asked the Minister of Transport what preliminary reports she has received regarding the working of her 70 miles per hour speed limit.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on accident rates on motorways and other roads previously not subject to speed limits since the experimental 70 miles per hour limit was introduced, and on accident rates during the equivalent period of the previous year.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give an assurance that, following the end of the experiment for a 70 miles per hour speed limit on all roads until Easter 1966, she will remove this restriction whilst she assesses the results of the experiment.

asked the Minister of Transport when it will be decided whether the 70 miles per hour speed limit experiment should end on 13th April 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport how the accident figures for the first full month after the imposition of the 70 miles per hour speed limit on roads classified as motorways compare with the accident figures on the same roads in the same month last year.

It would not be practicable, without being misleading, to give a series of interim reports during the four months that the present experiment will be in operation. The evidence referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for Leominster (Sir Clive Bossom) on 2nd February will become available during March, and will cover all relevant factors up to the latest possible date. After considering this evidence I will let the House know my conclusions. This will be before the end of the present experiment on 13th April.

May we take it from that that the right hon. Lady will promise the House and the country that we will have an opportunity of debating this matter before the 70 m.p.h. speed limit becomes permanent?

As I have said, I will inform the House of my conclusions before the end of the period. Questions concerning debates are not for me.

Would my right hon. Friend give an assurance that if the early evidence on this subject is inconclusive, she will feel able to extend the period of the experiment despite the clamour from the small minority of motorists who like to drive very fast?

I must be guided by the analysis of the situation which will be put to me by the Road Research Laboratory. I will study all the implications then.

Is it not a fact that the Road Research Laboratory and the police will not have had time to study the results by April and be able to come to a firm conclusion? Will the right hon. Lady therefore assure the House that she will not ask for a further extension of time?

I am satisfied that the Road Research Laboratory will have time but if it feels that it has not had time, it will no doubt let me know.

Would the right hon. Lady not agree that, in terms of, for example, prosecutions, it will be very difficult in the final month of the four-month period to make an assessment of the first three months of the experiment? Would she look again at Question No. 18 and remove this restriction at the end of the four-month period until she has worked out properly what the effect of the experiment has been?

I am satisfied that the procedure which has been announced will enable me to work out properly what the effect of the experiment has been, and I will report to the House the reasons for the conclusions which I may draw.

Is it not a fact that my right hon. Friend has considerable evidence to show that many accidents are due to excessive speeds, and will she at least tell the House that she intends to resist sectional pressures in the interests of road safety?

It is certainly true that there is evidence from other countries to show that excessive speed is a cause of accidents and that a reduction in speed helps to reduce accidents. It is because there was this evidence that we felt justified in making this experiment.

Would the right hon. Lady not agree that she has available the figures for which I have asked, that they could be produced without any difficulty and that they would help to show to both motorists and the public whether this scheme is practicable and is doing the job for which it was intended?

I have told the House that it would not be practicable, without being misleading, to make interim statements. I have promised the House that I will make known to hon. Members both my conclusions and the reasons for them very fully before the end of the experimental period. Thus the rights of the House are fully safeguarded.

Is the right hon. Lady aware, however, that the time available for Praying against Orders of this type runs out within the next two or three weeks? Since it is important that we debate the many, many representations that have been made to us and since we will have to have a debate on this subject, will she try very hard to have at least some part of the evidence available by that time?

As I have said, these are matters for discussion through the usual channels. I have no desire to impose a situation on the House without hon. Members having a proper opportunity of studying what I am recommending.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will reconsider the refusal to strengthen the Regulations governing the lighting requirements of lorries, and especially of lorries carrying overhanging rear loads.

The Working Party set up to review the lighting requirements for road vehicles will be considering these Regulations.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that if the Regulations provided that the rear lighting on lorries had to be a great deal brighter and much more visible than it is at the moment the Regulations would be easier to enforce? Would he take a look at what happens on the Continent in these matters, where they order these things very much better?

It is exactly that sort of question which we are examining as a result of the Working Party set up in December. The main problem which we have at present is to get a higher standard of enforcement of the present Regulations.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some of the rear lighting on vehicles is too low down and in winter gets muddied up? Should not we have higher rear lights, as they have on the Continent and in America?

That is precisely the sort of question that is being considered by the Working Party, and it will be making a report very shortly.

Could not the Minister try, through the medium of television, to stress the point about the standards of lighting on commercial vehicles? Bad rear lighting is most extraordinarily dangerous. A campaign on television would at least help to do something while these discussions are going on.

I quite agree. We shall be glad of any opportunities. I hope that these questions will do good in this respect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will seek to preserve the integrity of form G.V.9, known as a prohibition notice, by issuing an alternative form for use in the case of vehicle defects which do not cause immediate danger to other road users.

The existing form and procedures already provide for a delayed prohibition notice where there is no immediate risk to public safety.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the publication of the total on form G.V.9 gives a false impression of the number of dangerous vehicles on the road? Would not it be better to have two different forms so that it would be clear how many dangerous vehicles there are?

The answer to the first part of that question is "No, Sir." The hon. Member will know that there is an immediate prohibition notice which indicates that the vehicle is identified as immediately dangerous. There is a delayed prohibition notice where defects can be remedied within 10 days. My right hon. Friend will consider with the interests involved the possibility of a different form of notice for some lesser degree of defects.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now state the Government's policy for the coordination of transport services in the national interest, and give details of the future rôle envisaged for the railways.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on the coordination of transport services.

asked the Minister of Transport what action she will take to ensure the greater use of the railway system as a part of a general policy to co-ordinate the nation's transport services.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress she has made regarding an integrated transport policy; and if she will make a statement.

I will publish my proposals for integrating the transport services of the country as soon as I have completed my review of the whole field of transport policy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the satisfaction among her hon. Friends which greeted her arrival at the Ministry of Transport and that we wish her every possible success? We perfectly appreciate that this is a long and complicated business, but we have waited some time since the election. Can she give an indication of when her studies will be completed?

I thank my hon. Friend for his good wishes. I appreciate the desire to see the White Paper that I have promised to the House. I am pressing ahead with it as a matter of the utmost urgency. I can only say that I shall produce it as soon as I can.

Before the right hon. Lady completes her studies, will she bear in mind the serious deterioration in transport in the last four months in a substantial area of Scotland as a result of a policy which can best be described as disintegration?

I do not know to what detailed situation the hon. Gentleman is referring, but I rather suspect that he is talking about some of the "Marples martyrs".

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the nation's transport difficulties go back largely to the doctrinaire action of the party opposite in denationalising road transport in 1953?

I agree with my hon. Friend that the principles on which public transport was supposed to operate under the 1962 Act do not make any kind of economic or social sense. This is why I want time to look at the question.

Would the right hon. Lady accept that, in so far as this is a study of the practicability of Labour dogma, we do not mind how long she takes?

I am sure that, when the White Paper is produced, even the right hon. Gentleman will have to agree with its irrefutable logic.

Will my right hon. Friend recognise that, although the House fully understands that she is labouring under the difficulties laid down by the Transport Act, 1962, we have special difficulties in Scotland where major rail closures—I emphasise the words "major rail closures"—are listed to take place in the near future? Will she, therefore, publish her plan for integration at a very early date?

I have said that I shall do so as soon as humanly possible. In the meantime, I shall continue the policy of my right hon. Friend, my predecessor in this job, of not authorising any major rail closures which, after consideration by the Regional Economic Councils, conflict with economic plans. I must be guided by their advice, and I shall be.

asked the Minister of Transport when she will introduce driving on the right on British roads.

I am not yet ready to decide this.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this decision has got to come sooner or later, and that the sooner it is done the cheaper it will be? As her predecessor told me that in 1962 preliminary estimates of the cost were completed, could my right hon. Friend make an interim report and publish what information she has already acquired on the subject? It would be very helpful to public opinion and the interests involved.

I am informed that at least £50 million would be needed for expenditure on altering road works, signs and so on. There are also implications for the design of crossings and a lot of other quite expensive implications. To hurry in without preparation would be even more costly. In any case, I think that I must give priority to the publication of my White Paper.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards setting up an overall Transport Highway Authority to deal with road, rail and air transport.

Responsibility for controlling investment in the country's nationally-owned transport facilities must continue to rest with the Government. I shall bring our proposals for the inte- gration of inland transport before the House as soon as possible.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that both British Railways and London Transport were given impossible terms of reference in the 1962 Act? Will she not take a thorough look at the whole financial set-up of both these bodies?

Yes, Sir—I am.

asked the Minister of Transport when the studies will be concluded of track and policing costs of road and rail transport and of the support costs to air transport operating on routes within Great Britain.

My Department's current studies of road and rail transport costs and demand are comprehensive and will take a considerable time to complete, but I expect some preliminary results early this summer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the three studies that have already taken place on this subject, one of which was conducted by her own Ministry? Is she further aware that they were all in conflict with each other? Could we now have an authoritative study with the results made available to us even before, if possible, publication of her White Paper on general policy—which itself should be as soon as possible?

I assure my hon. Friend that he will be able to have the results of what will be a completely reliable study. But, as I have said, I do not think these results will be ready before the early summer. I have been under pressure from the House to produce the White Paper before that.

Since the railways are an integral part of the economic life of the nation, should not the construction, maintenance and policing of the railways be placed to the Defence Estimates?

I agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but I am not sure that his suggestion in the second part would be acceptable.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent it is her pre sent policy to approve, as speedily as possible, the siting of new pedestrian crossings when application is made for such by local authorities.

Yes, Sir. But decisions on these applications often require complex studies and discussions with all the interests concerned.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that some local authorities are reluctant to apply for pedestrian crossings because they feel that for many years Ministry policy has been rather against them and that in my constituency there is considerable pressure from pedestrians that more zebra crossings should be put down on the main arterial roads leading to the eastern and northern parts of the city?

I am not aware of any such reluctance. Our object is to achieve a nationwide consistent general standard. As regards my hon. Friend's constituency, both the applications which have been made since 1963 were successful.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has to reduce the accident rate on the roads; and whether she will make a statement.

The increasing number of road casualties causes me grave concern. We have already laid the Road Safety Bill before the House and I shall continue to tackle the problem energetically and constructively.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, since 20 people are killed every day on the roads and nearly 1,000 are injured, any action she may take to keep irresponsible drunkards off the roads will be widely appreciated by pedestrians and motorists alike?

Yes, and that is why we have introduced the Road Safety Bill and we shall be discussing the problem of drink and driving very exhaustively when the Bill is before the House tomorrow.

Would it not be more apposite to have, rather than a limited Bill simply on drink and driving and commercial vehicles, a completely comprehensive Bill taking in all the points which have been raised and which are of great concern to the whole House?

No, I do not agree. I think that these are two urgent matters on which the House agrees that action should not be delayed. Tackling the problem of heavy lorries and the problem of drink and driving is an obvious way in which we can make progress, and I hope that the House will agree to do so.

Would not the right hon. Lady agree that the best way to reduce accidents is to improve the roads? In that context, is it not deplorable that the Government have yet again cut back the road programme?

Order. There is a Question on the Order Paper about that.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement on the Christmas figures of road accidents analysing the causes and indicating also the extent to which factors other than the conduct of drivers contributed to such accidents.

No special analysis has been made of last year's Christmas road accidents. The casualty figures for Christmas and the whole of December will be published later this month.

Ought there not to be an analysis? Does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that if inflated figures of accidents are published at Christmas the general assumption by the public will be that it is due to drink during the Christmas festivities? In fact many of the accidents may be due to icy roads, fog, defective vehicles, or even bad roads. To take remedies, should not we know which is which?

Christmas accidents have been analysed by the Road Research Laboratory three times in the last eight years. These suggested factors, except drivers' conduct, were the same as at any other time. The results of investigations in the past point to the consumption of alcohol as an important factor in causing road accidents during Christmas. Weather is certainly another very important factor.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will issue an analysis of road accidents with relation to the hours of day at which they occur.

An analysis of casualties by hour of day is given in Table 21 of the Ministry's publication "Road Accidents 1964". A copy is available in the Library.

Do not the tragic figures of accidents involving pedestrians between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. show the great necessity of proper traffic engineering and the separation of vehicles from pedestrians? Do they not underline again the need for a proper and comprehensive Road Safety Bill?

I appreciate the hon. Member's remarks, but he must appreciate that the worst hour of all for these casualties is between 11 p.m. and midnight on Saturdays when fatal and serious accidents average twice as many as in the next worst hours.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will provide information concerning the results of the experiments with double white lines on three-lane roads.

These experiments are still in progress.

Would the Minister extend these experiments to other parts of the country, because they have proved very successful in Europe? Can the House be assured that on no account will any more out-of-date three-lane roads be constructed, as they have been proved to be so dangerous?

On the first point, we have not enough experience so far to justify any firm conclusions, but we hope to make a statement before the Summer Recess. On the second point, there is little scope, looking at a period of 20 years ahead, for new three-lane roads. Usually for the needs of heavy traffic we would have dual carriageways anyway. This is a matter which will have to be considered in the light of what we discover.

In the meantime, will the Minister agree to impose the restriction on the A.41 where it runs through my constituency? This is one of the most dangerous roads in the south of England, not so much for speeding, but because of the impatient selfishness of motorists passing at the wrong time and place. All the local authorities have been asking for this restriction for a long time.

We have a number of experiments, and I am willing to consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport why no action has yet been taken, as recommended by the Cheshire County Council, to impose a 40 miles per hour speed limit on the A.51 trunk road from its junction with the Chester by-pass in an easterly direction for approximately one and a quarter miles; and, in view of the present dangers to pedestrians on this stretch of trunk road, whether she will now act.

So far, a speed limit has not been considered appropriate. But we are having the position re-examined and I will then write to the hon. Member.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that since I tabled this Question there have been three more fatalities on this road and that as I came into the Chamber I received a message saying that there had been four more accidents in the last eight days? Is he further aware that there is grave disquiet about the situation on this road? Will he, therefore, take urgent action?

I am aware of the recent fatal accident. I also know of the hon. Gentleman's long interest in this matter and that he tried to persuade the right hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) on the lines that he now advocates. What I am telling him is that I am willing to reconsider the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, following the November announcement of postponement, she will now restore the Stafford-Eccleshall road roundabout on the A.34 to her immediate road programme.

This scheme is expected to start in April.

I thank the hon. Gentleman very much.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the lighting of the Chiswick-Langley section of the M.4 will be reinstated in the road programme; and when work will commence.

My right hon. Friend intends to seek tenders for lighting the section between the Chiswick viaduct and London Airport later this month, and she hopes it may be possible to place the contract in the spring for completion before next winter.

Does this mean that this will come back into the queue in the same place in the queue but at a later period of time?

This means that this is in the queue and, as I said, my right hon. Friend will seek tenders and we intend to have this scheme completed before next winter. The hon. Gentleman will know that it is a special scheme. It is not inexpensive; it will cost £125,000, but we think that on safety grounds it is justified.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether the postponements in the road programme announced in July have been restored to the programme; and what is the starting date for such works;

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now restore the cuts in the road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the effects on the road programme of the recent deferments; and what arrangements will apply for the future.

On a point of order. Can I make the point, Mr. Speaker, that my Questions Nos. 16 and 17 are related to the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday on cuts in public investment? In answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, West (Mr. Iain Macleod) who took the point of the roads programme in questioning him, the Chancellor said that his right hon. Friend would answer Questions on which detailed supplementary questions could be put.

These are the Questions. We did not then press the point on roads. Large numbers of hon. Members either have Questions down or have constituency interests in the road programme and it is obvious that the ordinary run of Question Time will not cope with this situation. I therefore rang up the Minister's office this morning to ask whether the right hon. Lady would be good enough to answer these Questions at the end of Question Time and I was told that that was not possible. We have now a situation in which the Chancellor of the Exchequer avoided questions yesterday and the Minister is avoiding detailed Questions today. I appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, to protect the rights of back benchers and the Opposition and I appeal to the Minister to change her mind even at this late hour.

I would hope that points of order when possible will be put at the end of Questions. They take up valuable Question time. I have not the power to determine whether the Minister should change her mind.

On a point of order.

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will reserve his point of order.

In view of what has been said, is it a fact that it is not possible for the Minister to answer at the end of Question Time rather than now?

That is not a point of order for the Chair. It is in order for the right hon. Lady to answer Questions at the end of Question Time. This is taking up precious Question time.

You can do it, Barbara.

I regret that it is quite impossible for me to answer these Questions at 3.30, when I have another urgent official engagement.

The recent deferment measures will result in a reduction in Exchequer expenditure of about £7 million in the current financial year and £12 million in 1966–67. From now onwards the starting-dates of new schemes will be settled only by reference to the new financial allocation and will no longer be postponed for any fixed period. These arrangements will allow the schemes originally deferred to go ahead, together with most of the schemes originally programmed for 1966–67. Moreover, there will be an acceleration of the rate of expenditure after that year if the economic situation permits.

Is not it clear that the rate of expansion of the road programme has now been permanently-slowed down? The Minister has confirmed that the saving in the current year is £7 million and in a full year £12 million, which is the figure that we were given in November, but is the figure really worth anything to the Chancellor of the Exchequer against the losses caused by the lack of continuity in the execution of the road programme, and against the overall loss to the economy due to inadequate road communications? Will not the Minister do what her predecessor failed to do, and what she seems to be failing to do, and impress upon the Chancellor that the road programme must have priority above all other public works?

I cannot accept for a moment that this means any kind of serious cut-back. All that we have had is a reduction of £19 million over two years in a five-year programme running at £1,000 million. If all goes well with the economy we shall regain this loss pretty well completely by the end of the period. In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman's party when in Government 10 years ago was spending less than £9 million on roads in Great Britain while we shall be spending in 1966–67 £145 million in England alone, I do not think that it lies in the right hon. Gentleman's mouth to talk about deferment.

rose—

Order. Questions and answers were too long.

If the effect of deferment will be somewhat eased next year and some progress will be made, can my right hon. Friend say what will be the overall effect on the next five-year programme?

The fact is that we shall be making up in 1966–67 about one-third of the ground which we lost in 1965–66 and, as I have said, we hope to make up the rest of it in the following years before the end of the five-year programme.

As about 80 per cent. of all freight is now carried by road and more than 500,000 new cars come on the roads every year, may I ask the right hon. Lady whether, far from making any cuts, she should not be considering substantial increases in the programme, particularly if she has any intention of implementing the Buchanan proposals?

We have not made any cuts. We have been increasing. There has been £19 million-worth of deferments, but we already are catching up on the last six months' deferment. We hope to catch it all up in the programme. It is a question of phasing it. I would point out that in the road programme we shall be spending next year £148 million while it took nine years for the Opposition when in Government to produce a roads programme at all and then they were spending under the road programme an average of only £80 million a year. If that is not an increase, I should like to know what is.

Can the right hon. Lady assure the House that not only will there be no reduction in spending on the development areas but also on the roads connecting those areas with the rest of the country?

The deferments did not apply to schemes in the development areas in any way nor to schemes that in any way affected—[Interruption.] I am saying, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained yesterday, that the operation of the policy up to now has to be in the situation as it is legally at the moment. This is the explanation which the Chancellor gave yesterday. No road programmes were deferred in these development areas.

Order. We must get back to shorter questions and answers. Mr. William Clark.

On a point of order.

No, I hope not.

May I inquire whether Question No. 30 was taken with the last batch or whether it is to be answered separately?

It is to be answered separately.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the work on Mitcham Corner, Cambridge, has been reinstated in the Government programme; and when work will commence.

Work is planned to start in June if there is satisfactory progress in land negotiations.

As the work is urgent, what estimate can the hon. Gentleman give of when he hopes that it will be completed?

It is difficult to say, because a supplementary compulsory purchase order was necessary here, and how swiftly it can be started depends now on the speed of the land negotiations. But, as I said, if everything goes well, the work is planned to start in June, and it will be carried through as swiftly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many days this winter the A.62 between Huddersfield and Oldham has been blocked by snow at Standedge.

On 29th November it was blocked for about six hours.

Is my hon. Friend aware that on more than one occasion this winter school buses for Colne Valley High School have been prevented from moving along this road and examinations have been disorganised, and that my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster (Mr. Harold Walker) has been prevented from travelling along this road during the course of his Parliamentary duties? It is not only a commercial trunk route, but it is a vital communication between two communities and an important school, so will my hon. Friend see that its clearance has the highest priority?

I shall bear my hon. Friend's remarks in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport what major road projects in the County Borough of Southend-on-Sea have been deferred by the cuts in public expenditure announced in November, 1965; what is the estimated cost thereof; and what is the anticipated date of their reinstatement.

The works affected were the northern section of the Inner Ring Road and the reconstruction of the railway bridge at Bankside, the total estimated cost of which is about £1·2 million. I understand that the corporation proposes to start work this month.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to begin work on the Godstone-Reigate stretch of the South Orbital Road.

We hope in the year 1970.

As this has been promised many times and was in the programme for 1966–67, how does the hon. Gentleman account for the delay, and why has not even a draft line been published?

The right hon. Gentleman will know that this is an extremely difficult and complex scheme, with a great deal of technical work to be done in design and deciding on the land to be acquired in order to avoid damage to amenity and things of that kind. It will take a great deal of time. My right hon. Friend hopes to publish the Order for the line of the road in the course of this coming summer. Thereafter, we shall go through the statutory processes providing for objections and so forth. In our view, it is impossible to expedite the scheme.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply—and, I expect, probably the reply to my Question No. 29 as well—I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to reinstate into the road programme the Blechingley-Nutfield A.25 improvement scheme; and when work will be begun.

I understand that Surrey County Council, as the responsible highway authority, hopes to start work in June. But this largely depends on the outcome of compulsory purchase order proceedings.

Is it not quite clear that the county council is doing far better than the Ministry?

No, Sir. It is quite clear that there is the possibility here of making minor improvements which are highly desirable, but it is necessary—the right hon. Gentleman himself participated in laying down these laws—to carry through complicated statutory processes for a major scheme such as the South Orbital Road.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will at once restore to the road programme the scheme for the A.127, Hall Lane, Essex, which has been deferred.

Tenders are now being sought with a view to starting work in April.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this is not merely a desirable facility but a matter of saving life, and that the recommendation given by his own Department is that it is an absolute necessity? Cannot he expedite it?

We are speeding these matters up, and I have said that tenders are being sought with a view to starting work in April. This is a scheme which will cost £250,000. It required serious consideration. We shall speed it up as much as we can.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will give an assurance that the Rayleigh Weir roundabout scheme in Essex on the A.127 will not be delayed for more than six months under the road expenditure reduction programme; and what will be its new starting date.

The earliest starting date in accordance with the deferment measures would have been June this year, but to avoid interfering with peak summer traffic the work is now planned to start in September.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred on the Epping New Road within Buckhurst Hill, and where; and how many have resulted in death or serious injury.

There were 11 accidents in 1965 between Whitehall Lane and Rangers Road. None was fatal, but three involved serious injury. Most of the accidents happened in the vicinity of junctions. I am writing to the hon. Gentleman.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that only yesterday constituents of mine reported to me another serious accident at this black spot? May my constituents and I at least have an assurance that the Minister of Transport will favourably consider the proposals of the county highways committee for a new type of "pedestrian crossing ahead" sign and overhead flashing beacons?

I am sorry to hear that there has been a further accident. Measures to improve safety by the introduction of signal control or a pedestrian crossing are being urgently considered, and the hon. Gentleman will hear the results shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the work on the connections betwen the M.1 and the M.6 has been postponed by the 1965 economic measures; and when this will be resumed.

None, Sir.

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise that this is the most important route to the North, and will he do all he can to hasten the work?

Yes, Sir; we are doing everything possible to hasten the motorway links.

asked the Minister of Transport how many important road projects in the Sevenoaks constituency that have been postponed have now been reinstated in the programme; and when work on them will be started.

No projects over £25,000 have been postponed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Sevenoaks constituency is one of the fastest growing in terms of population and growth of vehicles, both private and commercial, and will he review the postponements and particularly the necessity for an improved A25 to bypass villages such as Brastead and Otford to cope with the increased traffic using the Purfleet tunnel? Also, may I stress the necessity for the south orbital programme to be advanced? Is it not—

Order. This is too long. Enough has been asked, I think.

Is it not a fact—

Order. I have ruled that enough has been asked.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there have been no postponements of major projects affecting Sevenoaks. The only delay has been in a part of the Tonbridge By-pass scheme and that was due to technical factors in the preparation of the scheme. I can assure him that we will do justice to his problems in Sevenoaks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now revise the speed limits in built-up areas by raising the 30 miles per hour limit to 35 miles per hour or 40 miles per hour in suitable conditions, and the 40 miles per hour limit to 50 miles per hour on dual carriageways, so as to make such limits more consonant with present conditions.

No, Sir. I doubt if this would help to reduce accidents.

If the hon. Gentleman will drive strictly at 30 m.p.h. in the London area and other big conurbations, he will find that 90 per cent. of the other traffic will pass him at 35 to 40 m.p.h. and that he himself will be regarded as a nuisance on the road if he goes at 30. Should not these things be brought into line with reality?

I frequently drive in London traffic. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that a major special review was carried out between 1960 and 1964 resulting in the removal or raising of speed limits over a considerable mileage. Speed limits are under constant review as a matter of normal routine.

Will my hon. Friend tell me how he can abolish speed limits which are not kept?

asked the Minister of Transport when she intends to approve for grant aid the scheme to complete the Avonmouth-Aust New Road; and whether, in view of the anticipated opening of the Severn Bridge, she will consider the construction of this new road as one of urgency, which should be approved for commencement in the next financial year.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to earmark funds for an early start of work by the Gloucestershire County Council, the responsible highway authority. Her Divisional Road Engineer is discussing a timetable with it.

I thank the hon. Gentleman. Will he ask the Minister to glance at the map to see how impossible, for the heavy traffic involved, is the route that will have to be taken if this extension is not carried out?

It is a question of how quickly the county council can prepare a scheme. We understand the urgency of the matter and reckon that construction will take about 20 months. As soon as the county council is ready with its scheme, my right hon. Friend will make a decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the sum of £45,000,000, due on 1st January, 1966, in part repayment of the principal of the commencing capital debt of the British Railways Board, has been received from the Board.

No, Sir. The normal practice has been followed of renewing the debt as it becomes due. This instalment will now fall due for repayment on 1st January, 1991.

Why all this veil of secrecy about the postponement of the repayment of £45 million for about 30 years? Is it not time railway finances were completely put in order? Has not the hon. Gentleman noticed the deep frustration of Mr. Raymond, the Chairman of the Railways Board, about the constant delay in implementing the reshaping plan and about the mechanism of closures due to the new sifting arrangement brought in by the Department?

First, the hon. Gentleman's arithmetic is wrong. Secondly, there is no secrecy. Thirdly, this is necessary because the Board's internal financial resources are fully taken up in financing current investment.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if she will give statistics showing the commercial traffic now being carried weekly in liner trains;

The Board tells me that in the week ended 28th January, 93 containers loaded with commercial traffic were carried by liner trains. None of this traffic was brought to the terminals by private hauliers.

Is the Minister aware that the British Rail pamphlet on liner trains promises free access to all terminals for all kinds of road transport? Will the right hon. Lady now condemn the restrictive practices which deny this free access and which are causing this expensive national asset to be under-used?

The Government have made it clear that they would like the open terminal system to operate. I am still hopeful that we shall get the National Union of Railwaymen to agree.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has received from British Railways for major capital expenditure on the provision of liner train ports; and where these ports are situated.

Proposals already authorised include the provision of liner train terminals at London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. These terminals will serve mainly domestic traffic but will be available also for imports and exports. At all major general cargo ports the volume and nature of container traffic is expected to be such that special rail facilities and services will be required later.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it was with regret that I did not hear a Welsh port designated? Would he not consider that the designation of a Welsh port, such as Swansea, the natural population and growth centre of West Wales, would be in the interests of easing dock congestion?

As my hon. Friend knows, I am well aware of the importance of Swansea. All I would say is that my Answer relates in the first part to the first five routes which will be operated. Certainly we will look at the whole matter in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals have been put to her for the linking of the Victoria Line to the Central Line by London Transport; and what reply she has given.

My right hon. Friend has received no such proposals from the London Transport Board. The Board has examined the possibility of extending the Victoria Line to the catchment area of the Central Line but has concluded that other more important extensions of the underground system should take priority.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his reply will be somewhat disappointing to a number of my constituents? Can he assure me that the project as a whole will not be delayed owing to the financial restrictions of Socialism?

I do not know what project the hon. Gentleman is referring to, but extensions of the underground system are under very active consideration. This matter has been very carefully examined. The Board has advised that the central extensions—for example, of the Victoria Line to Brixton—are more urgent and must take priority. That does not mean that the proposal put forward by the hon. Gentleman will not be considered. It will be.

Will the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend look at this matter personally? They will find that two miles would link Walthamstow with Leyton, and two vital lines with one another. Will he reconsider the whole matter?

This is strictly a question of priorities, of relieving the congestion where it is worst. The Board considers, and put forward to my right hon. Friend the view, that it is necessary to extend the underground system centrally first. These are the first things to be considered, and the hon. Gentleman's suggestion will be considered later.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the continued deficit of British Railways, she will take steps to ensure that all unremunerative services, which are run for purely social or other reasons, shall be a charge on the Exchequer and not on the Railways Board.

These services are, in fact, already a charge on the Exchequer owing to the payment of grant to the Railways Board in respect of their overall revenue deficit. But I shall be considering the point which my hon. Friend has in mind, along with other relevant matters, in working out a co-ordinated transport policy.

Can my right hon. Friend give an estimate of the size of the problem in financial terms?

As I think my hon. Friend knows, the total deficit of British Railways in 1964 was £121 million, and its estimated deficit for 1965 is £132 million.

Will the right hon. Lady consider adding to the list of these costs the costs of liner trains so long as the railway unions prevent access at the depot?

As I replied to the House earlier, some liner trains are operating. We hope that the system will be operating fully before too long.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now make a reconsideration of transport needs in areas where local railway passenger services have been removed.

My right hon. Friend will consider any evidence that alternative transport services do not meet the essential needs of former users of any particular services.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the development, particularly under this Government, of local economies is a fluctuating process? Will he ensure that the door to redevelopment of passenger railway services is not for ever closed should ultimate local economic developments make such redevelopment viably possible?

I cannot accept the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. As to the second, I would point out that my right hon. Friend and I will take cognisance of the advice given to us by the planning councils.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether she is satisfied with the maintenance and safety standards on the Western Region of British Railways; and if she will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what was the total number of derailments on the Western Region in 1965;

The maintenance and safety standards of operation on the Western Region of British Railways are the responsibility of the British Railways Board, and I am satisfied that appropriate action is being taken to maintain them. The latest Annual Report on Railway Accidents by the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways shows that the rate of significant collisions and derailments per million train miles on the Western Region during 1964 was only slightly above the average for British Railways as a whole, and also that there were fewer derailments on that Region than on some other Regions. The number of reported derailments on the Western Region in 1965 was 49, but this figure is provisional.

Is the right hon. Lady aware of the very great concern among the travelling public and railwaymen—not eased by events today—at the recent spate of incidents on the Western Region? Will she please consider issuing monthly reports, similar in detail to the one she sent to me by post recently, and instructions that daily line inspections should be reintroduced at least until the present spate of accidents is over?

Both the Ministry and the Railways Board are deeply concerned about any aspects which might seem to affect safety, but it would be wrong to get this out of perspective. The number of derailments in the Western Region this past year has been only slightly above the figures for previous years and is the same figure as in 1960. I should be glad to give any information of any kind that I might be asked for.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of anxiety among railwaymen, particularly the guards on freight trains pulled by diesel locomotives? Will she, among other measures, permit hon. Members—or ask the Western Region to permit them—to make on-site inspections of the equipment used and of the places where derailments have taken place?

That would a matter for the Board. My hon. Friend knows, I think, that the Railways Board has begun by increasing the training period of drivers of diesel and electric locomotives, reducing the maximum permitted speeds, and so on, to meet the sort of problems revealed by these derailments.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now announce her approval of the Port of Bristol Portbury Dock Scheme.

I will make a statement on this important issue as soon as I can.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that I was glad to see her smiling when she said that? I hope that she will give this most urgent consideration and resist some of the propaganda which has been coming from South Wales.

I am giving very urgent consideration to this because port development is needed in this country. I want to get the issue settled. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that I must listen to all representations on this point.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that yesterday a conference attended by local authorities, chambers of trade and trades councils offered unanimous opposition to this scheme? Will she take into consideration that the scheme, which would cost £37 million to £40 million, when completed would only add to the already existing surplus port and general cargo handling facilities in South Wales?

I am sure that the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Robert Cooke) will have noticed the representations being made.

Will the right hon. Lady not be impressed by all this heavy lobbying but use her own judgment on this matter and go for the scheme, which is a completely new concept and a small version of the Euro-port, is imaginative and one of the most forward dock proposals yet put in this country?

I shall certainly use my own judgment in this matter and act in the best overall economic interests of the country.

Will my right hon. Friend remember that it is only within the last few months or so that the authorities of the South Wales ports have realised that this scheme was to come into being and have suddenly started to make protests about it?