§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Supply if he can give the reason for the discrepancy, referred to in the Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure, between the estimated cost of £300,000 and the actual cost of £1,600,000 on a magnesium plant; and what disciplinary action is contemplated.
§ Sir A. DuncanI would refer my hon. Friend to the discussion of this case by the Public Accounts Committee at paragraphs 7914 to 7924 of the Proceedings published on 10th November, 1942. The facts briefly are that in 1940, in order to meet a critical position, immediate steps had to be taken to provide new sources of magnesia production, and substantial risks had to be incurred with the develop-1448W ment of a new and untried process. Modifications and additions to the original scheme, during construction of the plant, were such that the initial estimates of cost proved to be quite inapplicable. I am satisfied that every effort was made to keep expenditure to a minimum.