§ 1. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether, in view of the overcrowding in some of the ancient huts at the Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, he will now accelerate the programme for their replacement.
§ The Minister of Public Building and Works (Mr. Reg Prentice)The additional accommodation mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member on 26th April will be built as quickly as possible. The first block should be ready for occupation early in 1969 and the whole programme completed by the summer of that year.—[Vol. 745, c. 305.]
§ Mr. PeytonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the overcrowding of these old blocks is now quite scandalous? Does not he think that even by Government standards of progress it is simply outrageous to take three years to put up two factory-built blocks?
§ Mr. PrenticeNo, Sir. I cannot accept the latter part of the supplementary question. The defence building programme, as with all others, has to be phased, for reasons with which the House will be familiar. I agree that the sailors at Yeovilton, as in many other places, are housed in very unsatisfactory accommodation. We have a considerable programme for improving and modernising this accommodation over the years.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkDoes not the Minister think that my hon. Friend's supplementary question is a reasonable one? Will he make every effort he can to see that this project is speeded up?
§ Mr. PrenticeThe Navy Department is putting some temporary buildings there shortly. These should be available in August. There are some other people coming to Yeovilton for the training programme on the Phantom aircraft. Then the new building will take place in due 1092 course both to provide the extra numbers and to relieve the overcrowding to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. PeytonOn a point of order. In view of the totally inadequate nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.