§ 41. Mr. MAGNAYasked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to make a grant for the abolition of tolls on the high level and Redheugh bridges across the River Tyne?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha)Yes, Sir, And I will make a grant of 50 per cent. of the approved cost of the abolition of tolls on both the Redheugh and the high level bridges over the Tyne. I am in communication with the corporation on terms.
§ 42. Mr. MAGNAYasked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to make a grant towards the freeing of the Howdon ferry from tolls and the improvements of the landing stages and boats?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir, and if the county councils are prepared to take over the Jarrow-Howdon ferry over the Tyne I am prepared to contribute 60 per cent. towards the working expenses and the outstanding loan charges of this ferry if it is freed from tolls, and, further, to entertain applications for grant at the same rate towards any necessary expenditure on the improvement of the landing stages and boats.
§ Mr. LEACHWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to be as kind as that to the new Waterloo Bridge?
§ 43. Mr. MAGNAYasked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to make a grant to the corporations of Tynemouth and South Shields towards the approved cost of purchase of the vehicle and passenger ferries between North and South Shields from the River Tyne Commissioners, and the cost of improving the ferry services?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir, and if satisfactory arrangements can be made for the acquisition by the corporations of Tynemouth and South Shields of the vehicle and passenger ferries over the Tyne, I am prepared to make a grant of 60 per cent. towards the approved cost of purchase on condition that all charges for use of the ferries would be abolished. I am also prepared to make a grant of 60 per cent. towards any necessary improvements to the ferries.
§ Mr. EDEDoes that offer exclude the possibility of a crossing either over or under the river between the two harbour boroughs?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe offer stands on its own merits. I have outlined the whole scheme and several proposals regarding the Tyne to the corporations concerned, as the hon. Member knows.
§ Mr. EDEDoes this offer mean that the right hon. Gentleman has turned down the request from the two harbour boroughs that a bridge should be constructed between them?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThat particular point of crossing has not been approved, as a result of investigation.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThere was an earlier question on the Order Paper to which I should have answered, had it been asked, that a scheme on the lines suggested would seem to be the most satisfactory method of reducing the existing congestion and facilitating through traffic between north and south. I am prepared to consider any proposal of this kind from the responsible highway authorities.
§ 40. Mr. MAGNAY (for Dr. LEECH)asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to consider the making of a grant for the provision of a new by-pass road on the west side of Newcastle-on-Tyne and the construction of a new bridge at Scotswood to replace the present obsolete bridge?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAA scheme on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend would seem to be the most satisfactory method for reducing the existing congestion and facilitating the passage of through traffic between north and south, and I am prepared to consider any submissions of this kind from the responsible highway authorities.
§ Mr. EDEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this will have no effect on the traffic East of Newcastle, which is very congested and has great difficulty in getting across the Tyne?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI should hope that, like all the other proposals that I have made, this will at any rate have some effect.