§ 42. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Transport to what extent restrictions on motorway and trunk road schemes will make idle road-making equipment and thus lead to the increased cost of such schemes.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Stephen Swingler)Only to a relatively small extent, which is unlikely in itself to influence road construction prices.
§ Mr. TilneyHave not lessons been learned from the stopping of the M.1 and of the railing programme on roads? Is it not dangerous to do this?
§ Mr. SwinglerWe want to maintain continuity of work. In fact, contracts to a higher value than last year had already been placed before the deferment programme. In spite of the deferment programme, we reckon we shall maintain continuity of work and we have no evidence of the point made by the hon. Gentleman.