asked the Minister of Transport how the cuts in public expendliture will affect trunk road schemes scheduled in the East and West Midland regions; and if he will make a statement.

The timing of all schemes in the trunk road construction programme is at present under review. It is not yet possible to say how particular regions will be affected. The revised programme will appear in the White Paper on roads policy which will be published as soon as possible after the conclusion of discussions on public expenditure up to 1983–84.