§ 22. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what were the recent defects discovered in the building of the Polaris depot at Coulport; what repairs and alterations were made; and at what cost.
§ Mr. PrenticeUnderground water seepage has caused dampness in five workshop buildings where very stringent standards of temperature and humidity control are essential. It is costing about £60,000 to put this right by means of grouting and drainage.
§ Mr. HughesAs this is supposed to be a very expensive depot in which Polaris missiles are stored, costing, I believe, either £3 million or £5 million, should not the contractors be a little more careful
§ Mr. PrenticeI think that in this work the contractors have been careful. I am advised that the extent of the water seepage here could not have been foreseen and, further, that there will not be any overall delay in the programme as the result of this work.
§ Mr. ManuelWas this site properly surveyed and bore-holes made'? Surely preliminary survey work was a necessity in view of the type of establishment which was to be built. If undertaken, water would have been discovered.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe site was properly surveyed. We are dealing with very unusual buildings where the requirements regarding humidity and temperature are very precise. This is a different kind of building programme from any ordinary one.