§ 2. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the total number of licensed private motor cars in Wales at the latest convenient date; the 968 numbers in 1949 and in 1939, respectively; and the estimate of the total number which will be licensed in Wales in 1969.
§ Mr. NugentThe number of motor cars licensed in Wales and Monmouthshire in the September quarter of 1958 was 221,669. The corresponding figures for 1938—figures for 1939 are not available—and for 1949 were 81,320 and 98,972 respectively. On the assumption that this rate of increase continues there will be about 370,000 by 1969.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill the hon. Gentleman be more generous with road grants to enable these cars to move?
§ 3. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many mechanically propelled vehicles of all kinds and all descriptions were licensed in Wales at the latest convenient date; the numbers in 1949 and in 1939, respectively; and his estimate of the number which will be licensed in Wales in 1969.
§ Mr. NugentThe number of motor vehicles licensed in Wales and Monmouthshire in the September quarter of 1958 was 384,842. The corresponding figures for 1938—figures for 1939 are not available—and for 1949 were 133,542 and 199,904 respectively. On the assumption that this rate of increase continues there will be about 600,000 by 1969.
§ Mr. GowerIs my hon. Friend aware that the opinion is held in Wales and expressed frequently in the Press and elsewhere that the Government road programme is not sufficiently ambitious to deal with this great increase in the number of vehicles, and that the opinion also seems to be held that the share of the present programme which is accruing to Wales is inadequate? Will my hon. Friend comment on these opinions?
§ Mr. NugentI think that that portion of our road programme which is going to Wales is certainly a fair one on the whole, particularly in South Wales, and my belief is that our road programme will substantially provide for these large numbers of vehicles.