HC Deb 12 April 1972 vol 834 cc1252-3
23. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the proposed increased expenditure upon road construction which was recently announced will provide for further or earlier improvement of the A57, particularly in the Rother Valley area.

The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)

The east-west link road scheme, Mosborough, which my hon. Friend has included in the preparation list, connects with the proposed expressway. Consideration is being given to an extension of the link road to the M1.

Mr. Hardy

I am grateful for that information about the M1 link with the Mosborough expressway. Will the right hon. Gentleman give comfort to my constituency by saying when he expects the work to be completed? Does he agree that the easing of the problems which he expects to result from the provision of a link road will not mean that the A57 becomes less of a problem in the Rother Valley? Will he further agree—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member has already asked two supplementary questions.

Mr. Peyton

Much as I should like to give some comfort to the hon. Gentleman's constituents, I can say no more than that I promise to write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as a decision is made.

Mr. Mulley

Does the Minister's appearance at the Box to deal with Questions concerning roads mean that he has now taken over departmental responsibility for road matters? If so, will he now announce the long delayed decision about the Sheffield-Manchester motorway?

Mr. Peyton

No, Sir, it means nothing of the kind. It simply means that I am obliging my right hon. Friend.