total estimated cost is now likely to be of the order of £290,000. The increase is due to sub-soil difficulties which called for deeper foundations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 600 householders in Caithness who were without a piped water supply on 20th February last have been connected to the public mains and are now receiving a supply.

I understand that 26 of these have now had connections to the public supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from farmers against the Scottish Milk Marketing Board's threat to take disciplinary action against any farmer who refuses to return a Dairy Farm Census form.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now able to complete the report on the 11,773 persons held in custody while awaiting trial or sentence during 1962 by stating what befell the 2,280 persons whose disposal was not known at the time of the report being prepared.

No. I regret that this information could not be made available without undue labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the reconstruction work at Baird Street Clinic, Glasgow, will be completed; and how many patients it will accommodate.

About the end of September; 48 beds will be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria were employed by his Home and Health Department and the officials of the Western Regional Hospital Board in deciding that the revised Hospital Plan should include the complete rebuilding of both the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, and the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, rather than include plans for the building of general hospitals at Motherwell, Paisley, and Ayr.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will describe the criteria by which his Home and Health Department and the officials of the Western Regional Hospital Board give greater priority to the rebuilding of Glasgow's teaching hospitals than to the building of general hospitals in populous areas less well served with hospital facilities.

The reasons for giving priority to teaching hospital projects, which had the full support of the regional board, are given in paragraph 43 of the Hospital Plan presented to Parliament in January, 1962 (Cmnd. 1602). Neither this White Paper nor the Revision of the Hospital Plan published in May last provided for more than a first phase of the redevelopment of the Royal Infirmary. The revision has not altered the priority of the Western and Royal Infirmary projects as against others.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the necessity of ensuring that proceedings in sheriff courts are completely and continuously audible; and whether he will refer this matter to Lord Grant's Committee on the Sheriff Courts.

Apart from the letter that the hon. Member sent me the other day I have received no representations on this matter, but I understand that it has been raised in the evidence submitted to the Committee on the Sheriff Courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for building a dual carriageway linking the Tay and Forth road bridges.

I am investigating the line for a road from the Forth Bridge to a point between Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes; but priority is being given to the reconstruction of A.90 from Inverkeithing to Perth as this road serves traffic from the North as well as from the North East.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for providing for the expansion of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music to meet the acute need for teachers of music in Scottish schools.

The Governors expect to be able to accept all suitable candidates for courses for intending teachers for at least the next two or three years. The long-term expansion of the Academy is at present under consideration by the Governors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many omnibus shelters have been erected since the passing of the Local Government (Omnibus and Queue Barriers) (Scotland) Act, 1958; and how many of these were erected in rural areas.

Since 1958 borrowing consent has been given for 180 shelters, about one-third of them in rural areas. I have no details of shelters for which borrowing was not required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions on the further development of the cytological service for the early detection of cancer of the cervix has now been reported to him by the Scottish Health Service Council.

The Scottish Health Services Council has endorsed the report of the Standing Cancer Committee. The main recommendations in the Report are:

(a) that married women between the ages of 35 and 45 presenting themselves to their family doctors or to hospital clinics should have first priority in the extension of cervical cytology services;

(b) that these services should subsequently be developed to carry out community screening;

(c) that there should be a fairly high degree of centralisation of the laboratory services required; and

(d) that various measures should be taken to increase the number of trained staff engaged on the laboratory aspects of the work.

I am now considering these recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of persons on the waiting lists for surgery in Renfrewshire and Glasgow hospitals.

At 31st March, 1964, the numbers of persons on the waiting lists for general surgery in Renfrewshire and Glasgow hospitals were 280 and 2,040, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of consultant gynaecologists at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, and the number of gynaecology clinics held in June, 1964.

One consultant holds regular gynaecology clinics at the Victoria Hospital. Three consultant gynaecologists work in the area covered by the East Fife Hospitals Board of Management. There is normally one weekly gynaecology clinic at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, but only three such clinics were held in June, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the accommodation at present existing in primary and secondary schools in East Kilbride.

With the exception of Kirktonholme Primary School, where I regret that 90 places in temporary classrooms were not taken into account, the accommodation, including accommodation in practical rooms, is as stated in my reply to the hon. Lady of 8th July. In secondary departments, it is my Department's practice to reckon the total number of places. The number of pupils they will accommodate varies to some extent according to the school organisation and the type of courses; on the average about one and two-thirds places are required per pupil.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the price of early potatoes in Ayrshire and Bute compares with this time last year; how the level of imports compares with this time last year; and whether he will make a statement.

Growers' prices for first early varieties in the week ending 29th July have been generally about £7 per ton as compared with £12 to £14 per ton in the week ending 31st July, 1963. Total imports into Great Britain in May and June, 1964, were 184,000 tons as compared with 159,000 tons in May and June, 1963. Imports in July, 1963, were 19,000 tons. Figures for July, 1964, are not yet available, but are likely to be appreciably lower than last year. There have been no shipments since mid-July. The market however appears to be over-supplied at present and in the circumstances the Potato Marketing Board has introduced a buying programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to prevent over-prescribing by doctors; how many doctors have been formally warned of this practice in the last two years; and if he will publish any evidence of over-prescribing in his possession.

Information about prescribing costs and guidance about prescribing are regularly issued to all general practitioners, and local medical committees are provided with the information necessary to enable them to keep a watch on excessive prescribing. During the last two years 19 doctors have been formally warned by their Executive Council and 13 have had remuneration withheld. Information on prescribing costs is published annually in the Report on Health and Welfare Services and in Scottish Health Statistics.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the report from Messrs. Scott and Wilson, Kirkpatrick and Partners with regard to the present and future trunk road traffic requirements in the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire between the Great North Road and the port of Hull.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. Coulson) on 22nd July.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to encourage a substantial extension of the practice of providing a stop interval between traffic light changes in order to minimise the dangers to pedestrians at busy crossroads.

An all-red period in traffic signals should be provided only where justified by the amounts of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There is the risk that over-provision would lead to lax driving behaviour.

asked the Minister of Transport why he will not provide facilities to enable residents in the vicinity of Pallet Way, Greenwich, to cross the Shooters Hill Road in safety in view of the exceptional flow of traffic along this road.

In his letter of 19th June, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave the hon. Member the reasons why we do not consider that an uncontrolled crossing here would be in the public interest.

asked the Minister of Transport how his Department assess competing claims from towns for space on the signs of the M.6 motorway.

The selection of place names on these signs was made in consultation with the County Surveyors. At the junction of the M.6 with the East Lancashire Road A.580, which I assume the hon. Member has in mind, the choice was particularly difficult. Ashton, which is on the east side of the motorway and ahead of this junction, had to be shown because drivers wishing to go there might otherwise be encouraged wrongly to continue along the motorway. Southport was included because of the important need for this traffic to avoid unsatisfactory roads further north.

asked the Minister of Transport what are his reasons for reducing the Highway Improvement Grants for minor road improvements and for maintenance in The Wrekin Division.

There was no reduction in the funds made available to Salop County Council compared with the previous year's allocation. Because of the claims of more urgent works elsewhere, it was not, however, possible to meet in full their estimate for the current financial year, which represented one tenth of their ten year programme of trunk road maintenance and minor improvements. It was foreseen at the time the national programme was formulated that such adjustments might be necessary and therefore no undertaking was given to provide agent authorities with an equal allocation each year.

asked the Minister of Transport, in order to obtain uniformity of road lighting, if he will introduce legislation to confer on county councils in England and Wales full road lighting powers, which in England and Wales they only have in certain special cases at present.

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 1st July, we accept the need for some reform. But any revision of statutory lighting powers would have far-reaching repercussions on the financial relationship between the authorities concerned. Street lighting must, therefore, be considered in the context of our review of the system of highways grants as a whole. This is bound to take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what representations have been made to him by the Cheshire County Council concerning accidents involving pedestrians on the A.56 through Frodsham and Helsby and concerning the dangers involved in trying to cross this road at peak traffic periods; and what steps he proposes to take to facilitate safe crossing by pedestrians;(2) in view of the local concern about road conditions on the A.56 passing through Frodsham and Helsby as revealed by the setting up of the Helsby Residents' Road Action Committee, what steps he proposes to take to reduce the cause of their anxieties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answers given to his similar Questions on 15th and 22nd July.

asked the Minister of Transport if the line of the Honington by-pass on the A.47 in Norfolk has yet been agreed; and when this work will commence.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to Honingham on the A.47 trunk road. The line of a by-pass is shown in the Development Plan and, after further survey work has been done, I will publish more detailed proposals in a draft Order under Section 7 of the Highways Act, 1959. I cannot say at present when it will be possible to build the by-pass.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will seek to initiate, in agreement with the local authorities concerned, the implementation in three or more urban areas of replanning schemes on the lines suggested in the Buchanan Report.

No. Replanning on these lines is already going ahead in a number of places. It will be implemented as quickly as opportunities for redevelopment and the resources available permit.

asked the Minister of Transport when the whole of the Wycombe by-pass is likely to be completed and open to traffic.

I expect the whole scheme to be completed during 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the congestion and danger resulting from the section of the trunk road A.449 between Wolverhampton county borough boundary and the Battlefield Hill Wombourn roundabout; and whether he will authorise the acquisition of the necessary land so that this improvement may be no longer delayed.

I am aware of the conditions on this stretch of road. But I could devote funds to it, for land acquisition or otherwise, only by deferring other even more urgent works. My resources are already fully programmed up to 1968.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for making a by-pass round Ilkley to take the through traffic; if it is necessary to construct an inner relief road; and if he will give an assurance that he will choose a route which does not mean the demolition of much residential property.

An Order establishing the line of a by-pass for Ilkley was made in 1938, but we are investigating the possibility of an alternative line with the local authorities concerned. The effect on residential property is one of the factors we are taking into account.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the City of London Corporation and other sources in respect of preservation of the area and amenities of Epping Forest, in view of immediate and prospective road developments; how much of Epping Forest in the borough of Leyton and elsewhere has been, or will during the next five years be, acquired for such development; and what is the existing agreement between the Corporation and his Department on matters of transport affecting the forest.

In the last seven years the Corporation has dedicated approximately 0·6 acres of Epping Forest land for trunk road improvements, none of it being in Leyton. Current negotiations are for 2·3 acres in Leyton and 1·02 acres elsewhere. The figure for other roads is not readily available.No forest land requirements are anticipated for the present classified road programme and only small amounts for two programmed trunk road schemes. Should the route for the Bishop's Stortford Motorway be found to affect forest land we will discuss proposals with the Corporation at an early stage.During negotiations we have, of course, been made aware by the Corporation of their concern to preserve the amenities of the forest. I understand that it is the policy of the Corporation to make up any losses by suitable replacement of land whenever possible. I have not been made aware of the need for a special agreement between the Corporation and my Department on transport matters generally.

asked the Minister of Transport when he now expects to start work on the Hardings By-pass, Keighley.

Within a month.

asked the Minister of Transport how much will have been spent by 31st July on repairs and improvements to the M.1 motorway; what proportion this sum represents of the total estimated cost of repairs and improvements; by how much the cost of these repairs and improvements will increase the total cost of construction of this motorway and exceeds the original estimates therefor; and what steps he takes to examine the original estimates submitted by contractors for motorway works to ensure their accuracy and to recover excess expenditure.

About £1·75 million. Repairs are an essential part of the continuous maintenance of a highway: it is not possible therefore to estimate how much will finally be required for repairs to M.1. It is estimated that a further £1·25 million will be needed over the next 12 months. I should emphasise that improvements to bring the motorway up to current design standards account for the major part.Excluding expenditure on repairs and improvements the total cost of the motorway is about £29 million, subject to settlement of outstanding claims; the original estimates totalled £24·7 million.Motorway contracts, which are let by competitive tender, are in the form usual for civil engineering work. The amount paid to the contractor therefore depends primarily upon the measured amount of work actually carried out, which is paid for at the rates specified in the contract. The total amount paid may exceed the tender sum because the latter is based on a bill of estimated quantities furnished to the contractor. No question of the accuracy or otherwise of contractor's estimates or the recovery of excess expenditure arises.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is yet able to announce his proposals for changes in the speed limits on certain roads, following the survey which he promoted on the subject.

Proposals for changes in speed limits on roads are always advertised in the Press. The results of the review of speed limits have been shown in my annual reports on Roads in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to implement the undertaking he gave on 31st July, 1963, to introduce regulations to make it a specific offence in the London area to leave a vehicle in a place on a highway where it obstructs access to and egress from a public or private garage, car park or parking bay.

Our consultations with local authorities and other bodies referred to in my Answer of 31st July, 1963, have disclosed objections of substance to regulations of the kind I had proposed applying in the London Traffic Area. In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, I am exploring other means of dealing with the problem, both in London and elsewhere.I understand that in London the police have in the meantime arranged to test in selected areas the effectiveness of a more vigorous policy of prosecution of this type of offence under the general law of obstruction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the delay in the laying of the regulations implementing the recommendations of the Worboys Report and in the publication of the Manual, he will give guidance to local authorities on the use of reflectorised markings for the edges of carriageways.

I think it better to concentrate on producing the complete Manual. The delay in reorganising our programme to bring forward this item would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will instruct his divisional road engineers to authorise the use of reflectorised edge markings where they are included in road schemes submitted for approval for grant.

The Manual on traffic signs now being prepared will give local authorities advice on the use of these markings, which would normally be eligible for grant.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Sheffield-Leeds section of M.1 will be completed.

We hope to complete the Sheffield-Leeds motorway by 1968. But this will depend upon how we fare with the remaining statutory processes, including land acquisition.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the time that must elapse before the South Coast trunk road can relieve the traffic through Fareham, he will institute action on an emergency basis on Portchester crossroads, Fareham West Street and Portland Street junction, Fareham West Street and Trinity Street junction, and Fareham Station Arch.

Improvement schemes for Portchester Crossroads and Fareham Station Arch are already being studied. Future progress mainly depends on how quickly land and property problems can be overcome.The Fareham Eastern By-Pass is already programmed and will significantly relieve congestion at the Fareham West Street and Portland Street junction. The cost and effect on property of major schemes there and at the Fareham West Street and Trinity Street junction prevent their early programming.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now decide upon the route of the new South Coast trunk road to bypass A.27 west of Portsmouth and start construction before the new conurbation is started.

I should like to publish quickly the draft Order for the line of the new road. But I cannot do so, nor can I say when the road is likely to be built, until the studies recently announced of the feasibility of expansion in Southern Hampshire have been completed. These must greatly influence road plans for the area.

asked the Minister of Transport how much has been spent each year on trunk and other road improvements, respectively, in East and West Suffolk, separately, in each year since 1945.

The following table shows expenditure on trunk road improvements and new construction in East and West Suffolk from 1954 to 1963:

EXPENDITURE
£ thousands
—			East Suffolk	West Suffolk
1954	…	…	11	4
1955	…	…	56	30
1956	…	…	89	8
1957	…	…	52	42
1958	…	…	106	8
1959	…	…	113	92
I960	…	…	129	23
1961	…	…	344	10
1962	…	…	237	57
1963	…	…	206	89

Figures for expenditure on trunk roads before 1954 are not available.Information about expenditure on other roads is not available for the years before 1562–63. In that year it was as follows:

	£ thousands
—	East Suffolk	West Suffolk
Classified Roads	253	31
Unclassified Roads	30	5

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on Government action arising out of the report of Messrs. Scott and Wilson, Kirkpatrick and Partners on road communications between Hull and the Great North Road.

I cannot usefully add anything at this stage to the Answer to the Question asked by my hon. Friend on 22nd July.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will extend the new practice of including the names of motorway service areas on signs to all such areas; and if he will consider indicating on motorways the names of major bridges and waterways over which the road passes.

As to the first part of the Question, I intend to make this a general practice. As to the second part, it is important to keep the number of signs on motorways to a minimum but there are arguments for doing as the hon. Member suggests and we are reviewing our policy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in light of the growth of trade between the East Coast ports and Europe, the possibility that new sources of fuel may be found off the East Coast, and the intended introduction of a large new town near Ipswich, he will give added priority to the need for efficient transport, both road and rail, between the East Coast and the industrial Midlands.

As and when these developments become more specific they will be taken fully into account in determining priorities within the national road programme. The needs of traffic from East Coast Ports to the Midlands will also be kept in mind. The provision of transport services, by road or rail, is the responsibility of the operators.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to increase the heavy-lorry examination teams at present operating in the United Kingdom.

Recruitment of vehicle examiners is now proceeding to increase our present staff of 343 to a complement of 410. The number and composition of teams varies in accordance with the capacities of the check points, but, as my hon. Friend mentioned in the debate on the Motion for the Adjournment on 23rd June, the checks have recently been intensified.

asked the Minister of Transport, in giving his consent to the closure of the railway to Dowlais, what information he had as to the public transport facilities that are now available for the inhabitants of the Cwmbargoed area, Dowlais.

The only bus service in this area was the twice-daily Bargoed-Merythr bus service, which passed fairly close to one group of houses and some three-quarters of a mile from the houses near the station. We accepted the suggestion of the Transport Users Consultative Committee that this bus should stop at the nearest point to the village and be supplemented by direct services from the station to Dowlais on Saturdays. This has been done.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increasing use of differential speed limits on roads, he will take steps to ensure the greater accuracy of speedometers in all motor vehicles using the roads.

No. The Regulations require speedometers to be accurate within a margin of 10 per cent., whenever the vehicle to which they are fitted is exceeding 10 m.p.h.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the number of accidents involving drivers of heavy lorries whose cabs have collapsed under impact, he will consult the vehicle makers with a view to prescribing a specification setting such standards as will give maximum protection to lorry crews.

I shall continue to do all I can to increase the safety of heavy goods vehicles, both for their occupants and for the public at large. The safety record of these vehicles has generally not been bad, but it is not as good as it was. We regularly consult the manufacturers and the operators' representatives and I know I can count on their co-operation. The hon. Member's suggestion will certainly not be overlooked.

asked the Minister of Transport what consultation he has had with motor manufacturers about the improvement of silencing in their new models.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken in consultation with garage proprietors and motor vehicle manufacturers to ensure that the nuisance caused by excessive noise from vehicles being driven with faulty and inadequate silencers is reduced to a minimum.

During the past 12 months we have been consulting representatives of the manufacturers and of the garage proprietors and others who are concerned with the recommendations of the Wilson Committee on noise from motor vehicles. Setting noise levels, especially for new vehicles, is not a simple matter, but I intend that they should be established, on a basis that is practicable to enforce, as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make permanent arrangements for the regular collection and publication of statistics on car-parking requirements and car-parking provisions in all the major conurbations of the country, including all the boroughs and urban district councils; and whether he will arrange for such statistics to include details of off-street parking garages, off-street surface car-parking spaces, and future car-parking requirements.

I am confident that urban local authorities will compile such information as they need to frame effective parking policies which are an essential part of the reshaping of our towns. My Department for its part will ensure that sufficient information is available for its policies and interests, and that it is published as appropriate.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the London Transport Board to ensure that existing gaps in the frequency of bus services in the peak periods are avoided in future, in view of the inconvenience to the public.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the proportion by which the number of motor vehicles on the road in 1963 exceeded the number in 1945; and if he will give the proportion by which the number of fatal and seriously injured road casualties exceeded the number in 1945.

In 1963 there were 350 per cent. more motor vehicles on the road than in 1945. The number of people killed and seriously injured was 150 percent. greater than in 1945.

asked the Minister of Transport what further action he has now taken to implement the recommendations of the Worboys Committee on Traffic Signs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 22nd July to my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster (Mr. Clive Bossom). Preparation of the Regulations and Manual is proceeding as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to establish efficiency standards for all tyres fitted to motor vehicles which are being driven on the highway.

I am now considering whether the existing Construction and Use Regulations can be improved. In addition, I am seeking powers under the Consumer Protection Act, 1961, to regulate the sale of recut tyres.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the proportion of drivers of vehicles or riders of motor bicycles involved in fatal or serious accidents, in the 12 months to the latest convenient date, who were reported to be affected by alcohol, to be going too fast, to be learners, to be ill, to be fatigued or physically defective and not reported to be in any of the above categories, respectively.

A driver or rider involved in an accident may be reported under more than one heading. It is therefore not possible to give a complete table in answer to my hon. Friend's Question. With permission, I will circulate the available figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT. These figures are not, of course, intended to show the causes of accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on Government proposals for solving the rural bus problem.

I announced on 11th March plans to conduct practical experiments in selected rural areas. Their nature would be settled by local consultations which I described then and in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 22nd June. There are four selected areas—in Lincolnshire, Westmorland, Northamptonshire and Montgomeryshire—and we are discussing the County Councils Association's suggestion for a fifth.The local teams were impressed with the need to get practical experiments going quickly. But they found that the initial stage of pinpointing the real local needs involved a lot of work.The Lincolnshire team have now proposed a number of experiments for a three months' trial. All consist of additional or improved bus services, to be operated by the Lincolnshire Road Car Company, subject to the necessary licences being granted by the Traffic Commissioners.They include a new daily return service from villages in the survey area to Louth. This depends on the Lindsey County Council and my Department guaranteeing to make good any small deficit below a specified level of receipts during the three months. I understand that the County Council are ready to guarantee half of this, and I am prepared to guarantee the other half. Parliament will in due course be asked to vote the necessary funds in a Supplementary Estimate.The Lincolnshire team are continuing their studies, including longer term aspects. In the meantime I hope the other teams will soon be able to submit interim recommendations. It will of course be necessary to give the experiments a long enough trial to gain experience and assess the results. Only then shall we be able finally to decide our policy.

asked the Minister of Transport what report has now been made to him by the London Transport Board concerning making the land opposite Leyton Underground station available for parking.

I understand that the London Transport Board has not yet completed its review of this case.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that, before further increases are approved for the London Transport area he will appoint an independent commission to examine all the factors involved in increases in fares in the area, including the hardship to old age pensioners, and others with low incomes and to take evidence from the travelling public.

No. Fare increases in the London Area already have to be justified at a public inquiry held by an independent court, the Transport Tribunal, at which bodies representative of the travelling public can appear and be heard.

asked the Minister of Transport when the last check of heavy lorries by a team of his engineers took place on each of routes A.30 and A.38 in Devonshire; and what were the results.

The last check on A.30 in Devonshire was at Okehampton on 21st July. Twenty-six vehicles were examined and 13 prohibition notices were issued, two of them with immediate effect. On A.38 the last check was on 14th July, at Cullompton. Twenty-three vehicles were examined and 13 prohibition notices were issued, two with immediate effect.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the risk to life and limb arising from the conditions of disrepair of many heavy lorries, of his recent statement on this subject, and of the results of spot checks recently made on such lorries, what further measures he now proposes to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement.

I had a meeting last week with leading members of the haulage industry when I expressed to them my great concern at the state of affairs disclosed by the intensified checks on heavy lorries that we are now conducting. The representatives of the industry shared my concern and various possible courses of action are being examined as a matter of urgency by their organisations and by my Department. We were also agreed that plans for plating and for the regular inspection of heavy goods vehicles should be pressed on as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent the Central Office of Information is to participate in the proposed scheme for publicising the danger of excessive drinking on the part of drivers of motor vehicles; and when it is intended to commence the campaign.

The Central Office of Information are in close touch with my Department in planning the campaign. Their Advertising, Films, Tours, and Production Services Divisions and Regional Offices will be actively engaged in the conduct of the campaign, which is due to start in November.

asked the Minister of Transport how many commercial and similar vehicles, motor cars, and motor cycles, respectively, were registered in East Suffolk, West Suffolk and Ipswich, respectively, in each year since 1945.

Figures for 1945 are not available; the following are the figures from 1946:

			East Suffolk			West Suffolk			Ipswich
Year			Commercial* and similar vehicles	Cars	Motor cycles	Commercial* and similar vehicles	Cars	Motor cycles	Commercial* and similar vehicles	Cars	Motor cycles
1946	…	…	3,100	9,900	2,400	2,300	6,400	1,400	1,400	4,000	900
1947	…	…	3,800	11,000	2,600	2,600	6,700	1,600	1,600	4,500	1,100
1948	…	…	4,300	11,300	2,900	3,100	7,100	1,800	1,800	4,600	1,200
1949	…	…	4,700	12,100	3,400	3,500	7,800	2,100	2,000	5,000	1,400
1950	…	…	5,100	13,200	4,200	3,800	8,400	2,500	2,100	5,300	1,700
1951	…	…	5,300	14,100	4,600	3,800	8,900	3,000	2,300	5,800	2,100
1952	…	…	5,600	15,200	5,500	4,100	9,800	3,400	2,300	5,900	2,400
1953	…	…	5,700	16,400	5,900	4,000	10,700	3,600	2,400	6,400	2,900
1954	…	…	5,500	17,600	6,400	3,900	11,000	3,600	2,700	7,100	3,100
1955	…	…	5,800	19,800	7,000	4,000	12,500	3,900	2,800	7,700	3,600
1956	…	…	6,100	21,800	7,400	4,100	13,800	3,800	2,800	8,800	4,000
1957	…	…	6,000	22,900	7,900	4,300	14,000	4,200	2,800	9,100	4,400
1958	…	…	6,200	24,600	8,100	4,300	15,000	4,400	2,800	9,700	4,600
1959	…	…	6,500	26,500	9,200	4,500	17,000	4,900	3,000	10,900	5,600
1960	…	…	6,800	29,200	10,200	4,700	18,800	5,500	3,200	12,400	6,200
1961	…	…	7,300	31,800	11,200	4,900	20,200	5,800	3,400	13,000	7,100
1962	…	…	7,300	36,000	11,700	4,900	22,600	5,800	3,600	14,300	7,700
1963	…	…	7,900	39,200	12,700	5,100	24,700	6,100	3,900	15,300	8,600
* Includes general goods vehicles and hackney vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement on the proposal to extend the Victoria Line to South Woodford or Woodford.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 18th December, 1963.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that he will not authorise the closure of any railway lines during the Summer Recess or after the dissolution of the present Parliament, in order that hon. Members whose constituents are affected by such closures may have the opportunity of raising them in debate.

In view of the terms of Section 56 of the Transport Act, 1962, I do not think I should deliberately delay for as long as three months my decision on any closure proposal. Hon. Members can, of course, before I reach my decision on any particular case, make representations to me during the

asked the Minister of Transport, in making his decision to close Pinwherry Station on the Stranraer-Ayr line, to what extent he took into account the hardship that will be caused to passengers in the Newton Stewart area who reach this station by bus and travel thence to Glasgow by rail; and whether he will reconsider this decision.

No objections on this ground appear to have been made to the Transport Users Consultative Committee, and only one referred to travel via Barr-hill. As the bus from Newton Stewart to Barrhill and Pinwherry runs on to Girvan (where it is possible to transfer to rail) and then to Ayr and Glasgow, I am not clear how hardship could arise.

asked the Minister of Transport what discussions have now taken place with the Government of the United States of America regarding commercial companies in the United Kingdom wishing to trade with companies whose political ideology is not acceptable to America, and the future of British shipping trade with Cuba.

I have nothing to add to the Answers given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to Questions on 18th and 25th February last.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that port authorities have the necessary monitoring instruments and scientific personnel to enable them to ensure the health and safety of people in the ports visited by nuclear ships; and if he will make a statement.

The Report of the Committee on the Safety of Nuclear-powered Merchant Ships, published as a Command Paper in 1960, recognised that in the early years while nuclear merchant ships are few, port authorities are not likely to have specialist staff and organisation. The Report recommended therefore that, where a visit of a nuclear ship is contemplated, the port authorities should set up a Port Safety Panel which could call on expert advice from the Government and the Atomic Energy Authority. This was done for the recent visit of the "Savannah" to Southampton.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the proposal to construct a British nuclear-propelled merchant ship or fleet auxiliary.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will place an order for the design and construction of an experimental prototype merchant ship powered by the most promising type of nuclear reactor now available.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will place an order for the design and construction of a nuclear-powered merchant ship.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet reached a decision to proceed with a British nuclear-powered merchant ship; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the proposal to build an experimental nuclear-powered ship.

I hope to be able to make a statement tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to aid further the shipbuilding industry, in view of the lack of any evidence of a substantial upward trend in ordering.

The Government's Shipbuilding Credit Scheme has given the industry a breathing space in which to reorganise itself in order to become more competitive. I have no plans to assist the shipbuilding industry financially.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the intake of orders for British shipyards not negotiated under the Government Credit Scheme for the latest available six-month period.

446,000 gross tons of orders (including export orders) were placed outside the terms of the Credit Scheme in the six months ended 30th June, 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details of the inquiry held on 20th July in Aberdeen into the loss of the Aberdeen trawler "Ben Barvas", which was stranded and lost in Pentland Firth on 3rd January last.

A Court of formal investigation under Section 466 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, found that the loss of the "Ben Barvas" on 3rd January this year was due to the failure of the skipper to keep a proper look out. The Court suspended his Certificate of Competency for 12 months and ordered him to pay £200 towards the cost of the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many dilutees are still employed in his Department in work of a lower grade than that which they were doing during the war; and whether he will take steps to promote those whose experience over the years justifies such promotion.

No dilutee at present registered with the Ministry of Aviation is employed on work of a lower grade than that which he was doing during the war. The question of promotion depends on the production of evidence by the dilutee that he has the required qualifications.

asked the Minister of Aviation if, when civil supersonic aircraft become operative, he will refuse to allow the sonic boom to take place over the Greater London area.

Restrictions on the supersonic operations of these aircraft will be required, but I cannot say at this stage what areas they will affect.

asked the Minister of Aviation at what altitude planes breaking the sound barrier were flying when they caused damage for which his Department have accepted and paid claims for compensation to members of the public during the past twelve months.

During the past twelve months these flights were at heights between 32,000 ft. and 39,000 ft. However, in July 1963 six flights were made at 24,000 ft. for an exceptional purpose.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, as a general policy, he will only authorise aircraft to break the sound barrier over land in Britain at an altitude of not less than 40,000 feet.

No.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to holidaymakers and others on the south coast by the noise created by hovercraft services; and what regulations apply to hovercraft services operating in coastal waters so far as noise is concerned.

The local authorities concerned are consulted before hovercraft operations are authorised. Neither of the authorities concerned with the Southsea-Ryde service raised any objection on grounds of noise. I can trace only two complaints from individuals on this score.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the Master Plan for Air Services in Scotland; and if the document will be published.

It would be premature to make a statement at present. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I, however, have recently discussed the plan with the Scottish Council. We agreed with them certain further investigations necessary before final decisions can be taken.

asked the Minister of Aviation what applications have been made to him by the British Overseas Airways Corporation to order two Boeing freighter aircraft; and if he will issue a general direction that the Corporation should use British aircraft for this purpose.

B.O.A.C. have recently submitted to me an application to order two Boeing freighter aircraft. I am now considering it in relation to the proposed freighter versions of the V.C.10.

asked the Minister of Aviation what applications he has received from the British Overseas Airways Corporation for the purchase of two Boeing 707 freighters.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Sir A. V. Harvey).

asked the Minister of Aviation who represented Her Majesty's Government at the recent European Civil Aviation Conference at Strasbourg; what matters were discussed; what conclusions were reached; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom delegation to the European Civil Aviation Conference was led by a deputy secretary and an under-secretary of the Ministry of Aviation. They were supported by specialist staff from the Ministry, representatives of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and of the Air Registration Board, and airline advisers.The discussions covered a wide range of economic, technical and facilitation matters affecting the whole of civil aviation in Europe. The conference, which is a consultative, body, made a large number of recommendations affecting aspects of civil aviation. Among the topics considered were the Council of Europe's report and resolution on "Certain financial and economic aspects of air transport operations", non-scheduled operations and inclusive tours in Europe, all-freight services; measures aimed at facilitating the movement of passengers, baggage and cargo; and technical matters concerning certificates of airworthiness and the interpretation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations applicable to non-scheduled public transport flights.

asked the Minister of Aviation what orders the British Overseas Airways Corporation have placed for VC10 freighters.

No such orders have been placed so far.

asked the Minister of Aviation what arrangements he has made to ensure that, in discussing the implications of the Concord supersonic air transport, there is sufficient liaison between his Department and the members of the British Airline Pilots' Association.

Meetings between my Department and representatives of the Airline Pilots' Associations take place at frequent intervals. I look forward to close consultation with them on this matter and careful consideration is being given to all aspects of the Concord on which the Associations have expressed their views.

asked the Minister of Aviation what study he has now made of the representations made to him by a deputation of local representatives regarding the proposed transmitter mast at East Harptree near Bristol Lulsgate Airport and the danger of causing interference with the use and development of this airport; and in view of the fact that a suitable site is available at Longwell Green which has been approved by the defence and civil aviation side of his department, if he will now have further discussions with the British Broadcasting Corporation regarding the erection of this mast.

My Department has informed the B.B.C. that it would raise no objection to the erection of this mast at Longwell Green. It is not at present known whether the Corporation can find a suitable site for the mast there.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress has been made in getting back from the Ferranti Company a part of the excess profit made on the Bloodhound missile contract.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement yesterday.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress has been made with regard to the purchase for the Royal Navy of the McDonnell Phantom aircraft.

The evaluation of the Phantom aircraft has now been completed. I am satisfied that it can be suitably modified for operation from British carriers. Arrangements have been made with the U.S. Department of the Navy for the placing of a contract with the McDonnell Aircraft Company for re-engining two prototype Phantom aircraft with Rolls Royce Spey engines. No production aircraft have yet been ordered.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many dilutees are still employed, respectively, in the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force in work of a lower grade than that they were doing during the war; and whether he will take steps to promote those whose experience over the years justifies such promotion.

None, none and fifteen, respectively. Promotion arrangements for dilutees are a matter for negotiation with the trade unions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Indonesian officers and ratings were accepted for training at the Far East School of Jungle Warfare from 1960 to the latest convenient date.

Ten officers, between 1960 and March, 1961. Since then, none.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give details of the contracts awarded to the firm of Plessey Ltd. during the period from November, 1959, to July, 1962; when such contracts were awarded; whether these were competitive; and what were the profits on each contract.

During the period in question contracts with a total value of just over £29½ million were placed with the firm. It would be contrary to established practice to give details of individual contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts awarded to the firm of Plessey for communications equipment; over what period the contracts will run; and what is the estimated cost of the orders.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given today to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. A. Lewis).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what rates of pay are presently being paid to Royal Navy personnel serving on the U.S.S. "Claude V. Ricketts"; and how their pay compares with that of other nationalities.

Royal Navy officers and men serving on U.S.S. "Biddle"—to be renamed "Claude V. Ricketts" in a few weeks' time—receive their normal rates of pay and allowances, supplemented by the appropriate rates of local overseas allowance for personnel serving in the United States of America. Current rates of pay are given in "Service Pay and Pensions", Command 2268. Since "pay" depends not only on rank, but on qualifications, length of service, special allowances and marital status, a valid comparison with the pay of other nationalities cannot be made without knowledge of all relevant particulars for each man. This would need to include domestic commitments in the home country and the system of taxation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes stopped buying knives, forks and spoons from Sheffield manufacturers; how much has been purchased from Hong Kong and Japan, respectively, and at how much below the Sheffield prices; to what extent this policy of ceasing to buy English-made goods is being applied to other supplies; and if he will make a statement.

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institute's purchasing arrangements are not a matter for my Department but for the N.A.A.F.I. Board of Management. As N.A.A.F.I. is required to pay its way and is not financed from Votes the Board must be free to exercise their commercial judgment in such a matter. The purchases of tableware to which the hon. Member refers are for use in Forces' clubs and restaurants where costs must obviously be kept down if the Serviceman is to be given an economical service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he continues to impose restrictions on the movement of Royal Air Force personnel and their families which prevent their visiting public restaurants and places of entertainment after 6.30 p.m. in Famagusta and Larnica; if he is aware that no such restrictions apply in other parts of Cyprus, and that they do not apply to members of the United Nations forces; and if he will withdraw them.

These restrictions are in the interests of Service personnel and their families; they are kept under constant review in the light of the security situation; for example, they have recently been abated in respect of Larnica. As far as possible, they are in line with similar United Nations restrictions. United Nations personnel, however, are performing different duties under different conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that an assurance was given at the time of the transfer of the dry docks that the floating dock should remain in Malta, except for strategic purposes, and that it is now being sold and may pass to a competitor and have a detrimental effect upon future ship-repairing work on the island, if he will take steps to hold an inquiry into the original assurances given and the effect the sale would have upon the economy of Malta.

No. The only assurance given at the time of the transfer of the dry docks was that the floating dock would be allowed to remain in Malta indefinitely to meet the requirements of Messrs. Bailey (Malta) Limited, subject to the negotiation of satisfactory terms for its use by the Company. The terms originally agreed were subject to review after two years, and thereafter should circumstances change. Now that the strategic requirement for it in Malta has lapsed, and the conversion of Nos. 4 and 5 dry docks is nearing completion, the Company have decided that it is no longer worthwhile retaining the floating dock at an economic rent. In reaching this conclusion they no doubt took into account the effect of a possible sale of the dock on their competitive position.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for stationing a flight of 228 Search and Rescue Squadron in the North of Scotland.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many firms who have tendered for fixed price contracts for the Defence Service have lost substantial sums of money on these contracts; and what representations they have made that these losses should be made good by his Department.