§ 28. Mr. Marquandasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has studied the findings concerning Middlesbrough of a survey made by the British Roads Federation; and whether he has consulted the Middlesbrough Corporation with a view to improving the conditions disclosed by the survey, a copy of which has been sent to him.
§ Mr. NugentYes, Sir. The survey confirms what we already know of Middlesbrough's highway problems. The Corporation has followed the normal procedure of discussing with our Divisional Road Engineer, its improvement schemes, and these will be fitted into our road programme according to the priority which they qualify for in the national picture.
§ Mr. MarquandIs there to be an expansion of this programme in the light of the announcement about increasing public investment, and, if so, are not the claims of a Development Area, and 367 Particularly one in which a great many important industrial enterprises are now expanding, very high indeed?
§ Mr. NugentCertainly, Middlesbrough's claim will not be overlooked, and the right hon. Gentleman has made sure of that by bringing deputations to see us. We will give very full consideration to it, but I am afraid that I cannot give him any immediate hope of advancing any of these schemes at the present time.