§ 5. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the civil engineering industries can handle a road programme double or treble the size of the present one, and, in view of the road-building plant and labour which is available but not being used, if he will take steps to minimise this wastage by expanding the size of the present road programme.
§ 71. Mr. Bennasked the Minister of Transport when he is likely to announce his plans for comprehensive road improvements.
§ Mr. MarplesI would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) on 4th November, to which I have nothing to add at present.
§ Mr. JannerIs the right hon. Gentleman making any progress at all in these matters? Does he realise that the material and the opportunity are there for a much bigger programme than the one he has in mind? Ought he not to take advantage of the fact that these things are available so as to be able to extend the programme?
§ Mr. MarplesThe hon. Gentleman does not know the programme that I have in mind. He therefore cannot say that the material available is in excess of it. The whole programme is being reviewed.
§ Mr. BennThe Government pledged an increased road programme and we have heard so many hints about the right hon. Gentleman's intentions. Can 979 not he take the House into his confidence to the extent of saying when he intends to make a statement?
§ Mr. MarplesI would rather wait until it was final and it was no longer a hint but a confirmed fact.