§ 33. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of trunk roads were completed in Wales during each of the last three years; and what is his estimate of the trunk road building which will take place during each of the next three years.
§ Mr. MarplesThe mileage of trunk roads Li Wales and Monmouthshire which was either built anew or completely rebuilt in each of the last three years is: 1958–59, 17.3 miles; 1959–60, 22.5 miles; 1960–61, 25.3 miles.
In the next three years, the approximate figures are expected to be: 1961–62, 23 miles; 1962–63, 30 miles; 1963–64, 27 miles.
§ Mr. GowerDoes my right hon. Friend feel that these figures are rather small in view of the tremendous industrial growth in large parts of the Principality during the last few years? Will he consider whether they could be increased considerably?
§ Mr. MarplesOh, no. I think it is wrong to take the Welsh roads in isolation, because Wales profits greatly from road schemes outside Wales. Schemes such as the Severn Bridge, the Bristol-Birmingham motorway and the Ross Spur, for example, help considerably.