§ 39. Mr. H. STEWARTasked the Minister of Transport the results to date of his invitation to local authorities to submit schemes of five-year transport development; to what extent the authorities in England and Wales and Scotland are responding; and what are the principal types of developments which they propose?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have so far received programmes of work proposed to be put in hand during the next five years from 52 counties, 56 county boroughs and nine large burghs in Scotland. The programmes include improvement of existing roads and the construction of new roads and by-passes, and the reconstruction of weak bridges.
§ Mr. STEWARTIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the response to the invitation and with the character of the schemes suggested?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI cannot say that my satisfaction would extend to the programme of every local authority. It certainly does to some, and I think that the programme as a whole will meet with the approval of the House, and that it will be larger than any previous programme undertaken in a similar period.
§ Mr. STEWARTDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose, in case of a response which he does not regard as satisfactory, to urge the authorities to extend their proposals?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACertainly.