§ 1. Mr. Marksasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of motorway are now open and under construction; and how many are planned to start in 1968.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Transport (Mr. Stephen Swingler)The position at 8th December for England 1236 and Wales was: 501.6 miles open, 108.2 miles under construction, and over 200 miles planned to start in 1968.
§ Mr. MarksWill my hon, Friend, in reviewing those plans, take special note of the importance of links between motorways and the conurbations, and in particular the link between Manchester and the M6 and M62?
§ Mr. SwinglerWe are considering this very seriously, and the completion of the Midland motorway links is the most urgent priority that we have.
§ Mr. Gwynfor EvansIs the hon. Gentleman aware that to the north and west of the approach to the Severn Bridge the total mileage of motorways in Wales in 1970 will be four? Is he aware that it is the failure of the Government to build major modern highways in Wales which is the chief cause of our lack of balanced economic development?
§ Mr. SwinglerOne has to consider the roads programme as a whole, and there are many other important schemes going forward, but naturally we shall also consider linking up important industrial centres in Wales in connection with the main part of our programme.