§ 66. Sir EDWARD ILIFFEasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the urgent need of improving the existing roads in Scotland, particularly those from Edinburgh to Inverness and from Glasgow to Inverness, he will defer indefinitely, with the exception of the section between Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow, and a point one mile east of Holytown, all work on the Glasgow-Edinburgh road?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI am aware of the need of improving existing roads in Scotland, and am making considerable grants for that purpose. A special investigation is now being conducted by my instructions into the condition of roads in Inverness-shire. I cannot agree that the Glasgow-Edinburgh road, which is a valuable improvement, and will provide a large amount of employment, should be postponed.
§ Mr. STURROCKIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are several routes from Edinburgh to Inverness and Glasgow to Inverness, and may I ask whether the Edinburgh-Inverness East Coast route is being advanced according to the representations which have been made?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put that question down on the Paper.
§ 67. Sir E. ILIFFEasked the Minister of Transport whether any contracts have been let for the work on the Glasgow-Edinburgh road scheme; and, if not, whether he will defer the letting of such contracts until the winter months, when unemployment may be worse than it is to-day?
§ Mr. GOSLINGNo contracts have yet been let, but I hope that they will be placed in the near future. Unless this is done immediately, it will be impossible 2008 to provide any substantial amount of employment on this scheme during the coming winter.