§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when forecasts of car ownership were last revised by his Department; on what assumptions about increase or decrease of gross domestic product they are currently based; and what is now regarded as the saturation level of car ownership.
§ Mr. MarksThe forecasts were last revised in February 1975. Three different assumptions were made about growth in gross domestic product. The lower forecasts assumed a growth rate of 2¼ per cent. per annum, the central forecasts a rate of 3 per cent. per annum and the upper forecasts a rate of 3¼ per cent. per annum. The lower forecasts are used in the design and evaluation of current schemes. The saturation level is assumed to be 0.45 cars per person.