asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made by his Department with the preparation of the trunk road improvement scheme in Newcastle-under-Lyme; and, in particular, when he will approve the necessary works on the three sections, respectively, from the City General Hospital to Grosvenor Garage, from Grosvenor Garaga to the London Road via Upper Green, and from Upper Green junction to the Milehouse roundabout.

My agent authority, the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, are making steady progress with the preparatory work, but I cannot say yet when it will be possible to start constructional work or how the scheme would best be divided for that purpose.