asked the Minister of Transport, in the light of the Government's review of public expenditure, when he expects to be able to complete the missing link on the M27 motorway between Chilworth and Hedge End.

We are reviewing the timing of schemes in the trunk road programme as part of our commitment to contain public expenditure. Revised proposals will be published in a White Paper in the new year and it will then be possible to give an indication of possible starting dates for trunk road projects.