Road Traffic Forecasts (Report)

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 December 1977.

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Photo of Mr Ronald Atkins Mr Ronald Atkins , Preston North 12:00, 14 December 1977

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the Leitch Report.

Photo of Mr Douglas Jay Mr Douglas Jay , Wandsworth Battersea North

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to publish the report of the committee on road traffic forecasts presided over by Sir George Leitch.

Photo of Mr William Rodgers Mr William Rodgers , Teesside Stockton

As soon as possible, which probably means early in January.

Photo of Mr Ronald Atkins Mr Ronald Atkins , Preston North

Does my right hon. Friend agree that road forecasting is a major factor in road costing, that many forecasts have been wrong, and that we need a truer costing of roads in terms of money and the environment?

Photo of Mr William Rodgers Mr William Rodgers , Teesside Stockton

Yes, I agree with my hon. Friend. Traffic forecasting is an extremely difficult matter, and the Leitch Committee was appointed for the reasons that my hon. Friend mentioned. We think that these decisions are important and that we must get them right.

Photo of Mr Terence Higgins Mr Terence Higgins , Worthing

Although we hope that the Leitch Report will be helpful, is it not absurd that the Minister should make decisions on traffic forecasts that are three years out of date? Will he take note of the fact that the standard of living has been virtually stagnant in that period and that oil prices have increased? Will he give an assurance that he will make no decisions in future without up-to-date forecasts?

Photo of Mr William Rodgers Mr William Rodgers , Teesside Stockton

That is a somewhat unfair rendering of the nature of the problem. I know that the hon. Gentleman has his own problems, but we cannot stop making decisions because committees of inquiry are taking place. That would be a bad principle in government, as elsewhere.