HC Deb 11 March 1931 vol 249 cc1172-3
37 and 38. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he can state the names of the firms that have been invited to submit tenders for swing bridges over the Caledonian Canal; whether he can state the particular reasons for the selection of those firms to the exclusion of other bridge-building firms; whether he can state which of the firms selected sub-let the contract for the stonework; and which firms carry out the whole work with their own staff;

(2) whether he is aware that a bridge-building firm in Glasgow which has previously been allowed to tender for Government contracts has been refused the right to tender for the swing bridges over the Caledonian Canal; and, if so, whether he can state the reason for this refusal?

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

The contract in this case was not suitable for open tender, and tenders were therefore invited from a limited number of firms, with special experience of the type of work required, who were asked to submit their own designs for the bridges. I understand that none of these firms would sub-let the contract for the foundations. My hon. Friend will, I think, appreciate that it would be undesirable to announce the names of the competing firms.

Mr. MACLEAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what difference there is in this particular type of bridge from bridges over canals.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Were any local firms in Inverness asked to tender?

Mr. MORRISON

The list includes Scottish firms.

Mr. MACPHERSON

I asked about Inverness firms.

Mr. MORRISON

I cannot say about that. I hope that hon. Members will not come to the point of pressing me in regard to particular firms.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is it not a new departure on the part of the Ministry of Transport to select certain firms from among those who are capable of doing this particular class of work?

Mr. MORRISON

No, it is not a new process on the part of local authorities and on the part of the Government in work of exceptional importance or of possible difficulty to limit tenders to selected firms. It is quite common and a matter of public policy.