§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many professional engineers, administrative and legal staff of his Department are engaged in the preparatory work on sections 4 and 5 of the Merthyr-Cardiff trunk road; and what proportion of their time is spent on this preparation.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe staff employed on the preparation of an individual road scheme and the time they spend on it, vary according to the matters under consideration at any particular time. It is not possible to give a meaningful estimate.
§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list the consultants his Department has engaged for the preparation of sections 4 and 5 of the Merthyr trunk road scheme, and the nature of their work; and what proposals he has for the employment of further consultants to prepare and construct these sections at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI have already engaged Messrs. Rendel Palmer and Tritton to investigate possible routes with a view to establishing the line of the road. I have no proposals to appoint further consultants. This would lead to duplication of effort.