§ Mr. SweeneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to change the status of the Welsh Office highways directorate. [35733]
§ Mr. HagueThe highways directorate is responsible for managing and improving the motorway and trunk road network in an efficient and effective way. Following an options review, I have decided to seek further efficiency improvements within the existing organisational framework. In future, the directorate will be run more on next steps lines, in order to clarify responsibility and sharpen accountability. In addition, consideration will be given to market testing certain of the directorate's functions.