HC Deb 01 June 1960 vol 624 cc1424-6
31. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport the estimated cost of the Marble Arch-Hyde Park Corner scheme; and what is the Government contribution.

Mr. Hay

The estimated cost is £5 million, to which the Government will contribute £3,750,000 by way of grant to the London County Council.

Mr. Rankin

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the mouth of Prestwick's unopened tunnel waters when we hear of such vast sums being spent on one corner of London? Can he not urge his right hon. Friend and his colleagues in the Government to show the same liberality to Scottish road needs as is shown to London's? Can he say whether or not it is the case that there is a prospect of the estimated cost being revised in the upward direction?

Mr. Hay

I think that there is some difference between the possibility of a tunnel under the runway extension at Prestwick and this big scheme for the biggest traffic junction in the whole of the country. The hon. Gentleman has asked about estimates of cost. The original cost was £5¾ million but, as we have gone on, we have discovered that that can be reduced by £750,000 and I see no reason to expect that it will go up again.

Miss Herbison

Can the Minister use his influence to get even a small proportion of that sum for the A8 Glasgow—Edinburgh road where, in recent years, on only five miles of it, nineteen children have been killed because of the Government's refusal to give us a flyover?

Mr. Hay

My right hon. Friend has a number of responsibilities, but in this connection, at any rate, they do not extend to Scotland—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I was wrong in allowing the other supplementary question. Neither arose from the Question about the cost of the Marble Arch-Hyde Park Corner scheme.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not the fact that my supplementary question did arise from the Question, because I asked whether the estimated cost would have to be revised in an upward direction?

Mr. Speaker

I thought, on reflection, that it did not, but we need not argue about it, because it is all dead and buried now.

Mr. Rankin

Is the hon. Member aware that we do not grudge one penny of what is being spent on this London project, but could not he allocate an odd farthing now and again to Scotland?

Mr. Hay

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman should have a look at the new Forth Bridge and remember what we are doing there.