§ 44. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the success of the autostrade that go from Milan to Como, Varese, and Lake Maggiore; and whether, in view of the great congestion of traffic on the roads at present, he will consider a national scheme of autostrade or motor roads, one to the West of England, one to Birmingham and Liverpool, and one to Newcastle and Edinburgh?
§ Colonel ASHLEYMy attention has frequently been called to the new toll roads in North Italy known as autostrade. In the circumstances of this country, however, I am not prepared to advise the diversion of the Road Fund from its present purpose of assisting local authorities in the maintenance, improvement and extension of the existing highway system.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend realise how very successful these roads have been in avoiding congestion in the hills: and 263 does he not consider, in view of the growing congestion in this country, that it is necessary to look to the future and to have broad motor roads running right through the country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are having too many to-day.