§ 18. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Transport what are to be the arrangements about prices in the case of un- 1928 finished road contracts which contain no war clauses?
§ The Minister of Transport (Captain Wallace)If, in the case of an unfinished road contract which contains no war clauses, a contractor suffers hardship in the completion of the contract by reason of increased costs over which he has no control, I shall be prepared to consider any representations made to me in the case of trunk roads, for which the Minister of Transport is the highway authority; in the case of other roads I have no doubt that the highway authority will be prepared to adopt the same procedure.
§ Mr. EdeWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that where local authorities make such arrangements to his satisfaction his proportion of the grant towards a settlement will be forthcoming?
§ Captain WallaceI would like to see that question on the Paper.
§ 19. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Transport what are the present intentions of the Government as to the completion or suspension of unfinished public works on the roads?
§ Captain WallaceI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 26th September, of which I am sending him a copy. Unfinished road works will only be completed if completion proves to be the most economical way of dealing with them, or if they can be shown to be essential in the national interest.