New Roads and Bridges (Hansard, 16 February 1955)

§ 35. Mr. Proctor
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what public bodies decide or advise on the priority of the construction of new roads and bridges, as now authorised by Her Majesty's Government.

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
Responsibility for the decision as to the authorisation of trunk road schemes or acceptance for grant of classified road schemes must necessarily rest with me. I give due weight to the views expressed by all interests concerned, particularly those of the highway authorities in respect of classified roads. There is no public body specifically charged with the duty of advising me on these matters, but in fact I get plenty of advice.

§ Mr. Proctor
When considering all the advice which is given to him, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the advice given by the hon. Members for Lancashire, who impressed upon him the urgency of Barton Bridge?

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
The particulars published in my statement of 2nd February give to the hon. Gentleman a pretty satisfactory answer to that point.

§ Mr. Callaghan
As the Minister takes responsibility for decision on behalf of the Government, can he tell us why this Government has changed the decision of the two previous Governments to put the Tyne Bridge and the Severn Bridge on the top priorities in any road reconstruction scheme?

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
I think the hon. Gentleman means the Tyne Tunnel.

§ Mr. Callaghan
What about the Severn Bridge?

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
If the hon. Gentleman likes to put that Question down, I shall, in view of the fact that I have answered a Question about it last week, be happy to answer it again.

§ Mr. Callaghan
The Minister has never answered the question as to what considerations have led the Government to put the Severn Bridge, which was given No. I priority, in such a place that it does not appear in the programme at all.

§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter
If the hon. Gentleman will read the reply which I gave last week to his right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), he will see that I gave an answer, whether he likes it or not.