HC Deb 05 February 1957 vol 564 cc229-30
27. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now initiate discussions with the local authorities concerned about proposals for a road bridge over the Firth of Tay at Dundee.

Mr. N. Macpherson

A road bridge over the Tay would be a classified road project and the initiative would lie with the highway authorities concerned. I understand that they are in fact discussing the matter.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that a road bridge at Dundee is required if the fullest value is to be obtained from the new Forth crossing? Will he at least assure the House that he will not rest satisfied until the east of Scotland has a modern road system that includes road crossings of both Firths, at Dundee as well as at Edinburgh?

Mr. Macpherson

We shall never rest satisfied until we achieve perfection.

Sir A. Gomme-Duncan

Will my hon. Friend realise that not everyone agrees that Dundee is the best place to have a road bridge across the Tay?

Mr. Strachey

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that now the Government have started building bridges there is great discrimination between them? Will he end that discrimination by building a bridge over the Firth of Tay?

Mr. Macpherson

As I have said, this is a matter in the first instance for the local authorities concerned.