§ 3. Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in improving traffic conditions along the Mile End road.
§ The Minister for Transport in London (Mr. Steve Norris)The proposed red route measures for Mile End road will bring improvements for all road users in traffic and environmental conditions.
§ Mrs. GormanDoes my hon. Friend agree that it is vital for the progress of his excellent plans for the Mile End road, which is on the way to my constituency, that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary should fight to retain the veto over Brussels bureaucracy, which might otherwise overrule my hon. Friend's excellent plans—as happened when Brussels introduced 44-tonne lorries to the United Kingdom? That caused enormous congestion throughout the country, as bridges had to be strengthened.
§ Mr. NorrisI admit that I had not covered that part of my background briefing. In so far as I understood the portent of my hon. Friend's question, I am sure that she is right. If I did not understand it, I instantly withdraw that remark. More to the point, the measures being taken on the principal route to my hon. Friend's constituency will add considerably to her ability to reach it quickly.
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWhat is the point of making improvements to the Mile End road or any other in London, when the Minister intends to lift the current London lorry ban, which will allow 44-tonne lorries to use virtually any road in the capital?
§ Mr. NorrisThe hon. Lady knows that the Government have no intention whatever of lifting the London lorry ban, but we have every intention of lifting the weight of GLC-inspired bureaucracy—the mountain of utterly needless and pointless paperwork that currently surrounds the ban—and in that respect we shall earn the gratitude of every business in London.