§ 42. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the road programme in Scotland has been reduced or postponed, outside development districts, as a result of the economic measures announced on 27th July.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonWith minor exceptions, all road schemes outside development districts which were due to start in the six months from August, 1965 to January, 1966 are subject to deferment under the measures announced on 27th July. It is worthy of note that, of the whole Scottish road programme, 96.6 per cent. is unaffected.
§ Mr. CampbellWith nine trunk road schemes postponed, in addition to these local authority schemes, is it not deplorable that there should be any interruption of the Scottish road programme, which is so important to the development of all parts of Scotland, not just development districts?
§ Dr. MabonObviously the hon. Gentleman has prepared his supplementary question before he heard my Answer. The fact is that 96.6 per cent. of the Scottish road programme is unaffected by these cuts. Scotland has been exempted to this degree because of the large incidence of development districts. We accept, as does the rest of the country, the sacrifices that must be made with regard to general policy to solve a situation which, after all, hon. Members opposite left to us.