§ 35. Mrs. Hartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the capital expenditure involved in projects for road improvements in Scotland for which the necessary plans are complete or at an advanced stage, but which are awaiting the allocation of resources, including both direct Government expenditure and grants to local authorities.
§ Mr. LeburnFor trunk road schemes for which necessary plans are complete or at an advanced stage, £8½ million; of these I expect to authorise schemes amounting to about £5½ million in the next six months. I regret that comparable information is not available in respect of classified roads.
§ Mrs. HartIs it not clear from the figures which the Under-Secretary has given that the expenditure involved is capable of yielding a large amount of employment in Scotland? Would it not therefore be of tremendous assistance in the present unemployment crisis in Scotland if he were to speed the process of giving final approvals and consider extending the programme as it stands at the moment?
§ Mr. LeburnIt is for this very reason that I expect to authorise the expenditure of £5½ million in the next six months.