Major BROWNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport if, in view of the fact that his proposals as regards Wylam Bridge, across the Tyne, have not been agreed to by the local bodies concerned, he is prepared to give a grant for a bridge on the new site suggested at the Newcastle conference of 22nd March or, alternatively, to reconsider the question of purchasing the existing bridge?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am prepared to give careful consideration to any appli- 1713W cation made by the local authorities concerned for financial assistance towards the cost of a new highway-bridge, but I am unable to give support to the proposal for the purchase of the existing bridge.