§ 31. Mr. MullinHow many miles of new road he has (a) approved and (b) declined to approve since he took office; and if he will make a statement. [30653]
§ Dr. StrangLast July, I approved three schemes, which included 36 miles of road on new alignments. At the same time, I declined to approve 22 schemes, which would have included 85 miles of road on new alignments.
§ Mr. MullinI welcome that reply. Is the Department still under the control of the road lobby or has word reached the civil servants that the days of bigger and better roads are over and that the future lies with better public transport? I know that Ministers have grasped that point, but is my right hon. Friend satisfied that word has reached all concerned?
§ Dr. StrangI assure my hon. Friend that, under this Government, the days of predict and provide are over. We recognise that we cannot build our way out of our transport problems and that is why we will publish a White Paper on an integrated transport policy in a few months' time.
§ Mr. ChopeIs not the Government's record, albeit short, deplorable? In 18 years, the Conservatives built or upgraded 1,300 miles of motorway and trunk road. That investment is a vital ingredient in the nation's prosperity and in regional competitiveness. Does the Minister agree that further extra taxes on motorists in the Budget before the publication of the White Paper would be unacceptable?
§ Dr. StrangThe hon. Gentleman is surely aware that the Government no longer regard building a new road as the first option for tackling a transport problem. We have to consider a range of options, although we will, of course, always have to build some new roads. One of the biggest problems that we inherited was the previous Government's complete failure adequately to maintain the existing roads network. That is why we have provided for such a large increase in expenditure on maintenance of our trunk roads and motorways in the next financial year.