HVCA deputy chief executive Roderick Pettigrew has given evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on the effect of the recession on specialist engineering contracting.
'Key Scottish building projects such as the Commonwealth Games
and current pipeline public/private projects are critical to continuing workload,' Pettigrew pointed out, adding that a significant downturn in the housing sector was already apparent.

HVCA Scotland wished to see an increase in the pace of projects being brought on stream under the Scottish Futures Trust - the replacement for PFI/PPP arrangements in Scotland - according to Pettigrew.

He also voiced the industry's concern that, in spite of Scottish government pronouncements on the issue, there was little evidence that the commencement of projects under the government's social housing programme was being accelerated.