§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Supply what were the reasons for the increase in the overall cost of the Brabazon air liner to £12,000,000; how this sum is made up; and whether the contract was put to open tender.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussThe present estimate of the total cost of the Brabazon air liner project is £11,580,000, £520,000 more than the figure mentioned in the Report from the Select Committee on Estimates. The increase is due mainly to the increased costs of labour and materials on the works services at Filton. These services account for £5,630,000 of the total. The balance of £5,950,000 is the estimated cost of the two prototypes, including engines, and the development and manufacture of special equipment. The contracts for the works services were put out to open tender, but not the contract for the prototypes.