§ 52. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the views of the local authorities interested in the construction of road bridges over the Forth and Tay; and whether any decision has now been arrived at by him on the subject?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI have considered the views of the local authorities interested in the construction of road bridges over the Forth and Tay, and I have already offered a grant towards the cost of a new bridge at Kincardine-upon-Forth where the local authorities are prepared to bear a share of the outlay. I hope that powers for the construction of this bridge will shortly be obtained and that work will proceed. Bridge projects at Dundee and Queensferry are still undergoing examination.
§ Mr. MILLARIs the right hon. Gentleman in a position to indicate the extent of the financial assistance the Government are prepared to render to these undertakings?
§ Mr. MORRISONI would point out that up to the present, out of a total estimated cost for the Forth Bridge of £6,110,000, the local authorities have only definitely offered £108,000, which is 1.7 per cent. With respect to the Tay Bridge, no offer whatever of any local contribution has yet been made.
§ Mr. MILLARDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that a Government responsible for a national undertaking of this kind should say what they think is the right contribution for them to make?
§ Mr. MORRISONI am certain that every local authority would like the Minister to assume that every scheme is a national scheme, but I am afraid that I cannot assume that, in view of the traffic statistics in the area.