HC Deb 15 June 1966 vol 729 cc1440-1
20. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to approve the scale of charges for freight and passenger vehicles on the Tay Road Bridge.

Mr. Ross

When I have received and considered the report of the recent inquiry into the Joint Board's proposals.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the suggestion by the Lord Provost of Dundee of a 10s. toll on commercial vehicles, to be reconsidered after a year, is quite inadequate to satisfy the anxieties that exist in the area about this toll? Does not he agree that a 10s. toll will mean that heavy vehicles will not use the bridge at all?

Mr. Ross

Since I have to adjudicate following the receipt of this report it would he quite inappropriate for me to comment on this matter.

Mr. Doig

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind the two points about which I wrote to him a considerable time ago, namely, the fact that a 10s. charge will probably produce less rather than more revenue and, secondly, the fact that there is a vast difference between this bridge and the Forth Bridge in terms of corn-router traffic?

Mr. Ross

I will bear in mind all these matters in the consideration of the report when I receive it.