§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the price differential between bitumen and cement for road surfacing; and what is their ratio of employment on principal roads now, compared with 10 years ago.
§ Mr. MulleyThis information is not readily available. Prices for carriageway construction form part of total contract costs. Current practice is to invite tenders for alternative methods of construction.
Over the last 10 years the proportion of the total mileage of trunk roads constructed in concrete has varied between 6 per cent. in 1970 and 30 per cent. in 1972.