§ 7. Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to conclude the present highway review required by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1966; and whether in the course of this he has yet taken a decision on the proposal to reclassify the A94 road as a trunk road.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonBy 15th May my right hon. Friend will have notified local highway authorities of the new pattern of principal roads. After studying the reactions of the local authorities my right hon. Friend has decided to reconsider this proposal when the Tayside Study is completed. Meantime, the status of the A92 and A94 will remain unchanged.
§ Mr. DewarWill my hon. Friend agree that in a year when, despite ill-informed rumour to the contrary, even more is being spent on Scottish roads than before, there is a very strong case for looking at the A94, which will be an essential lifeline between what we hope will be an expanding North-East and the central belt of Scotland; and that any long-term delay in looking at the problem of improving this road will cause great dismay and disappointment in north-east Scotland?
§ Dr. MabonYes, Sir. My hon. Friend is perfectly right in saying that we are spending more money than in any previous year. I hope to meet the Tayside group on behalf of my right hon. Friend next week. When the study is completed, which will be by next summer, we can look at this very important matter once again.
§ Mr. G. CampbellIs the Minister of State aware that great dislocation is now being caused to traffic in the North-East by the sudden closure of the Spey bridge on the trunk road at Fochabers at the weekend, and will he treat this as a very urgent matter?
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Mackenzie—Question No. 8.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. As the proposed trunk road classification of the A94 is a matter of great importance to my constituency, might I be allowed to put a question?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe same consideration would apply to every hon. Member whose Question was not called.