HC Deb 05 March 1963 vol 673 c178
3. Mr. W. T. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works why the building to be erected by his Department on a site in Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, is not scheduled to be ready for occupation until the end of 1965; and if he will expedite construction in view of unemployment locally in the building industry.

Mr. Sharples

Construction is due to start early in 1964, and the building is planned for occupation early in 1966. The preparation of drawings and bills of quantities and tendering procedures are estimated to take 12 months, and the construction and furnishing of the building a further 24 months, but I am looking into this to see whether special steps can be taken to bring forward the starting date.

Mr. Rodgers

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that dependent on the completion of this building is a large number of most important local authority projects? Why is it necessary, using modern building techniques and materials, to spend 24 months constructing a simple building of this sort? Is this to be a model for the future progress of the building industry?

Mr. Sharples

We are looking at the possibility of speeding up this work, for the very reasons which the hon. Gentleman has put forward.