Selby Toll Bridge (Hansard, 1 June 1960)

§ 1 and 2. Sir L. Ropner
asked the Minister of Transport (1) why Langstone Bridge was recently freed from tolls, in contravention of the pledge made by the right hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire, when Minister of Transport, that Selby toll bridge would be the first toll bridge to be relieved of tolls;
(2) why Conway Bridge in Wales was recently freed from tolls, in contravention of the pledge made by the right hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire, when Minister of Transport, that Selby toll bridge would be the first toll bridge to be relieved of tolls; and if he will ensure that the pledge given by his predecessor is not broken again.

§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Hay)
There has been no contravention of a pledge. The statement made in 1954 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lennox-Boyd) clearly related to the priority which he felt should be given to the removal of the tolls at Selby as compared with tolls on other trunk road bridges. Langstone Bridge is not on a trunk road and the toll rights of the old Conway Bridge have not been acquired. As my 1414 hon. Friend is aware, we are now planning to provide a bypass at Selby instead of acquiring and reconstructing the toll bridge there.

§ Sir L. Ropner
On an unimportant point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I be permitted to ask two quite separate supplementary questions in relation to the two Questions I have on the Order Paper?

§ Mr. Speaker
If the hon. and gallant Member so wishes. I notice that some hon. Members, without asking permission, ask a number of supplementary questions when called to ask one.

§ Sir L. Ropner
My two Questions have been answered together, though they relate to two entirely different matters. First, with regard to Lang-stone Bridge, my hon. Friend has just said that no such pledge as I mention in my Question was given. His right hon. Friend made the same statement not long ago and offered to have a tripartite conference between myself, himself and my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire. When my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire accepted that invitation, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport said that his remark should not have been taken seriously. [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] May I ask my right hon. Friend whether that offer is still open? May I ask my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary whether as a grant of no less than £186,000 was given to help in the provision of this new toll-free bridge at Langstone, he thinks that it is within both the spirit and the letter of even his interpretation of the pledge which was given in 1954?

§ Mr. Hay
With respect, I think that my hon. and gallant Friend has misunderstood the position. I have checked on the records. The position is that in July, 1954, when my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire was Minister of Transport, a discussion took place, at which I understand that my hon. and gallant Friend was present. The record, which was subsequently issued to the Press following the meeting, clearly stated: The Minister said that he …was anxious that the tolls should be purchased and abolished and a new toll-free bridge constructed at the earliest possible date. Of all toll 1415 bridges on trunk roads he regarded Selby as the case of the highest priority for removal of tolls. That is the position. If my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to discuss it with my right hon. Friend, I am quite sure that my right hon. Friend would be willing to accommodate him.

§ Mr. Speaker
Mr. Mapp—Question No. 6.

§ Sir L. Ropner
On a point of order. I did not put a supplementary question on the second Question on the Order Paper.

§ Mr. Speaker
I beg the hon. and gallant Member's pardon. His first supplementary was so long that I thought it was two. I called Mr. Mapp.

§ Sir L. Ropner rose
—

§ Mr. Speaker
I am sorry, I think that we really must get on.