§ 26. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what buildings, roadways, jetties and other works are to be built on the Ayrshire coast as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation naval defence installations; and at what cost.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithThese works will consist of a depôt for the antisubmarine boom which is to be laid in the Clyde. They will involve the reclamation of 4½ acres of land; the construction of an office block, workshop and stores; about 20,000 square yards of roads and paved areas; 2,500 yards of rail track, mostly sidings; shallow water barricades and a T-shaped jetty with a head 200 yards long connected to the shore by a 300 yards stem. The cost will be about £800,000.
§ Mr. HughesDoes this mean that the Admiralty is now preparing to fight the last war? Has the Minister heard that the Russians have now rockets which will carry hydrogen bombs 8,000 miles? Is he aware that these buildings are almost adjacent to the nuclear power station, and can he tell us how these arrangements will save the nuclear power station from attack by rocket?
§ Mr. GalbraithThe object of this installation has nothing to do with the nuclear power station. It is to protect the merchant fleets of the Allied Powers.
§ Mr, G. BrownCan the Civil Lord say when this work will start and whether it is being financed by us or by N.A.T.O. under the infrastructure arrangements?
§ Mr. GalbraithIt is being financed under the normal N.A.T.O. arrangements. Various firms have been asked to tender, but no firm contract has yet been entered into.