§ 31. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the Forth road crossing; and, in particular, on the progress made in the technical examination of the tube proposal.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe investigation which I referred to in my reply to the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy) on 14th June is now in progress. It will inevitably take some time.
§ Major Anstruther-GrayHas my right hon. Friend any idea how long it is likely to take? Does he expect it to conclude before the Summer Recess or before Christmas? Will he stress the need for urgency in this matter?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am sure that the extremely experienced men who are undertaking this examination realise the anxiety of my hon. and gallant Friend and the House that they should do their work as quickly as is consistent with doing it properly.
§ Mr. WoodburnWhilst appreciating the need for care in this matter, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the congestion on the Forth ferry is becoming worse and worse, and that it is becoming extremely difficult to get cars over by means of these boats? Would the right hon. Gentleman look into the question whether a further improvement can be made in the interregnum?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterSpeaking from memory, either I or my right hon. Friend the present Colonial Secretary answered a Question a little time ago indicating that the British Transport Commission is proposing to improve the ferry facilities over the Firth of Forth.