§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British building operatives have been, or are to be, sent to build houses in Gibraltar; to what extent building work in Gibraltar has been undertaken by a firm from the United Kingdom; and what is the cost of the current building programme there.
Mr. Creech JonesNo United Kingdom operatives are at present employed on the Gibraltar permanent building scheme, which is under contract to Messrs. Humphreys of Knightsbridge. No firm estimate is possible of the number of such operatives likely to be sent out by subcontractors, but it is understood that the number is not likely to exceed twelve specialists. The cost of the permanent building scheme now in progress is estimated at approximately £2,000,000.