§ 29. Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure in Wales in the financial years 1970–71 and 1971–72 on compensation and the acquisition of land for motorway and trunk road construction in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasApproximately £880,000 in 1970–71 and £1,600,000 in 1971–72.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that it would be right, both from the point of view of equity, and also because of the need to speed up the road-building programme, to pay adequate compensation to those who suffer from proximity to these new roads? Will he therefore consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment with a view to taking early action?
§ Mr. ThomasAs my hon. Friend knows, the Government have for some 1172 time been engaged in considering the whole of these wide and complex issues. He will appreciate that until an announcement is made on this matter I cannot make any statement.
§ Mr. RowlandsIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that if he were to give approval to some of the more extravagant proposals submitted for building urban motorways in Wales the cost of land acquisition as well as the loss of homes would increase and multiply in years to come, whereas the money could be spent on providing better roads and developing the industrial economy of South Wales?
§ Mr. ThomasConsiderations of that kind are borne in mind.