§ 104. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Transport if he will continue scheduled road schemes where the necessary road survey has been completed and there is availability of labour and raw material.
§ Mr. CallaghanRoad schemes are being reviewed because of the need to curtail capital investment, and many will be postponed; but individual decisions will take into account local factors.
§ Mr. PeartIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the decision of his right hon. Friend to postpone the West Cumberland road scheme has caused great disappointment? Will he see that the decision is reconsidered, in view of the importance of this road to the industrial economy of West Cumberland, and the fact that we have an antiquated railway system?
§ Mr. CallaghanI do not think I can undertake to commit my right hon. Friend to reconsider the scheme at this stage. I emphasise that these are postponements and not abandonments.
§ Mr. PeartIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that we have the labour and raw materials available now, but that the situation may be very different 12 months hence? It may be disastrous.
§ 105. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Transport what effects the cuts in capital expenditure will have on road schemes in the development areas.
§ Mr. CallaghanRoad schemes in development areas, and elsewhere, will necessarily be restricted in accordance with the general principles explained in Command Paper 7268. "Capital Investment in 1948."
§ Mr. PeartWhere it can be proved that a road scheme helps industrial development, as in the case of West Cumberland, will the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider the decision, as I pressed him to do on the previous Question?
§ Mr. CallaghanThat is too wide a definition. It must be directly related to the export drive, and not to the general advantages of capital development.
Mr. VaneWill the Parliamentary Secretary reconsider his decision, because West Cumberland is off the main road and off the main railway? In these circumstances, will he have a little extra sympathy?
§ Mr. CallaghanThat is a fact which is fully appreciated. We hope that this will be a temporary postponement.
§ Mr. PeartIn view of West Cumberland's importance in the export drive, will the hon. Gentleman also consider it from that aspect?
§ Mr. CallaghanYes, Sir, if the roads will directly assist that drive.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWill the Parliamentary Secretary consider the even more important road proposals in Scotland?
§ Mr. CallaghanIf the hon. and gallant Member has read the White Paper, he will know that crofters' roads come in for special consideration.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanI am not talking about crofters' roads, but about the Forth Bridge.