HC Deb 23 March 1960 vol 620 cc485-6
14. Sir L. Ropner

asked the Minister of Transport how many bridges have been relieved of toll payments since 1st March, 1959.

Mr. Marples

None, Sir.

Sir L. Ropner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that our right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lennox-Boyd) gave a pledge as long ago as 1954 that Selby Toll Bridge was at the head of the list of toll bridges which would be relieved of tolls? Consequently no toll bridge in the country can be relieved of tolls until Selby Toll Bridge is relieved of tolls. Is it not about time that Selby Toll Bridge was relieved of tolls?

Mr. Marples

I can well understand my hon. and gallant Friend's anxiety, but toll bridges are on different classes of roads—on trunk roads, classified roads, and so on. The undertaking by our right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire was that of toll bridges on trunk roads he regarded Selby as of the highest priority for the removal of tolls. So he still does. It is at the top of the list and nothing has been removed from the list.

Sir L. Ropner

Does my right hon. Friend accept my assurance that the version of the pledge which he has just given to the House is completely wrong and that this error has already been pointed out to his Department?

Mr. Marples

I suggest that we have a tripartite summit conference between my hon. and gallant Friend, myself and my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire.