§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to private funding for a new motorway between Edinburgh and the English border; and what is his policy concerning the imposition of toll charges on any part of the national road network.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNo Government consideration is being given to private funding for a new motorway from the border to Edinburgh. My right hon. and learned Friend is aware that a possible extension to 465W Scotland of a proposed east coast motorway project from Cambridge to Teesside was mooted to Scottish local authorities by the group of promoting local authorities in England. He understands that the Scottish authorities approached are unlikely to favour considering an extension.
As to toll charges on any part of the national road network, there are, of course, charges already on, for example, the Forth, Tay and Erskine bridges. Tolls can be an appropriate means of meeting all or part of capital costs.