HC Deb 17 December 1969 vol 793 cc1329-30
15. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many of the building works undertaken by his Department for the Ministry of Defence within the past five years have been found to be structurally deficient during or after construction.

Mr. John Silkin

Eighteen, Sir.

Mr. Onslow

Is not that rather too many? Will the Minister make available to the House a list of barracks, married quarters, officers' and sergeants' messes, and instructional blocks in which design faults have caused costs to exceed original estimates by more than 20 per cent.?

Mr. Silkin

Eighteen is too many. One is too many. But these things occur. In general, I am very proud of our record, and I do not believe that it is in any way out of the way. Apart from the cost of remedying Ronan Point-type buildings, the actual estimated cost to the public of remedial works has been £120,000.

Mr. Ashton

Can my right hon. Friend tell us how many major new works have been carried out for the Services during the past five years and at what approximate cost?

Mr. Silkin

My hon. Friend has made a very valid point. During these years there have been 2,000 major new projects for the Ministry of Defence, and the approximate cost has been £330 million.