HC Deb 09 December 1968 vol 775 cc23-4
24. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a further statement on the proposals for a Humber Bridge.

Mr. Marsh

I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. Albert Roberts) on 25th November, 1968.—[Vol. 774, c. 39.]

Mr. Wall

In order to redeem his predecessor's promise, will not the Minister make certain that this bridge is in the Government's future plans while the Government are still sitting on that side of the House? Does he not realise that unless this bridge is built there is a grave danger of piecemeal development, which will only do harm to the whole of Humberside?

Mr. Marsh

That is why it is important to study the Humberside report and discuss the development of the entire area as a whole.

Mr. James Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend as a southerner aware that next year will be the centenary of the beginning of discussions about the Humber Bridge? Is he further aware that the then Mr. Herbert Morrison gave permission for it in 1931 and that as late as 1959 the Conservative Minister gave permission to build this bridge? Cannot our Government begin before any of the events mooted by the hon. Member for Haltem-price (Mr. Wall) occur?

Mr. Marsh

In the many years during which the Government will be in office, it will be our intention on this, as on other matters, to take the right decision. It is unfortunate that wrong decisions were taken in the past, but they were the responsibility of hon. Gentlemen opposite, who have to make up their minds. We are considering the study and the various factors in the area in order to produce the best possible solution.