Public inquiry into bus contract?

Tuesday 3rd February 2004, 12:00AM GMT.

THE setting up of a public inquiry into the events leading up to Connex’s being awarded the £30m bus contract is likely to be announced today.

The unexpected move comes as a result of a dramatic plea from Policy and Resources president Senator Frank Walker in the States this morning.Senator Ted Vibert was in the process of asking a series of 18 detailed questions about the bus contract to Environment and Public Services president Deputy Maurice Dubras when Senator Walker intervened.

He said that ‘very, very serious issues’ were being raised over the reputations of a number of parties, including Connex, former bus company Jersey Bus, officers of the Public Services department and bus contract consultants Halcrow.Senator Walker said: ‘It does seem to me that the only way to get the full facts revealed in this instance is to have a committee of inquiry.’

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