§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Prime Minister to what extent private lands have been acquired to enable the proposed new arterial roads to be commenced within two or three weeks' time, as announced in the House on Tuesday; what arterial roads are to be commenced within the period referred to and to what extent they will relieve the present necessities of unemployed ex-service men; and whether the Government will be prepared to introduce a Bill giving the Ministry of Transport powers to take immediate possession of all necessary lands so as not to delay the execution of the new road undertakings?
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§ Mr. NEALI have been asked to reply to this question. In certain districts, private lands along the line of these new arterial roads have already been acquired by local authorities as a part of housing and improvement schemes, and with this land work can be started promptly. The loads selected to form the first instalment are the East Ham and Barking By-pass Road, the Eastern Avenue and its branches, the North Circular Road and the New Cambridge Road, all of which adjoin districts in which unemployment is especially prevalent. An Emergency Bill is being drafted, and the House will be asked to confer powers on Government Departments or local authorities concerned of the character referred to in the final paragraph of the hon. and gallant Member's question.