§ Sir F. Markhamasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the present position with regard to the new London-Yorkshire highway; whether the route of the southern portion has yet been finally approved; whether any land has yet been acquired in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire; and when work will commence on this portion of the new highway.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe route of the southern portion of the London-Yorkshire motorway was established by the Scheme which I made on 15th October, 1956. Negotiations are in progress for entry on to the land required throughout the whole of this portion of the motorway, and I hope that it will be possible to let the first contract by the end of this year.
After discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I am having a further survey made of certain parts of the proposed route of the northern portion of this motorway with a view to publishing a draft Scheme later this year.