§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made on the Docklands light railway running from Tower Hill to the Royal Docks.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I understand that construction of the Docklands light railway running from Tower Hill to Island Gardens and Stratford, which the Government approved last August, is proceeding satisfactorily and we expect the railway to be in full operation by mid-1987. I also understand that London Regional Transport and the London Docklands Development Corporation are preparing plans for submission to the Government in due course in connection with a proposal to extend the railway to the area of the Royal Docks.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer. Do Her Majesty's Government consider that this project and its success so far is a good example of what is known as "turnkey" contracting, in which contractors can design, manage and build a project, thus saving a lot of time, labour and materials?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraIndeed, my Lords; all parties agreed that the turn-key approach, which involves a package deal covering both the civil engineering works and the mechanical and electrical engineering aspects, was to be preferred. It offers significant advantages in terms of tight project management within an agreed timescale and cost limits.
§ Lord Elwyn-JonesMy Lords, will the noble Lord enlighten us a little about this turn-key approach? It sounds a very remarkable operation.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I think it means that the developers agree with the contractors that at the end of the day basically they have the project and they can turn the key on it and there you are—it is all complete.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this is a perfectly normal term for projects of this sort? May I also say that what he said about the extension to the Royal Docks is of great interest in relation to the development of Stolport, and people on all sides of the House will be pleased to hear that that part of the project is being given reasonable priority?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Tordoff, and I entirely agree with him.