§ 27. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what mileage of trunk roads was constructed in each of the financial years 1950–51 to 1955–56, respectively; and what it is estimated will be constructed in 1956–57 and any other future years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. WatkinsonOne hundred and thirty-five and a half miles of trunk road, either new or realigned or widened, were built in the years 1950–56. I will circulate figures for each year in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In 1956–57 and the following two years I hope to authorise a further 400 miles of this work. This includes the first section of the London—Yorkshire motorway, the Birmingham—Preston motorway and the Ross Spur between Upton-on-Severn and Ross-on-Wye. It is not possible to say how much of this work will be completed each year.
§ Mr. JannerWill the right hon. Gentleman ensure that what he authorises is carried into effect as speedily as possible, and will he reconsider the amount of the mileage with a view to meeting the very urgent need that exists?
§ Mr. WatkinsonIf my arithmetic is correct, up till 1956 we managed to build only about 25 miles a year. In this year and the next two years I hope to authorise 125 miles a year, which is at least progress.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesWould the right hon. Gentleman state how many of those 125 miles will be actually constructed? Is he aware that it is one thing to authorise but it is another thing to construct?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman, but equally if we do not authorise them we shall never construct them.
§ Following are the figures:
| 1950–51 | … | … | … | 19½ miles |
| 1951–52 | … | … | … | 24½ miles |
| 1952–53 | … | … | … | 12½ miles |
| 1953–54 | … | … | … | 14 miles |
| 1954–55 | … | … | … | 27 miles |
| 1955–56 | … | … | … | 38 miles |
| Total | … | 135½ miles |