§ Mr. WHEATLEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total expenditure of the Government on the construction and site of the aerodrome at Loch Doon; what was the amount paid to the contractors, Sir Robert McAlpine, Limited, for their contract; was the contract based on competitive tender; and how much has been received by the Treasury in respect of the disposal of the plant and equipment of the abandoned aerodrome?
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§ Sir S. HOAREI have been asked to reply. As far as I can ascertain, the expenditure on the construction and site of the aerodrome at Loch Doon was, approximately, £435,000, and the amount paid to Messrs. McAlpine was £320,600. I am informed that the contract, which was placed by the War Office in 1917, was not based on competitive tenders, which were at that time not obtainable for these large construction contracts, but was on a prime-cost basis. The residual value was, approximately £167,000 for plant, buildings, and equipment, transferred for use on other Government work, and £25,000 for sales.