asked the Minister of Transport in what circumstances and for what purposes metal plates are inserted in road surfaces; and how many accidents involving motor cyclists and others have been caused by these objects.

Under existing Regulations metal plates and studs may be used as part of a prescribed road marking. Following the recommendations of the Worboys Committee the new Traffic Signs Regulations, which are now before the House, will not permit the use of metal plates for road markings after certain dates. Metal studs may be used at parking bays and pedestrian crossings but if a more satisfactory material can be found I will consider amending the Regulations to discontinue the use of metal studs.The national accident statistics do not distinguish cases in which plates or studs were a factor but the information we have indicates that they form a very small part of the total.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to alter the arrangements for the cost of street lighting on main roads, so that the cost does not fall on the parish concerned.

I am aware that street lighting may place a heavy burden on the resources of some parish councils. But the problem is a difficult one since it must be related to the whole structure of highway grants which is being considered in the context of the current review of the financial relationship between central and local government. Nevertheless, I am considering whether anything can be done to improve the arrangements in the meantime.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dangerous nature of the A.6 through Hazel Grove; what steps it is intended to take to deal with this situation; and when he expects that there will be an improvement.

Early next year the three pedestrian crossings on A.6 will be replaced by pedestrian-operated traffic lights. The longer-term solution is to by-pass the central area and we are now considering how this can best be achieved.My right hon. Friend is writing to the hon. Member more fully in reply to the letters he has had from him.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek powers to require newspapers to print a daily or weekly total of all reported road accidents in order to pinpoint the extent of road dangers.

No. It is for editors to decide what they print in their newspapers. In fact the Press as a whole is most co-operative in reporting road dangers and forthright in promoting road safety.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take to improve road communications between Bungay and Homersfield; whether he will carry out a survey to ascertain whether the railway track can be used as a by-pass; and whether he will make funds available for this important link between the East Coast and the Midlands.

The two highway authorities concerned, the Norfolk County Council and East Suffolk County Council, are discussing the possible use of a disused railway track for this purpose. No doubt they will submit any agreed proposals to me at the appropriate time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will refuse to authorise parking schemes submitted to him where there is inadequate provision for residents to park outside their own houses for reasonable periods.

My right hon. Friend has to consider each proposal on its merits. In doing so, he always has regard to the interests of residents. We also have to consider the interests of traffic and of all who wish to wait or park for varying periods. Residents should, in our view, always have at least equal rights with others. Where there is space not needed for short-term parking we will be glad to consider any practicable means for giving preference to residents.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the inadequate safety fencing on flyovers crossing M.2; and if he will take steps to have them adequately reinforced before the hazard is increased by icy roads.

We have no knowledge of a serious accident record in connection with the fencing on bridges over any motorway.Since June, 1964, it has been a design requirement to provide approved safety fences on all bridges carrying vehicular traffic over a motorway. The application of this requirement to existing bridges is being examined.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to start the road works designed to improve the flow of traffic at the junction of Harrow Road and the North Circular Road, N.W.10.

I am awaiting the local authorities' views on a traffic management scheme to increase the capacity of this junction. Subject to any points they raise, work could start in April, 1965.For the longer term, I have in mind more extensive improvements.

asked the Minister of Transport when work will start on the construction of a dual carriageway on the A.10 between Carterhatch Lane, Enfield, and the New River Arms, Turnford.

Tenders for the first section between Carterhatch Lane and Bullsmoor Lane will be invited early in 1965 and we expect the roadworks to start about six months later. We will consider the dualling of the section between Bullsmoor Lane and Turnford for inclusion in future extensions of the trunk road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the requirements of safety, he will authorise the installation of traffic signals at the junction of Great Cambridge Road and Church Lane, Cheshunt.

We are not satisfied that traffic signals would improve safety here. The existing halt signs in Church Lane are being replaced by larger stop signs of the kind prescribed in the new Traffic Signs Regulations and some improvements are being made in visibility at the junction. We are also considering whether it would help to move the starting point of the speed restriction on Great Cambridge Road a little further north.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has sent to the Town Clerk of Dover in response to the council's request for a deputation to be received on behalf of the Dover Town Council concerning the proposed York Street trunk road.

I have invited a deputation from the council to discuss this with some of my senior officials.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement about the future of highway grants as a whole; and to what extent they will be affected by the re-examination of priorities within the framework of the road programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Temple) on 4th December.The review of the highway grant system has wide ramifications. It will certainly take account of the increased emphasis within the road programme on urban road needs.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will investigate the causes of the accidents on the Doncaster by-pass during the recent foggy weather; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to eliminate the hazards of travelling on the Doncaster by-pass.

The evidence I have indicates that these accidents were caused by excessive speeds in dense fog. I am experimenting with warning signs on M.5, but in these conditions I do not think that any warning signs would have much effect.

asked the Minister of Transport what improvements he will make in safety factors on the M.1 and other motorways, in view of the fact that the present provisions are useless in bad weather; and whether he will provide illuminated advance warning signs on these motorways to warn drivers of fog and other dangers ahead.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now authorise the use of illuminated bad weather signs on the M.1.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inadequacy of the safety arrangements on the M.1 in conditions of fog and poor visibility; and what action he is

LONDON-YORKSHIRE MOTORWAY (M.1): CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO
Designation of contract and length covered		Contractor	Expected Completion date
(1)		(2)	(3)
LY/CF:	Lutterworth-Whetstone	George wimpey and Co. LTD.	Early in 1965
LY/CG:	Whetstone-Kirby Muxloe	R. M. Douglas Construction Ltd.
LY/CH:	Kirby Muxloe-Markfield	A. Monk and Co. Ltd
LY/CJ:	Markfield-Shepshed	Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Ltd.	July,1965
LY/CK:	Shepshed-South of River Trent	Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Ltd.
LY/CL:	River Trent Crossing	Brims and Co. Ltd.	May, 1965
LY/CM:	North of River Trent to Stantonby-Dale (Derbyshire)	George Wimpey & Co. Ltd.	May, 1966
LY/CN:	Stanton-by-Dale to Nuthall (Notts)	R. M. Douglas Construction Ltd.	August, 1966
LY/CP:	Nuthall to Pinxton (Derbyshire)	George Wimpey & Co. Ltd.	December, 1966
Note: The length covered by Contract LY/CE: Crick (Northants)-Lutterworth, was opened to traffic on 1st October, 1964.

No warning system can prevent accidents in fog if drivers do not adjust their speeds to the limits of their visibility. The evidence I have indicates that the recent accidents happened because vehicles were being driven too fast and too close together in poor visibility.I am proposing to experiment on a section of M.1 with a simpler warning system than that at present in use on M.5 but this will not be ready for use this winter.

asked the Minister of Transport what contracts have been entered into in respect of the Leicestershire portion and the rest of M.1; when they will be completed; and what proposals he has for other contracts in the near future.

As the Answer to the first part of the Question consists of a table I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Tenders for Tinsley Viaduct are under consideration and tenders for the contract for the remaining lengths of the motorway will be invited as soon as the statutory processes and engineering preparations are complete.

asked the Minister of Transport when the pictorial signs, Roundabout and Reduce Speed Now, promised some months ago for roundabouts on the Chertsey Road. Twickenham, particularly at Hospital Bridge Road, are to be erected.

Delivery of the signs is expected about the end of January. They will be erected as soon as possible afterwards.

asked the Minister of Transport in what circumstances three-lane major roads will be constructed in the future; and to what extent four-lane roads will be preferred.

In deciding the design standards for new trunk roads I take into account the expected growth of traffic over the next 20 years. This means that in most cases dual carriageways will be needed. Only 5¼ miles of new three-lane road will be started in the next four years, whereas, over the same period, 50 miles of three-lane road will be converted to dual carriageways. But widening of two-lane roads to three lanes may also be justified where the long-term needs of traffic will be met in other ways, for example by a new motorway.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make use of a flare device which can be triggered off by telephone on motorways to give warning of hazards.

No. Flares would he dangerous.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents involving death or serious injury occurred in the 12 months to the last convenient date; in what proportion bf these cases the driver or rider of a motor vehicle was charged with a drink offence under the Road Traffic Acts, or would have been so charged had he or she not been killed or seriously injured; and in how many cases a road user other than the driver or rider of a motor vehicle was reported to be affected by alcohol.

In the 12 months ended 30th September there were 84,861 fatal or serious road accidents. One in 289 of the drivers and riders of motor vehicles involved were charged with a drink offence under the Road Traffic Act, or would have been so charged had they not been killed or seriously injured. The corresponding proportion for the pedal cyclists involved was one in 458. No information on the numbers of other road users affected by alcohol is reported regularly. The hon. Member will be aware from answers to his previous questions that the figures relating to charges understate the proportion of cases in which drink was a contributory factor.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents. over a convenient number of years, were attributable to faulty or improperly adjusted rear lights used on vehicles with trailers, of two tons and upwards and below two tons, motor cycles, and pedal cycles, respectively.

This information is not readily available. I will look into the feasibility of obtaining it, and write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the relative amounts of traffic on the A.10 southwards to Downham Market, and the A.134 from its junction with the A.10 southwards to Stradsett Foldgate.

Traffic at the peak August period this year is estimated at about 3,100 vehicles a day on A.10, 2,200 vehicles a day on A.134.

asked the Minister of Transport why the stretch of the A.134 immediately North of Foddestone Gap is being widened before the A.10 Lynn to London road in the same area is widened.

The A.134 is a classified road which is being improved by Norfolk County Council, the responsible highway authority, with grant assistance. In the trunk road programme, the A.10 has a lower priority for improvement than other trunk roads in the area.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the year-by-year expenditure on roads in Great Britain since 1946 by central Government and by

£ MILLION
		New construction and major improvement			Maintenance and minor improvements
		Exchequer	Local Authority	Total	Exchequer	Local Authority	Total
1945–46	…	·6	·3	·9	8·3	20·8	29·1
1946–47	…	1·3	1·2	2·5	8·7	22·9	41·6
1947–48	…	2·8	1·9	4·7	21·0	27·7	48·7
1948–49	…	2·7	2·6	5·3	17·5	27·2	44·7
1949–50	…	3·4	2·6	6·0	20·0	30·0	50·0
1950–51.	…	3·7	2·6	6·3	18·9	30·2	49·1
1951–52	…	3·3	2·9	6·2	23·7	33·3	57·0
1952–53	…	3·7	2·6	6·3	25·8	34·7	60·5
1953–54.	…	3·7	4·1	7·8	26·5	35·8	62·3
1954–55	…	4·3	4·7	9·0	29·5	38·6	68·1
1955–56	…	7·4	5·8	13·2	31·5	42·2	73·7
1956–57	…	15·0	7·0	22·0	31·9	44·2	76·1
1957–58	…	21·8	7·6	29·4	34·2	45·9	80·1
1958–59	…	47·1	10·3	57·4	32·8	47·5	80·3
1959–60	…	59·6	12·5	72·1	34·8	50·5	85·3
1960–61	…	57·9	17·2	75·1	36·6	53·4	90·0
1961–62	…	71·5	19·6	91·1	41·3	56·1	97·4
1962–63	…	94·8	21·9	116·7	41·7	57·0	98·7
1963–64*	…	122·0	30·0	152·0	54·0	68·5	122·5
*Provisional.

The figures in the table are based on returns made by local authorities shortly after the end of each financial year. The returns indicate the value of roadworks done in the year. Because, in some cases, Exchequer payments to local authorities are made in advance of the work to

			New construction and major improvement			Maintenance and minor improvements
			Exchequer	Local Authority	Total	Exchequer	Local Authority	Total
1964–65	…	…	145·5	26·5	172·0	57·0	65·0	122·0
1965–70	…	…	1,040·0	210·0	1,250·0	315·0	335·0	650·0

asked the Minister of Transport when he estimates the first thousand miles of motorway in Great Britain will be completed.

By the early 1970's.

The following table gives the expenditure since 1946:which they are appropriate, the figures given above for Exchequer expenditure are different from the figures given annually in the Appropriation Account for payments from the Exchequer.Expenditure during 1964–65 and over the following five years is likely to be:

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the sections of motorway, showing the mileages in each case, which are in use, under construction, for which tenders have been invited, for which schemes have been made, for which draft schemes have been published, and for which a line has not yet been published, showing the actual or estimated completion date and the actual or estimated cost wherever possible.

	Motorways in Use	Miles	Completion Date	Cost £m.
M.1	London-Yorkshire
	Aldenham-Crick	73	November, 1959	32·3
	Crick-Misterton	7½	October, 1964	5·0
M.2	Medway Motor Road	25¼	May, July and September, 1963	16·0
M.4	London-South Wales
	Slough By-Pass	5½	April, 1963	4·9
	Maidenhead By-Pass	6	June, 1961	3·0
	Chiswick Flyover-Lionel Road Inter change	¾	November, 1964	2·0
M.5	Bristol-Birmingham
	Lydiate Ash-Twyning	26	July, 1962	9·4
M.6	Birmingham-Preston-Carlisle
	Dunston-Preston	78¼	August, 1962-November	56·13
	Preston By-Pass	8	December, 1958	5·2
	Lancaster By-Pass	11½	April, 1960	4·7
M.50	Ross Spur	21½	November, 1960	6·7
A.1(M)	Doncaster By-Pass	15½	July, 1961	6·5
	Stevenage By-Pass	7	July, 1962	2·2
A.20(M)	Maidstone By-Pass	6¾	June and December, 1960	2·6
—	Stretford-Eccles By-Pass (Classified motorway built by Lancashire County Council)	6	October, 1960	5·6
—	Filton By-Pass (Classified motorway built by Gloucestershire County Council)	2¼	May, 1963	·74
		300¾

Motorways under Construction
M.1	London-Yorkshire
	Page Street-Edgwarebury Lane (Hendon Motorway)	4¼	Summer, 1967	14·14
	Edgwarebury Lane-Aldenham	4	Summer, 1966
	Brockley Interchange	—	Autumn, 1966
	Misterton-Whetstone-Markfield	18¾	Spring, 1965-Autumn, 1965	33·2
	Markfield-River Trent	12½
	River Trent-Stanton-by-Dale	4¾	Summer, 1966
	Stanton-by-Dale-Nuthall	4¾	Summer, 1966
	Nuthall-Pinxton	8½	End 1966	5·5
				(works only)
M.4	London-South Wales
	Lionel Road Interchange-Langley	12	Early 1965	15·5
	Almondsbury-Hambrook	3¼	Spring, 1966	3·0
	Almondsbury Interchange	2¼	Spring, 1966	2·5
	Severn Bridge and Approaches	9½	1966	17·30
	Crick-Newport	9	Summer, 1966	5·0
	Newport By-Pass	7	1966	8·58
M.5	Midland Motorway
	Links Ash-Quinton	6	Late 1965	6·64
M.6	Birmingham-Preston-Carlisle
	Preston-Lancaster	13¼	April, 1965	11·06
M.6	Midland Motorway Links
	Darlaston-Shareshill	6	Late 1966	5·48
	Shareshill-Dunston	8¼	Spring, 1966	6·08
A.l(M)	Darlington-Barton By-Pass (including Darling-ton Spur)	13	Spring, 1965	6·95
A.48(M)	Port Talbot By-Pass	4½	Early 1966	5·03
A.40(M)	High Wycombe By-Pass
	Stokenchurch-Handy Cross	8	Autumn, 1966	5·31
		159½
Tenders Invited
M.1	London- Yorkshire
	Sheffield-Leeds (Tinsley Viaduct)	¾	Late 1967	—
A.1(M)	Durham Motorway (Bridges)	5¼
		6

The information requestes is set out in the following table:

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the danger to pedestrians on the West Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and if he will examine the position reached in discussions between his divisional engineers and the city council on the construction of pedestrian crossings on this road.

My divisional road engineer has recently approved the installation of a zebra crossing at the junction of Middleton Avenue with West Road. Earlier this year he approved the installation of traffic signals at the junction of Brighton Grove with West Road. In addition he has suggested to the city council that the erection of refuges in West Road would assist pedestrians. He will review the position following experience with these measures.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will authorise the Thurrock Urban District Council to replace the "Slow—Major Road Ahead" signs at the junction of Bradleigh Avenue and Ward Avenue, Grays, Essex, with "Halt" signs.

Yes. My divisional road engineer has already written to the urban district council on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state for each of the years 1964–65 to 1969–70 inclusive the approximate total mileage of new classified roads proposed by highway authorities which have been accepted for construction for grant purposes.

This information is not readily available. My Department's records of programmed classified road schemes do not differentiate between new construction and major improvement. Moreover the programme consists increasingly of schemes for the relief of urban congestion. Mileage is not a real measure of the significance of such schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport what further progress has been made in providing off-street parking in Greater London since 28th July, 1964; and what plans are in hand for the future.

In the last five months loan sanctions totalling £1,432,000 have been issued in connection with local authorities' plans to provide 43 car parks in Greater London. Progress continues to be made on the plans for many more.Local authorities' more recent plans include local permanent car parks in Bell Street and Montague House in St. Marylebone; the Minories and Tower Hill in the City; Relton Mews in Westminster; and in Bexley, Epsom, Feltham, Gravesend, Harrow, Kingston, Lewisham, St. Albans and Watford.Moreover the London County Council has recently given planning permission for the proposed underground car park beneath Bloomsbury Square and a planning inquiry has been held on a similar project for Cadogan Place Gardens. Others, including the Railway Boards and car park firms, have plans in various stages for a number of both permanent and temporary car parks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet ready to make a statement as to the establishment of a National Advisory Council on Road Safety.

Yes. My right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, and I have decided to set up a National Road Safety Advisory Council with the following terms of reference:

"To keep under review the road accident situation in Great Britain, and methods of accident prevention; to advise the Minister of Transport, and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, on those matters which he, or the Secretaries of State, may refer to them; and to consider and report on other matters which may appear to the Council to be of importance in relation to road safety."

I am glad to say that Sir Alfred Owen has agreed to be Chairman. I will announce the names of the other members as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dislocation caused to passenger and goods traffic, as well as the loss of vital production and earnings, together with the domestic inconvenience, caused by the closing of the Barton Swing Bridge at peak periods in the morning and afternoon; and if he will give an assurance that the number of occasions when the bridge is closed to road traffic at peak periods is kept to an absolute minimum.

The bridge is owned and operated by the Manchester Ship Canal Co. They have set up a standing committee of local interests to assist them in reconciling the needs of shipping using the Canal and of road traffic. Delays to road traffic are kept to a minimum.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will exempt historic vehicles from control under regulations governing the conduct of motor rallies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 27th November.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to increase the staff of driving examiners in Swansea.

The complement of examiners at Swansea is six. While the established strength went down to four in August, temporary postings to fill the vacancies have cut the waiting period to the national average. Permanent replacements should be available by the spring from the current recruitment competition.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of his attempts to speed up the comprehensive review of London public transport system, with particular regard to the diminishing service occasioned by the proposed winter schedules.

The London Transportation Study is being pressed urgently. But it is a complex task. Necessarily a complete plan will take some time. But useful information is already being obtained and is immediately available to British Railways and London Transport, who are both closely associated with the Study.As to this year's winter bus schedules, the London Transport Board tell me that they have reduced services only where public demand has already fallen considerably almost wholly at the weekends.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British Waterways that they should ensure that, when their regional headquarters are broken up, one of their offices is retained in the large cities of the region.

No. This is a matter entirely within the management responsibility of the British Waterways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the lack of integration in the Liverpool area between road and rail transport existing now and implicit in proposals being made for the future, if he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the planning of communications in the Merseyside area, with particular reference to the work of the Steering Committee; and if he will put forward proposals for the creation of an area transport board designed to unify and harmonise the provision of transport in the area.

We are proposing to deal with transport and land-use planning as a comprehensive whole against the background of future economic and population trends. We and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government are consulting with the responsible authorities on Merseyside on how best to build on the work they have already done to achieve this end. This is a complex problem and I think it should be examined in greater detail before deciding the best arrangements for the provision of transport in the area.

asked the Minister of Transport why the reports of transport users' consultative committees are not made available to the public.

The committees agreed some time ago that their reports should be treated in confidence. This enables them to express their views freely and to discuss without inhibition the details of users' personal difficulties —much of which is given to them in writing.Publication could well deter some users from giving details of their problems to the committees, and so make the committees' assessment of hardship, and my decision, more difficult.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ensure that local authorities make and implement the necessary plans for off-street parking facilities.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, together with my right hon. Friend, will shortly be issuing to local authorities a Planning Bulletin on parking in town centres. It will give detailed guidance on how to make and put into effect comprehensive plans for controlling and providing parking space, on and off the street.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consult the police authorities about the practicability of introducing a system of conducting convoys for all vehicles using motorways in dense fog.

No. This idea has been considered and is not practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will require that convoys of military vehicles should be placed under the control of civil police when using motorways in dense fog.

No, I see no need for special measures. Military convoys are subject to careful organisation and discipline under their own authorities and the civil police have the authority to control them in the same way as civilian traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will specify the steps taken by his Department in the last 10 years to improve transport services in North-East Scotland.

The provision of transport services has been and is a matter for the operators and it is for them to promote improvement of services, having regard to changing level of demand. Since 1st April, 1956, the Secretary of State for Scotland has been responsible for roads in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Dundee Corporation Transport Department will be paid the rebate which was promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cancel out the increase in fuel tax.

I cannot yet add to my reply of 25th November to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis). The discussions between the Department and the operators are progressing.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the report from the Geddes Committee on road haulage.

Next spring.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will draw the attention of the London Traffic Management Unit to the need for improving traffic circulation at the multiple junction of Canterbury Road, Carlton Vale, Fern-mead Road, Kilburn Lane, Malvern Road, and Salusbury Road, in the N.W.6 and W.9 districts of London.

We know that there are difficulties here, but we are concentrating our efforts on those junctions where the traffic problem is worse. I have no doubt that the Greater London Council, when it takes over responsibility for traffic management from me on 1st April, 1965, will bear in mind the problems at this junction.

asked, the Minister of Transport what compensation would become payable as a consequence of extinguishing the franchise held by the Duke of Beaufort granting ferrying rights over the Severn, on the construction of the Severn bridge; under what circumstances such compensation becomes payable; and by what criteria he will determine the amount of such compensation.

The Severn Bridge Tolls Bill includes a provision for extinguishing of the ferry franchises on certain conditions if the present owners make application for it. In these circumstances extinguishment in itself if the Bill is enacted would not be expected to attract compensation. The owners have, however, had a claim in law for loss of land settled.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the public transport facilities in the area of Purton are inadequate now that Purton Station has been closed; and what steps he will take to improve the situation.

I have no specific and detailed evidence to this effect. I will certainly consider any that may be given to me. If it demonstrated that the essential needs of those formerly using Purton Station are not being met, I could vary the conditions under which consent to the closure was given.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the practice of dealers in repairing wrecked cars which have been sold for salvage and then reselling them to the public; and if he will take steps to compel dealers to inform the public that such vehicles have previously been disposed of for salvage.

I am aware that dealers do repair wrecked cars and resell them; there is no objection to this provided that the repaired vehicle is roadworthy when it is sold, and I have no evidence to show that existing legal safeguards against the sale of defective vehicles are inadequate. I have no powers which would enable me to impose on dealers a requirement to disclose the history of a vehicle to a purchaser.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board to grant travel concessions on the railways to the classes of persons named in Section 1(2) of the Public Service Vehicles (Travel Concessions) Act 1955.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the closing of surplus level crossings on the East Suffolk line following consultations between the highway authority and the Railways Board.

Of the 48 level crossings on this line two have been closed, and the keepers are being withdrawn at 10 more. Discussions between the Railways Board and the highway authorities are taking place on a further 17.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now review the policy of Her Majesty's Government in order to give British Railways workshops equal opportunity with private manufacturers to tender for supply of equipment to outside purchasers.

As I announced last week, I have approved the British Railways Board's proposals to tender for the manufacture for outside purchasers of equipment which is to be used on the nationalised railways in this country. Manufacturing for other purposes than the business of the nationalised transport undertakings would require new legislation and I am looking into this question.

asked the Minister of Transport how many skilled and unskilled workers will become redundant at Doncaster British Railways workshops arising from the Board's decision to cease manufacturing locomotives there after 1965; and what measures he proposes to take to ensure employment for the technically qualified specialist staff who will be otherwise redundant.

The first part of my hon. Friend's Question is a matter of management, and it can only be answered by the British Railways Board.On the second part, I am assured that whenever there is any redundancy of staff the Railways Board and the Ministry of Labour make special efforts to find suitable alternative employment.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of restrictions now placed on the transport of cattle by freight trains in this country; and what steps he is taking to improve these facilities.

Railway freight services and facilities are a matter for the British Railways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board that standing rail passengers holding second-class tickets should be allowed to occupy vacant first-class seats between stations.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the rail passenger services in respect of which the transport users' consultative committees have forwarded their report to him since 16th October, 1964.

The list is as follows:—

• Felixstowe Beach station, Suffolk.
• Bradford Exchange—Mirfield—Huddersfield.
• Bradford Exchange—Halifax—Huddersfield.
• Huddersfield—Clayton West /Penistone.
• Shrewsbury—Aberystwyth.
• Aberdeen—Ballater.
• Edinburgh Princes Street—Glasgow Central.
• Edinburgh Princes Street—Carstairs—Lanark.
• Oxford—Bletchley—Cambridge.
• Oban—Connel Ferry—Ballachulish.
• Manchester Piccadilly—Glossop/Hadfield.
• Southport—Pool Hey Junction via Blowick.
• Glasgow St. Enoch—Dumfries—Carlisle.
• Dumfries—Castle Douglas—Kirkcudbright.
• Barnstaple Junction—Torrington.
• Hamilton—Strathaven/Coalburn.
• Derby Midland—Sheffield Midland.
• Nottingham Midland—Sheffield Midland.
• Pye Bridge—Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
• Liverpool Lime Street—Chester General.
• Crewe—Chester General.
• Peterborough North—Grimsby Town.
• Firsby—Skegness.
• Willoughby—Mablethorpe.
• Croxley Green—Bushey and Oxhey.
• Bath Green Park—Bournemouth West (further report).
• Glasgow Buchanan Street—Stirling—Oban.
• Killin—Killin Junction.
• Crewe—Shrewsbury.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the yearly investment expenditure on British Railways from 1948–64 inclusive, showing separately for each year the amount spent on rolling stock, and estimates for the next five years.

The figures for the years 1948 to 1964 are given below. For 1965 a total investment allocation of £130 million (including some £4 million for ancillary activities) has been agreed with the British Railways Board; of this it is estimated that about £62 million will be spent on rolling stock. Investment after 1965 will depend on progress with the reshaping measures and the demand on national resources generally.

INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ON BRITISH RAILWAYS FROM 1948 TO 1964
			(1)	(2)
			INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ON BRITISH RAILWAYS (a)	Investment in Rolling Stock (included in column (1) (b)
			£m.	£m.
1948 (c)	…	…	38	29
1949 (c)	…	…	41	31
1950 (c)	…	…	41	31
1951(c)	…	…	45	35
1952(c)	…	…	39	27
1953 (c)	…	…	53	38
1954	…	…	65·0	49·4
1955	…	…	70·9	56·9
1956	…	…	88·4	67·8
1957	…	…	125·6	99·1
1958	…	…	140·7	88·3
1959	…	…	167·6	99·1
1960	…	…	162·8	87·0
1961	…	…	145·9	74·8
1962	…	…	115·3	64·3
1963	…	…	90·8	48·1
1964(d)		…	105	46

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board not to increase railway fares to members of the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.

No. The granting and adjustment of fares concessions are a matter for the Board.

asked the Minister of Transport what applications for sanction of capital expenditure for the conversion of the existing underground system to rubber traction and its employment on the Victoria line have been made to him by the London Transport Board; and if, in considering such applications, he will take account of the work done on the Paris Metro and the Montreal Subway.

The London Transport Board tell me that they have no proposals for the introduction of rubbertyred trains on the Victoria Line or on the existing Underground lines they operate. They have kept a close watch on the development of this system, but they do not consider it would be a practicable one for London in the present circumstances. To accommodate trains of this type on tube lines without reducing the size of the coach bodies it would be necessary to increase the diameter of the tunnels. For the same length of train a larger number of wheels would be necessary to carry the weight of the vehicles, to guide the train and to make allowances for punctures. All the existing lines have open sections, some lengthy, and this would create major problems in conditions of ice and snow. Conversion would involve a major change in the Underground railway system in London and the cost of enlarging the tunnels alone would be enormous.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board, to make cheaper refreshments available on British Railways.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress he is making in his attempts to bring about an end to the delays at London Docks.

I am glad to say that the position in London is improving, thanks to the efforts of the Port of London Authority and of other parties concerned. The Authority has taken special measures directed towards minimising congestion and ensuring that the best use is made of the available resources. Following the series of meetings between senior Government officials and representatives of the ports, industry and shipping, certain steps are being taken which I hope will contribute towards relieving the present difficulties and will also be of long-term value.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will seek to limit the number of Oral Questions which may be asked by a right hon. or hon. Member to one per Minister per day.

No. I think matters of this sort ought now to be left to the Select Committee on Procedure appointed by the House yesterday.

asked the Lord President of the Council what further progress has been made with the proposal to secure through the Engineering Institutions Joint Council and chartered professional bodies the use of the designation chartered engineer for qualified professional engineers; and what action he is taking to secure further advance in this direction.

The Council of Engineering Institutions, formerly known as the Engineering Institutions Joint Council, have petitioned for the grant of a Charter of Incorporation. Notice of the Petition was given in the London Gazette of the 4th September, 1964, as a result of which counter petitions have been received from the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers and the Society of Engineers. The Privy Council Office sent these counter petitions on 22nd October to the solicitors acting for the Council of Engineering Institutions and asked for their clients' observations. These observations have not yet been received.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware of the difficulties that will be caused to airports such as Manchester as a result of the new arrangements in respect of airport charges; and whether he will review the position.

I am aware of the difficulties raised for Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool and my right hon. Friend has discussed the matter with representatives of the Birmingham Corporation. We believe that a navigation service charge is necessary but have agreed that the non-State aerodromes need not abolish the passenger service charge unless they wish to do so. We do not propose to make any changes in the arrangements which came into force on 1st November but will certainly keep the matter under review.

asked the Minister of Aviation when he intends to appoint an independent committee to inquire into the aircraft industry and the policy of sustaining it by State contracts.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made to the House on 9th December.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will add to the terms of reference of the Aircraft Industry Committee a requirement that in considering the future shape of the aircraft construction industry they take into account employment considerations in areas of higher than average unemployment.

I think the terms of reference of the Inquiry which I announced in the House on 9th December are already sufficiently comprehensive. I am sure the Committee can be relied upon to take into account all relevant factors, including that mentioned by the hon. Member, in formulating their recommendations.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he proposes to confirm the tariff provisions for the North Atlantic services to be operated by Caledonian Airways.

The decision of the Air Transport Licensing Board to licence trans-Atlantic charter services by Caledonian Airways (Prestwick) Limited is under appeal. I shall consider the tariff provisions of these licences, together with all other factors, when making my decision on the appeal.

asked the Minister of Aviation what action he is taking 10 expedite the supply of Decca radar to the Australian Government.

The supply of this radar is a matter between the Australian Government and Decca. I understand that negotiations between the two parties are progressing satisfactorily and without delay. My Ministry has given such help to the parties as is in its power and will be glad to give further help if occasion arises.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will state the terms which the Government proposed to Messrs. Ferranti Limited for the settlement of the £42½ million debt owing by this company to Her Majesty's Government; and on what grounds the firm of Ferranti refused to accept these terms.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, West (Dr. Bray) on 16th December.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many British manufacturers of electronic equipment are subcontracting for TSR2; and what is the value of the equipment.

Twelve British electronics firms are developing items of equipment for the TSR2, either under direct contract from the Ministry of Aviation or under sub-contract from the British Aircraft Corporation. Since virtually all this equipment is still under development it would be premature to make public any estimate of its value.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will now announce a decision regarding the future of the Concord project.

No.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the failure of the lighting system at Aldergrove Airport in County Antrim on Friday, I 1 th December, and, as a result, the return of passenger aircraft to Great Britain.

The failure was caused by driving rain penetrating a cable box, which had the effect of cutting off the supply of electricity to the airport from both the public mains and from the airport's stand-by generator. Further investigation into the failure is being made and all necessary action will be taken to prevent its recurrence. I much regret the inconvenience to passengers who were diverted from Aldergrove as a result of the failure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reject the recommendation contained in Appendix C. paragraph 75, of the Food Standards Committee on Food Labelling that all species of oncorhyncus should be allowed to be sold retail as salmon.

We will consider this and other recommendations in the report in the light of representations received from interested bodies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he now has for increasing the supply of Channel Islands milk; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now able to make a statement on Channel Islands milk.

I would refer the hon. and right hon. Members to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 17th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Hayman)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, instead of slaughtering a large number of young female grey seals on Fame Island, he will in future make an order to allow zoos and similar institutions to remove them.

The taking of grey seals from the Farm Islands for zoos is not in the first place a matter for me but for the National Trust. However, I have no reason to suppose that sufficiently large numbers could in any event be disposed of in this way.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give consideration to the need for subjecting private forestry developers to the same measure of control as the Forestry Commission in the matter of land purchase, so as to secure protection for tenant farmers whose livelihood might be threatened.

Arrangements already exist to safeguard security of tenure for tenant farmers whose land is wanted for private afforestation since the consent of the Agricultural Land Tribunal is required if the tenant serves a counter-notice. To require private owners to obtain consent before using agricultural land for forestry would require legislation, and I have no evidence that this would be justified.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to a request made by milk producers in the immediate vicinity of London and the South-East for a higher ex-farm price for their milk, as compared with milk producers in other parts of the country.

My right hon. Friend has received no request.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure equity between persons assessed to drainage rate, having regard to the fact that no general revaluation for Schedule A purposes has been undertaken since 1935.

We are considering what is the best method of dealing with the problem the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken and plans to take to comply with the recommendation in the Milne Report, Cmnd. 2542, to improve the methods of pasteurisation of food, imported and otherwise, hitherto employed to protect consumers from impure and infected food.

As stated in the reply given to my hon. and learned Friend by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 17th December, the Governments of overseas countries exporting meat and meat products to the U.K. have been notified of our detailed hygiene requirements for the certification of such products for importation: we have increased the qualified staff assigned to the inspection of overseas meat producing establishments: and we will shortly be publishing the results of technical inquiries carried out on behalf of the Department into the possibility of using a satisfactory pasteurisation process to render safe canned meat at present withheld from the market because it was produced under unsatisfactory conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if, in view of the advanced stage of the crossbreeding trials with the Charollais bulls, he will now relax the prohibition upon exports of their semen.

The breeding of pure Charollais cattle in this country must await a decision upon the cross-breeding trials, and I am therefore not prepared to authorise the use of the bulls for pure breeding elsewhere at this time. I am however now prepared to meet requests from those countries who have applications outstanding for Charollais semen for the purpose of cross-breeding trials similar to those we have undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will introduce legislation to enable the Press and the public to attend meetings of new town development corporations, on the same basis as similar facilities are allowed in the case of local authorities;(2) if he will introduce legislation to enable members of the public to have access to the minutes of meetings of new town development corporations.

I do not think this would be appropriate. Local authorities, as locally elected bodies whose expenditure is met partly from local rates, are required by statute to make minutes of their proceedings available for inspection by local government electors, and have also a statutory responsibility to admit the Press and public to meetings. Development Corporations, whose members are appointed by me and whose funds are provided by the Exchequer, have quite different functions. They are essentially commercial organisations and not organs of local administration. If they are to operate efficiently their deliberations must proceed on a confidential basis as with other public corporations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the shortage of district nurses in Fife; and what steps he is taking to help fill the vacancies.