§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Transport what would be the estimated reduction in public expenditure on road building if there were to be for 366W the year 1977–78 a moratorium on all road projects estimated to cost more than £500,000.
§ Mr. William RodgersA moratorium until the middle of 1977 is already in force as a result of the cuts in public spending announced on 15th December. Extending it until March 1978 for schemes costing over £500,000 might be expected to reduce public expenditure on English roads by about £40 million in 1977–78. The effect in subsequent years would depend on how programmes were rephased.