§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many vehicles and cyclists have crossed the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge since 1st November, 1951, in daily, weekly and monthly averages; and what are the total receipts from the toll imposition since that date.
§ Mr. MolsonThe British Transport Commission, which owns the bridge, informs me that it regrets that it is impossible to provide answers to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question without a great deal of research involving accounting staff, who cannot readily be spared. The Commission estimates that the total toll receipts since 1st November, 1951, have been approximately £20,000 to date.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of his refusal to relieve the Old Shoreham Bridge outright from its present toll imposition, he will now consider discussing with the British Transport Commission the possibility of removing the toll and leaving over the financial settlement until his Department is in a position to make the actual compensation payment, with interest thereon, from the date of freeing the bridge.
§ Mr. MolsonI am advised that such an arrangement would amount to borrowing from the Commission the funds required for the purchase of the tolls and 21W that I have no power to do this because Section 33 (1) of the Finance Act, 1936, terminated my powers
to make advances to or to borrow on the security of the Road Fund.