§ Mr. Russellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the original estimated costs of most of the buildings for universities listed in Class VII, Vote 1, Appendix II, Table B of the Civil Estimates 1963–64, are greatly exceeded by the current estimates; and what unforeseen circumstances other than changes in the character of schemes have caused these increases.
§ Mr. BarberI am informed by the University Grants Committee that the original estimates often had to be prepared in advance of any opportunity for detailed evaluation of the academic requirements, or of the local circumstances, such as site conditions, etc., in which they would have to be met. The current estimates therefore reflect not only the results of such further study but also in many cases higher costs since the original estimates were prepared.