HC Deb 18 December 1972 vol 848 c909
24. Mr. Nicholas Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for improving the road between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Five schemes for the improvement of sections of the road between St. Clears and Nash are included in the firm programme for commencement within the next two years. Three others for building dual carriageways for a total of 10 miles of the Carmarthen to St. Clears road, including the bypassing of Carmarthen, are in the preparation pool.

Mr. Edwards

Is my hon. Friend aware that the road goes westward from St. Clears? Is he further aware that when the Minister for Industrial Development visited Pembrokeshire on Friday every industrialist agreed that this was the most important single step that could be taken by the Government to assist West Wales in gaining benefits from offshore oil exploration? Is he aware that it has been rendered even more important by the unsatisfactory state of a number of the bridges on the road?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I am aware of all those points. The Government have spent a considerable amount of money on the M4 in South Wales. We intend to press on as hard as we can in this direction.