§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now state what effects the public expenditure cuts will have on roadworks in the Warley County Borough Council area.
§ Mr. PeytonWork on existing contracts will be continued. The two major principal road schemes on A457 will not be directly affected by the restrictions on 1974–75 expenditure as neither scheme is yet in the firm programme. The Oldbury Ring Road Phase I Scheme will be allowed to proceed to contract stage.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effects the public spending cuts will have on capital programmes for Warley County Borough Council.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe effect of the cuts in public expenditure will largely be to postpone projects which might have started in 1974–75. Most of such projects in the sphere with which I am concerned are the responsibility of local authorities, the new regional water authorities or publicly-owned transport undertakings. The only projects for which I have direct responsibility are roads and it is too soon to determine the detailed implications for individual schemes.