§ 37 . Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give an assurance that the improvements to the Forth Ferry service, the preliminary work of which he has asked the British Transport Commission to proceed with, will be put in hand in time for the full benefit to be felt no later than the summer of 1955.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI regret that I cannot give such a categorical assurance. My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that a final decision as to the ferry improvements depends on the results of the investigation into Sir Bruce White's scheme.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayIn view of the urgency of this matter, could my right 342 hon. Friend not give us a firm date by which time some improvement in the service will be felt?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs I have repeatedly pointed out, the British Transport Commission would be quite ready to make substantial improvements in the ferry if it could be quite certain that they would not be rendered abortive by some great schemes. It is in order to find out the rights and wrongs of Sir Bruce White's proposal that I set up a Committee with a view to its making a report.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Minister aware that no improvements that he makes to the ferry will in any way alter Scottish opinion of him and his Department, which I could not express in Parliamentary language? Will he assure us that any improvements in the ferry will in no way prejudice the prospects of getting on with the bridge in the near future?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs to Scottish opinion I was delighted with my reception in Glasgow on Saturday.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs it not a fact that improvements to the ferry will be a much quicker proposal than any proposal that arises from an inquiry into Sir Bruce White's project, and that therefore that should come forward without relation to it?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have asked the British Transport Commission to get on with the preliminary work in the full knowledge that some will be wasted if Sir Bruce White's proposals are possible.
§ Mr. HubbardWould the Minister consider getting into touch with those responsible for the road haulage and the road passenger services with a view to restoring the Granton to Burntisland ferry service? The ferry boat and piers are still there and they would relieve the pressure at the Queensferry passage.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have taken up that point.
38. Major Anstruther-Grayaskedthe Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will instruct the British Transport Commission to investigate forthwith the possibilities of some temporary expedient to alleviate the traffic congestion on the Forth Ferry services during the 343 current year in view of the fact that the improvements he has authorised will take at least 18 months to complete.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe British Transport Commission whom I cannot instruct in this matter, are doing their best to relieve congestion, and I doubt whether any temporary expedient would be effective. I will, however, discuss this matter with them again.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayCan my right hon. Friend mention any actual proposal that the British Transport Commission have in view?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs I told my hon. and gallant Friend at some length last week, they have substantial proposals for improvement of the ferry service. I gave a long list of what they were.