Mr. Braithwaiteasked the Minister of Transport whether his estimate of£700,000 for the total cost of the Selby by-pass scheme includes the expenditure necessary for the freeing of the existing Selby toll-bridge; and, if not, whether he is now in a position to state what steps he proposes to take to free this toll-bridge in view of the fact that the facilities which it provides for crossing the River Ouse within the township of Selby will still be necessary after the construction of the by-pass?
§ Mr. BurginThe estimate of£700,000 for the construction of the Selby By-pass does not include any expenditure in connection with the freeing of the existing toll bridge. My offer to acquire the tolls and rebuild the existing bridge, if the local authorities concerned contribute 40 per cent. of the cost of the tolls and 25 per cent. of the cost of the new bridge, remains open, but the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire have so far not seen their way to offer any contribution.