asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement regarding his efforts to ease the congestion at Barton swing bridge, Manchester, during the peak hours.

Discussions have taken place between my Divisional Road Engineer and the Manchester Ship Canal Company. They are now examining the practicability of arranging for a further period of some 20 minutes at the evening peak during which the opening of the bridge would be restricted, and I am awaiting a further report.