§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated total cost of the Volta Dam project; how much has so far been spent; when the work will actually begin in building the dam; and when power is expected to be available after the start of work on the dam.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is hoped that the Report of the Volta River Preparatory Commission containing revised estimates of the cost of the project and of the time of construction before power would become available, will be published about the middle of next year. I cannot anticipate its contents nor the decision of the parties concerned whether to proceed with the project.
The Preparatory Commission had spent £530,000, up to 30th September last, one-half of which will be met by Her 87W Majesty's Government. Of the total, £430,000 was the cost of engineering investigations and designs. The rest was the cost of investigations and surveys carried out by the Preparatory Commission.
In addition, other expenditure has been incurred by the aluminium companies and the Gold Coast Government.