asked the Minister of Transport whether the work on the Darlington bypass is up to schedule; and when it is hoped the by-pass will be in operation.

The three major bridges which were started in 1962 have been completed. The roadworks were started as planned in April, 1963, but progress was hampered by the weather. Given reasonable conditions this summer the bypass should be in use by the spring of 1965, as planned.

Can my hon. Friend say how long the bypass will be when it is completed, and what plans the Government have for the second phase of the northern end of it?

The bypass will be about 10 miles long when it is completed. With regard to the north, a line has been fixed as far as Chester-le-Street, and, subject to statutory processes, we hope to start work on the bridges in the winter, and on the roadworks in 1965 after the bypass is completed.