asked the Minister of Transport what advice he has issued to local authorities about their transport policies and programme submissions for 1981–82.

asked the Minister of Transport when he is going to issue advice to local authorities about their transport policies and programme submissions for 1981–82.

I have authorised the issue of a circular to local authorities entitled "Transport Policies and Programme submissions for 1981–82 (DTp 1/80). I have advised county councils in preparing their submissions this year simply to update their existing programmes wherever possible. I have also reduced the amount of financial and statistical information that they are required to supply. The number of forms to be completed has been cut from 21 to 6.These changes reduce the administration burden on county councils and give them greater flexibility in the production and presentation of their transport plans.A copy of the circular is available in the Library.