20. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Minister of Labour the cost of building the redundant building training centre at Paulsgrove in terms of pounds, shillings and pence per man trained.
Mr. LeeMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Works informs me that the cost of building and equipping the premises was £177,500. Whilst the premises were in use as a Government training centre, 436 persons completed training courses there. The relation of these figures to one another does not, of course, represent the cost of a man's training, in the calculation of which quite different factors must be taken into account.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary realise that this redundant building has been empty since January, that it cost an awful lot, that it has trained very few people and that it is not now being used for any purpose? Will he arrange to allocate it to some factory, or to have it used for some other purpose?
Mr. LeeIt is not our wish that the factory should remain vacant. I do not know whether there are any proposals for letting it to industry, but I should like to think that that is going to be the case.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonDoes the Parliamentary Secretary admit that it is redundant?
Mr. LeeI do not know precisely, but I have no reason to dispute the hon. and gallant Member's statement that at the moment it is not being used.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonIs this not yet another example of Socialist extravagance?