HC Deb 17 July 1963 vol 681 c514
29. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish the proposed toll charges for the Forth Road Bridge.

Mr. Leburn

These will be published when they are sent to my right hon. Friend by the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board, as they are required to do at least six months before the probable date of opening of the bridge to traffic.

Mr. Gourlay

Is the Under-Secretary aware that recently some industrialists who were looking at sites in Kirkcaldy with a view to expanding their business inquired about what the tolls were likely to be? They indicated that, if toll charges were to be imposed on the bridge, they would have to reconsider their position and perhaps site their factories south of the river and in the west of Scotland? In view of this, will the Minister review the entire position with a view to doing away with all the machinery of installing toll charges on the bridge and thus encourage industry to come to Fife, where it is very much needed?

Mr. Leburn

No, I could not undertake to do that. The question of putting the proposals forward lies with the Joint Board and I hope that it will shortly be able to put is proposals to my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Stodart

Is it not likely that the toll charges will be considerably less than those charged on the ferry crossing at present? Will my hon. Friend inform the Board of the need, particularly for industrial users of the bridge, to have really attractive season ticket charges?

Mr. Leburn

This is a matter for the Joint Board, but I have no doubt that it will take into account what my hon. Friend has said.

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