§ 18. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what expenditure he has incurred at the Polaris submarine base at Gareloch and the missile storage depot there up to 31st June; if he will give the main items of expenditure; and what is his estimate of the work there when it is completed.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe total estimate for this work is £23 million of which £15½ million had been spent by 30th June. The main items are the Faslane Base, the Armament Depot at Coulport and the housing estates at Rhu and Helensburgh.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCould the Minister tell us when this great drain on the building resources of western Scotland is likely to cease? is he aware that the total estimate given to me is £45 million, which is a very large sum for a white elephant?
§ Mr. PrenticeI do not accept the proposition that this is a great drain on the building resources of western Scotland. The total labour employed on the site to 30th June was 1,738 men, which is not a very large number compared with the population of that area. The £45 million is the total cost, including that which falls on the Ministry of Defence. The £23 million is the cost of the building work carried out under the auspices of my Ministry.