§ Sir W. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the expected cost of the Palace of Europe at Strasbourg; what proportion is to be paid by the British taxpayer; how long it has taken to build; and when it is expected to be available for use.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe expected cost of the building which is being erected at Strasbourg for the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe is French francs 327,000,000 or £334,000 at current rates of exchange. This figure includes furnishings and equipment. The share of the expenses of the Council of Europe borne by the United Kingdom is 22.6 per cent. The proportion of the cost of the building to be paid by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will, therefore, be French francs 73,902,000 or £75,487. Construction began on 6th March and the Secretariat-General of the Council expect that the building will be ready for occupation by the Consultative Assembly when it meets on 7th August.