asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further works in New Palace Yard await completion; what they will cost; and when they will be finished.

No further works are envisaged, Sir. The works at present in hand will be completed by the end of April.

Does not the whole story of this disgusting and profligate waste of public money show that it should never have been undertaken orginally? Could not the millions of pounds that have been spent so far have been better applied to building houses?

My hon. Friend could have made that point in the debate. The House decided on the development of the car park.

Does the Minister accept that this is the longest running farce in London and that we should have had much better cost control over the work that has taken place? It is a very bad example to the general public.

If the hon. Gentleman would like to table a Question about the detailed costing and the way it was arrived at, I will certainly give the answer.