§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what arrangements were made in his Department for the financial and technical screening of sub-contractors working on the Conwy tunnel;
(2) how many sub-contractors have been used on the construction of the Conwy tunnel; and how many of these have gone into liquidation.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsIn selecting main contractors invited to tender for all motorway and trunk road projects, the Department satisfied itself on the financial and technical ability of the chosen companies. In accordance with the Department's standard conditions of contract, the main contractor is fully responsible for the acts, defaults and neglects of any sub-contractor, his agents, servants or workmen. As such, the Department is not required to screen sub-contractors. Similarly the Department would not need to be made aware of any sub-contractor who may have gone into liquidation. The Conwy tunnel project has been subject to these normal procedures. The number of sub-contractors used to date on the project is in excess of 60.
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§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the construction of the Conwy tunnel compared with that of similar projects elsewhere.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsIn selecting main contractors invited to tender for all motorway and trunk road projects, the Department satisfies itself on the financial and technical capability of such contractors. In accordance with the Department's standard conditions of contracts, contractors have an obligation to meet the requirements of the contract both in terms of timescale and standard. The Department appoints agents or consultant engineers for each project to watch and supervise the construction of the works. The Conwy tunnel project is subject to these normal procedures.