§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost of the new Parliamentary building in Strasbourg for the European Parliament; what is the United Kingdom's contribution; and if he will make a statement. [67687]
§ Ms HewittI have been asked to reply.
According to the European Parliament, the cost of the new Parliamentary building in Strasbourg is currently estimated to be some 400 million euros. The European Parliament will have the option to purchase the new building under the terms of its lease and I understand it does 588W intend to exercise this option. This cost of purchase would be borne by the European Parliament's administrative budget, within the limit on annual resources set by the EC budget. The UK's contribution to the new Parliament building, after taking account of the effect of the abatement, will be around 5 per cent. of the total, i.e. broadly around 20 million euros.