74. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent alterations in specifications by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation authorities were responsible for the escalation in costs of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ammunition and storage depot at Glen Douglas.
§ Mr. Mellish:There were no substantial alterations in specifications by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, but an additional requirement which itself cost about £100,000 caused consequential changes in the layout of the site. The main increases in cost however were due to unusually difficult site conditions, which in some cases necessitated alterations to specifications and changes in plans, labour problems, and the general 271W rise in prices and wages during the extended period of the contract.