§ 44. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Transport if in view of the unemployment in South-West Durham, he will authorise the early construction of that part of the West Auckland by-pass which will improve access to the new Fielden Bridge industrial site at St Helen's, Auckland.
§ Mr. HayThis by-pass would be on a classified road for which the Durham County Council is the highway authority. It has not as yet proposed its inclusion in the road programme. Until it does so we cannot consider it for inclusion.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the shortage of money for this purpose? Could he not make money available so that several things could 363 be done at once, 100 acres of industrial development laid out, unemployment in the area relieved, and everybody satisfied?
§ Mr. HayThe hon. Member has not followed my original Answer. I said that until the Durham County Council puts forward a proposal for this road, which is one of its roads, we cannot consider it for inclusion in the county council's programme. The ball is in the council's court. When the council eventually brings its proposal forward we will try to do what we can.