§ 14. Commander Nobleasked the Minister of Works the cost of the preparation of the official residence for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and how many men are employed on the work.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe estimated cost of the works in the preparation of the official residence for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is £16,500. This includes the cost of repairing war damage, which was considerable, reinstating the house which had been used as offices during the war, of forming a residential flat on the two upper floors, of preparing the reception, conference, kitchen and other rooms in the lower part of the house, which will be available for Government purposes. About 70 men are or have been employed on the work.
§ Mr. BossomWill not the Minister consider painting the entire front of that one small block instead of leaving just one slice all by itself among a number of other houses?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe Minister has got into enough trouble for allowing that one to be painted.
§ Mr. SpenceCan the Minister give an assurance that in the circumstances all the materials Leing used are either British or Empire products?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI could not give that assurance, but I should imagine they are to a large extent.