HC Deb 27 July 1933 vol 280 cc2796-7W
Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Minister of Transport if be will publish a detailed statement of the staff employed by the contractors in connection with the new road from Glasgow to Edinburgh and of the salaries paid to each; the dates when the various contracts were completed, irrespective of the period of maintenance; and how many of these contracts have been settled up with the contractors and the number still to be settled?

Mr. STANLEY

I have no information regarding the staff employed by the contractors in connection with the new road from Glasgow to Edinburgh. The local authorities concerned with the construction of this road entered into 58 contracts, of which 57 are completed, irrespective of the period of maintenance. Settlements have been reached in connection with 53 of the contracts and I am advised that in two of the remaining five cases negotiations are well advanced.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the contractors for the Glasgow-Edinburgh road have been able to use the office accommodation erected for the road free of rent and taxes to the detriment of other engineers in private practice; and whether he will arrange for an inquiry to be made by an independent civil engineer of standing into the whole matter of the construction of this road?

Mr. STANLEY

As the offices provided by the highway authorities responsible for the construction of the Glasgow-Edinburgh road for the convenience of their staff are not available for the contractors engaged on the road, it would appear that the hon. Member's question is based on a misapprehension. I am not aware of any reason for an inquiry into the matter of the construction of this road.