§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government the contract date for the completion of the Sandford Link which will complete the Oxford outer by-passes; whether it is anticipated that this date will be met and whether there is a penalty clause in the contract which will operate in the event of failure to complete by the stated date.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRE, TARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, the Contract date for the completion of the Sandford Link is September, 1965. Progress to date is such that there is no reason to suppose that this date will not be met. The contract provides for the payment of liquidated damages by the contractor in the event of failure to complete the works within the stipulated period.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for his forthright reply, and express my pleasure at what he has said about the completion date? I share his hope that it will be completed in September, 1965.
§ LORD SALTERMy Lords, may I ask the Minister whether the Government realise the full importance and urgency of this link, partly because, 962 unlike other parts of traffic policy proposals in Oxford, this is uncontroversial and universally admitted to be both valuable and without offsetting disadvantages, and also because so much bypass work already completed cannot be of full benefit until this link also is completed and in use?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, the Government are well aware of the urgency of this matter, which is the reason why the work was put in hand in September, 1963.