§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to ensure that there is no hiatus in road construction or maintenance work over local authority roads, following the proposed abolition of the metropolitan counties.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMany of the metropolitan district councils already act as agents of the metropolitan county councils on highways work. We have given well over two years' notice of the transfer of highways responsibilities and this should allow the councils concerned ample time to make sensible arrangements to ensure a smooth takeover.