§ 2.5 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government the estimated date of commencement of the construct ion of the Baldock By-Pass.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, a precise date cannot be given at this stage, but we expect that work will start in the spring or summer of 1964. The scheme for the road and orders covering improvements to its associated side roads have been published, and objections and representations are now being considered.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend for his very helpful Answer. May I further ask him whether he is aware that both the local shopkeepers and the residents are very much in favour of this by-pass, which is not always the case in schemes of this kind?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I am delighted to become aware of that fact, which, as my noble friend says, is by no means always the case.
§ EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, it does not look as if that is going to be the case near Newbury, does it?