HC Deb 21 December 1960 vol 632 cc1283-4
38. Mr. Oliver

asked the Minister of Transport how much additional expenditure on account of bad weather conditions was incurred by his Department to enable the contract work for the M.1 to be completed on time; what sums were paid and to whom for this specific work: by how much this expenditure exceeded the allowance of £400,000 referred to in question 2035 of the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Public Accounts Committee in the last Session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marples

As stated in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Civil Appropriation Accounts for 1958–59, the additional expenditure to counteract the effect of the weather and to permit of winter working amounted to about £1,500,000. This sum was paid to the contractors for the motorway, who carried out the additional works. It exceeds the amount referred to by the hon. Member by about £1,100,000.

Special measures were necessary because of the difficult soil conditions which were made worse by the abnormally wet weather of 1958. To close down the works would have seriously delayed the opening of the motorway and there could be no assurance as explained in answer 2050 that the final cost would have been less.

Mr. Oliver

I thank the Minister for that information, but will he be good enough to apply his mind to the Question? I want to know to whom the payment was made and the date on which it was made.

Mr. Marples

I can say that the payment was made to the contractor, but I cannot give the date without notice.

Mr. Oliver

Will the Minister be good enough to say who the contractors were? That is what the Question is about.

Mr. Marples

I do not want to specify a firm if I can possibly avoid it. I would rather say that it was paid to a contractor.

Mr. Oliver

That is not the point. Mr. Speaker, surely we are entitled to an answer. This is public money that has been spent. The Minister has said that over £1½ million was spent in addition to the contract price. I must press him to give an answer. To whom has the money been paid? The House is entitled to know.

Mr. Marples

It was paid to John Laing.