§ 42. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what decision he has made since his meeting with the Tyne Tunnel Joint Committee on 1st February, with regard to the construction of a bridge or a tunnel, the use of a toll to defray its cost, and the method by which such toll should be fixed.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have asked the shipping interests concerned to reconsider the headroom needed for a bridge, and until I have received and considered their views I cannot reach any conclusion yet about a bridge or a tunnel. I consider that either type of crossing should be financed at least partly by tolls, but it would be premature at this stage to consider how they should be fixed.
§ Mr. McKayIs not the Minister aware that today several hon. Members have received a report of the decision made by the Tyne Commissioners on this very project and that they have sent the same report to him, which he should have received this morning? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Tyne Commissioners have spent about £ 60 million on improvements to the Tyne, and is not it correct that, after seriously considering the Minister's suggestion, the Commissioners have definitely turned down the project of building a bridge? Is not it correct that the Commissioners have informed us that a ship has already been designed with a 190 ft. mast which is higher than the proposed bridge, and will the right hon. Gentleman make some real effort to get a tunnel?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that is enough for one question.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe answer to the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is that the Tyne Commissioners' advice will be very carefully considered, but they are not the only people I have to consult.