HL Deb 06 May 1947 vol 147 cc374-6

2.40 P.m.

VISCOUNT EUBANK

My Lords, I beg to ask the question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To call attention to the Preamble of the Forth Road Bridge Provisional Order Confirmation and to ask His Majesty's Government when it is proposed to implement the undertaking contained therein of the Minister of Transport to contribute from the Road Fund the equivalent of 75 per cent. of the cost of the Forth Road Bridge so that the work of construction may proceed with all celerity.]

LORD MORRISON

My Lords, in his statement in another place on May 6, 1946, my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport said that he would: concentrate on the preparatory work necessary to bring other major schemes, such as the proposed new bridge across the Forth, to the stage at which they can be commenced at short notice in the light of the policy of timed expenditure on public works. A grant of 75 per cent, has already been made towards the expenses of promoting the Provisional Order. The Government cannot at present give any indication when a grant may be forthcoming towards the cost of the actual constructional work.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I feel quite sure that the noble Lord's answer will be regarded in Scotland as very unsatisfactory, and I would like to ask two questions arising out of it. I wish to ask the noble Lord whether this means that public opinion in Scotland has once more to begin to bring pressure upon the Minister, which it has been doing for over fifteen years, and whether it is going to take another fifteen years of public pressure to bring this absolutely essential project to fruition. I would further like to ask the noble Lord whether he has had brought to his notice the fact that the Secretary of State for Scotland has said that the new Fife coalfields will ultimately become the most important in the Scottish Kingdom. If that is so, does he not realize how important it is to get this bridge completed, in order to meet that situation, which is rapidly arising?

LORD MORRISON

My Lords, I am afraid that all I can add to my previous answer to the noble Viscount is that at such time as Parliament decides to approve the necessary financial provision and the grant-in-aid of the Road Fund, a grant of 75 per cent. of the approved expenditure incurred on the construction of such a bridge and works and of the costs of obtaining this Order will be made. The next step is with Parliament.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the noble Lord whether in this case, having agreed to the 75 per cent., it is not the function of the Government to invite Parliament to start on this project? If so, when will the Government ask Parliament to do it? The noble Lord says that it rests with Parliament, but the actual request to Parliament must come from the Government.

LORD MORRISON

My Lords, I have already explained to the noble Viscount, perhaps a little imperfectly, that this proposal is regarded by the Government as being one of the projects for timed expenditure on public works, when it should be found to be urgently necessary to engage in these extra public works. I am afraid that I cannot add anything else to my answer.

LORD SALTOUN

Will the noble Lord, in making his representations to his right honourable friend, urge that in view of impending unemployment in Scotland it should be begun as soon as possible?

LORD MORRISON

I will certainly bring to the notice of my right honourable friend the question which the noble Lord has put to me.