§ Captain STRICKLANDasked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that provisional lists have been prepared by bridge authorities showing more than 2,000 bridges on Class I and Class II roads where notices may be placed prohibiting the use of the bridge when Section 30 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act is brought into operation, he will state how many priority lists showing the order of recommending the reconstruction or strengthening of these bridges he has received as a result of the county conferences now being held on the subject, and how many bridges are included in those lists; and whether he is satisfied with the progress which is being made by the bridge authorities in calculating the weight which may be allowed with safety on the bridges where they propose to place these notices?
Mr. STANLEYThe number of bridges on Class I and Class II roads in the lists to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is 1,180. The remainder are on unclassified roads. Nineteen priority lists have been received as a result of the county conferences so far held. These priority lists cover 169 bridges. As regards the second part of the question, I have no reason to think that any unnecessary delay is taking place in1112W calculating the weight which individual bridges will bear.