HC Deb 29 May 1957 vol 571 cc385-6
22. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on that part of the Economic Survey of Europe produced by the Economic Commission of the United Nations which deals with British roads.

Mr. Watkinson

The Commission's comments were somewhat out of date, being based on the period up to 1955. Since then the rate of expenditure on major road works in this country has increased three times.

Captain Pilkington

Would my right hon. Friend not agree it is intolerable that we should have the worst traffic problem in Europe, according to this Survey, and yet spend the least amount of money of any European country? Even when the present programme is at its peak only the same amount of work will be done as was done before the war?

Mr. Watkinson

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will take note of what I said before. This Commission's comments were based on a period up to 1955, when the present programme had not even been stated, and I do not therefore consider its commends in any way representative.

Mr. Strauss

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Commission said that the amount spent in this country on new roads is less than one-ninth of that spent in most major European countries, taking a proportion on the national income? Is he aware that even if we have improved the amount spent on major roads by three times we are still well below most European countries in proportion to our national income?

Mr. Watkinson

I do not disagree. We must get on and build more roads, and that is what I propose to do.