§ 42. Mr. Hayasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardship caused to the inhabitants of Whitchurch, Oxfordshire, by the continuance of toll charges at Whitchurch Bridge; whether he is aware that this is the only toll bridge still remaining over the Thames; and what steps he proposes to take to assist the local authorities concerned to free this bridge from toll.
§ Mr. BarnesThere is another toll bridge over the Thames at Swinford. It is my intention to free both bridges from tolls as soon as possible but owing to the pressing need for reducing Government expenditure I am unable to make grants for this purpose at the present time.
§ Mr. HayDoes the Minister recollect that the Government are spending some£130,000 on three temporary bridges over the Thames for the Festival of Britain, and does he not think that some of that money might be better allocated for relieving the hardship which the continuance of this toll bridge imposes upon the inhabitants of this village?
§ Mr. BarnesThat is a matter of opinion. The other expenditure, of course, was decided upon by this House.