§ 5. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Works what has been the cost in each year since July, 1945, of buildings for training at Government centres.
§ Mr. KeyThe cost of erecting and adapting buildings for Ministry of Labour Government training centres in the financial years since 1945 has been as follows: 1945–46, £1,086,570; 1946–47, £3,131,690; 1947–48, £1,379,754; 1948–49 (to 31st October, 1948), £356,440.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay I ask the Minister whether, in making this expenditure of, on a hurried calculation, some £6 million, he will take steps to see that these buildings are put to an effective use? Will he also satisfy himself that the expenditure is justified, and tell me whether he has had Treasury permission for all this expenditure?
§ Mr. KeyI have had not only Treasury permission but also the permission of this House for all this expenditure. So far as use is concerned, I am certain that the use to which these buildings are being put already, and the use to which they will be put when their need as training centres ceases, is for the great benefit of this country.