§ 25. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Minister of Transport what has been the increase in traffic to Harwich over the last five years; and how much she estimates this traffic is likely to expand over the next five years.
§ Mr. SwinglerThis information is not available but the expected national growth rate is about 30 per cent.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIs the Minister aware that I consider this to be an underestimate? Is he further aware that Harwich is becoming one of the major exporting ports of the country? Will he do everything he can to see that the road is improved as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. SwinglerThis is a very carefully calculated figure and we have no reason to suppose that East Anglia is different in this respect. We will certainly keep a watch on the situation. The problems of East Anglia are constantly being drawn to our attention and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that they will be carefully considered.