§ Colonel LANE FOXasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the bridge that is now broken down at Selby has been for many years inconvenient and unsuitable for modern traffic, both on the road and on the waterway; that reconstruction or replacement by another bridge has been the subject of discussion among the authorities concerned for many years; and that it is owing to their failure to come to an agreement on the matter that no scheme for a new bridge has been put forward: and whether, in view of the number of unemployed in Selby, he will help these authorities by securing for them a substantial grant for the double purpose of restoring the communication along an important road by the building of a new and efficient bridge and at the same time relieving the unemployment in that district?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI am aware of the position with regard to Selby Bridge. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry has received a deputation590W from the two county councils concerned this week, and various alternative schemes for dealing with the situation were discussed. The matter is being urgently considered by the councils with a view to arriving at a decision as to the scheme to be adopted. They have been assuerd of the fullest co-operation of my Department and informed that I should be ready to consider an application for financial assistance in respect of an agreed and approved scheme.