HC Deb 29 June 1953 vol 517 cc26-7
58. Mr. Benn

asked the Minister of Transport if he will grant permission for work to begin in the near future on the Severn bridge, in view of its importance to the West Country and the nation.

Mr. Braithwaite

I regret that I am unable to add anything to my right hon. Friend's answer of 23rd March last to the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Coldrick), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Mr. Benn

As the hon. Gentleman is as well aware as I am of the importance attached to this matter in the West Country, will he try to prevail on his right hon. Friends in the Government to look at it again?

Mr. Braithwaite

As a colleague of the hon. Member in the representation of the City of Bristol, I am fully alive to the importance of this question.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Will my hon. Friend remember that there are schemes of much greater priority, notably the Forth Road bridge, which should proceed before any suggestion of a Severn bridge is introduced?

Mr. Braithwaite

That shows the advisability of caution on the part of Ministers.

Mr. Beswick

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the more important work of widening the Ruislip-Ickenham bridge?