HC Deb 15 July 1970 vol 803 cc1515-6
22. Mr. Ogden

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has regarding the road-building programme.

Mr. Peyton

It is the Government's intention to pursue an expanding road programme.

Mr. Ogden

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. He will recall the spirited and rather waspish independence that he displayed from these benches in the last few years. As he is now a member of a Government which are committed to reducing public expenditure, is he aware that he will have support from this side if he decides to resist any attempts to cut down the road building programme?

Mr. Peyton

Independent occasionally, perhaps; waspish never.

Mr. Blaker

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the document published yesterday by the British Tourist Authority and the British Road Federation emphasising the importance of an expanding road programme for the growth of our tourist industry? Will he give this document his attention?

Mr. Peyton

I have not yet read the document, but it sounds very interesting indeed and I shall greatly look forward to reading it in a world which is, I know, desperately short of reading matter.

Mr. Mulley

I appreciate the Minister's point about reading matter, but will he tell the House what attitude he and his right hon. Friends are taking to the previous Government's road proposals which were published in a White Paper in May? Will the Government go through with that scheme; or will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the level of expenditure on roads will not fall below that envisaged in the White Paper?

Mr. Peyton

The road programme of the previous Government seemed unusually sensible.