§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is able to give the opening date for the first section of the M3 between Popham and Basingstoke, and the anticipated date of opening of the section between Basingstoke and Lightwater.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineI expect both these sections to be opened in the early summer. Progress on the Popham—Basingstoke section, which was expected to be opened in the spring, has been delayed by difficulties in steel supplies to bridgeworks leading to a need to carry out winter season earthworks.