§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has studied Press reports sent to him by the hon. Member for Worthing which demonstrated public concern at the postponement of work on the installation of traffic lights at the Downlands Corner of the A27 at Worthing, which the public inquiry inspector described as imperative; and if he will now authorise completion of the work without further delay;
(2) on what date contracts were made to complete work on the installation of traffic lights at the Downlands Corner on the A27 at Worthing.
§ Mr. HoramI am aware of the public concern about the postponement of the main contract for this scheme, and have now seen the copy of theWorthing Gazette the hon. Member sent my right hon. Friend. I am sorry to note from the hon. Member's letter of 16th February on this subject that he is dissatisfied with my reply to his earlier letter, in which I explained that this scheme must remain subject to the moratorium. It does not please me to have to tell the hon. Member that I cannot depart from what has already been said, but this is what public expenditure cuts are all about. It is hoped to start the main works as soon as practicable after the moratorium ends.