§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the 50,000 tonnes of granite boulders which were brought in from Sweden and France as part of the sea defence scheme at Beesands, South Hams, Devon; and if the contract for the boulders was made available to British companies.
§ Mr. CurryThe supply, delivery and placement of granite boulders was part of a larger contract awarded by the National Rivers Authority for the construction of the Beesands sea defences. Because of the narrow lanes in the area concerned, it was a condition of the contract that most of the rock should be delivered by sea. Eight British companies submitted tenders to the National Rivers Authority, including Costains Civil Engineering Ltd., who were awarded the contract. As yet itemised final accounts are not available to the Ministry but the estimated cost of supplying, delivering and placing the boulders is £0.8 million out of a total scheme cost of some £1.8 million.