The Scottish Transport Minister is to be quizzed over a planned compensation scheme for companies bidding to construct the Forth bridge.

Mr Stevenson will be questioned by Holyrood's finance committee over a deal aimed to address a shortage of bidders which could see firms who fail in bids to build the new £2bn bridge reimbursed by up to £5m, or up to £10m if the scheme does not happen.

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SNP ministers have labeled the construction of the bridge as as Scotland's biggest infrastructure project in a generation; leading Labour MSPs to question why there would be a shortage of bidders.

The compensation scheme would only allow three bidders to pitch and tendering expenses payable to failed bidders would be capped at £10m.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "This is a world class, prestigious project and these standard industry provisions will ensure we maximise competition and achieve the best overall price."

(GK/BMcc)