§ 4. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many road improvement schemes in Wales are to be delayed as a direct result of the proposals for reducing capital commitments; if he will give an assurance that none of these schemes will be delayed for more than six months; and what is the revised date of commencement of each scheme.
§ 13. Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total value of road and bridge projects in Wales he has postponed, referred to in his Department's Circulars Nos. 21/65 and 25/65 to local authorities.
§ Mr. FinchSix major improvement schemes in Wales due to start in the period August, 1965-January, 1966, and estimated to cost a total of £1.2 million, have been deferred.
None should be delayed for more than six months. With the permission of the House, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I think I should point out that none of the schemes in development districts has been deferred. Wales is largely a development district just now, so these in any event have not been deferred.
§ Mr. McBrideWhile thanking my hon. Friend for his reference to the fact that Wales is largely a development district, may I ask whether he will regard as one of the prime considerations in the approval of schemes the matter of speedy access to South Wales ports? This would help materially the economy and prosperity of Wales.
§ Mr. FinchI recognise that some of these schemes are very important in their relationship to the ports of South Wales. In the reply that I have already given to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Coleman), I have said that the roads are very important in that connection, and particularly to Swansea. Indeed, there are other schemes which are designed to help other ports in South Wales.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that the deferments to which he referred in the Welsh road programme are pretty severe? When will the Welsh Office get in touch with the local authorities to tell them that they can go ahead with the schemes which have been deferred? Will he give the date?
§ Mr. FinchI cannot give any particular date. We have got to await developments. We are not yet in a position to decide on what actual date the schemes are to be started. So far as we know, they will not be further deferred and they will be taken up as quickly as possible.
§ Following are the details:
| Estimated original starting date | Estimated new starting date | |
| TRUNK ROADS: | ||
| Llandudno Junction Flyover (A.55) | Oct., 1965 | April, 1966 |
| Improvement at Pont Lysiog, Breconshire (A.470) | Oct., 1965 | April, 1966 |
| Abermarlais Diversion, Carmarthen (A.40) | Jan., 1966 | July, 1966 |
| CLASSIFIED ROADS: | ||
| Improvement of Pontypool-Blaenavon-Snatchwood Road, Abersychan (A.4043) | Oct., 1965 | April, 1966 |
| Improvement of Yorke Street Wrexham (A. 525) | Dec., 1965 | June, 1966 |
| Bagillt By-pass, Flintshire (A. 548) | Dec., 1965 | June, 1966 |