asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration any proposals for promoting road safety among school children?

Yes, Sir, I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland, on this very important question. We are in agreement that it is necessary to discover what form of instruction is most suitable for the purpose, and we have accordingly decided to set up two inter-departmental committees, one for England and Wales and one for Scotland, with the following terms of reference: To consider and advise what steps can best be taken with a view to promoting road safety among school children and what forms of instruction in the matter are best adapted for children of different ages as a regular part of the school curriculum.

The composition of the Committee for England and Wales is as follows:

• Chairman: The Rt. Hon. Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen.
• Board of Education: Mr. H. R. V. Ball, H.M.I.
• Ministry of Transport: Mr. A. Matheson, D.S.O., O.B.E.
• Home Office: Mr. J. C. MacIver.
• Local Authorities: Mr. W. R. Nottidge, Chairman, Kent Education Committee; Mr. A. L. Binns, M.C., Director of Education, Ealing; Miss Gertrude Sanson, M.B.E., Inspector of Infants' Methods under the London County Council.
• Teachers: Mr. E. Barlow Butlin, Headmaster, Harrow Weald County School for Boys and Girls; Mr. A. E. Baxter, O.B.E., J.P., Headmaster, Queen's Road Council School, Wimbledon; Miss H. M. Pavey, Headmistress, Ashburton Junior Mixed and Infants' School, Croydon.
• Secretary: Mr. S. Lamplugh, H.M.I., Board of Education.
• The composition of the Committee for Scotland will be announced at an early date.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the sittings of the committee will be in public or in private?

I will consider that question in consultation with the chairman of the committee.

Viscountess ASTOR:

Will the hon. Gentleman see that he has the advice of women who know something about school children? It is very important when you have a chairman like that that you should have a good woman, who really knows.

I agree with my Noble Friend and I will consider her suggestion.

Does the hon. Member not consider that the best remedy would be to teach the children to regard the roads as rivers which ought to be crossed either by subways or by bridges?

Will the hon. Member consider the appointment on the committee of a representative of one of the motor organisations who could indicate some of the dangers that arise in the act of driving a car?

No, Sir. This is a committee to consider the education of school children, and it will take evidence from motoring organisations and other bodies. I might inform the Noble Lady that there are two ladies on the committee.

Will the hon. Member consider using the cinema in the schools to illustrate the danger?

Yes, Sir.