HC Deb 02 December 1936 vol 318 cc1249-50
39. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWART

asked the Minister of Transport whether any scheme is under consideration by his Department for improving the facilities for crossing the River Tyne east of Newcastle so as to prevent traffic having to go from Sunderland and South Shields to Newcastle in order to get to North Shields, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and the North generally; and what steps are being taken to deal with this situation?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 18th November to the questions asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead (Mr. Magnay).

Mr. STEWART

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a bridge were built over the lower reaches of the Tyne, it would greatly facilitate the passage of traffic between north and south and would keep a large volume of traffic from the streets of the city of Newcastle, which at times are very congested; and can he tell us whether it is his intention to go forward with the scheme for the bridging of the Tyne east of Newcastle?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I gave a series of answers on 18th November which promised grants to a number of schemes, and I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will look at that answer.

Mr. EDE

Is it not the fact that none of these schemes was for a bridge east of Newcastle, and that all that the right hon. Gentleman has undertaken to do there is to make an inadequate ferry service free and better than it is to-day?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

They were all directed to improving the communications east of Newcastle.

Miss WILKINSON

Has the Department of the right hon. Gentleman done anything more than merely make that promise? Has the right hon. Gentleman tried to get the county authorities to carry that scheme through?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA.

Certainly, Sir, I have communicated with the town clerks of the authorities concerned.