HC Deb 13 May 1969 vol 783 c1200
11. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state the total estimated new commitments in 1969–70 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.

Mr. Ifor Davies

Provisional totals for new commitments on road construction and improvement in 1969–70 are:

£m.
Trunk Roads (including Motorways) 22.7
Principal Roads 4.9
Total: 27.6

Mr. Cower

Would the hon. Gentleman consider whether it might not be wise, in the interests of the Welsh economy, to give a rather higher priority to the importance of the major roads and trunk roads than has been the case in the past?

Mr. Davies

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the total expenditure on Welsh roads last year was £32 million—£11 million more than in 1964, the last year of Tory administration.