§ 68. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to providing work for some of the unemployed, he will consult with the county councils of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire as to the provision of better road facilities for approaching the new Zoological Gardens at Whipsnade?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Parkinson)The Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire County Councils are not directly concerned in the immediate approaches to the new Zoological Gardens at Whipsnade, which are wholly within Bedfordshire. A sum of £65,000 is being spent in the last mentioned county on the improvement or construction of roads leading to Whipsnade. It is proposed shortly to hold a conference at which representatives both of the Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire County Councils will meet representatives of the Zoological Society and of my Department in order to discuss future developments.
§ Mr. LEWISIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the authorities of the Zoological Gardens pressed both the Buckinghamshire County Council and the Hertfordshire County Council very hard to provide improved road facilities?
§ Mr. PARKINSONI understand that a conference is being called in the immediate future with a view to preventing any further congestion such as took place in the Whitsuntide period, and that the local authorities concerned are being invited to take part in that consultation.