§ 7. Mr. Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the criteria laid down by his Department in asking for tenders for the Kessock Bridge in 1975, in view of the fact that the present estimate is for £17.25 million despite inflation, as opposed to £30 million in 1975.
§ Mr. MillanThe design standards to be met in each case were the same except for minor adjustments to seismic loading, which had a negligible effect on costs.
§ Mr. GrayIf the design factors were very similar in each case, how does the roads department of the Scottish Development Department account for the difference in the tenders—of £30 million and £17.25 million—despite the fact that we have had two years of excessive inflation? Does he agree that it was a great mistake on the part of the Scottish Office not to ensure, when it sought offers in 1975, that the same steel supplier was employed by all tenderers? Would it not have been more realistic at that time to have prices for both a concrete and a steel bridge at the same time, and not to have lost two years as a result of delay?
§ Mr. MillanI do not know what the hon. Gentleman is complaining about. The tenders were far too high in 1975 and we decided not to accept them. I should not care to speculate whether they were legitimately so high, but we had no intention of accepting what we thought were grossly excessive tenders.
§ Mr. SillarsDoes the difference between the two figures mean that the Government now have £12¾ million extra to spend on roads? If that is so, will my right hon. Friend come with me on Friday to Turn-berry to see the urgent need for a bypass around Maybole and Girvan?
§ Mr. MillanObviously anything we save on one road makes money potentially available for something elsewhere, but the 1228 demands are already over-subscribed and I am not open to any further offers.