Orders of the Day — Severn Bridge

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 December 1964.

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Photo of Mr Niall MacDermot Mr Niall MacDermot , Derby North 12:00, 1 December 1964

I suspected that I have already said too much. When I learned that I had tantalised the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw), I became convinced that I had said too much. This, after all, is a Ways and Means Resolution. I was led by what the hon. Member said to give some figures, but it would be quite wrong to go further into the matters raised by the hon. Member.

I was not sure at one stage whether we were listening to his Second Reading Speech on the Bill or merely a trailer for a speech in Committee. In any event I cannot go further than to give the indication I have given as to the level of tolls which might be imposed if the Committee approves of the Ways and Means Resolution and the House passes the Bill.

All that the Committee is concerned with at the moment is deciding the question of principle of whether by this Resolution we are entitled to the levying of tolls. If the Committee does so decide, all the questions which have been raised will be gone into carefully at a later stage.