§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report his proposals 652W for the trunk road programme in the Grampian region, setting out each stretch of road to be improved, the total cost involved, and the anticipated completion dates.
§ Mr. AncramSchemes costing over £1 million which are being prepared with a view to starting construction in the period 1984–85 to 1986–87 are as follows. Actual starting dates will depend on satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and on the availability of finance, and the average construction period is expected to be two years.
Scheme Estimated cost (November 1983 prices) £ million Expected year of start A96 Bucksburn-Tyrebagger 2.50 1984–85 A96 Forres Bypass 2.00 1985–86 A92 Tipperty 1.40 1985–86 A92 Ellon Bypass 2.60 1985–86 A94 Candy-Stonehaven 2.38 1985–86 A92 Murcar-Balmedie 4.80 1986–87 Schemes planned for construction after 1986–87 include A96 Inverurie bypass and improvements to the A952 at Midmill and between Inverurie and Balmoor. Consultants have recently been commissioned to study the feasibility of bypassing Keith and Lhanbryde on the A96.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider plans for the agricultural development programme in the Grampian region, particularly for the rural and less-favoured areas.
§ Mr. John MacKayIt is for the European Commission to make specific proposals for further agricultural development programmes, but it has not done so. If such a package of proposals included a programme for Scotland, whether in the Grampian region or elsewhere, my right hon. Friend would consider it very carefully, but he would need to bear in mind the likely cost to the Exchequer and the other pressing demands on resources.