§ 7. Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of miles of motorway road in Wales at the end of 1964 and 1970, respectively; and how much he estimates it will be by 1976.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasIn 1964 there were 22.9 miles of motorway under construction. In June, 1970, 22.9 miles were in use and none under construction. In August, 1970, work began on 3.97 miles of motorway, and by 1976 I hope that over 65 miles will be in use.
§ Mr. JonesWhilst I thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his reply, I should like to know the number of miles in use in 1964 and not those under construction. I have a feeling that the figure was not too great. Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that in the next year or so he will announce new motorway construction proposals for Wales, and not be content just to open those built by his predecessor, as he did recently?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI can understand that the hon. Gentleman is a little taken aback by the figures I have given. The length of motorway in operation in 1976 will extend almost continuously across South Wales from the Severn Bridge to Pontardulais.
§ Mr. George ThomasI am sure that the right hon. and learned Gentleman will want to tell the House that he is thereby fulfilling the plans that I laid down. The 1976 programme looks to me to have slipped, because we had promised that by 1974.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe right hon. Gentleman had better await the answer I shall be giving to other Questions today.
§ 11. Mr. Goronwy Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Wales by how much expenditure on roads in Wales will be reduced in 1971–72 as a result of the proposals contained in Command Paper No. 4515.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasBy £0.4 million. Despite this, expenditure on roads will still be £3.2 million higher than the estimate for the current year, an increase of nearly 8 per cent.
§ Mr. RobertsBut is it not clear from the Chancellor's statement announcing the cuts that they will apply to trunk roads rather than motorways, in which case Wales will suffer disproportionately from the Chancellor's action despite the figures the right hon. and learned Gentleman has given? Will he assure us that he will intervene to prevent a disproportionate cut in the case of Wales, because of the situation I have described, in the next few weeks or months?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNone of the reduction will be on trunk roads and motorways.
§ Mr. George ThomasIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the budget he has announced is the natural continuation of the work under way when he took over four months ago, and that the preparation pool had been increased by 75 per cent., which gives him an excellent programme for the 1970s in Wales?
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there is a great difference between having a programme and carrying a programme into effect. What I have said is that there will be no cuts at all on trunk roads or motorways in Wales.
§ 15. and 16. Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will specify which road works of relatively low priority are being deferred in South Wales;
(2) if he will define the method of restricting financial allocation to local authorities for capital works on minor roads.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe volume of expenditure on capital works on minor roads is controlled by loan consents. I do not maintain a programme for these schemes, and it is impossible to identify schemes which are rephased for any reason.
§ Mr. McBrideIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that ancillary and feeder roads have their place as well as motorways and trunk roads? Is he further aware that the programme of road construction and repair carried out since 1964 was a well-balanced one which his party has no mandate to hack about? Will he, in relation to my second Question, in fairness to local authorities, define the method of restricting financial allocation? Is he further aware that more and more local authorities are being pressed by ratepayers for a higher standard of road safety and amenity, which the proposals of the Government are ruling out—
§ Mr. SpeakerA supplementary question must be reasonably brief.
§ Mr. McBrideFinally, with your permission, Sir, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this smacks not of instant government but of the dead hand of indecision of a grade III Administration?
§ Mr. SpeakerLong supplementary questions mean fewer Questions.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasAll I wish to say is that I am fully aware of the importance of minor roads.