§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to upgrade north-south road communications within Wales; what plans are being developed to accelerate such a programme following the establishment of the national assembly; and if plans to upgrade north-south road communications will be material to his decision on the location of the national assembly's permanent home. [27642]
§ Mr. HainThe extent to which improvements are needed to the road network between north and south Wales was one of the main issues raised for consideration in the recent consultation exercise on the review of the Welsh trunk road programme. The review process is still at an early stage and it is not possible to say when we will be able to give any indications as to the size, composition and overall strategy of the future trunk road programme. Given this, it would not be appropriate to draw any connection between an, as yet, undetermined strategy for the trunk road network in Wales and the current debate on the location of the National Assembly.