To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends announcing his Department's preferred route for the A38 trunk road improvement Liskeard-Bodmin section and the proposed options for the Saltash-Trerulefoot section; and if he will make a statement.

I expect to announce the preferred route for the proposed improvement of the A38 between Liskeard and Bodmin in December. Public consultation on proposals for the Saltash to Trerulefoot section of the A38 will take place next year.

I welcome the December 1991 date for the announcement of the preferred route between Liskeard and Bodmin. Is my hon. Friend aware of the increasing worry about delays on the Saltash to Trerulefoot section of the A38? Will he confirm that much of the investigatory work was undertaken 10 to 12 years ago, when various options were published? Is not it about time that this A-class cart track was improved?

The Government intend to improve that A road substantially and as soon as possible. I hope that my hon. Friend will not miss an opportunity to explain to his constituents that only with a Conservative Government is there any prospect of that happening.