To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his proposals for widening the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester; what stretches will be affected; what consultations he intends to have on the proposals; and whether he will make a statement.

Schemes for the widening of the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester were announced as part of the Government's expanded trunk road programme in the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity", presented to Parliament in May 1989. Consultants are currently examining the various ways of providing extra capacity on this motorway. There has been discussion with local authorities and others as part of this process. I hope that we shall be able to announce detailed proposals towards the end of the year.