§ 52. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Minister of Transport if he will publish in percentage form, and as the annual total cost to this Department, the amount of maintenance work done on the trunk and classified roads of the country, in each year from 1946–47 onward, and taking 1946–47 as 100 per cent.
Mr. BraithwaiteAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ arrange for an exchange of Parliamentary delegations between this country, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on a reciprocity basis.
§ The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)I have been asked to reply. These suggestions will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. LewisMay I say that on my own behalf, and, I am sure, on behalf of everyone in the House, we all regret the indisposition of the Prime Minister and hope 23 that after his rest he will be speedily restored to his normal self? Would it not be perhaps advantageous not only to carry out the suggestion contained in the first Question, but to change the venue of the Bermuda talks to London, which would be helpful to the Prime Minister and, as we hope, to subsequent four-Power talks?
§ Mr. LloydI thank the hon. Member for his reference to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. So far as that suggestion is concerned, I would give it the same answer as I gave to his first two suggestions. It will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIf any such exchange of Parliamentary delegations at any time were to take place, would the House be right in assuming that Opposition Members would be fully represented, and would the Minister ask the Soviet that this matter be treated on a strict reciprocity basis?