§ 35. Mr. W. T. Rodgersasked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has given to the proposal that a roads board should be created to be responsible for the planning and construction of the road network outside the main urban areas.
§ Mr. MarplesI am always ready to consider ways of improving the organisation that administers the road programme. But I am not aware of any evidence that such a change would be for the better.
§ Mr. RodgersHas the Minister read his own Hall Report in which serious criticisms are made of investment planning in transport? Would he not agree, in the light of that, that he should look again at the whole administration of the transport system with a view, in particular, to using a roads board to make sure that investment decisions are made the right way and that investment goes to the places where it is most needed?
§ Mr. MarplesThat is another question. If we had a roads board, both the statutory processes for starting a new road and the investment control would still be the same as they now are.
§ Mr. MellishBut as we go into the 'seventies, when a great deal more capital will be required for building new roads to deal with the tremendous increase in traffic, surely there should be some unified control? The suggestion of a roads board is not something to be pushed away, but something whose practicability should be seriously considered.
§ Mr. MarplesI have not pushed it away. I have said that I am always ready to consider ways of improving the organisation which administers the road programme. If I were convinced that such a board would do so, I would consider it most seriously.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf the right hon. Gentleman is anxious to improve the road programme, is he not aware that there is one method? In view of the confusion which he has caused, has it never occurred to him that he might resign? That would help enormously.
§ Mr. MarplesThat consideration had not occurred to me.