asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Newquay.

I have at present no plans to do so, Sir.

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that Christmas is the time when a Newquay hotelier's fancy turns to thoughts of next year's bookings and that 95 per cent. of Cornwall's holiday-makers arrive by car? In the present doubtful situation concerning petrol supplies, many of those potential holiday-makers might well opt for a package tour abroad rather than risk not being able to get to Cornwall next summer. Will the right hon. Gentleman say something to allay these doubts and fears?

I take it that the hon. Member is mainly concerned with the A39 bypass. As he knows, a public inquiry will be held next spring—[Interruption.]—and, following that, we shall have to decide when the earliest work can begin. That probably will not be until 1975. [Interruption.]

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I realise that you have no responsibility for the content of a reply by a Minister or, indeed, the Prime Minister, but is it not an abuse of this House to answer a question that was never asked?

That is not a point for me.