To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what forecast he has made of the likely level of tolls for the new Forth road bridge; and if he will make a statement.

As the Government reported in February in our response document to the setting forth consultation, preliminary indications suggest that the additional bridge and associated roadworks identified in that consultation could be supported by a toll comparable in real terms to the toll on the present bridge when it opened in 1964. The 2/6d toll then would compare to around £1·25p now. The precise level of toll on any new bridge will not be known until the completion of a full competitive tender process should the Government decide to proceed with the project following the feasibility studies currently under way.