§ 13. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the lastest cost estimates for the construction of the runway and the associated housing for air facilities in the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. GowI refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 27 June. Our latest estimate of the value of the work on the airfield and associated RAF facilities is £190 million.
§ Mr. DalyellIs the Minister not aware, from his visit to the Falklands in the congenial company of my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Lambie) in 1978, that the geology is very difficult? Is he coy about giving the House the figure of £370 million?
§ Mr. GowI recall the visit that I made in the company of the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Lambie). I am not in the least coy about giving the facts to the hon. Gentleman. The figure today is the same as the figure that was given by my right hon. Friend before the summer recess. It is £190 million.