§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give detailed reasons for the estimated cost for the car park in New Palace Yard rising from £1.3 million to £2.2 million in one year; and if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details of the three lowest tenders for the work, the date when tenders were invited and the closing date.
§ Mr. AmeryThe main reasons for the increase are some £300,000 for cost inflation and additional requirements included in the light of knowledge gained from extensive site investigation. The latter include:
£ 1. underestimate of cost of addition floor 50,000 2. increase in thickness of diaphragm wall 85,000 3. subways to House of Parliament 90,000 4. mechanical and electrical engineering developments 140,000 5. additional steel liners for bore holes 56,000 6. site exploration 46,000 7. temporary car park 30,000 8. cost of continuous working to ensure expeditious completion 35,000 Tenders were invited on 14th March, 1972, and closed on 28th April. The three lowest were approximately £2.2 million, £2.3 million and £2.4 million.