HC Deb 07 March 1983 vol 38 cc545-6
1. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many casualties, fatal and non-fatal, have occurred in the past five years on the A55 road at Bodelwyddan.

The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. John Stradling Thomas)

There have been eight fatal and 46 non-fatal casualties. My right hon. Friend has written to my hon. Friend explaining measures put in hand following advice from the county council.

Sir Anthony Meyer

I offer my hon. Friend the warmest possible congratulations on his accession to high office and his emergence from the dark dens off the Members' Lobby.

Mr. Harrison

This is not promotion; it is demotion from the Whips Office.

Sir Anthony Meyer

I assure my hon. Friend that he will have the sympathy and support of Conservative Members and a great deal of sympathy and affection from hon. Members on both sides of the House.—[Horn. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]

Will the Minister give me his assurance that, in view of these terrifying figures, he will personally ensure that long-term measures to divert the A55 away from the village will not be allowed to slip back in the programme?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I thank my hon. Friend for those kind words of welcome on my first appearance at the Dispatch Box in my new role. The Government are pressing on as rapidly as possible to the long-term solution to this problem, which will be the bypass.

Mr. Abse

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I will call the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Abse), but I remind him that the question relates to the A55.

Mr. Abse

The Minister has made a serious omission from these sad figures. Does he agree that, as a result of what has happened this weekend and the conspiracy between the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales, two further casualties have taken place in north Wales? I am referring to the independent-minded Tory Members who are being murdered by the Secretary of State and his gang.

Mr. Stradling Thomas

There is much sympathy for many hon. Members who are facing such problems. However, they are not part of the responsibility of the Welsh Office.

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