§ 2.39 p.m.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the order authorising the work necessary to construct the Botley-Wolvercote section of the Oxford ring road has been signed in accordance with the undertaking given to the House on 21st June.]
974§ THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (THE EARL OF SELKIRK)My Lords, I am glad to be able to inform the noble Lord that the draft order in respect of the Botley-Wolvercote section of the Oxford Ring Road was published last Friday, July 22.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, may I thank the noble Earl for the satisfactory nature of his reply. May I also congratulate him on missing the fall of the Sword of Damocles by three days? May I farther ask whether he will bring forcibly to the notice of those who will be responsible for the construction of this much-needed highway that the work should be carried out with all possible speed? And could the noble Earl, without in any way committing himself—I know this is a difficult question for him to answer—be kind enough to give some indication of when he, or Her Majesty's Government, think that this road should be completed?
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, we know that the noble Lord, Lord Lucas of Chilworth, is not interested in this road just because he lives in that area: he is concerned with much broader considerations, as I am sine we all appreciate. At the same time my right honourable friend is reluctant to enter into any specific Parliamentary undertaking in regard to different roads. I am sorry, but I cannot add much to what my noble friend Lord Hawke said earlier this year in regard to the possible date of completion. But I assure the noble Lord, Lord Lucas of Chilworth, that, within the limitations imposed upon us, we approach this matter with all possible urgency. My right honourable friend does realise the importance of this particular road in joining up other roads in the neighbourhood.