asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the closure of railways in south-west Durham, what major road developments he proposes in their place; what they are; and when they will be started.

No trunk roads are affected and we have received no proposals for major improvements of any classified roads as a direct result of these closures.

In view of the fact that unemployment has mounted every month this year and jobs stay firmly stuck in the pipeline, does not the hon. Gentleman think that it would be sensible to advance some of the road schemes in this area until the jobs get out of the pipeline? Will he take steps with the county council to see that this happens?

No, I do not see the connection between road improvements and jobs.

If branch lines close and more traffic must go on to the roads, is it not a fair question to ask if the Government have a policy in circumstances of this kind to give special priorities to roads like this which will have to take the traffic which formerly went on the railways? It is as straight as that.

If it were as straight as that it would be comparatively simple, but the plain fact is that these roads are not where the services have been before.