HC Deb 23 November 1979 vol 974 cc396-7W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of those unemployed in Dundee and Scotland have exhausted their right to unemployment benefit; and what percentage of those unemployed in Dundee and Scotland they represent.

Mrs. Chalker

[pursuant to her reply. 19 November 1979, c. 32]:

A6104 between Holinwood and Broadway, M66 through Holinwood, B6393 North of A6104, A664 North of Middleton, A664 North of purple route, A664 North of A6104, A664 South of A6104, A576 South of A6044, A576 between A6104 and M66, A576 West of A664, A669 East of Middleton, B6189 East of Middleton, A6104 East of A576, A6104 East of A664, A663 North of M66, A663 between M66 and A6104, A663 South of A6104, M62 West of M66, M62 East of M66, M66 North of M62, M66 South of M62, M66 East of A576, M66 West of Broadway and M66 Middleton link.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The technical booklet issued at the time of public consultation gave forecasts for the design year 1999. 1986 traffic is estimated to be about 80 per cent. of that in 1999. However, all these forecasts are being revised to take account of the Department's standard assumptions about the range of future fuel prices and rates of economic growth as indicated in my reply to another question by the hon. Member today.

Mr. Jim Callaghan

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of doubts as to the accuracy of the traffic forecasts for the M66 Denton to Middleton scheme, if he is prepared to subject them to independent audit before approving the scheme.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

No. We are at present revising the figures to take account of the Department's standard assumptions about the range of future fuel prices and rates of economic growth. These follow the recommendations of the in-

Route south of Hollinwood … … … B R Y B R Y
Route at Hollinwood … … … … G G G O O O
Route north of Hollinwood … … … BN BN BN BN BN BN
1986 benefits (1974 prices) … … … 6.09 6.67 5.89 6.09 6.67 5.89
Capital cost (1974 prices) … … … 38.6 38.9 38.6 38.9 39.2 38.9
Rate of return (percentage) … … … 15.8 17.1 15.3 15.7 17.0 15.1
Route south of Hollinwood … … … B R Y B R Y
Route at Hollinwood … … … … G G G O O O
Route north of Hollinwood … … … P P P P P P
1986 benefits (1974 prices) … … … 60.1 6.59 5.81 60.1 6.59 5.81
Capital cost (1974 prices) … … … 36.7 37.0 36.7 37.0 37.3 37.0
Rate of return (percentage) … … … 16.4 17.8 15.8 16.2 17.7 15.7
Notes:
Benefits and cost are given in £ million.
B = Blue route
G = Green route
P = Purple route
R = Red route
O = Orange route
Y = Yellow route
BN = Brown route

Mr. Jim Callaghan

asked the Minister of Transport what are the evaluated benefits for traffic to use the M66 Denton to Middleton scheme in 1986; and how the cost to benefit ratio compares with other schemes in the trunk road programme.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The evaluated benefits cover the consequential effect of the scheme throughout the highway network in Greater Manchester. We cannot isolate benefits to traffic on the new road. The first-year rate of return compares favourably with that for other schemes in the trunk road programme.