§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list such information as he has for the Severn, Humber, Forth, Tay, Itchen, Cleddau and Tamar bridges and the Mersey, Tyne and Dartford tunnels, the total capital repayment to be made by the bridge authority, and the time scale for repayment, the annual upkeep costs and any central Government revenue provided for these costs.
§ Mr. RidleyThe information requested is given in the table. Central Government do not make annual contributions to revenue; they do provide loans to meet capitalisation of interest where the legislation so provides. The position on central Government loans outstanding is shown in the tabulation.
Tolled crossings Total capital repayment at 31 March 1984 Period for repayment Operating and maintenance costs 1983–84 Central Government loans at 31 March 1984 £ million Years £ million £ million Severn *46.1 40 *2.60 *46.1 Humber 210.0 60 0.74 160.5 Forth 21.8 30 1.10 21.8 Tay 6.7 60 0.31 3.0 Itchen 10.9 Between 40.60 0.17 — Cleddau 7.3 Between 50.60 0.12 3.6 Tamar — — 0.59 — Mersey 88.6 60 3.70 27.7 Tyne 21.2 30 1.26 14.8 Dartford 66.2 60 2.28 6.5 * Publication of the 1983–84 account awaited. The period for repayment is different for land and construction costs at Itchen and Cleddau. Repayment periods are extendable in certain cases.