HC Deb 25 July 1956 vol 557 cc401-2
31. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the length of the new Markyate by-pass; and how long it will take to construct.

Mr. Molson

Nearly a mile. The construction of the by-pass will, I hope, be completed by about the end of next May.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at Markyate, instead of the new road proceeding at an artificial figure of a hundred yards a day, it is proceeding at a figure nearer three yards a day? Can he explain—

Mr. Stokes

Government policy.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

—why this slow progress has been made and also why Gatwick, in Surrey, is doing so much better than Markyate, in Hertfordshire?

Mr. Chetwynd

Because Hertfordshire is a minor county.

Mr. Molson

I have already replied, in answer to an earlier Question, that it is difficult to make a comparison between one engineering project and another, but I will certainly make further inquiries into the progress being made at Markyate, and write to my hon. Friend.