§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of modernising the accommodation at Lee-on-Solent for HMS "Daedalus"; what would have been the cost of moving the establishment to the modern facilities at the former RAF airfield at Thorney Island; and what would have been the saving in annual running costs resulting from such a move.
§ Mr. DuffyFor the purpose of comparison, the figures of estimated costs have been calculated on the same price base. The latest estimated cost of 281W modernising Lee-on-Solent is £24 million at 1977 prices, although better definition of the task may modify this figure. The estimated cost of moving to Thorney Island would have been about £24 million to £26 million at 1977 prices, depending on the time taken to modernise it. There would have been no appreciable difference in the running costs of HMS "Daedalus" at either place.