asked the Minister of Transport, further to his answer of 18 December 1979, whether he will confirm that the proposed M25 intersection with the M4 involves two extra lanes on the M4 as it passes the West Drayton estates; and whether this proposal meets reasonable economic and environmental criteria as referred to in Cmnd. 7133, paragraph 13(i).

The traffic on this section of the M4 after completion of the planned M25 interchange would be such as to make an additional lane each way appropriate and economic. No additional powers are required for their construction. However, to bring traffic even a few feet nearer property might exacerbate certain environmental difficulties, and I have received representations on this problem from my hon. Friend the member for Uxbridge in whose constituency the road lies.Representations about the impact on this section of the M4 and the proposed widening are being heard by the inspector conducting the public inquiry into the M25 proposals, and decisions will be taken only following full consideration of the inspector's report.