HC Deb 22 February 1932 vol 262 cc27-8
67. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Minister of Transport whether the estimate of £1,295,000 given by the improvements committee of the London County Council as the cost of replacing Waterloo Bridge by a new bridge, to take six lines of traffic, includes the cost of demolishing the present bridge and of removing and re-erecting the existing temporary bridge; and whether Parliament will be given any opportunity of discussing the matter?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Pybus)

I understand that the estimate includes the demolition of the present bridge and the removal of the existing temporary bridge. I do not know of any proposal for the re-erection of the temporary structure. The London County Council have informed me that they do not require any additional Parliamentary powers in the matter.

Sir W. DAVISON

Does the Minister appreciate the fact that the temporary bridge appears on the line of the present bridge and would not be in alignment with the piers of the new five-arch bridge? Will it not be necessary to remove the temporary bridge and re-erect it?

Mr. PYBUS

If my hon. Friend has any technical information which he thinks is not in the possession of the London County Council or their technical ad- visers and will let me have it, I will gladly forward it to the London County Council.

Sir W. DAVISON

Are we to understand that the present bridge is to be removed and that no new temporary bridge will be erected? Further, are we to understand that the House of Commons is to have no opportunity of discussing the matter?

Mr. PYBUS

The question as to the disposal of the time of the House is not one which I can decide, but I suggest that it would be difficult properly to discuss this complicated technical question on the Floor of the House.

HON. MEMBERS

Why?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

In consideration of the subsidy granted by the Government, is any stipulation being made that only British materials shall be used in the construction?

Mr. PYBUS

The hon. and gallant Member may be reasonably sure that no foreign material will be used.

Sir F. HALL

Cannot we be certain? Is there no stipulation in the agreement?

Mr. PYBUS

Surely "sure" means certain.

Sir W. DAVISON

Are we to understand that the 60 per cent. grant will only apply to the figure in the question, and that it will not be 60 per cent. of any increased figure?

Mr. PYBUS

I must have notice of that question.