§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he can do anything to accelerate the erection of the new post office at Aberdeen, having regard to the inconvenience caused by the present inadequacy of the accommodation for post office work in that city; and whether he will, if necessary, provide by a Supplementary Estimate for any further sum which may be needed within the present financial year in order to enable more speedy progress to be made with the work.
(Answer.) The foundation work is progressing satisfactorily, although delay was caused by the Corporation, first by a widening of the street, which involved re-drawing the plans, secondly by the formation of a sewer in Crown Street, which closed the street to cart traffic for three months, thus seriously interfering with the contractors. Granite work is necessarily slower than work in other 671 material; but the contractors are one of the best firms in Aberdeen, and I am quite satisfied that no unnecessary delay will occur on their part. The building shall be pushed on to completion; and I am advised that it is not likely to be hindered by want of funds this year. A Supplementary Estimate would in any case, I fear, be out of the question.—(Office of Works.)