§ Mr. ButterfillTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 124 concerning the cost of the crossrail project, what he meant by the base cost: and whether it included the alterations to the project contained in the additional provision deposited in January 1993.
§ Mr. Norris(holding answer 4 March 1994]: The base cost estimate of the crossrail project is the estimate believed to be as close as possible to the likely value of contracts to be awarded for the works in a competitive tendering climate when the relevant industries are neither in recession nor over-extended; the £1,703 million base cost estimate referred to in my answer of 11 January includes the cost of the works defined in the additional provision deposited in January 1993.
§ Mr. ButterfillTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 124 concerning the cost of the crossrail project, how the estimated sum of £259 million for property purchases and compensation for loss and disturbance to property was arrived at; how much of this sum relates to the purchase of rights in property required for the building of crossrail; and how much relates to compensation for loss and disturbance to property owners.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 4 March 1994]: The estimated sum of £259 million for property purchases and compensation for loss and disturbance to property was a 11W preliminary estimate of the compensation payable in respect of properties which would need to be purchased; it is intended to cover both the market value of the property and compensation for disturbance. The figure is necessarily an overall approximation; the final figure will depend on the outcome of detailed future negotiations between the crossrail Bill promoters and the owners and tenants of the properties affected.