§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what unforeseen costs have arisen in connection with the refurbishment of forces' married quarters; what impact this will have on the timing of the refurbishment programme; and what additional budgetary provision is being made available to the Defence Housing Executive to meet the shortfall. [104799]
§ Mr. SpellarAt the time of the sale to Annington Homes in 1996 it was assessed that the cost of upgrading the bulk of the married quarters estate in mainland UK would be about £470 million and that work would be completed over a seven year period, that is by November 2003. A subsequent 100 per cent. stock condition survey established that additional work required, including structural and utilities improvements to houses, would cost an additional £112 million. This has necessitated extending the completion of the upgrade programme to 2005 on current expenditure plans with continued funding.