HC Deb 18 May 1953 vol 515 cc1681-2
33. Mr. Gibson

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of capital expenditure in 1951, 1952 and 1953, authorised to the London County Council for major road improvements, such as road widening, new roundabouts and new road construction.

Mr. Braithwaite

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Maryle-bone (Sir W. Wakefield) on 11th May, of which I will send the hon. Member a copy.

Mr. Gibson

The answer does not reply to the Question. If I understand it correctly, it includes all the work done on the London roads. In view of the traffic position in London, does he not think that in the light of the miserable amount of highways improvement carried out during the last three or four years it is time that a big effort was made to enable the plans which have been prepared for road improvement to be carried out in London?

Mr. Braithwaite

The reply to which I referred the hon. Member gave figures for minor improvements and a process of subtraction will give him the answer. There was abnormal capital expenditure in 1951, in connection with the Festival of Britain, amounting to almost £490,000.