asked the Minister of Transport whether he will specify the principal war schemes of road improvement and new construction on which it is proposed to spend in the current financial year £500,000 in respect of trunk roads and £1,000,000 by way of grant to highway authorities?

The sums in question represent provision for schemes which may during the current financial year become essential on the grounds of war requirements or urgent public need. No substantial schemes falling into the latter category are at present in contemplation. As regards the former, my hon. Friend will appreciate that it would not be in the public interest to publish details.

What are the reasons which make the giving of particulars of these schemes against the public interest?

If we decide to spend money on a particular military road it would be a pity to let certain people know where it is.

But if the Government "pinch" so much of the public's money for such a purpose the public should have a right to know something about the highway.