§ 25. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the plan for building a modern road system through the east of Scotland; and how soon he expects the task to be completed.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe future road pattern in the east of Scotland, as elsewhere, is shown in the development plans for the local authority areas concerned. When these plans can be carried out will depend on how much of our resources can be devoted to this part of the country, having regard to the needs of Scotland as a whole.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that his statement is extremely vague, that it does not take into account the importance of the nature of the developing industry in that area, and that now would seem to be a particularly appropriate time to push ahead, particularly with the Tay Road Bridge, so that 1107 this bridge and the Forth Road Bridge could together form part of that modernised system?
§ Mr. MacphersonOne has to bear in mind, in considering this part of the country, that the Forth Road Bridge is costing a considerable proportion of the £40 million that is being devoted to the development of roads in Scotland at present.