§ 29. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Transport if he will now take steps to have a bridge built across the Humber from Barton-on-Humber, having regard to the facts that the steel industry is not working at full capacity, that there is unemployment in Scunthorpe, notably among steel erectors, and that the making of the approach roads would employ a considerable number of men.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave on 13th February to my hon. Friends the Members for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. Coulson) and Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), and to the hon. and gallant Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Commander Pursey).
§ Mr. MallalieuIs not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there has been a considerable further period of Tory rule since that Answer was given, with a consequent rise in unemployment? Is he not aware that the unemployment is quite severe, even in Scunthorpe and in Barton-on-Humber, and that the steel erectors in Scunthorpe are unemployed now? Would not this project give them some hope of employment and bring great benefit to a very large region south of the Humber, apart 388 from what might happen on the north side of it?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettWe do not consider that the scheme has sufficient justification from the point of view of transport. I am aware that this was recommended in the Rochdale Committee's Report, but I point out that the cost of the bridge alone would be in the region of £15 million to £20 million, quite apart from the cost of improvement of the approach roads.