§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that the reduction of the labour force on road maintenance by 20,000 will not have a serious effect upon the vehicles using the roads 255W which will ultimately cause loss of manpower on repairs and retard the speed of essential transport; and if the road transport associations were consulted before a decision on this matter was made.
§ Mr. CallaghanI appreciate the force of my hon. Friend's suggestion. This consideration was taken fully into account when the decision was taken that road maintenance work must be reduced and I can assure him that the situation will be kept constantly under review. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "No."