§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate what would be the impact on local poll tax payers if the whole of the outstanding debt on the Humber bridge was carried by people(a) within the city of Hull boundary and (b) within the county of Humberside boundary.
§ Mr. AtkinsCurrent discussion with the Humber Bridge Board will lead to the production of estimates of the effect of the recent toll increase on their debts. Although the Humber bridge legislation provides that deficiencies in toll revenue should be met by local taxpayers none of the estimates to be made will assume that the whole debt is met by them. In agreeing to treat the716W Humber bridge as a special case for assistance, the Government have accepted that they will have a part to play.