§ 7. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many tenders have been received in respect of the construction of the Dartford-Purfleet Tunnel; and if he will make a statement giving a date when work will commence on the main tunnelling.
§ The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)Seven tenders have been received. I cannot say precisely when the main tunnelling will start, because the contractor will have to do a considerable amount of preliminary work, which may take several months.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the Minister appreciate that the fact that this project is to start and that it has not been clamped down on because of the financial difficulties will be received with great satisfaction on both sides of the Thames?
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesCan the Minister tell us what the range of prices is? Are these all identical tenders?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, they certainly are not.