asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of vehicles crossing the Tay road bridge in the latest available year.

From periodic returns made by the Tay road bridge joint board I understand that, in the financial year 1981–82, 4,789,561 vehicles crossed the bridge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the income from tolls on the Tay road bridge in the latest available year; what was the final surplus or deficit; and what is the current total debt.

The matters raised by the hon. Member are the responsibility of the Tay road bridge joint board. I have asked the board to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now consider abolishing tolls on the Tay road bridge.

No. The Government's policy is that tolls should continue to be charged on those estuarial crossings which provide exceptional benefit to the users. I see no case for departing from this policy in the case of the Tay road bridge.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average toll paid per vehicle using the Tay road bridge over the last two years; what has been the average cost per vehicle of toll collection and other costs, respectively; and what has been the average net contribution per vehicle to interest payments and debt repayments, respectively.

I refer the hon. Member to the Tay road bridge joint board, which is responsible for the operation of the bridge and with which detailed information of this kind rests.