§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Transport whether financial provision in the Supply Esimates 1979–80 was made for the following 15 schemes on the 458W assumption of a 1979–80 start; and whether these schemes will start as envisaged during the financial year: M1 widening, M3 Compton Barrett widening, A6 Elstow bypass, A17 Leaden-ham bypass, A17 Heckington bypass, A17 Swine head bypass, A31 Bere Regis bypass, A40 North leach bypass, A40 Hillingdon West End Road, A40 Gloucester North bypass main works, A49 Bromfield bypass, A66 Bowes bypass, A66 Troutbeck diversion, A303 Furge Hedge improvement and A423 Dorchester bypass.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThese schemes, which will not start in 1979–80, were among those for whose possible start provision was made. Delays to individual schemes cannot be forecast, so more schemes are programmed than will in practice start, but an unallocated allowance of £32 million for work which might not be carried out during the year was made in the total estimate.
§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Minister of Transport if he will list the major road building schemes for the Greater London Council area which have been approved by him, together with their expected year of completion.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government do not approve individual road schemes prepared by local authorities. They take account of each county's programme of schemes in deciding the total transport expenditure to accept for the purposes of calculating their transport supplementary grant. The current transport policies and programme of the Greater London Council names each of that council's highway schemes costing over £½ million and details its programme. I am arranging to send the hon. Member a copy of that document. The trunk road programme is under review and the issue of a White Paper in April can be expected.