71. Mr. VYVYAN ADAMSasked the Minister of Transport whether any estimate has been made of the probable total cost of the survey to be undertaken into the possibility of building a new bridge over the River Ouse to supplement the existing toll-bridge at Selby, on the Leeds-Hull road; whether the surveyors will be instructed to consider, in the first place, the possibility of dealing with this problem by taking over the existing toll-bridge and erecting a new bridge in approximately the same position when necessary; and what sum has been incurred in the past upon surveys dealing with this matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe county councils of the East and West Ridings had accepted my hon. Friend's offer of a 60 per cent. grant towards an estimated expenditure of £3,000 upon preliminary investigations into a scheme for superseding Selby toll-bridge by the construction of a new bridge and approach roads. My hon. Friend does not propose to ask the county councils to give instructions of the nature suggested in the question. I have no knowledge that any previous sum has been spent upon surveys.
§ Mr. GUYWill my hon. and gallant Friend give preferential consideration to those demands for a bridge where there is no existing bridge?