§ 7. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Scottish Board of Health has withheld payment of a subsidy of £250,000 to the Greenock Corporation in connection with one of their housing schemes; seeing that the plans and specifications for this scheme were submitted in the first instance to the Ministry and approved by them and that tenders were invited on the basis of these specifications, what were the names of the successful firms; were the contracts carried out satisfactorily as to the quality of the materials used, etc.; and have the contractors yet received payment for work undertaken?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)As a result of unauthorised departures from the specifications, the use of defective materials, and bad workmanship, payment of subsidy is being withheld by the Department of Health for Scotland from Greenock Corporation in respect of certain developments of their housing 2025 schemes until such time as the Department are satisfied that their requirements as to construction, materials, and workmanship have been met. My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to state the names of the successful contractors, only a few of whom are involved. As regards the last part of the question, he is informed that the contractors have received payments to account, but that final payments have not yet been made.