§ 30. Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Transport when he expects work on the Neath—Llanelly road to start; how many men will be employed when work is at its maximum; and how long the work will last.
Mr. BraithwaiteI hope that some of the work will start this year. Several improvements are involved and the whole work is unlikely to be completed for six years or so. At the peak some 120 men are likely to be employed.
§ Mr. CallaghanAs the redundancy in that area to which the Minister referred amounts to 5,000, has the Minister any other such plans for additional road works that will absorb some of the other men who are being thrown out of work?
Mr. BraithwaiteMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs made it clear recently that this scheme was undertaken to improve communications and trade between Wales, the Midlands and London.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs the Minister not aware that this scheme was put forward not from that point of view at all, but with a view to absorbing the redundant tinplate workers, and can he tell us whether any plans have been considered for other schemes to absorb some of the redundant workers?
Mr. BraithwaiteAll schemes are promoted with that idea in view as well, but the Question relates to the Neath-Llanelly road and that is the one I have answered.