THE EARL OF HARROWBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Lord Sandford's reply of November 11 to the Question as to the repair costs on the M.5 implies that this sort of expenditure of £.1½ million for about 27 miles, and disturbance to users, would normally be expected to arise in all their motorways in that period of time (or in fact, earlier, owing to ever-increasing use and weight on the roads) and that there has been no culpable cause by any organisation (or in any of its sections concerned) which have not been recouped by the body responsible for it.
§ LORD SANDFORDDesign standards are developed in the light of experience and knowledge and motorway carriageways are currently designed to cater for large volumes of heavy traffic loadings over long periods of time. When appropriately maintained the lifespan of these carriageways will substantially exceed the eight years for the Strensham to928WA Lydiate section of the M.5. The noble Earl may be assured that no culpability attaches to the need to reconstruct this section. The question of recoupment does not therefore arise.