asked the Minister of Transport if an agreement has yet been arrived at with the Middlesex County Council to secure the construction of certain sections of new arterial roads situate in the urban districts of Willesden, Tottenham, and Edmonton; if so, the terms and conditions of such agreement; and when it is expected that work will be commenced in the several districts, in all of which there is considerable unemployment?

The Middlesex County Council have agreed to carry out the con- struction of the following arterial roads in the districts named, i.e., North Circular Road, in Edmonton and Willesden; New Cambridge Road in Tottenham, Edmonton, and Enfield. In accordance with the terms of the Government's offer, 50 per cent. of the cost will be contributed by the Government and the other 50 per cent. by the Middlesex County Council. It is expected that work will begin in Edmonton and Willesden to-day and that in the other districts there will be an almost equally rapid start. As the work is being undertaken by the County Council with the help of the local authorities, the rate of progress rests with them. I know of no obstacles to prevent a rapid absorption of unemployed men.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is making similar arrangements with Essex County Council in order to provide employment for the unemployed in Leyton and other districts?

I am not quite sure, but I know that negotiations are progressing and there is a great deal of detail involved. Progress has been made with the London County Council and the Middlesex County Council, and other county councils around London are included in those negotiations.

asked the Minister of Transport if an agreement has yet been arrived at with the London County Council to secure the construction of certain sections of new arterial roads situate at Dagenham and in Greenwich, Hackney, Woolwich, and other Metropolitan boroughs; if so, what are the terms and conditions of such agreement; and when it is expected that work will be commenced in the several districts, in all of which, as he is aware, there is considerable unemployment?

The London County Council have agreed to carry out the construction of portions of the Eastern Avenue, Bromley Byepass, Shooters Hill Byepass, Eltham Byepass and the Kid-brook Park Extension. In accordance with the terms of the Government's offer, 50 per cent, of the cost will be contributed by the Government and the other 50 per cent, by the county council. In addition to these schemes, agreement has also been reached with the county councils of London and Essex regarding the con- struction of the Tilbury Road diversion through the London County Council housing estate at Dagenham. It is expected that work will be proceeding on some sections of these roads in the course of this week.