asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the increase in trunk traffic in the Midlands region over the last five years.

The overall increase in trunk road and motorway traffic in the Midland regions cannot be estimated reliably. A regular sample traffic census, which started in 1966, includes 11 points on trunk roads and motorways in the West and East Midlands planning regions. At these points traffic in August, 1970, ranged from 40 per cent. below to 50 per cent. above traffic in August, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of principal roads are sub-standard in the Midlands region.

Responsibility for principal roads rests with local highway authorities, who have the facts required to judge the state of roads.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of trunk road are overloaded in the Midlands region.

Over 500 miles of trunk road in the East and West Midlands Economic Planning Regions are estimated to be carrying traffic in excess of their design capacity. Many roads can, however, operate considerably in excess of their design capacity without significant reduction in the standard of service provided. Schemes now under construction, programmed or in preparation will substantially reduce this mileage of overloaded road within the next few years.