§ 79. Major CHURCHasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the estimate made by the technical advisers of the London County Council of the effective and safe life of the existing temporary relief bridge at the Waterloo Bridge crossing has already been exceeded; is he in possession of any other information which would appear to cast doubt upon the future safety and stability of this relief bridge; and can he state when it is proposed to commence the work of preservation of the permanent Waterloo Bridge which it is generally understood was condemned as unsafe for traffic some years ago?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI am informed that the chief engineer of the London County Council considers that the most perishable part of the temporary bridge should have a life of 10 years without repair. The temporary bridge has been in use for five years only. I understand that the London County Council are now considering the steps which should be taken with regard to the permanent structure and I hope that a decision will be reached at an early date.