§ 70. Mr. Johnstonasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the pier dues charged for the landing of a motor-car at Stornoway are 15s., and the toll-bar dues for the taking of a motor-car across the bridge at Connell Ferry, on Loch Etive, amount to 10s.; and whether, with a view to developing the tourist traffic in Scotland, he will take steps to cause the abandonment of these and any similar tollages?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)In both these cases the charges are levied under statutory authority and my right hon. Friend has no power to cause their abandonment. The charges at Stornoway Harbour are authorised by a Provisional Order which was confirmed by Parliament in 1926. This Order enables the Harbour Commissioners, any Chamber of Commerce or shipping, any representative body of traders or any other person proper for that purpose, to apply to my right hon. Friend for a revision of those charges. No such application has been made. The bridge at Connell Ferry is primarily a railway bridge but is also used by non-railway traffic subject to regulations and charges 22 which were approved by the Board of Trade in 1914. The charges have remained unaltered since that date. Owing to the nature of the bridge it would not be practicable as in the case of a road bridge for the highway authority to take it over and free it from tolls with the aid of a grant from the Road Fund.
§ Mr. JohnstonWhen appeals are made to the right hon. Gentleman or his Department by any interested parties will they be given consideration in the interests of tourist traffic?
§ Captain HudsonI have said that if representations are made by any representative body of traders or other persons that they will be considered.