asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the great inconvenience caused to business people and also to vehicular traffic using Wellington Street, the Strand, Blackfriars Bridge, and the Embankment at Norfolk and Arundel Streets by the roadmaking and repairs to roads now operating at these congested points; will he on future occasions issue an Order, as provided under the Traffic Act, so as to provide for adequate notice of such road stoppages being given, in order that public inconvenience will be minimised; and will he consider whether where important arterial ways have to undergo repairs portions of this work could be done at night by the employment of extra shifts of men?

I am aware of the inconvenience caused to the travelling public during the execution of street works in the more important thoroughfares, but I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that these works are necessary if the streets are to be maintained in a condition fit to carry the traffic. I have no powers which would enable me to compel road authorities to carry out their works at night, but with their willing co-operation arrangements have been made that works on the more important thoroughfares should be completed will all possible speed, not only by working where practical continuously day and night, but by the adoption of other methods, such as the use of quick-setting cement. The Act does not require me to give public notice of such works, but I have arranged for the issue of weekly statements to the Press showing the more important road works to be continued or commenced in central London during the ensuing fortnight.

Will the Minister say why it is necessary to have these repairs done on all these different arterial ways in the same district at the same time?

I do not think that is the case. We try as hard as possible to co-ordinate these works so that parallel roads shall not be up at the same time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if he finds any difficulty in the lack of powers to have this day and night work carried on? Cannot he come to this House for powers?

It is a question of costs. Obviously, if you are going to compel local authorities to work day and night, you have got to find the money to meet the cost of that work. That is the difficulty at the present time.

Do not these delays in the traffic mean hundreds of thousands of pounds loss?