§ 3. Mr. Gammansasked the Minister Of Works the estimated cost in money and man-hours of temporary buildings, including accommodation for troops, to be erected in connection with the Victory Day celebrations in London.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 2nd instant, of which I am sending him a copy. It is not possible without undue labour to separate the cost of temporary buildings from the remainder of the camps. No temporary buildings are being erected by my Department unless the saluting base and the Press stands are so regarded. The total cost of these is estimated at £5,500.
Mr. GammonsWould not these men be better employed in putting up permanent houses instead of preparing for a victory march that no one wants?
§ 15. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Works the estimated cost of the Victory Parade on 8th June and if he will give details of some of the larger items of expenditure.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will with the hon. Member's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir W. SmithersWhatever the figures are, in view of the appalling political and food situation throughout the world, and incipient civil war in Britain—
§ Mr. SpeakerThat supplementary question seems to be going very wide.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay I withdraw the wide part, Sir, and finish the question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI imagine that if the hon. Member withdraws the wide part he would have to withdraw the whole of his supplementary question.
§ Following are the figures:
§ I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 2nd instant.
§ The major items of expenditure on the Victory celebrations on 8th June are now provisionally estimated as follow:
| £ | ||
| Camps: | ||
| Expenditure by the War Office | … | 30,000 |
| Expenditure by Ministry of Works | … | 5,000 |
| Decorations | … | 20,000 |
| Floodlighting, sound amplification and expenses connected with the Aquatic Display | … | 30,000 |
| Saluting Base. Press Stands, etc | … | 5,500 |
| Public Lavatories | … | 15,000 |
| Children's entertainments, including transport | … | 19,000 |
| Fireworks | … | 15,000 |
| Expenses of the Civil Contingent taking part in the Procession | … | 15,000 |
§ There will in addition be expenditure on barriers, etc., for the protection of the public and on transporting and maintaining troops, for which details are not vet available.