asked the Minister of Transport what was the average daily number of deaths on the roads between 23rd December, 1969 and 2nd January, 1970, inclusive; and what was the average daily number during the rest of 1969.

23 and 20 respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents there were in the South West over Easter; what increase this represented; and whether he will now give higher priority to improving the roads of the area.

During the Easter holiday there were 291 road accidents in the South West, an increase of 18 per cent. over the figure for the previous Easter. The accident rate is one of the factors taken into consideration by the Ministry and by local authorities when deciding the priority of road improvement schemes. As the hon. Member knows, a large number of road schemes are now in preparation, programmed or under construction in the South West.

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents occurred in England and Wales during the course of 1969 in which the jackknifing of an articulated vehicle was a contributory cause; and how many people were killed and injured in such accidents.

Information available for the first six months of 1969 shows that 32 vehicles jack-knifed in fatal accidents and 405 in other injury accidents. These figures include cases of jack-knifing which resulted from accidents due to other causes, as well as those in which jackknifing was itself a cause. Statistics of the casualties in these accidents are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the increase of motor vehicles on the roads since 1938 and the increase of accidents, fatalities and other casualties during the same period.

Following are the increases between 1938 and 1969:Motor vehicles —11,154,000 (364 per cent.).Injury accidents—66,114 (34 per cent.).Fatalities —735 (11 per cent.).Other casualties—119,100 (53 per cent.).

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with his measures to prevent further multiple crashes on motorways.

Since December we have installed the improved signal system on further stretches of M1, M18 and A1(M) in the West Riding and have let contracts for a further 100 miles of motorway, bringing the total mileage under contract to over 400. We continue to work for improved driving behaviour in many fields, and stress in our publicity the need for drivers to recognise their responsibility in dangerous conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport how many children under the age of 14 have been killed or injured in road accidents during the last five years.

Figures for children under 14 are not available for all years. Following are the figures for children under 15.

			Killed	Injured
1965	…	…	900	61,101
1966	…	…	879	61,069
1967	…	…	885	62,131
1968	…	…	890	63,072
1969	…	…	870	61,786

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to introduce compulsory third-party insurance to cover pedestrians and animals involved in road accidents.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the ratio of fatalities and accidents to the number of cars over the last five years.

Following are the ratios per million cars licensed:

			All road fatalities	All injury accidents
1965	…	…	8·9	336
1966	…	…	8·4	307
1967	…	…	7·1	269
1968	…	…	6·3	244
1969	…	…	6·6	233

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of fatal road accidents in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969 expressed in terms of a ratio to deaths through other accidental causes and murder, respectively.

Following are the ratios of deaths for the years 1965–68:

		Road Accidents/ Other Accidents	Road Accidents/ Murder
1965	…	0·60	48
1966	…	0·59	52
1967	…	0·55	38
1968	…	0·51	36

The ratios for 1969 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Transport what recent representations he has received from the automobile associations and from road safety organisations, respectively, about the problem of multiple crashes on motorways; and what replies he has sent.

We keep in close touch with both motoring and road safety organisations on this subject, as on many others, but we have received no representations from either recently.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date he now expects the Lancashire-Yorkshire Motorway to be open for public use.

In the spring of 1971. Parts are expected to be open this year.

Wilson asked the Minister of Transport what consultations he has had with the National Freight Corporation on the provision of capital expenditure for the future development of the freightliner service.

The provision of capital for Freightliners Ltd. is discussed with the National Freight Corporation during the customary meetings which precede the annual determination of forward investment ceilings.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to British Railways not to hold Press conferences describing their profits until their annual report is published.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the percentage reduction in investment by British Railways in 1970 as compared with 1964.

After allowance has been made for price changes and for investment in the railway activities transferred to the National Freight Corporation and the Scottish Transport Group under the Transport Act, 1968, the investment ceiling for the Railways Board in 1970 is about 30 per cent. less than investment in 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board to ensure that timetables are not altered in a way which may destroy the profitability of a service and lead to closure.

No such direction is necessary. Under the provisions of the Transport Act, 1968, the Railways Board has every incentive to enhance the profitability of all its passenger services. Any significant change in the timetable for a grant-aided service needs my right hon. Friend's approval.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will include the Wheathampsted bypass in the Hertfordshire preparation list for 1971 –79.

Not at present. This proposed scheme was one of many carefully considered for inclusion in the interurban principal road preparation list announced on 31st March this year but was found not to justify sufficient priority on that occasion.

asked the Minister of Transport how many trains were derailed in the first quarter of 1970; and what were the comparable figures in the first quarter of each of the previous three years.

The provisional figure for reportable derailments on all railways in Great Britain during the first quarter of 1970 is 93. Comparable figures for the first quarters of 1969, 1968 and 1967, were 116, 99 and 75 respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received proposals from the Bebington Borough Council for the relief of the congestion and danger currently present in Eastham village due to tanker traffic; and whether he will consider holding a local inquiry in order that the views of the persons affected may be heard.

No. The roads through the village are the responsibility of Bebington Borough Council, so we do not expect to receive any proposals and the question of holding a local inquiry therefore does not arise.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the number of registered dock workers who will be required by the proposed National Ports Authority in each of the years 1971 to 1974.

None. Any attempt to make such an estimate at this stage would be unrealistic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received objections from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to the proposed high-level crossing of the Mersey proposed by the Merseyside Land Use and Transportation Study; and if he will carry out studies, using tidal or mathematical models, to show the effect upon estuarine silting of future high-level or alternative low-level crossings of the Mersey below Widnes.

We have received no such objections. In any event this is a matter for the local authorities, and I understand that they are already cooperating with the board on preliminary technical studies.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on the financing of the Humber Bridge.

No. I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 24th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 1192 –3.]

asked the Minister of Transport how many representations he has received regarding the impact of the new regulations regarding drivers' hours on the agricultural industry in Scotland; and what replies he has sent.

We have had representations from several hon. Members and from trade associations, mainly about difficulties over the carriage of livestock. I am prepared to look further into this and, as my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary for Scotland announced last week, a meeting is being arranged in Scotland with the trade associations concerned.—[Vol. 800, c. 403.]

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from Scotland regarding the effect on livestock haulage of the restriction in drivers' hours as a result of the Transport Act, 1968.

We have received complaints from several hon. Members and from the National Farmers Union of Scotland that the reduction in drivers' hours is causing difficulties in the carriage of livestock. As I have already said, I am prepared to look further into this, and a meeting is being arranged in Scotland with the trade associations concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will publish the White Paper on Roads.

As soon as possible after Whitsun.

asked the Minister of Transport what recent representations he has received regarding the effects of the new drivers' hours restrictions on charges and wages in the road haulage industry; and what replies he has sent.

We have received several letters on this subject since the new limits came into force, including one from the hon. Member. We have endeavoured to give helpful replies to the various points raised.

asked the Minister of Transport on what basis and by whom the allocation of the Continental licences to the road haulage industry is decided.

Where bilateral agreements are in force and permits are required, the allocation is made by the Department's officials. Particular attention is paid to the urgency and importance of consignments, but any other relevant factors are also taken into account.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will publish a White Paper setting out the implications for the transport industry of Great Britain's application to sign the Treaty of Rome.

No. Paragraph 51 of Command 4289 (Britain and the European Communities —An Economic Assessment) states that the formulation of a common transport policy in the Communities has proceeded slowly and is far from complete. The limited, and sometimes experimental, measures adopted leave so much for future decision that no present assessment could be more than speculative. My Depart ment has for a number of years circulated available information on the development of the common transport policy to public and private sectors of the transport industry and to other bodies which have shown interest in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport how many services provided by municipal and private bus operators under subvention from British Railways are to be transferred to the National Bus Company; when that transfer is to take place; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot yet add to what I told the hon. Member on 24th March, beyond saying that a meeting to discuss such transfers is being held today between the National Bus Company and the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association.—[Vol. 798, c. 322.]

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the design of new road construction is now being carried out by the road construction units.

Nearly one-third of the total value of all the road construction projects being prepared for new and improved roads is being designed by the units.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent the two-stage wage increase awarded to British Road Service drivers in December, 1969 has been paid for out of increased productivity.

The agreement provided for an increase of £1 in basic rates subject to full co-operation from trade unions and staff in the introduction of productivity incentive bonus schemes related to the level of work done. I am told by the National Freight Corporation that it will he some time before the full benefits of the agreement are obtained but, in general, the improvements in productivity have been most encouraging and the levels of performance are matching the targets set.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received the report of the public inquiry into parking restrictions at Bridport; and if he will make a statement.

We have just received the report and I cannot yet say what my right hon. Friend's decision will be.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation making it an offence punishable with cancellation of the driver's driving licence to park heavy lorries overnight in roads in residential areas.

No; local authorities have the necessary powers to control the parking of vehicles by traffic regulation orders. My Department is collaborating with local government, trade unions and commercial interests to find the best method of providing suitable parking facilities for lorries.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will pay an official visit to Tamworth.

I have no plans to do so at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an interim report on the under-body corrosion tests being carried out on cars at the Road Research Laboratory.

No. The trials must run their full course before they can be properly evaluated.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will refuse to sanction the closure of the Central Line between Epping and Ongar by London Transport.

The London Transport Executive has not yet published any proposal to close this line; if it does the normal statutory procedure will apply It would be premature for me at the moment to express a view on the merits of the case.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will include in his major road construction programme a new route for the A6 by-passing both Matlock and Bakewell.

We have no plans at present to include such a scheme in the programme although I would not rule out the possibility of a by-pass of Bakewell in the longer term. Relief would be provided to this section of A6 by new or improved routes between Stoke and Derby and between Manchester and Sheffield which are both the subject of current feasibility studies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now publish his proposals for standardising the rules for vehicle parking at night without lights.

Final proposals must await the outcome of consultations still being held with representative bodies. I hope to announce them in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport what further discussions he has had with the British Railways Board regarding improved safety installations at unmanned level-crossings; and whether he will make a statement.

The Department is in constant touch with the Railways Board on this matter.Good progress is being made with the installation of improved safety devices at automatic half-barrier crossings. British Railways have reached agreement with the local occupiers on the improvement of some private crossings, and are in negotiation about others. The Department, in conjunction with the board, is conducting a survey to establish what safety improvements may be required at those private crossings which in practice have a considerable public use.

asked the Minister of Transport in what circumstances the grant of a driving licence to Mr. O'Donnell of 235, High Street, Solihull Lodge, has been delayed by his Department; and what steps he proposes to afford redress to Mr. O'Donnell.

As explained to the hon. and learned Member in my letter of 9th April, the statutory responsibility for granting or refusing a licence rests entirely with the licensing authority —in this case Solihull C.B.C.—and my right hon. Friend has no power to intervene in individual cases.This matter was resolved by the licensing authority on Wednesday, 22nd April, when it decided to grant a provisional driving licence to Mr. O'Donnell.I am writing again to the hon. and learned Member in reply to his recent letter on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the conflict of expert opinion between individual members of the Landscape Advisory Committee about the proposed route of the M40 extension, he will publish details of the woodland route which differs only in minor detail from the Arup-Jellicoe line and which was considered and rejected by the committee.

No. There was a public inquiry into my proposal and the alternative line which was put forward by objectors, and following this I reached my decision on a very careful assessment of all the factors involved.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will organise his Department so as to make road safety exclusively the province of one junior Minister with no other responsibilities.

No. I am satisfied that the present arrangements under which the Joint Parliamentary Secretary my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West (Mr. Bob Brown) has the main responsibility under me for road safety within my Department ensure that adequate Ministerial attention is given to this very important part of our responsibilities.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motorists are now estimated to be in possession of collapsible red triangles for use in emergencies; and whether he will now take steps to ensure that these are supplied with all new cars.

I have no information on the numbers of motorists possessing advance warning triangles. I do not agree that manufacturers should be obliged to supply them with all new cars.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the aggregate value of subsidies to public transport in each of the economic planning regions of England in 1969–70.

I regret that any apportionment of the grants to un-remunerative rail services or the grants towards duty charged on bus fuel and the cost of new buses which together accounted for most of the subsidies paid to public transport in England in 1969 –70, between the planning regions, is not possible with any degree of accuracy, and could not be provided without an excessive amount of work. I am however writing to my hon. Friend today on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the value of subsidies of all kinds to public road transport in Sheffield in 1969 –70.

In the financial year 1969 –70 Sheffield Corporation Transport and the Sheffield Joint Omnibus Committee received from central Government funds new bus grants amounting to £180,822 and bus fuel grant payments amounting to £389,395. Information about assistance from any other source, for example from local authority funds, is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he now proposes to reduce the level of noise on the roads.

Regulations prescribing the maximum noise that may be made by new vehicles came into force on 1st April this year. I am discussing with the motor industry a programme of progressive reductions in future years.

asked the Minister of Transport why it took his Department 10 years before Mr. William Percival Holland's compensation claim against his Department was resolved; what representations he received from journalists on this matter; to what extent the delay added to the cost of the settlement of £52,000; why the trunk road in question has not yet been started; and whether he will make a statement.

This claim could not be accepted as legally valid until 1965. Negotiations have since been protracted because of a wide disparity in views about the compensation payable, a reference to the Lands Tribunal and the need to renegotiate after July, 1969 on the revised basis made necessary by the House of Lords judgment in the Birmingham Corporation v. West Midland Baptist (Trust) Association Ltd. case, which added some £22,000 to the compensation payable. The Department was approached on a number of occasions by a newspaper interested in the case, and the newspaper was kept informed of progress. The trunk road scheme is a long-term one and is not expected to start for some years.

asked the Minister of Transport what recent discussions he has had with the local authorities concerned regarding the removal of dangerous litter on the M1 motorway.

I have had no recent discussions. Local authorities along the motorways, acting as Ministry agents, arrange for regular patrol inspections with a view to keeping the carriageway clear of dangerous debris.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will make his decision as to the route of the Queen's Drive-Tarbock section of M62, the South Lancashire Motorway.

The inspector's report and the objections which were made to the scheme are still under consideration. A decision will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now received representations from the City Council of Bristol submitting names for his consideration in connection with appointments he will be making under the Ports Bill; and what are the names of any thus nominated.

I have received no such representations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that appeals against the Traffic Commissioners' decisions on increased fares will be speeded up so that applications for further increases will not be received by local authorities before the appeal against previous increases have been dealt with.

The appeals procedure inevitably takes some time. All possible steps will be taken, however, to announce appeal decisions before further applications are heard.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will meet a deputation from the West Ham Trades Council, together with Members of Parliament for the London Borough of Newham, to discuss with them the problems of men and women in Greater London who have difficulty in getting to and from their work on exports, in view of the lack of adequate transport facilities, with a view to legislation to improve such facilities;

No. I see no reason for altering the statutory arrangements for the provision of public transport in London which were made recently. It would, therefore, be wrong for my right hon. Friend to intervene in questions of the level and quality of services for which responsibility lies elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed motorway link between Liverpool and the M.6; and what is his present estimate of the rate of return upon investment in this project.

t is now the standard practice of the Department to make a full cost /benefit analysis of all major inter-urban road schemes before they are accepted into the firm programme to ensure that they give an acceptable rate of return. This was confirmed in the case of this section of the M.62. Other factors than the rate of return are, however, taken into account in determining the priority of schemes for new and improved roads, and it is not the practice to publish rates of return on individual schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport what controls will be necessitated upon traffic passing to and from Liverpool via the M.53 pending the completion of the second two-lane tube under the Mersey.

If there are no unforeseen difficulties, we expect the M.53 to be completed in July 1971. Similarly we expect the tunnel and approach roads to be completed in April-June, 1971. No special control of traffic should therefore be necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the traffic, at peak and off-peak periods, respectively, which uses the Queensway Tunnel beneath the Mersey, is local; and what is his estimate of the comparable figures for the new tunnel to be built linking Seacombe and Liverpool.

We do not have information in the form requested but available figures suggest that over 90 per cent. of traffic through the Queensway Tunnel is local; that is, has its origin or destination or both within the Merseyside land/use transportation study area. The proportion is not likely to be significantly different for the new tunnel.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the working of the Road Safety Act since the House of Lords decision on the 20-minute rule in respect of the breathalyser test.

It is too early to be certain that the judgment has finally removed all difficulties in the working of the Act, but in general it now appears to be operating satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will expedite the use of mini traffic islands to facilitate the swifter and safer flow of traffic.

My divisional road engineers have 16 sites under consideration, and the advice of the Road Research Laboratory has been sought by local authorities in respect of about 50 more sites.With experience I hope it will become possible to formulate definitive designs for the guidance of local authorities and others for use when the traffic situation demands it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with existing standards of safety in the construction of motor vehicles; and whether he will take steps make collapsible steering columns compulsory, and consider similar compulsory modifications in all new vehicles.

Although rigorous safety standards already exist, there are never grounds for complacency, and improvements are continually being developed.The regulations require collapsible steering columns to be fitted to new cars first registered on or after 1st July, 1972.

asked the Minister of Transport what discussions he is having with the motor trade in order to effect modifications in the interests of road safety in all future motor vehicles.

We are in constant touch with the motor trade, both domestically and internationally on a variety of topics affecting vehicle safety.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to make compulsory the fitting of a device on all new cars which operates all the flashing indicators simultaneously in the event of a breakdown or accident.

We have recently completed a study of accidents involving vehicles forced to stop because of some emergency. We will be making a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has now received concerning the compulsory use of red warning triangles

Some 20 letters advocating the obligatory use of these triangles have been received during the past year; about half of these were prompted by a circular letter issued by a manufacturer of the device.

asked the Minister of Transport what study has been made of the use of reflective number plates since their introduction, from the point of view of accident prevention.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that all dogs on main roads are kept on a lead.

Local authorities are already empowered to designate roads in their area on which dogs must be kept on a lead.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will initiate a large scale campaign of road safety propaganda and instruction enlisting the support of voluntary organisations, police, schools and local authorities.

This has been Government policy for some years. Within the last two years it has been given fresh impetus by the institution of a sustained road safety publicity campaign costing about £1 million a year and the widespread dissemination of instructional literature, notably a revised Highway Code and a Driving Manual. The Ministry provides financial support to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and has good co-operation with the Society as well as police, schools and local authorities

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make an announcement of his intentions in respect of road safety legislation and orders during 1970.

At this moment we are consulting representative organisations on proposed regulations relating to safety at pedestrian crossings; rear marking of heavy goods vehicles; and vehicle speed limits and weight ratios.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement about motorway routes across the Pennines, including the Sheffield-Manchester motorway.

On the Manchester-Sheffield route, I have nothing at present to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 24th March.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will list the road improvement schemes recently approved by him, stating in each case mileage

MOTORWAYS AND TRUNK ROADS
Scheme title	Mileage	cost to Exchequer
		£m.
A23—Bolney Crossroads Diversion and Flyover	1·00	0·727
A20(M)—Ditton By-pass, Maidstone, Kent	6·75	6·743
M4—Baydon-Wickham	6·73	5·023
M4—Liddington-Baydon	5·50	4·098
M4—Theale-Winnersh	12·16	14·878
M4—Winnersh-Holyport	6·72	7·022
M4—Wickham-Theale	16·70	13·980
M5—Eastington-Tortworth	8·40	6·594
M5—Tortworth-Almondsbury	9·10	6·934
M5—Avon Bridge-Clapton Wick	5·05	7·690
M5—Clapton Wick-St. Georges	8·75	13·115
M5—St. Georges-Edithmead	8·45	9·541
M5—Avon Bridge and Approaches	1·00	4·817
A40—Oxford Northern By-pass, Oxford	3·50	2·030
A446—Bassetts Pole to Lichfield By-pass, Stage 2	1·50	0·475
A1—Shire Bridge to Balderton Improvement	1·64	0·732
A614—Dualling of Clifton Bridge and Approaches	1·25	3·262
M56—Wythenshawe-Bowden, Cheshire	7·00	8·040
A1565—Crosby Road South, Stage 1, Bootle Broadway-Church Road	0·58	0·135
M62—Eccles Interchange	0·00	3·588
Al—Scotch Corner Diversion, North Riding.	1·00	0·685
Al—Haggerston Diversion, Stage 2	1·16	0·346
Al—Improvement Northwards from Birtley By-pass	1·00	0·970
A168—Improvement from South of Topcliffe and Asenby By-pass (including Dishford By-pass), North Riding	1·25	0·378
A168—Improvement from South of Thirsk By-pass to North of Topcliffe and Asenby By-pass, North Riding	1·50	0·303
A19(M)—Easington and Cold Hesledon Diversions	3·68	2·955
A19—New Seaham to Seaton Diversion	3·09	2·430
A108—Sunderland By-pass (Section 1)	8·75	6·300
A45—Chesterton Bridge and Approach Road, Stage 1	0·50	1·885
A12—Lowestoft Bascule Bridge	0·11	0·734
A12—Wood Street Roundabout, Chelmsford	0·00	0·201
A45—Chesterton Bridge Route, Stage 2	0·40	0·407
A13—Tilbury Docks Approach Road, Stage 3	1·50	1·610
A12—Temporary Swing Bridge, Lowestoft	0·00	0·115
M4—Slough and Maidenhead By-pass Widening	0·00	2·686
A406—Harrow Road Junction, Stage 2	0·00	0·409
A127—Warley Street Improvement	0·25	0·426
A614—Northern Approach to Boothferry Bridge, East Riding	0·13	0·051
M62—Hartshead-Gildersome, Yorks Section	5·59	8·544
M62—Outlane-Hartshead, Yorks Section, West Riding	6·70	11·706
Ml—Completion of Ml gap at Stourton (Stourton-Leeds Extension), West Riding.	0·06	0·475
M18—Hatfield-Thorne, West Riding	3·50	6·055
Totals	151·905	169·095

The total estimated cost of new and improved major road schemes approved during the financial year 1969-70 for start of work or for which grant was issued was £265 million, of which £23 million fell to be borne by local authorities.Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport what is the mileage planned, and estimated total cost of road improvement schemes in Yorkshire and Humber-side, approved by him recently, and approved before this, but not started; and, of the total estimated cost, how much will be borne by the ratepayers and how much by the Exchequer.

Almost 26 miles of new and improved major road schemes in Yorkshire and Humberside were approved during the financial year 1969 –70. The estimated total cost is £34 million, of which the Exchequer will bear £32 million and local authority £2 million.There are no schemes approved before this that have not started.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of major road improvement schemes, started in 1969, will result in no additional lane for increasing traffic; and what was the total cost of such schemes.

51 miles at a total cost of some £7 million.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the increased efficiency which has been achieved by the establishment of passenger transport authorities.

It is far too early yet to judge the performance of the passenger transport authorities and their executives. But I am encouraged that they are tackling actively the complex public transport problems of the conurbations.

asked the Minister of Transport what changes in fare levels will be necessary in 1970 to take account of the recent changes in terms and conditions of employees in the bus industry.

It is too early to estimate what the effects of these changes will be on fare levels.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the percentage increase in average bus fares per passenger mile between 1966 and 1969.

There has been an overall average increase in stage service fares of approximately 8·5 per cent, between 1966 and 1969. Information relating fares increases to passenger mileage is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport what examination he is undertaking to assess minimum rates of acceleration for goods vehicles.

We are examining the cost implications of alternative power to weight ratios for commercial vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport how many letters he has received in the most recent 12-month period for which information is available about the burdens imposed by the Government on road users.

I receive many letters each day covering a wide variety of subjects. To obtain the information requested would involve costs disproportionate to its value.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the proposal for a possible crude oil off-loading terminal off the coast of Anglesey, he will make a statement about the future role of the Mersey estuary, and its shore facilities, in the future handling of oil traffic destined for the Stanlow oil refinery.

The initiative for port development rests with harbour authorities. I understand that the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board is considering possibilities for an offshore oil terminal in consultation with the oil interests concerned. Existing shore facilities serving Stanlow seem likely to continue in use.

asked the Minister of Transport what sum his Department received in 1969 through the Home Office as a result of fines for parking and other offences; how many individual fines made up this sum; and how much of this money has been devoted to improving off-street parking.

During 1969 the sum of £9,895,748 1s. 2d. was received as a result of fines for parking and other offences. It is not possible to estimate how many individual fines made up this sum but provisional figures for 1969 show that fines were imposed in 1,293,864 cases for traffic offences. Of these 155,917 were for parking offences. This does not include fixed penalties for which figures will not be available until later this year. My right hon. Friend has no powers to provide parking facilities and none of the money has been used for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will indicate the amount by which, in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's policy, council house rents may be increased at any one time by a change in a local authority's rent rebate scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities need my right hon. Friend's agreement for any rent increases exceeding an average of 7s. 6d. a week or a maximum of 10s. a week in a 52-week period. The cost of introducing or improving a rent rebate scheme is a reasonable ground for increasing rents within the limits I have mentioned if the authority has no substantial housing account balances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an assurance that, before authorising the Land Commission to acquire land by compulsory purchase order for building purposes at Chesham, a public inquiry will be held at which objections can be freely stated.

The draft compulsory purchase order has not yet been formally submitted to my right hon. Friend. He will decide then whether or not to hold a public inquiry. At present it does seem that one will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will name those water companies which have not yet adopted Schedule III of the Water Act 1945.(2) what action he intends to take to secure the adoption of Schedule III of the Water Act 1945 by those water companies which have not already done so.

Most statutory water companies have adopted all or most of the provisions of the Schedule, sometimes with modifications, but few or none of the provisions have been applied to the undertakings of three companies.I understand that the Mid-Sussex Water Company, who have a few provisions applied, are about to submit a draft order applying the remainder of the Schedule; and that the Rickmansworth and Uxbridge Valley Water Company are also preparing a draft order for submission by the end of the year. The Cholderton and District Water Company Limited, who supply water to only about 2,500 people, have no proposals at present for applying the Schedule and I see no need for any action in their case.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many planning appeals have been decided by public inquiry and how many by delegation to inspectors since the Town and Country Planning Act, 1968 came into operation.

In the period 1st January, 1969 to 31st March, 1970, 3,861 and 1,321 respectively.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the number of planning appeals for each year since 1966 in England and Wales under Section 23 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962; what was the percentage of successful appeals; and what was the total number of planning applications.

Following is the information requested:

		Number of Appeal decisions	Per cent, successful	Total number of planning applications decided
1966	…	9,035	21·9	415,052
1967	…	8,495	23·2	422,553
1968	…	7,081	25·1	426,286
1969	…	6,557	29·0	Not available

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the estimated rate support grant paid to the county borough of St. Helens for each year 1960 to 1964, and the last four years for which figures are available; and what was the effect of withdrawing subsidies on rents charged, disregarding rent rebate schemes; and if he will make a statement.

The latest estimate of the rate support grants to the county borough of St. Helens for the four years from 1967-68 and the amounts of the corresponding grants for the four years from 1960-61 were as follows:

			Rate Support Grants	Corresponding Grants
			£	£
1960–61	…	…	—	1,882,249
1961–62	…	…	—	2,025,130
1962–63	…	…	—	2,174,820
1963–64	…	…	—	2,168,657
1967–68	…	…	2,990,040	—
1968–69	…	…	3,135,340	—
1969–70	…	…	3,616,580	—
1970–71	…	…	3,897,911	—

In reply to the second part of the Question, in the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to St. Helens Council if housing subsidies for existing dwellings were withdrawn would, in 1969–70, have been equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 10s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is satisfied as to the operation of the law relating to the valuation of dwelling houses, in view of the effects on valuation of the installation of partial or full central heating; and if he will give an assurance that this matter will be considered in the review of local government finance.

I am satisfied that the law is operating equitably in this respect, but the matter will be considered in the course of our review of local government finance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps for a survey to be made of the number of rented private properties owned by persons living outside the local authority areas in which those properties are situated.

As no standard material contains address of landlord as well as of dwelling let (other than the rent registers which, covering only tenancies for which rents have been registered, could not yield a random sample for all privately rented dwellings), a survey to this end would have to be undertaken specially, and would involve considerable expense. As at present advised 1 do not think that this would be justified.