asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the planned population growth for Comber over the next 15 years; what plans there are to reduce traffic congestion in the town during the same period; and if he will make a statement.

The North Down and Ards area plan covers the period 1984 to 1995 and allows for a population increase of the order of 1,500 people in Comber; the development of Comber beyond 1995 would be considered in the context of a review of the Plan at the appropriate time.During 1987–88 the Department of the Environment's roads service will be reviewing the proposed scheme for a southern bypass of Comber which would direct through traffic away from the centre of Comber.At this stage it is not possible to give an indication of when the scheme will start.