§ 23. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many building workers, construction workers, electricians, plumbers and labourers were employed at the Polaris base in Scotland during the week ended 18th June, 1966.
§ Mr. BoydenThe latest figures available are for the week ending 28th May. There were then 1,706 building and construction workers of whom 90 were electricians, 42 plumbers and 514 labourers.
§ Mr. HughesIs my hon. Friend aware that this has had a disastrous effect on building costs in the rest of Scotland, that as a result of it labour has been diverted to this site and that costs in
§ Mr. RipponThe hon. Gentleman says we must wait until the end of the year for the final figures. But does not he agree that there is little likelihood of building 400,000 houses this year?
§ Mr. BoydenNo, Sir. There is considerable likelihood.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Dunbartonshire are now the highest in Scotland? Will he not make representations to the Ministry of Defence to postpone this work until we have got further on with our advanced factories?
§ Mr. BoydenMy hon. Friend will be pleased to know that the building force involved has nearly reached its peak, so that the situation will not get worse. If this work were not done, one might almost say that conditions for the Navy would be sub-standard.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonWill the hon. Gentleman accept from me that there are other costs in Dunbartonshire which contribute to the excessive cost of certain buildings there?
§ Mr. BoydenI note the hon. Lady's remarks.