§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that several big jobs to be undertaken by the Corporation of Birmingham have been passed by a Government inspector; and if he can take any steps to accelerate progress with these jobs?
Mr. THOMASI understand that my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport notified the Birmingham Corporation on 24th September that 15 road and bridge schemes at an estimated cost of £608,000 were approved in principle for assistance from the Road Fund. Up to the present plans and estimates for five out of these 15 schemes have been submitted by the Corporation to my hon. Friend, who is making every effort to expedite consideration. Eight schemes to the total value of £270,000 have been submitted to the Unemployment Grants Committee since 4th November. Of these, the most important, to the value of £107,000, was only submitted on 27th November. All these schemes are under active examination.