§ 35. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the resolution passed at the conference of 1091 local authorities recently held in Edinburgh to consider the Forth road-bridge scheme and of the contributions then intimated, he can state what amount the Government would be prepared to contribute towards the scheme and the conditions which would attach to such a grant?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)I have been asked to reply. The verbatim note of the conference was only received last week. While there has not been time to study it in full, the proceedings appear to have been inconclusive. I understand that certain contributions were indicated as likely to be made by Edinburgh (£100,000) and Dunfermline (£8,000) towards the cost of a Bridge Scheme. The total cost of such a scheme would, however, exceed £6 millions. I am not in a position to make any further statement in the matter until I have had an opportunity of carefully examining the report of the meeting.
§ Mr. MILLARIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities are anxious to know exactly what the Government view is about this matter, and what the Government are prepared to do in offering a contribution, and will he not consider indicating definitely what contribution the Government are prepared to make?
§ Colonel ASHLEYOught it not to be for the local authorities to indicate what they are prepared to give?
§ Mr. MORRISONI can quite understand the point which the hon. Member raises, that the local authorities want to know what the Government think of the scheme and how much they will contribute, and that is exactly what I want to know from the local authorities—how much importance they attach to the scheme on traffic grounds, and how that importance is reflected in cash.