asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dangerous and dilapidated condition of Burnfoot Bridge, Airdrie; and if he will authorise the start of a new improvement scheme and give a date for it.

If later this year British Railways close the line under Burnfoot Bridge, Airdrie, as I understand they plan to do, I shall be prepared to approve the town council's proposals for removing the bridge and rebuilding the road on level ground as soon as the necessary preparations can be completed.

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the letter that he sent me explaining his attitude in detail, but may I ask whether he will do his utmost to try to iron out these difficulties in view of the dilapidated condition of the structure and the dangerous condition of the bridge? Will he also bear in mind that the obsolete road surface, namely, ancient railway sleepers, is out of date and makes this scheme inevitably urgent?

As soon as the railways have given their final decision, I shall do all that I can to help the local authority and the hon. Gentleman.