§ 3 p.m.
§ Lord Lukeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they would support the spending of additional lottery money to stabilise the Millennium Bridge.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, like all lottery distributors, the Millennium Commission is independent of government. The Millennium Commission has contributed just over £7 million to the 1639 construction of the bridge. While the project engineers work to solve the problem with the bridge, it seems pointless to speculate as to whether the Bridge Trust will seek further funding from the Millennium Commission. Any application for further funding from the Millennium Commission would be considered on its merits.
§ Lord LukeMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. If by chance more money is required, will it come from the taxpayer or directly from the lottery?
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, I have already said that it would be pointless to speculate as to whether the Bridge Trust will seek further funding. If it did so, no doubt it would be from the Millennium Commission, as I said in my original Answer.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonMy Lords, if the people who constructed the bridge have made a mistake is it not up to them to pay?
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, that may be a matter of debate and subsequently of legal opinion. However, it all depends on what the cause is found to be as a result of the engineering investigation.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishMy Lords, when I fly in an aircraft I try to do so on one that has not been designed by an architect. Would it not have been more sensible if the bridge had been designed by a bridge engineer?
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, the bridge design was based on a concept by a sculptor, Sir Anthony Caro, and not an architect. I do not believe that the noble Lord, Lord Mackay, would fly in an aircraft designed by a sculptor.
There are different views on these matters. I remember that during my childhood in Scotland I really enjoyed going on what we called a shoogly bridge. Some of us would enjoy going on a bridge which was not entirely static, but I can see that safety considerations might lead to a different opinion.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, is it not preferable to have a bridge that wobbles rather than a bridge that is rigid and breaks?
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, I rather think so. The evidence of the Tacoma Narrows bridge points to that.
§ The Lord Bishop of SouthwarkMy Lords, will the Minister ensure that when the bridge is reopened it is possible to travel from south to north of the river and not in the opposite direction? Those of us who live south of the river occasionally like to travel north, not least to debate in your Lordships' House.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, surely, the right reverend Prelate would want to have City persons joining his congregation at Southwark Cathedral.
§ Lord Davies of OldhamMy Lords, we recognise that it is the function of the Opposition to criticise, and 1640 we are used to their knocking copy about various aspects of the millennium development. However, is it not the case that future generations will delight in the bridge, the London Eye and the Dome?
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, I believe that the bridge is wonderful. It is outstanding among the many wonderful structures being built in London and throughout the country this year. I believe that all will survive both physically and in our memories for a very long time to come.
§ Lord Brougham and VauxMy Lords, I agree with the Minister that the bridge is attractive, but can he tell the House why the three millennium projects have all gone wrong? Is it something to do with 10 Downing Street?
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, I am not sure to which three millennium projects the noble Lord is referring.
§ Lord Brougham and VauxMy Lords, I was referring to the wheel, the Dome and the bridge.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, the noble Lord is just plain wrong. In any case, the London Eye is not a millennium project but a British Airways project.