HC Deb 28 June 1880 vol 253 cc968-9
MR. ANDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether the Report on Indian Railways for 1877 correctly states the name of the firm who contracted for the Railway Bridge across the Nerbudda River; whether that firm were not also contractors for the principal iron work of the Tay Bridge; and, whether, under these circumstances, he has considered the desirability of providing that the Indian Government should institute an investigation as to the quality and kind of iron used for the Nerbudda Bridge, and also extend their inquiry to the Indus Bridge and other bridges built or being built on the Guaranteed and State Railways of India?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

In the Report on Indian Railways for 1877 the name of the firm who contracted for the railway bridge across the Nerbudda River is correctly given, and the firm mentioned is the same as that which is stated to have been connected with the supply of the principal iron work of the Tay Bridge. The contract for the bridge was made by the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway Company in April 1877. The Tay Bridge disaster occurred towards the close of last year. The plans and specifications of the Nerbudda Bridge were prepared by Sir John Hawkshaw, and the whole process of supplying the iron work has been carefully watched and inspected under his directions. Upon the occurrence of the breakdown of the Tay Bridge, the Directors of the Company gave special directions to Sir John Hawkshaw to be most particular in carrying out the duty of inspection. No complaints have been received from India of the quality of the iron; but a second examination is made there, and severe tests are applied to the piers and the girders when placed in position. There can be no doubt that the engineers employed in designing and constructing bridges in India since the Tay Bridge disaster have been fully alive to the necessity of the most careful specifications being prepared, and of the most conclusive tests being applied to materials before they are accepted. I will take steps for obtaining a special Report on the Nerbudda Bridge before it is opened for traffic.