§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what he estimates will be the total cost of upgrading the A74 to motorway standard; and what sums towards this have been included in the expenditure totals for roads expenditure for the years 1988–89 to 1990–91 published in table 16.1 of Cm. 288-II.
§ Mr. RifkindA clear estimate of the costs of the A74 upgrading will be available only when feasibility studies are completed at the end of this year. When that information is available, I will be in a position to consider the implications for future reviews of expenditure plans.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects construction work to start on upgrading the A74 to motorway standard; and when he now expects this to be completed.
§ Mr. RifkindI attach a high priority to an early start to this project, but the precise timetable depends on the results of the detailed feasibility studies which are under way.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if a decision has been taken as to whether the upgraded A74 motorway will follow the line of the present road or will be on a separate line of route.
§ Mr. RifkindDecisions on the preferred line of the new motorway will not be taken until feasibility studies have been completed later this year.