§ 25. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Transport when he will be in a position to compile a future preparation list for inter-urban principal road schemes; and when these schemes will be undertaken.
Mr. Bob BrownWe hope to announce the list of selected schemes early next year; progress on the schemes selected will be a matter for the highway authorities concerned but the present assumption is that their construction will start during the five-eight year period beginning 1971–72.
§ Mr. HastingsCan the Parliamentary Secretary explain what a preparation list is? Will the by-pass at Ampthill in Bedfordshire be included? Does he appreciate the wide and mounting concern at the danger in this town and 167 his Ministry's apparent lack of interest in it?
Mr. BrownThe preparation list is precisely that. It is a list of schemes which are put in for preparation prior to their becoming firm proposals. The future of the Ampthill by-pass is another question. If the hon. Gentleman will put one down about it, I will answer it.