To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress on the M66 from Denton to Middleton.

I expect work on the first construction contract at the the northern end of the scheme to start early next year, subject to resources being available. A public inquiry into revised orders and compulsory purchase order for the central and southern sections of the scheme ended on 5 February. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, I expect work to start on the Tameside section south of the River Medlock next year and on the final section north of the River Medlock in 1995.