§ 29. Mr. Hockingasked the Minister of Transport when he will approve a contract for the extension of the M.1 at its London end, from Berrygrove Roundabout to Page Street, Hendon; and how long it will be before construction commences.
§ Mr. MarplesI hope to be able to invite tenders for the contracts to build the proposed southern extension of M.1 to Page Street, Hendon, in the second half of 1963; but this depends on the progress made with the remaining statutory processes. Approval of a contract would normally follow about four months after the invitations to tender and construction should begin almost immediately thereafter.
§ Mr. HockingWill my right hon. Friend try to expedite this matter? Is he aware that the extension would replace a very nasty stretch of road on which there are many accidents?
§ Mr. MarplesI shall try to expedite it as much as I possibly can, but it is a laborious job to complete the statutory processes. Parliament has enacted the Statutes and I must obey them. It is difficult for me to give a better forecast at this stage.