§ Colonel ROPNERasked (1) the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of British shipping and safety of life at sea, he will confer with the Minister of Transport upon any new projects for bridging the River Severn, so as to ensure that consideration is given to the navigational aspect before any further encouragement of financial support is given to the local authorities concerned;
(2) the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the navigational interests view with concern that the Government will not recede from their offer of financial support towards the cost of a road-bridge crossing the River Severn; whether he will make clear to the local authorities that any grant from the Road Fund is dependent upon his being satisfied, after consultation with the Board of Trade, that the project would not materially prejudice navigation; and whether any provisional promise of financial aid would apply to the construction of a bridge above, as much as to below, the port of Sharpness?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have been asked to reply. My hon. and gallant Friend may receive the general assurance that all road schemes involving the construction of bridges across tidal waters will not be approved for grant from the Road Fund except after consideration, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, of the navigation aspects involved.