HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1249-51W
Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2002 to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster),Official Report, column 880W, on the Silverstone Bypass, if he will (a) place his letter of direction in the Library, (b) state

Mr. Jamieson

The research and contract work that has been conducted for the Highways Agency since 7 June 2001 to the present time by these companies is as follows:

the component reasons of the wider national interest that justified his decision and (c)stat the category of direction; and if he make a statement. [70237]

Mr. Jamieson

A copy of the letter of direction from the then Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions my right hon. Friend the Member for Tyneside, North (Mr. Byers) to the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency has been deposited in the Library.

The British Grand Prix is an important global showcase for the UK motorsport industry, which is estimated to contribute approximately £5 billion annually to the national economy. In addition it brings about £30 million to the local economy over the Grand Prix weekend. In the light of doubts expressed by the Federation Internationale de l' Automobile (FIA) about retaining the British Grand Prix at Silverstone because of access problems in previous years, Ministers felt that the wider national interest would be best served by speeding up the Silverstone project and thereby providing the best available road access for this year's event.

The direction was sought for reasons of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.