HC Deb 24 July 1963 vol 681 cc1443-4
33 and 46. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Transport (1) when it is intended to proceed with the reconstruction of that part of the A.19 road between Sheraton Road End and Cold Hesledon;

(2) what decision he has reached on further development of the A.19 road in County Durham; and when the work will begin.

Mr. Marples

We are planning to start work on the Sheraton and Shotton Bypasses and the dualling of a 5 mile length of A.19 north of Wolviston later this year. The two by-pass schemes are among those which have been specially brought forward in the road programme to help employment in the North-East. A number of smaller improvements on the A.19 are also planned.

I am considering with my colleagues concerned the possibility of further accelerating the road programme in the North-East generally.

Mr. Shinwell

While I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the attention which he has given to this matter and for the letters which he has sent me on the subject, may I ask whether it was not intended to proceed expeditiously with this part of the road because of the industrial development associated with it? Is it not the case that in the last letter which he sent to me, which I received only yesterday, he seemed to indicate that it would be some considerable time before the scheme was proceeding? Has he changed his mind in the last 24 hours?

Mr. Marples

I never change my mind after I have sent the right hon. Gentleman a letter. The great difficulty in my Department arises from the statutory processes which Parliament has laid down. They take an incredible amount of time. The House has laid it down that the Minister of Transport should obey those statutory requirements. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that, subject to that, I move as fast as I possibly can.

Dame Irene Ward

While thanking my right hon. Friend for this move forward, may I ask him whether he will make special efforts to let it be known in the North-East that this has arisen out of the Government's programme to help to alleviate unemployment.

Mr. Marples

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this part of the road, which is in my constituency, is not even known to the hon. Lady the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward)?

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. These are deep waters.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order. Is it in order for the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) to assume something which is not correct?

Mr. Speaker

Nor is it in order for him to ask the Minister to deal with the matter in that way, but I think that no grievous injury to the hon. Lady's reputation has been done.