§ Mr. Fry asked the Minister of Transport whether contracts are likely to be let before 1979–80 on the following schemes listed as requiring expenditure in the Supply Estimates 1979–80 or in his reply to a parliamentary question contained in the Official Report, 20 June, column 561 (i) M1 widening, (ii) A120 Colchester Eastern and Elmstead Market BP, (iii) A17 Leadenham BP, (iv) A17 Heckington BP, (v) A17 Swineshead BP, (vi) A31 133W Wimborne BP, (vii) A31 Bere Regis, (viii) A4 North leach BP, (ix) A40 West End Road, Hillingdon, (x) A40 Gloucester Northern BP, (xi) A423 Dorchester BP, (xii) A49 Brimfield BP, (xiii) A66 Bowes BP, (xiv) A66 Troutbeck diversion and (xv) A6 Elstow BP; what is the likely expenditure in 1979–80 in each case; when is the earliest likely start date; and what are the factors causing delays.
§ Mr. FowlerThe contracts for the Al20 Colchester and Elmstead Market bypass and the A31 Wimborne bypass should be let before the end of the financial year, but expenditure on each will be small.
The A17 Heckington bypass and the Troutbeck diversion might be ready to let in March or April, but the exact timing of these schemes may depend on the availability of funds. The M1 widening and A40 North leach schemes have been delayed by proceedings in the courts, and no starting dates for them can at present be given. Other schemes listed have been delayed mainly through the length of time needed to complete the statutory procedures.
§ Mr. Conlanasked the Minister of Transport how the cuts in public expenditure will affect trunk road schemes in the Northern region.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer the hon. Member to the reply today from my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Fry) and to answer I gave to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-East (Mr. Park) on 22 November—[Vol. 974, c. 342.]