§ 65. Captain RAMSAYasked the Minister of Transport whether any plans for establishing efficient 10-minute ferry services across the Forth and Tay have been submitted to him; and how the costs compare with the figures for building road bridges?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo, Sir.
§ Captain RAMSAYIn view of the fact that the cost of these road bridges is prohibitive and that ten minutes' efficient ferry services would only cost a moderate amount and would be adequate to the traffic they would have to carry, and also would probably give more local employment than a road bridge scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman have this matter looked into in order to make this most important piece of the trunk road systems of this country effective?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACertainly. The suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member is well worth consideration, and if he can use his influence locally so that a, scheme is put before me it will have my attention.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEDoes the right hon. Gentleman accept the suggestion that the cost of road bridges is prohibitive? Is it not for him to say that at the moment it is not?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI did not accept any hypothesis; I was dealing with the question.
§ Mr. MATHERSMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is allowing himself to be tempted to substitute the ownership of a ferry service for the building of a proper bridge?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo, Sir, but sudden temptations are very hard to resist.
§ Captain RAMSAYHas not this principle already been agreed to in the answer to Question 43 in the case of South Shields?