§ 24. Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Minister of Transport what will be the total number of miles of motorway completed by 1st January, 1969, 1970 and 1971, respectively.
§ Mr. SwinglerFor England and Wales the target figures are about 550, 600 and over 700 miles respectively.
§ Mr. WalkerBy what year in the 1970s does the Minister of State hope that 1,000 miles of motorway will be completed, because the phrase "the early seventies" has always been used? Can he give a more precise date?
§ Mr. SwinglerThe hon. Gentleman will appreciate all the problems connected with statutory processes and other such matters. For example, recently a portion of the M4 has been set back on account of the incidence of foot-and-mouth disease. It is very difficult to 556 make such forecasts. In 1970 we hope to have completed over 700 miles and to have more than 200 miles under construction. Therefore, when talking about "the early 1970s" perhaps I should be so bold as to say "before 1973".