§ 44. Colonel DAYasked the Prime Minister if he can now make a further statement as to the Government's decision on the Report of the Royal Commission on Cross-River Traffic, especially with reference to the Thames bridges in London?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to answer this question. I have nothing to add to the statement that I made in the House on the 10th instant on my Department's Estimates, except that I 1994 understand that the London County Council yesterday approved the arrangements for the expert engineering inquiry into the proposed double-deck bridge at Charing Cross and its estimated cost. This inquiry will commence at once. Pending the receipt of the Report of the engineers, Waterloo Bridge will be maintained in its present condition.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Report of the engineers is expected?
§ Colonel ASHLEYHow can I possibly say that when the arrangements were only approved yesterday.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONHave the members of the committee of inquiry yet been appointed?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI understand that an expert engineering committee has been appointed.
§ Mr. MORRISONWill the names be published?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI see no object in doing that, though I do not think there would be any harm in publishing them. I will consider it.
§ Mr. HARRISHave not the names been published already in the Press, and are they not Mr. Mott, representing the Government, and the county council engineer?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf they have already appeared in the Press, it will not be necessary to publish them.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill my right hon. Friend see that no grant is made from the Road Fund for these bridges until other districts are properly treated?