§ 51. Mr. Wyattasked the Minister of Transport why he has refused permission to the Birmingham City Council to proceed with the widening and reconstruction of Digbeth and High Street, Deritend, in accordance with the scheme for which powers were secured in a corporation Act in 1935.
Mr. BraithwaiteThe refusal was consequent on the restrictions on major road improvements which are necessary in present economic circumstances.
§ Mr. WyattIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in Birmingham the Minister is regarded so far as having treated the Lord Mayor, who wished to bring a deputation to see him, with grave discourtesy, in having refused to see the deputation, first of all, and then in having agreed only with very great reluctance to meet them? Is he aware that in Birmingham it is strongly felt that major road improvements are allowed only in the London area and that this one in Birmingham was not allowed only because it happened not to be in the London area?
Mr. BraithwaiteThe first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is based on a totally inaccurate supposition. My right hon. Friend is receiving a deputation from the City of Birmingham next week. So far as the second part of it is concerned, there have been practically no major road improvements in the London area in the past 12 months.