§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress of the construction of the Humber Bridge and its cost escalation.
§ Mr. CroslandI understand from the Humber Bridge Board that unless unfor-150W seen difficulties arise the bridge will be completed by late 1978. On the subject of cost, as my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport said in his reply on 3rd November, the cost of the bridge and its immediate approaches had risen to £45 million at current prices. This is mainly due to the added costs of inflation and to problems which arose in connection with the foundations for the south tower.