HC Deb 16 January 1985 vol 71 cc323-4
9. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to accelerate the construction of the Dornoch Firth crossing and the improvement of the A9 through Caithness and Sutherland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Ancram)

My Department is already proceeding as quickly as possible with preparations for the Dornoch Firth crossing and other improvements on the A9 through Caithness and Sutherland. Progress will depend upon the resolution of objections to published proposals and on the extent to which funds can be made available within the Scottish trunk road programme.

Mr. Maclennan

Is the Minister aware that today the unemployment levels in Sutherland are higher than anywhere in Scotland? Is he also aware that the A9 road north of Tain is a woefully inadequate arterial road which needs capital expenditure urgently, that almost no spending is planned for it in the next financial year? Does he realise that by starting the Dornoch Firth building works he could cut unemployment in Sutherland and Caithness by 10 per cent. and give a filip to the long-term future of the local economy?

Mr. Ancram

I do not know where the hon. Gentleman got his information about no projected spending on the A9. In the years 1985 to 1989 there are seven improvements planned for the A9 north of Dornoch, at a cost of about £11 million, and six improvements planned for the road south of Dornoch, also at a cost of £11 million. Obviously, the bridges will be of benefit, not only to travellers on the A9 but to local people. I hope that the hon. Gentleman accepts that it is a large and costly scheme requiring extensive design work, and that it will make a very big claim on the resources available.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Does my hon. Friend, in considering improvements to the A9, ensure that priority resources are given to the Dunblane bypass? Will he be in a position shortly to announce the line of route?

Mr. Ancram

I congratulate my hon. Friend on using the opportunity to press, as he does so assiduously, the interests of his own constituency with regard to that bypass. As he appreciates, we have said that that bypass will be built in due course. Obviously, we are not yet in a position to announce the line.

Mr. Ewing

Does the Minister agree that the interest of the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) in improving the bypass from Dunblane is to allow him to make a quick getaway?

Mr. Ancram

I think that my hon. Friend's concern is to see communications improved right across Scotland. I know that that has never been of particular interest to the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing).