§ Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the accidents to box-girder bridges in South Wales and Australia, he is satisfied with the design and safety of the Erskine Bridge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellYes. A meticulous re-examination of the design and of the erection procedures was carried out in June, and this established that there were no grounds for concern. Since then work has proceeded without incident to the point where the bridge is 90 per cent. complete.
Construction has now passed well beyong the stage at which the accidents occurred at the other bridges. The shore spans are complete, and, as the bridge deck of the centre span is now supported by cables, it will not again, either during the remaining stages of construction or in service, be subject to stresses as great as those successfully borne earlier in construction.
I have complete confidence in the basic design of the Erskine Bridge, in the quality of the workmanship, and in the skill and experience of all who are engaged in its erection.