HC Deb 08 May 1969 vol 783 cc638-9
13. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will now make a statement on the Humberside Survey.

Mr. Shore

As explained in my statement to the House on 30th April, the Government accept the Report's recommendation that a Humber Bridge should be completed by 1976, and we are currently consulting the Yorkshire and Humberside Council and the local planning councils about the report and its recommendations as a whole.—[Vol. 782, c. 1437–9.]

Mr. Wall

As the Government's decision to build the Humberside bridge involves a date when they are unlikely to be able to implement the decision, may I ask him today, when Labour is likely to lose control of Kingston upon Hull, when the motorways to that city will be completed?

Mr. Shore

That is a very different question and I can only ask the hon. Gentleman to put it down for Answer by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

Sir C. Osborne

Since Lindsey County Council is utterly opposed to the building of this bridge until the main trunk road from Grimsby to Immingham has been completed—it has a much more important priority—will the right hon. Gentleman listen to what the Lindsey County Council has said? [Interruption.] This is not a matter to laugh about.

Mr. Shore

The hon. Gentleman's emotion may also be connected with the fact that there is an election today in the area of which he is speaking. With respect to the Lindsey County Council and its views, it is likely to be the case that the economic planning council set up for that region, which has studied this matter intensively, will be able to give us better advice.