§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the implications, in terms of compensation, of a decision by Her Majesty's Government not to proceed with the proposed Skye toll bridge.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAs is normal commercial practice, termination by one party which constituted a breach of contract could entitle the other party to claim compensation.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the implications for the toll period of any increase in the cost of the proposed Skye toll bridge.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDepending on the circumstances, an increase in costs required by the Secretary of State may result in an increase in the toll period. The length of such an extension would depend on the scale of extra costs and the forecast traffic volumes.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the principal terms, including those relating to compensation, of the contract entered into by the Scottish Office in relation to the proposed Skye bridge.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAs is normal commercial practice, the financial details of the contracts are confidential. However, the other principal terms of the contract are set out in the assignation statement published with the draft toll order.
There is provision in the contracts for compensation in the event of default by either party at all stages in both the construction and operation of the crossing.