§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British contractors who have been given contracts for the construction of the Orfordness Radar Station; and if he will estimate the total cost to public funds, including capital cost, of the Orfordness project in respect of the current financial year and each of the next three financial years.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe contract for the design and construction of the civil, electrical and mechanical works for the Radio Research Station has been let to Balfour, Beatty & Co. Ltd., of London. There is in addition a large number of British sub-contractors. The contract for the technical equipment has been let by the U.S. authorities to the Radio Corporation of America. The installation of this equipment will be undertaken by R.C.A. Great Britain Ltd. and there will be opportunities for British firms to tender for sub-contracts.
The United Kingdom has agreed to contribute £729,000 towards the capital cost of construction, of which £260,000 will be paid in the current financial year. The arrangements for sharing other costs are subject to further negotiation.
It is not the practice to give detailed forecasts of expenditure beyond the current financial year.