HC Deb 19 April 1967 vol 745 cc558-9
27. Mr. Dean

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now give more information about the motorway for the South-West.

Mr. Swingler

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member on 25th January.—[Vol 739, c. 1474.]

Mr. Dean

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that a firm date for this project is vital to the West Country's economy? Can he at least give an assurance that, when the motorway is completed to Edith Mead, there will be no delay in further progress?

Mr. Swingler

I think that the hon. Gentleman knows that an aerial survey is being made which has to be assessed. This work will proceed as rapidly as possible, so that we have a result in the autumn. It would be wrong of me to say anything further until we receive the technical appraisal of the survey.

Mr. Bessell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present motorway plan for the South-West is no improvement on that first published by the right hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples)? Will he now consider extending the motorway from Exeter to Plymouth?

Mr. Swingler

The hon. Gentleman is wrong. We have, of course, extended the plan for the M5 to Edith Mead and have decided on a road to motorway standard right down to the South-West. However, on the details and characteristics of this, there is nothing further I can say until we have made the technical assessment of the survey.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Would my hon. Friend consider making the South-West one of his priorities for road construction units, as money given to the area for road building will be useless unless there are people to do the work?

Mr. Swingler

We will consider that. My right hon. Friend has, I think, heard from my hon. Friend on this matter. We are anxious that the South-West, where a great deal of work will be done in the next few years, should have the most efficient organisation.