asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long repair work has been in progress at the Ballachulish bridge; whether this work was necessitated by a mistake in the original construction; how long the work will take; what it will cost; and if he will make a statement.

The work to which the hon. Member refers is routine maintenance involving the treatment and repainting of the steel members above the bridge deck : it has not been necessitated by any defect in the original construction of the bridge. The work started last June; was suspended in December because of adverse weather conditions; recommenced around the end of March; and is now on the point of completion. The estimated cost of the work is £250,000. It is intended to repaint the steel beams below the bridge deck next year.