Road Construction Unit, Dorking

Mr. Nicholas Winterton
asked the Minister of Transport how many civil servants were employed at his Department's road construction unit at Dorking on 3 May 1979; and how many are currently employed there.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The number of civil servants employed at the road construction unit at Dorking on 3 May 1979 was 28, and on 26 March 1980 was 26. The remaining staff of the unit are all local government officers.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton
asked the Minister of Transport what is the cost to public funds at present of employing civil servants who currently work at his Department's road construction unit at Dorking.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The total salaries on 26 March 1980 of the civil servants employed at the road construction unit at Dorking on that date, including allowances for superannuation and for employer's national insurance contributions, were at the rate of £331,400 per annum.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton
asked the Minister of Transport how many contractors are currently awaiting payment by his Department's road construction unit at Dorking.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The information immediately available relates to construction contracts valued at over £250,000. On monthly statements in respect of work in progress, payments in accordance with the contract are made within 28 days of delivery of the statements; as at 26 March payments for five contractors were being processed. These were the only  payments then due, but claims for additional payments have been notified by 15 contractors. For many such claims no particulars have yet been supplied: for many others advance payments have been made. Further payments will be made in accordance with the provisions of the contracts, if and when the respective engineers under the contracts are satisfied that such payments have been substantiated. Three final accounts from two contractors were being examined prior to final certification.