§ 4. Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to authorise a new road bridge across the Forth between Kincardine and Stirling.
§ Mr. McElhoneNone. It would be for the Central regional authority to consider the need for such a bridge and then determine whether and when to include it in the roads and transport programme for submission to the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. ReidI think the Minister will be aware that both the Central regional authority and Fife have proposals on this subject. When they reach the Scottish Office, will he give special consideration to a road across the Forth from Alloa, thereby giving Clackmannanshire direct access to the motorway system and, secondly, creating a labour market for Bandeath?
§ Mr. McElhoneI think the hon. Gentleman will accept that it has never been the practice of any Government Department to make a judgment on proposals that it has not seen. We are still awaiting the regional authority decision on the question of an additional crossing. When we receive its views, we shall study them with some care, and take account of the hon. Gentleman's views.