§ 71 and 72. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has considered the memorandum prepared by the Forth Road Bridge Promotion Committee, dated May last; and whether, in view of the urgent need of improvement in the means of road transport and industrial development in the eastern counties of Scotland, he can state when a Government decision on the project is likely to be announced;
§ (2) whether any decision has been reached by the Government regarding the proposed Forth and Tay road bridges?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI can add nothing to the reply which I gave on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers).
§ Mr. KENNEDYIs it not a fact that the Forth Road-bridge Promotion Committee submitted in May last a full report regarding traffic possibilities, and as this committee is representative of the local authorities and interests affected, is it not time that the Government made up their mind about their policy in this matter?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe right hon. Gentleman would be the last person to suggest that we should accept this authoritative information supplied to us by a voluntary committee. I am waiting for the official case to be presented by the responsible highway authorities.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIn view of the answer just given, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to meet a deputation representing those highway authorities who are directly interested in the progress of the scheme?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe local authorities concerned are in constant touch with me and have free access to my Department. They are preparing their case and will present it in due course, and if it gives rise to argument I shall be prepared to meet them.
§ Mr. GALLACHERHas the right hon. Gentleman notified the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he will be making a call upon the raided Road Fund for this purpose?