§ Mr. Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the cost to the Department of the Environment (Water Service) for (a) legal fees and (b) other costs concerned with contracts that have gone to arbitration since 1976;
(2) how many companies have been unable to fulfil contracts awarded by the Department of the Environment (Water Service) and have subsequently gone into voluntary liquidation since 1976;
(3) how many contracts awarded by the Department of the Environment (Water Service) since 1977 which are now complete (a) have final payments still not made to the contractor and (b) are the subject of arbitration;
(4) how many contracts awarded by the Department of the Environment (Water Service) since 1977 have been forwarded to arbitration and have been resolved; and what has been the cost to the Department on each contract over the agreed tender price.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.