§ MR. ONSLOWasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If he can state what firms have been employed to make the ironwork for the bridge across the River Attock; if any of these firms were employed in a similiar capacity for the ironwork on the Tay Bridge; and, what precautions are taken to insure that the ironwork for the Attock Bridge is, as far as can be ascertained, without flaw?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the firms employed to make the ironwork for the Attock Bridge are as follows:—For the girders—steel and wrought iron—Messrs. Westwood, Baillie, and Co., of London; for the piers—wrought iron—Messrs. Handyside and Co., of Derby. These firms were not, it is believed, in any way concerned in supplying ironwork for the Tay Bridge. All the materials of which the Attock bridgework is constructed are carefully tested, in accordance with a strict specification based on the most recent experience, by Government Inspectors. The bridge is being made of steel and wrought iron. No cast iron is employed.