§ 27. Mr. Duffyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the final version of new design rules for box girder bridges.
§ Mr. SpeedInterim design rules are being prepared by the Merrison Committee in accordance with its terms of reference and will be based on the appraisal rules which the committee has already drafted. My right hon. Friend expects to receive these interim rules before the end of July and will publish them shortly thereafter.
§ Mr. DuffyWhat will be left of the weight/price/design expectations originally evoked by the box girder bridge, as well as its fundamental economics, by the time the Merrison Committee reports? What effect are the recently imposed safety conditions having upon the British bridge-building industry?
§ Mr. SpeedI draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the interesting debate on this subject last Friday. The present indications are that the design rules may have very little effect on weight and design considerations and that there is a great future both for these bridges and for the British bridge-building industry. Mr. Speed: I draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the interesting debate on this subject last Friday. The present indications are that the design rules may have very little effect on weight and design considerations and that there is a great future both for these bridges and for the British bridge-building industry.