§ 46. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that there have been considerable delays in making progress towards starting to build the Huntingdon by-pass; and whether she will now announce the date when work is to commence.
§ Mr. SwinglerChoosing the best line for this by-pass has called for careful study of problems of engineering design and cost. A suitable line has now been agreed, and my right hon. Friend hopes to publish a draft Order to establish the route before the end of June. I cannot yet announce a date when the work will begin.
§ Sir D. RentonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his Answer is to the same effect as the Answer I was given 565 to a similar Question in the last Parliament? Is he further aware that the situation in Huntingdon is absolutely chronic, and will he try to do something a little more urgent to get on with the job?
§ Mr. SwinglerI have not been able to check it, but I cannot think that the Answer is the same because the point is that this scheme is in the programme for 1968. Whether we get the work forward according to date depends on the question of land acquisition, and so on, but it is quite clear that my right hon. Friend will publish an Order before the end of June and then we shall get on with acquisition of land and other necessary things as rapidly as we can.
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisIn this matter I support my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Huntingdonshire (Sir D. Renton). Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when I go from my constituency into that of my right hon. and learned Friend's at the weekends the trouble is that I can never get out of his constituency because of the present situation?