§ 22. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the progress of the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel; and what consideration is being given to the problem of toll charges.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)Half of the under-river part of the tunnel has been driven, and the remaining works are proceeding satisfactorily. As I told the hon. Member on 29th January, the actual tolls will not be fixed until shortly before the tunnel is completed.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the Minister for that statement, but is he aware that there have been many conflicting Press reports about this tunnel, which have given some concern to industry and the local public? Is it not now possible, with the progress that has been made, to give a hard date for the likely opening of the tunnel to the public and to industry?
§ Mr. NugentThe estimated date of completion of the whole project is 1962, and despite the inevitable difficulties which arise in a major work of this kind there is no reason to expect that that schedule will not be kept to.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesIs the right hon. Gentleman committed to charging tolls through this tunnel? Is not it a fact that no tolls are charged for the use of the Rotherhithe and Blackwall Tunnels, or the Woolwich Free Ferry? Why should they be charged for the use of this tunnel?
§ Mr. NugentThe Act that authorises the building of the tunnel also authorises the charging of tolls, and sets up the procedure by which tolls shall be charged. They have to be advertised, and objections can be considered.