§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how soon plans, drawings, and a model of the rebuilt Knightsbridge Barracks will be available for inspection by hon. Members; whether the plans have been approved by the Royal Fine Art Commission; what is the estimated cost of this project; and what would be the cost of reconditioning the existing building to meet modern requirements as nearly as possible.
§ Mr. RipponA model and plans of this project will be included in a small exhibition of some of the current schemes in my Ministry's programme which I propose to arrange in the Upper 29W Waiting Hall during the week beginning 29th July.
The Royal Fine Art Commission have said that the design is acceptable to them. The cost of the project at current prices is provisionally estimated at £2,200,000. Experience indicates that the cost of bringing the present buildings up to modern standards, so far as that might be possible, would be of the same order, Even then they would not provide all of the accommodation which is needed.