§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his decision on the public inquiry into the proposed extension of the M40 from Wheatley to Birmingham.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have yet to receive the inspector's report on the public inquiry into objections to the published proposals. On the assumption that we do so shortly, I hope that we shall be in a position to announce our decision by the end of this year.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will indicate the proposed timetable for compulsory purchase orders, starting date and so on into the extension of the M40 from Wheatley to Birmingham.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment and I have yet to receive the inspector's report and take our decisions on the current proposals, I cannot anticipate the progress of the statutory procedures yet to be started. The White Paper "Policy for Roads in England: 1983" gives a start for construction in the time band April 1985 to March 1987. I hope to keep to this programme.