HC Deb 15 March 1961 vol 636 cc1386-7
21. Sir B. Janner

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the delay caused to the extension of the London-Yorkshire Motorway to Doncaster on account of the present procedure for dealing with objections and arranging for the necessary acquisition of land, engineering design and other matters; and whether he will give an undertaking that he will in the very near future take all possible steps to streamline the procedure with a view to expediting construction work.

Mr. Marples

As stated in reply to the hon. Member on 25th January, we are proceeding with the preparation of the Crick to Doncaster Motorway as fast as we can within the confines of the procedures laid down by Parliament. This is a major engineering project and the detailed design, as well as the land acquisition, must necessarily take some considerable time.

The statutory procedures were imposed to protect the rights of the public, and could not be modified without legislation. I am by no means convinced that any reduction in these safeguards would accord with the wishes of this House.

Sir B. Janner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that this has been going on for some seven years? Surely in seven years something effective could have been done, and much more speedily, to give facilities for the motorway? Will the right hon. Gentleman state categorically that at the present time there is no intention of starting the next portion of the road building from Yorkshire towards Leicestershire so that the roads shall not converge in Leicestershire and so make the position there even worse than it is at present, and that he will carry on the job quickly?

Mr. Marples

I will carry on with the job as quickly as the procedures which this House has laid down allow.

Mr. A. Roberts

Will the right hon. Gentleman please given an assurance that that section of the M.1 will be completed before 1964 to enable early commencement of the Yorkshire section of the Motorway?

Mr. Hirst

Hear, hear.

Mr. Marples

I cannot do that, because priority has been given to the five major projects announced to this House.

Sir B. Janner

In view of the extremely unsatisfactory reply, I propose to raise this matter on an early occasion on the Adjournment.

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