HC Deb 08 March 1965 vol 708 cc3-4W
48. Mr. Steele

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if the estimated cost of £45 million for the Polaris base at Faslane includes the cost of new roadworks, sewerage, supply of water and new houses.

Mr. C. Pannell

The estimate of £45 million covers all work in the Faslane, Coulport and Helensburgh area and includes these items.

49. Mr. Steele

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the estimated cost of works at Rosyth for the Polaris programme when it was first announced; and what is the estimated cost today.

Mr. C. Pannell

Works in progress at Rosyth will provide for the refitting of conventional and both types of nuclear powered submaries. The original order of cost for this work in March, 1963, was £1.1 million: the present estimate is £1.3 million. Further work is planned which is required only in connection with Polaris submarines. Precise requirements are not yet known, but the order of cost, which was £600,000 in March, 1963, has now been reduced to £300,000.

Mr. Steele

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will give the reasons for the increase from £25 million to £45 million for the Polaris base at Faslane.

Mr. C. Pannell

The greater part of the increase over the original estimate is due to subsequent decisions. These include the provision of shore facilities for hunter-killer submarines and the siting at Faslane of the Polaris Training School, special repair facilities and a new floating dock. There has also been some increase in construction costs and in the extent of the works services needed.