§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has yet received the report from Messrs. W. S. Atkins and Partners referred to in the answer of the Under-Secretary of State on 15 July.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 18 October 1982, c. 54]: My right hon. Friend has now received the report from Messrs W. S. Atkins and Partners which was commissioned to investigate cracks in replaced bearing plinths in the Midland Links motorway viaducts. The report confirms that the cracks are due to shrinkage and are of no structural significance. As a precautionary measure it recommends that a further coat of paint should be applied during future steelwork painting in order to seal the cracks. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.