§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next proposes to meet the general manager of the Dartford tunnel joint committee; and if on that occasion he will discuss the case for escorting tankers through the tunnel in view of the delay this occasions to other traffic.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to meet the general manager next on 2 August. Officials have already discussed this subject with him.
The Dartford tunnel joint committee decided on 3 June to increase from four to six the maximum number of vehicles carrying hazardous goods in escorted convoys in order to cut the number of convoys and the consequent delays to other traffic. The change will come into effect on 1 July. Other improvements have been made recently, including the construction of a new marshalling area for these vehicles on the Essex side.
§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the tunnels in the United Kingdom where tankers are escorted other than the Dartford tunnel.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe authorities responsible for the Mersey tunnels and the Tyne tunnel operate procedures similar to those which apply at Dartford.