HC Deb 24 June 1982 vol 26 cc170-1W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been paid to Dabb Chemicals Ltd. in respect of work on bearing plinth replacements on the Midland link motorways in 1981 and 1982 to date in respect of (a) its own contracts and (b) sub-contract work.

Mrs. Chalker

In the case of the three contracts where Dabb Chemicals Limited was the main contractor payment is the responsibility of the West Midlands county council, as the Department's agent, and it had not settled final claims. The tender sums, however, were £79,445 (Witton), £71,024 (Thornbridge) and £92,975 (Wigmore), totalling £243,464. The bulk of this amount will have been paid, over the last two years. In the case of the two contracts for which the firm was sub-contractor payment to it was the responsibility of the main contractor which in each instance was R. M. Douglas Ltd., and payment to it also has been the responsibility of the West Midlands county council. The main contractor's tenders were for £215,243 (Oldbury) and £296,313 (Gravelly Hill), totalling £511,556. I have asked for a full report by the West Midlands county council and I expect to receive this in about two weeks.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on hairline cracking in repaired bearing plinths on the Midland link motorways at Oldbury, Witton, Thornbridge and Wigmore.

Mrs. Chalker

When setting, the plinths tend to produce hairline cracks which, as a general rule, have no structural significance. There is nothing so far to suggest that the hairline cracks in the repaired plinths have any structural significance, but to be certain, one way or the other, I am arranging for a further check to be undertaken by independent consultants. Their findings will, of course, be made public.

In due course it will in any event be prudent to seal the hairline cracks, but this can easily be done in the course of other routine work or inspections.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, Official Report, 28 May, c. 450, about the tender specifications for bearing plinth replacements on the Midland link motorways, he w ill give details of the public money saved on those contracts where the period between the second and third coats of sealing compound was altered;

(2) pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, on 28 May, Official Report, c. 450, whether all the companies invited to tender for bearing plinth replacements on the Midland link motorways were informed that his Department's agent had altered the terms of the tender specification in respect of the period between applications of the second and third coats of the sealing compound.

Mrs. Chalker

I have asked the West Midlands county council to cover these matters in its report. I shall be in touch again with the hon. Member when I have had an opportunity to consider it.