asked the Minister of Transport of he will make a statement on the latest position regarding the future of the proposed extension of the M23 north of Hooley.

As my hon. Friend knows from our correspondence, I am anxious to remove as soon as possible the long-standing uncertainty in the area. But the issues raised by the response to the previous Government's proposal not to proceed with the motorway north of Hooley are complex and we are still considering how best to carry matters forward.