HC Deb 08 February 1949 vol 461 cc50-1W
Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Supply why it was found necessary to add 600 tons of steel to the structure of the Brabazon assembly hall as originally designed; and what was the cost of the extra strengthening so involved.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

I am informed that the only extra strengthening to the structure of the assembly hall was to the main rib of the centre bay. The amount of steel involved was five tons and the cost was £1,500.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Supply what was the reason for his decision to press on with the completion of the east wing of the permanent assembly hall for the Brabazon aircraft regardless of cost, instead of making use of the temporary erection site.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

The temporary erection site was unsuitable for the final assembly of the Brabazon. The additional costs arising from this decision to complete the east wing first have been carefully examined by my Department.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Supply what were, respectively, the fees and the expenses paid to the consulting engineers who advised him on the design and construction of the Brabazon assembly hall; and by how much the final cost exceeded their estimate.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

It would be contrary to normal practice to disclose the amount of payments to individual firms.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Supply what was the total cost of the Brabazon assembly hall, together with the originally estimated cost of completion.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

The original estimate of the cost of constructing and equipping the assembly hall in its present form was £1,567,000. The total cost is not yet available, since final accounts have not been submitted, but the final estimate, which is at present being examined, is £3,294,456. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, the main causes of the increases are the rise in the cost of labour and materials since 1946, and the novelty of the building, both in construction and size. Many of the engineering problems were not foreseen when the earlier estimates were prepared.

Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Supply what was the value of works executed in connection with the construction of the Brabazon assembly hall, without prior approval by his Department, financial grants for which had to be made after the completion of the work.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

It is not possible without undue labour to give the value of work completed before approval was given, but the amount is thought to be small.