§ Commander Purseyasked the Minister of Transport to what extent it is now his practice to approve the building of bridges over rivers which are expected to be immersed in the river at extra-ordinary high water spring tides; when this practice commenced; and how many bridges have been approved which are expected to be immersed at such tides.
§ Mr. MarplesIt has always been my Department's practice to consider the design of each particular bridge in the light of all the relevant factors, of which the level of tides is one. When, in exceptional cases a bridge design envisages that part of the sub-structure may on certain occasions be immersed, the design is approved only if the balance of advantage, taking into account all these 77W factors, lies in so doing. I regret that I have no information on which to base a reply to the last part of the Question.