§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Transport if he will publish in the Official Report the names of individuals and organisations who have written to his Department objecting to the proposed Liverpool inner ring road during the past year.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis Department has received representations from the hon. Member himself, and the hon. Members for Liverpool, Toxeth (Mr. Crawshaw), Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Thornton) and Liverpool, Edge Hill (Mr. Alton) as well as from the following individuals: Mr. R. Mann, Mr. K. Mann, Mr. J. Waddington, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. F. R. A. Evans, Mr. M. George, Mrs. A. Munoz, Mrs. M. E. Alcayenza, Mr. L. Chareunsy, Mr. J. P. Hearty, Mr. G. N. W. Gay, Mr. Robin Bloxsidge, Miss Florence Gersten, Mr. Brian Wood, Mr. M. Pugh Thomas, Miss B. A. Smith, Mr. Joseph Corbett, Mrs. M. Lanzawth, Mrs. V. Lacerez, Mrs. A. Smith, Mrs. A. Meza, Mr. J. W. H. Watt, Mrs. R. Hidden and Sister Maura O'Carroll.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Transport if he has received representations from the Vauxhall neighbourhood council concerning the proposed Liverpool inner ring road; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have not received any representations but I have familiarised myself with the views of the council expressed to this Department during the period of office of the last Government.
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§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated total cost from central and local government expenditure, respectively, on the construction of the proposed Liverpool inner ring road to the most recent available date.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe latest estimates considered by Merseyside county council put the total costs at about £40 million. I cannot say how the county council's costs of carrying out its proposal would be shared between central and local government.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Transport what effect the Government's policy on cuts in public spending will have on the proposed Liverpool inner ring road.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement in the House today. It is too soon to say what effect his proposals may have on individual local authority projects.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Transport if he will agree to meet a delegation from the Liverpool anti-ring road committee.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI am fully aware of the committee's views on the proposed road, which I am considering together with other representations. The road is a local road and the responsibility of Merseyside county council. I do not think therefore that it would be helpful to meet the committee.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on opposition to the construction of the proposed Liverpool inner ring road and the campaign for a public inquiry, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Scotland Exchange.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy right hon. Friend and I have been made aware of certain local opposition to Merseyside county council's proposals both by the hon. Member and through direct representations. We are considering these representations and would not wish to make a statement at this time.