§ 43. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply, Official Report, 6 February, column 418, how long the Minister of State spent inspecting the Brewster houses in the Falklands.
§ Mr. RaisonAbout an hour, Sir.
§ Mr. DalyellAt what point in time did the right hon. Gentleman tumble to it that we were talking about Brewster homes at about £133,000 per home, and should he not have made some statement to the House rather than let this fantastic information dribble out?
§ Mr. RaisonI do not deny that there have been problems with this contract, but it is important to understand that, of the cost of £133,000 per house a substantial amount—about £31,500went on shipping, and another substantial amount went towards the purchase of capital assets, plant and an accommodation block that will be of continuing value to the people of the Falkland Islands.