§ 4. Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the date and terms of reference of the inquiry into the second Forth road bridge crossing at Queensferry. [774]
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton)My right hon. Friend and I recently met Councillors Eric Milligan and Robert Gough and other representatives from Fife and Lothian regional councils. We agreed to examine together proposals for traffic management on and around the Forth road bridge. Once these discussions have concluded, we shall be in a position to announce our proposals.
§ Mr. DarlingDo the Government still want to proceed with the building of a second Forth road bridge, which would devastate the constituency that the Minister seeks to represent at the next election? Have the Government changed their tack? Do they now accept that there needs to be a co-ordinated public transport strategy to deal with the transport needs of Edinburgh and south-east Scotland? Will the Minister make the Government's position clear so that we know whether they want to build this ridiculous bridge?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI can say quite clearly that we are in favour of a medium-term strategy. We have discussed that very fully with Councillor Eric Milligan. I strongly recommend that the hon. Gentleman has discussions with him, because we have reached an agreement on the subjects on which we can go forward with consensus. The subjects cover many issues, such as the new Halbeath bridge junctions in Fife and improvements to the railways. Various electronic tolling measures have also been considered. I am pleased to see that Fife and Lothian share our view and that they will work together on this. We cannot rule out the important role that a new bridge might play in the longer term, but it is premature to proceed further at this stage.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellIf there is a public inquiry into a second Forth road bridge, will the inquiry's reporter be entitled to look at Government policy and, in particular, to consider the comparative advantages of road transport or a much better system of public transport?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI have already said that we are going ahead with a medium-term strategy, which includes very substantial improvements to public transport strategy, such as park-and-ride schemes and bus lanes. It would be premature to hold a public local inquiry; many measures must be put in place by agreement. We are not going to forget the interests of those who live in Fife and in the north of Scotland.