HC Deb 08 July 1975 vol 895 cc127-8W
Mr. Robert Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the ex-gratia payments and loans given by his Department under the terms of the Highways Act 1959 to W. and C. French (Construction) Limited, this company and associated companies, permission will not be given to the company to tender for future similar work until such loans have been repaid.

Dr. Gilbert

It is too early to say whether or not this company will be given new opportunities to tender for trunk road contracts.

Mr. Robert Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the contractual completion dates for the civil engineering contracts of W. and C. French (Construction) Ltd. as listed in col. 527 of the Official Report of 22nd May 1975 and any revised estimated completion dates.

Dr. Gilbert

Some of these contracts have now been completed. The present position is as follows:

Contracture Completion Date
M23 Bletchingley-Pease Pottage Now completed
M18 Thorne-East Cowick Now completed
M62 Pollington-Rawcliffe August 1975
A69 Horsley-Hedon-Throckley November 1975
A406 Waterworks Corner February 1976
M23 Hooley-Merstham Now completed
M25 Reigate-Godstone (including M23-M25 Interchange) October 1975
A47 Kings Lynn Bypass Now completed
A45 Stowmarket-Claydon By-pass November 1975
M11 Redbridge-Loughton December 1971
M23 Gatwick Line and A23 Improvement September 1975
A12 Ufford and Wickham Market Bypass June 1976
A127 Halfway House Flyover July 1976
A3 Esher Bypass December 1976
A108(A19)Hylton Bridge Now completed
A78 Irvine Bypass November 1975

Because of the nature of major road contracts, wish to speculate on the likely completion dates.