Tar, Mr Clarke
Page 16
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THE Government is committe to a major programme of trur and local road investmen according to Junior Transpo Minister Kenneth Clarke.
But the level of that inves ment, however desirable, mu be dictated by what the natio can afford, Mr Clarke told tlAsphalt and Coated Macada Association in London.
"In transport as in many oth fields, we must, during a rece sion, be careful to maintain cap tal spending on essential infra tructure' and look for savings wasteful current expenditure.
"Over our first two years, o cuts in transport public spendi have not harmed our road-buil ing programme which has pr gressed well and to time."
Mr Clarke said it is not yf feasible to increase spending o roads, but did offer the industr some hope.
"Within the limits of what I practicable," he said, "we mu: help the economy to recover h improving the transport netwoi for industry and the ports.
"At the same time we can in prove the quality of life of th country by taking heavy traff out of towns and villages."