§ 21. Mr. Doigasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give priority to the building of a dual carriageway between the Forth and Tay road bridges.
§ Mr. NobleI am giving priority to the provision of dual carriageways on A.90 which, between Inverkeithing and Milnathort, is part of one of the routes between the two bridges.
§ Mr. DoigIs the Minister aware that the Prime Minister said only two or three months ago that the Tay road bridge would be of great importance to Dundee as it provided a direct route to the South? Has he considered whether this will provide a direct route to the South?
§ Mr. NobleI agree that this road is not a direct route. But in the circumstances it is the best one on which to spend money at this stage.
§ 23. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now 355 make a statement on the scale of tolls to be charged on the Forth road bridge.
§ 45. Mr. Gourlayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce his decision on the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board's recommendations in respect of the toll charges.
§ Mr. NobleThe Joint Board have submitted for my approval their proposed toll schedule, which provides for a flat rate toll of 2s. 6d. on mechanically propelled vehicles. I have, as required by the relevant Order, specified the newspapers in which the Board are to publish a notice; thereafter there will be a period of not less than six weeks during which objections may be made.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that a 2s. 6d. flat-rate toll is fair? If so, will he make the announcement quickly so that it can be implemented, until we get a Labour Government when we shall get rid of it? Is he aware that industrialists who are anxious to come into the area are concerned about what the rate of toll will be?
§ Mr. NobleIt would be quite improper for me to express my opinion about this before any objection which may be made has been lodged. I think that the hon. Gentleman's suggestion about when the toll would be removed is in the hypothetical class.
§ Mr. GourlayIs the Minister aware of the anger and disappointment in Fife at the long delay in accepting the recommendations of the Joint Board and, further, that this delay is having a bad effect on the development of the new town of Donibristle?
§ Mr. NobleI do not accept that anyone can complain of the length of the delay as there is a statutory period during which objections may be lodged. Nor am I convinced that it is having a bad effect on Donibristle.