§ 61. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement regarding the next stage in the building of the Humber Bridge, following the recent meeting between his officials and the Humber Bridge Board.
Mr. Bob BrownThe meeting between officials of my Department and those of the Humber Bridge Board and their consulting engineers, was held on 9th June for the purpose of exchanging views and 137W information, and explaining the extent of the Ministry's interest on the questions of the preparation, financing, design and construction of the Bridge. The Board has the necessary powers, under the Humber Bridge Act, 1959, to design and construct the Bridge and approach roads, to acquire the necessary land and to raise funds, and it will therefore be for the Board to proceed with the necessary design work and land acquisition with a view to beginning construction in 1972 and completing it in 1976. We have expressed our willingness to co-operate in ensuring the achievement of that target and shall keep in close touch with the Board.