HC Deb 21 April 1969 vol 782 cc14-5
4. Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will publish a Green Paper setting out his Department's proposals for implementing the Report of the Merseyside Land Use and Transportation Study.

Mr. Bob Brown

It is for the local authorities on Merseyside to formulate proposals for implementing the Report, and it would be inappropriate for my right hon. Friend to publish a Green Paper.

Mr. Brooks

In view of the value of Green Papers so far published by my hon. Friend's Department, among others, does not he agree that it would be a useful innovation for local authorities dealing with major proposals such as those likely to come from this Report similarly to provoke and encourage public participation?

Mr. Brown

I agree with that suggestion. It is open to local authorities to encourage public participation and I hope that they will.

Mr. Fortescue

The hon. Gentleman referred to the appointment shortly of an executive for the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority. Cannot he be more specific? Will it take weeks or months?

Mr. Brown

This is a matter for the Authority itself. It will need to advertise the suitable people, and so forth. I think that it will take months rather than weeks.

Mr. Tilney

When considering the Report, will the hon. Gentleman also consider that the mole appears to have broken down on the Wallasey-Liverpool Tunnel and that it might be cheaper to have a bridge from Garston to Easton to unite the two parts of Merseyside?

Mr. Brown

The study itself will make it easier for Merseyside authorities to determine the priorities for these various projects.