§ 59. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport whether he can inform the House as to the progress which has been made by the committee of engineers who were appointed in March last to examine the scheme of the Royal Commission for a double-decker road and railway bridge at Charing Cross, having regard to its engineering, financial and aesthetic aspects; and when it is likely that their Report will be submitted to Government and to Parliament?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe examination of the scheme of the Royal Commission for a double decker road and railway bridge at Charing Cross is for the present directed primarily to its engineering and financial aspects. The problem is one of great difficulty and complexity, and although all possible progress is being made, I do not anticipate that the engineers charged with the investigation will be in a position to report before next spring. I should add that the engineers received their instructions on 14th May last, and not in March, as stated in the question.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn view of the fact that the very important recommendations of the Royal Commission are all held up pending the issue of this Report, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Committee to report at the very earliest possible moment?
§ Colonel ASHLEYCertainly, but I would not like to press them unduly. When you are going to spend from £10,000,000 to £12,000,000, I think a month's more investigation may be economical in the end.
§ Mr. HARRISCan the right hon. Gentleman justify 12 months to think over a project of this kind?