§ 36. Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the decision to establish the Hovertrack Limited company, and the construction along the hundred-foot river bank running through the Isle of Ely of an experimental track and full-scale prototype hovertrain, showing when work will begin, how much it is expected to cost, the time scale of the experiment, and what steps are being taken to avoid interruption to road traffic at Mepal and Welney.
§ Dr. BrayMy right hon. Friend approved the formation of Tracked Hovercraft Ltd., in September. I under- 61W stand that their programme, for which £2 million has been earmarked by the National Research Development Corporation, and which will be reviewed on the completion of the first stage, envisages the construction, starting in 1969, of an experimental track alongside the Old Bedford River. It is hoped that the test vehicle will be running in 1970. The form of the road crossings including those at Mepal and Welney is under discussion with the county authorities.