§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, on 22 February, Official Report, c. 320, he will give details of the contract awarded for the repair of the two dropped beams, giving the contractor, the cost and whether the job was awarded to the lowest tenderer.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThis contract was dealt with entirely by West Midlands county council under the delegated authority embodied in the present agency agreement. It awarded the contract to Messrs. Balfour Beatty Limited at a cost of £44,338. I am told that this was the lowest final tender afer the two contractors who submitted the lowest first two bids had been allowed to adjust their tenders following discussions with the county council.