§ 29. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Transport at what point construction of the first stretch of the Lancashire and Yorkshire motorway will commence; and when this construction will start.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettIt is too early to say. It is planned to start major earthworks on a section in the Pennines in the spring of 1966, but progress elsewhere will depend on completion of the statutory processes and availability of funds.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the roads over the Pennines are inadequate and dangerous, especially in the winter 1281 months? Will he do something to make certain that they are made safe? Does he realise that over a period of years this country has spent less of its gross national product on roads than any other country in Europe?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI was not aware of the latter fact and I do not think that I should accept it without further investigation. As I think the hon. Gentleman will know, this motorway is included in the thousand miles planned for completion by the early 1970s. It will be a very costly project—over £50 million—and the money has to be found from available resources. The statutory processes which include fixing the line of junctions, the treatment of side roads and the acquisition of land, must be completed.
§ Mr. WainwrightIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that if he reads the publication issued by the Roads Campaign Council he will find that the figures given there indicate that out of about six countries, this country was the lowest in respect of the proportion of the gross national product spent on roads? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that more money must be spent on roads in order that the dangers may be removed as soon as possible?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI do not wish to be drawn into a debate at Question Time, but my experience is that statistics provided by pressure groups are often capable of more than one interpretation.