§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD ALLERTONMy Lords, I beg leave 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 the Grantham By-Pass is expected to be completed.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, the northbound carriageway will be open in time for the August Bank Holiday. The south-bound carriageway will, I hope, be available early in September.
§ LORD ALLERTONMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. May I ask him whether the original date for completion has had to be put forward, as I think I am right in saying that the original date fixed for completion was December 31, 1961?—I should have asked whether the original date for completion has had to be put, not forward but back.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I was not quite sure whether my noble friend had finished his supplementary question, but whether technically the date was put forward or back, undoubtedly the bypass is being completed later than was originally contemplated. Apart from the weather, this is owing in the main to unexpected quantities of rock being encountered, and also in another part to landslides due to the presence of blue clay.