asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the growing volume of traffic and the accident rate on the main Basingstoke-Southampton Road, as well as its strategic importance, he will now consider putting in hand the work for which a completed survey has been made?

The Winchester By-Pass is nearing completion. I have made an Order under Section 1 (3) of the Trunk Roads Act for a by-pass to Chandler's Ford and Otterbourne on the Basingstoke-Southampton Trunk Road, and the constructional works will be started as soon as the necessary land has been acquired. Further works will be put in hand on this trunk road as and when I can do so.