§ 48 and 49. Mr. Holtasked the Minister of Transport (1) what was the total mileage of motorways proposed to him for construction by the Lancashire County Council; what was the direction of each scheme; and whether he has approved them in principle;
(2) what representations have been made to him by Lancashire County Council about the unsatisfactoriness of the East Lancashire Road, and for the need for a new motorway linking Liverpool and Manchester; and if he has accepted their plan in principle.
§ Mr. MarplesI understand that the Lancashire County Council have put forward suggestions for some 63 miles of132W new motorways on the routes Liverpool to Manchester, Preston to Manchester, and Preston to Liverpool. These are being discussed informally with my divisional road engineer. Any firm proposals which may result will be carefully considered. The county council have made no formal representations to me about the East Lancashire Road. In addition there are in Lancashire 66 miles of motorway already completed, under construction, or for which a line has been approved. A further 21 miles are now being surveyed.
§ Mr. Holtasked the Minister of Transport what proportion of Government expenditure on new road construction and major road improvements has been spent on roads in Lancashire in the years 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960.
§ Mr. MarplesIn comparison with the total for England and Wales, the proportions for the administrative county of Lancashire were as follows:
Payments in year to 31st March Percentage 1957–58 … … … … 14 1958–59 … … … … 12 1959–60 … … … … 7 1960–61 … … … … 7