HC Deb 21 January 1918 vol 101 cc656-7
24. Mr. P. A. HARRIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Sir Alexander Gibb, K.B.E., C.B., R.E., who has been appointed Civil Engineer-in-Chief to the Board of Admiralty, belongs to the Institute of Engineers or any other technical institute of similar character; whether he is a director of the North-Eastern Railway Company; whether he is. a member of the firm of Easton, Gibb, Son, and Company, Government contractors; whether it will be within his. province to supervise the work of contractors; and whether he will retain his directorship of the North-Eastern Railway Company and a financial interest in Messrs. Easton, Gibb, Son, and Company?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Sir Alexander Gibb is a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, as well as of other technical institutes and societies. He is not a director of the North-Eastern Railway Company, and has never had any connection with that railway except as a contractor, but he is a member of the firm of Easton, Gibb, and Son, Limited.

As Civil Engineer-in-Chief it will be within his province to supervise the work of contractors. As from the date when Sir Alexander Gibb entered upon his duties, his firm has discontinued its business as contractors for the period of the War. All existing contracts are cancelled as from that date, and Brigadier-General Sir Edward Raban, K.C.B., R.E. (late Director of Works at the Admiralty) has been appointed by agreement between the Admiralty and the firm to assess any outstanding accounts between them. The Admiralty are much indebted to Sir Alexander Gibb for the readiness with which he has set aside all his business interests in order to assist the Public Service.

Sir C. HENRY

Have arrangements been made, or will they be made, to finish the work entrusted to Messrs. Easton, Gibb and Company?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes, as regards the main contract that practically is now completed. There are, however, a number of matters to clear up and values to adjust. They will be dealt with by the respective surveyors by agreement if possible, and, if not, referred to Sir Edward Raban for assessment. The firm has another contract upon which a considerable amount of work has yet to be done, and that will be cancelled and the firm paid off. We shall then either do the work ourselves or get it done by other contractors.