§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport why only the Parliamentary Secretary and not himself has visited the site of some of the dropped steel beams of the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways during the recess.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:We did not consider it necessary for both of us to visit the site at this stage.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport if the bearings used on the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways were such that routine lubrication was required; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:The bearings did not call for routine lubrication. Investigations are being carried out to determine whether there is a need for further lubrication.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport what was the function of the shims under the bearings on the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways; and if any have been removed or replaced during the current inspections.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:The function of the shims was to support the bearings and steel beams at the correct level during the construction stage. So far as I am aware, none have been removed or replaced in the course of the current inspections.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport whether any detailed tests have been carried out on his behalf of the mortar mix on the bearing plinths of the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways; and, if so, whether records have been kept in sufficient detail to be of use in a legal action.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:Samples of the mortar mix are at present being analysed to establish whether the material complied with the specification.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will list the dates on which each of the dropped steel beams on the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways was discovered;
(2) if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, on 21 July, any further cases of dropped steel beams on the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways have been discovered; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if all of the current inspections of the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways are being carried out in sufficient detail so as to enable him to form a judgment regarding legal liability.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:I will answer these questions shortly.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport how many firms, including subcontractors, are currently working on the repairs to the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways; if he will state 134W the general area of work of each firm; and how many new contracts have been let in the past three months.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:There are many firms engaged on repair work on the elevated sections of the Midland link motorway. Because specific Departmental approval is not required for their appointment, I do not have the complete information the hon. Member asks for, but I will obtain it and write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport how many bearing plinths on the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways have been inspected; how many have required, or will require, remedial work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:Most of the bearing plinths have been inspected; to date 4,866 have been repaired and a further 3,135 are being repaired in current contracts. The full extent of further repairs which may be necessary has not yet been determined.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister of Transport if he will consider appointing a judge or other suitably qualified independent person to inquire into the reasons for the level of maintenance and repairs required to the elevated sections of the Midland link motorways.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:No. We are satisfied with the engineering investigations being carried out by this Department, assisted where necessary by consultant engineers.