HC Deb 11 March 1968 vol 760 cc948-9
5. Mr. Peyton

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if, in view of the inability of his Department to erect the Phantom Training School building at Royal Naval Air School, Yeovilton, within 12 months without putting it inside an existing hangar, he will review the relevant building procedures.

Mr. Mellish

No, Sir. Building in the hangar saved over £100,000 compared with a separate building.

Mr. Peyton

Is it not plum crazy, having bought the land, and having all the time that is necessary under ordinary circumstances, by one's own procedure to render quite useless a building which is badly needed, namely, the hangar in this case? I hope that the Minister will look at his own procedures again.

Mr. Mellish

This is one case where we cannot possibly win. It would have cost £170,000. As a result of building inside this hangar, we have saved the nation a considerable sum. At a final cost of only £55,000 we have got all that is needed, and now I am being ticked off for having done it.