Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Transport how many additional miles of motorway will be open to traffic in each of the next five years.
§ Mrs. CastleIt is impossible to forecast completion dates with any certainty until contracts have actually been let. Forty-eight miles are under construction in England for completion in 1966 and a further 68 for 1967, and I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that a further 6¾ miles should be completed in Wales during that year. At present 33¾ miles are under construction for completion in 1968, but I expect this figure to be increased by the letting of further contracts during the remainder of this year. On present plans at least a further 150 miles should be ready by 1970.