HC Deb 28 October 1970 vol 805 c201
14. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of the coast road from Newcastle-on-Tyne to Tynemouth; and on what date the cost to the Exchequer was met.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

So far, £4.7 million, on which grant has been paid.

As is usual, payments were made to the highway authorities as work progressed.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order. It must be due to my bad handwriting, but my Question should refer to payment "by" the Treasury and not "to" the Treasury, which is a very different matter.

In any event, why does the Treasury take such a long time to pay its bills? Is my hon. Friend aware that I opened the Tynemouth section as long as three years ago, and that the county council is extremely annoyed with the Treasury, as it should be?

Mr. Heseltine

My hon. Friend will know that the last section of the road was opened in June, 1969. It is true that there has been an excess claim on this road and that we are obviously having to look at it with great care.