HC Deb 12 February 1964 vol 689 cc351-2
14. Sir L. Ropner

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the report from Messrs. Scott and Wilson, Kirkpatrick and Partners with regard to the present and future trunk road requirements in the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire between the Great North Road and the port of Hull.

Mr. Galbraith

By the middle of April.

Sir L. Ropner

Is my hon. Friend aware that waiting for this report has served as another excuse for neglecting the problems presented by the Selby Toll Bridge? Will he give an assurance that, as soon as the report is received, immediate action will be taken to relieve Selby of this long-standing scandal?

Mr. Galbraith

I cannot accept that this is an excuse for delay in dealing with Selby Toll Bridge, but I cannot give the undertaking my hon. and gallant Friend seeks because we must see what is in the report before we decide what to do.

Mr. J. T. Price

I have previously had the pleasure of supporting the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash (Sir L. Ropner) on the question of the public scandal represented by the Selby Toll Bridge. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that both the present Minister and his predecessors have been giving lame excuses in this House in order to avoid taking any action on the abolition of the Selby Toll Bridge? Is it not time the Government cleared up this matter and gave some heed to the protests which have constantly been made in this House during my service as an hon. Member?

Mr. Galbraith

My right hon. Friend has given an undertaking to provide a high-class road between Hull and the Great North Road and that is precisely what he is going to do.