§ 21. Mr. JAMES DUNCANasked the Minister of Transport whether the contracts for the reconstruction of Waterloo Bridge will be offered by public tender; and whether they will be let subject to his approval?
Mr. STANLEYIt is a condition of all grants from the Road Fund that my approval of any arrangement as to tenders and of any contract for constructional works should be obtained, but the procedure to be followed in inviting and accepting tenders for the reconditioning of Waterloo Bridge has not yet been settled.
§ Mr. DUNCANWill the Minister assure the House that, when this question is settled, there will be open competition for these considerable contracts?
Mr. STANLEYNo, Sir, I could not give that assurance. There have been cases where, owing to the special nature of the work, its delicacy and danger, tender has been restricted to selected lists, and has not been open.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONWhen will this work, which has been delayed for so long, be commenced?
§ Mr. DUNCANWill the Minister assure the House that, when this work is going to be commenced, the selected firms will all be invited to tender, and that it will not be left to one firm?
Mr. STANLEYAs I have said, I cannot give any assurance to the House as to the procedure that will be adopted before I know what arrangements the county council propose; but I can give the House this assurance, that no arrangements can be entered into without my consent, and I shall not give that unless I am satisfied that full opportunity has been given for competition.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhen is the work likely to be commenced?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the Minister tell the House if he is in favour of a reconstructed Waterloo Bridge?