§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the detailed provision for Operation Bridgeguard up to 1980 contained in the White Paper on Public Expenditure, Cmnd Paper No. 6393.
§ Dr. GilbertThe line for subsidy to the British Waterways Board in Table 2.6 of Cmnd 6393 includes the following provision for Operation Bridgeguard:
£m at 1975 Survey prices 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1.4 1.4 1.7 1.7 1.7
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the original forecasts of expenditure and completion time of Operation Bridgeguard made by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for any variations from these forecasts.
§ Dr. GilbertThe first firm estimates of the cost and time of the Bridgeguard programme relating to inland waterways could not he made until the survey of bridges carrying public roads was completed in 1970. It was then estimated that the programme would cost about £11 million and last five to eight years. In practice the rate of implementation of the programme is influenced by the need to co-ordinate bridge strengthening with the plans of local highway authorities for related road improvements.