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A3 (Hindhead)

: I certainly accept that we are talking about a large sum of money, and that it will make serious inroads into the regional budget. However, that does not excuse the region from its duty of giving us an indication of what priority it gives the scheme. To be fair to the region, it has initially suggested that it thinks that the scheme has very high priority. However, in making that decision, it seems to be a bit unclear about where the money would come from. We are clarifying that with the region and are making sure that it understands how the funding works before it finalises its prioritisation. Assuming that the scheme remains an important part of the region's priorities, and assuming that we decide—on the basis of the inspector's report and other information—that we want to go ahead with it, it remains in the Highways Agency's targeted programme of improvements as a scheme for construction after 2007–08. However, I repeat the caveat that that is subject to the funding being available, and to the inspector's report not identifying a show-stopper. That may be a disappointing time scale for the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend; I have no doubt that they would rather that the diggers were there as we speak, but unfortunately that is the timetable. There is probably not a great deal that I can add to the debate. I think that I have dealt with the hon. Gentleman's questions. The simple fact of the matter is that the importance of the scheme is recognised. There is no question about that. I understand why my hon. Friend and the hon. Gentleman are pressing so hard to move it forward. I would be doing the same if I were in their position.