§ 64. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is (a) the total cost of the Brewster housing project in the Falklands, (b) how many Brewster houses are occupied and unoccupied, respectively, and (c) what are the categories of occupiers of the Brewster houses.
§ Mr. RaisonThe final cost of the project will not be known until details of local expenditure on site services and infrastructure and other related claims have been submitted. At present, 33 houses are occupied and the breakdown of occupants is as follows: 13 islanders, 13 personnel on contract to the Falkland Islands Government, three immigrants and four diplomatic service and Ministry of Defence personnel. The Falkland Islands Government estimate that the remaining 21 houses should be occupied by the end of this month.
§ Mr. DalyellIs the cost above or below £100,000 per house, and does the Minister regard that as value for money?
§ Mr. RaisonIt is above £100,000 per house, but it must be remembered that that includes the cost of transporting materials there, the preparation of the sites, provision of water, electricity and so on. The Falkland Islands Government have also acquired ownership of other assets such as plant, equipment and an accommodation block as part of that process.
§ Mr. SpearingDoes the Minister recall that the Select Committee on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was dissatisfied with the arrangements made by his Department for tendering for those projects and their subsequent administration? Will he consider that report and ensure that in any future emergency of this kind much better and clearer arrangements are made?
§ Mr. RaisonI have studied the report, although it relates to events that took place before I took up my present post. I accept that we must consider carefully what can be learnt from this episode, but I do not accept that the whole thing has been a waste of time and money.