HC Deb 20 January 1942 vol 377 cc227-8W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for Air who are now the contractors at an aerodrome, the name of which has been sent to him; has his attention been called to the bad work done by and the bad condition of the tracks laid down by the late contractors; what it has cost to put this right; and what action has been taken?

Captain Balfour

The contractors at present engaged at this aerodrome are L. J. Speight and Partners, Ltd., of Thatcham, Berkshire. At a late stage in the course of the original constructional work there was a temporary shortage of material required for the perimeter track and material of a lower grade than that first specified was incorporated in parts of the track in order to avoid delay. This proved adequate until, for operational reasons, aircraft of a heavier type than had been contemplated were moved to the aerodrome. Some deterioration of the perimeter track, but not of the runways, then occurred. The repair work cost £6,000. The lower grade material was substituted with Air Ministry approval and no blame rests on the original contractors. If they had been still on the site when the defects became apparent the additional work would have been let to them. Speight and Partners were then undertaking other constructional work at the aerodrome and they were accordingly entrusted with the work.