§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department will make to the cost of the replacing of Haslar bridge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SpeedMy Department will not be contributing to the cost of the replacement of Haslar bridge, for which there is no defence requirement. The planned construction of a low-level road bridge which would have denied sea access to the Haslar gunboat yard necessitated the closure of that yard and the reprovision of its facilities in Portsmouth dockyard. The possibility of contributing to the cost of a high-level road bridge, which would allow the continued use of the gunboat yard, was considered, but was ruled out on the grounds of cost.