HC Deb 07 February 1951 vol 483 cc1709-10
9. Mr. P. Thorneycroft

asked the Secretary of State for Air the average cost of painting an Air Ministry living hut.

Mr. A. Henderson

The cost varies considerably according to the size and type of the hut and other factors. The average cost of painting inside and out a 60 feet by 18 feet timber living hut is £60.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that this includes painting in about 23 different shades of paint, including moon grey, Pompeiin brown, mushroom pink, Chinese blue, apricot, champagne, pastel green, dove pink and lemon grey, and that most of these are often applied in the same hut? Is this not a gross waste of public money?

Mr. Henderson

Since I have been Air Minister, I have visited about 140 Air Force stations during the last three and a half years. One of the things to which I have tried to apply my mind is the improving of the colouring effect of R.A.F. stations. I do not regard it as waste.