§ 24. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Transport what was the mileage and value of road schemes in the preparation pool on 31st October, 1969.
§ Mr. MulleyThe value of road schemes so far announced for the trunk road preparation pool, including schemes 230 likely to derive from feasibility studies, is estimated to be about £900 million, excluding those which will form part of the London primary network. The mileage involved will depend on the lines finally selected but the schemes under consideration represent about 1,200 miles of new or improved roads. About £60 million worth of these schemes have already been transferred to the firm trunk road programme planned for start of work in the next year or two.
§ Mr. CrouchWhile those sort of figures of the preparation plan sound impressive, what we really want to know is the figure to which the Minister is committed.
§ Mr. MulleyThe figure to which I am committed, and which I fully intend to spend this year, is included in the estimate. In round figures, we are spending today and every day this year £1 million, which is approximately twice the amount that was being spent in 1964.