§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy 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 when work will start on the Staines By-pass; and when it is estimated the road will be open to traffic.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation hopes to make a statement shortly about the timetable for the work on the Staines by-pass.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, in view of the fact that it is about twenty years since the first Order was made for the Staines by-pass, I cannot but express disappointment that the Minister cannot make a statement to-day. But perhaps I can ask Her Majesty's Government if they can give me any information whether it would be possible to start building the bridge prior to the building of the road, because this seems a vital link in the by-pass.
§ LORD MANCROFTYes, my Lords, I understand that the bridge is likely to be commenced before the road.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord when he expects that he will be able to give a definite answer on this matter? The road is blocked for seven to eight miles, and it takes one and a half hours to get through the town because of the Staines bridge. Cannot we be told something a little more helpful? Will it be soon that the Minister will say something?
§ LORD MANCROFTShortly, my Lords.