§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the studies which have been undertaken into the possible widening of the M2; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI expect the report on the study of the possible need for more capacity on the M2 between junctions 1 and 3 to be completed this summer. It is not our practice to publish such reports because of the blighting of property and general uncertainty which could be caused. If the results of the M2 study justify including a scheme in the road programme, it will be subject to the usual detailed investigations before proposals are put to the public with all the safeguards that the statutory procedures provide.