§ 48. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport what is the present position with regard to the Leicestershire portion of the London-Yorkshire motorway.
§ Mr. HayWe have continued to make good progress with the statutory processes and the engineering preparation of this motorway. If all goes well, we hope to let contracts for the first sections, in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, this summer.
§ Sir B. JannerWill the Minister say that the hope is a definite undertaking that something will be done? Does he realise that people nowadays are beginning to ask whether he is dealing with the M.1 road or with the "long, long trail"?
§ Mr. HayIf I had been able to give a definite undertaking I should have given it. I must stick to the word in my Answer—"hope".
§ Mr. WarbeyAs we now have rather more definite information, can the Minister say how far this first section will be carried? Will it be carried so far as to by-pass Nottingham?
§ Mr. HayI cannot without notice give the hon. Member that information. The first section will not carry traffic beyond Leicester, but I should like to have notice before replying about the exact ending point of this first section.
§ Mr. DarlingCan the Parliamentary Secretary give any information about when he hopes the whole thing will be finished and we get the road up to Yorkshire?