HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc244-5W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as detailed a statement as is readily available of the costs and work involved in altering and redecorating Ministerial offices for the longest convenient stated period since October, 1964.

Mr. John Silkin

Information about routine redecoration is not readily available as it will usually have been carried out as part of a scheme for a building as a whole.

Following is a list of special schemes of alteration or redecoration carried out in Ministerial offices during the past five years.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when the furnishings and furniture in the room of the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity were changed at a cost of £1,000; when the then existing furnishings and furniture had first been installed and at what cost; when the £140 carpet and underlay was fitted; when the previous carpet had been fitted and at what cost; over what period of time the £2,140 was spent on these improvements and over what period; and at what cost in total the previous refurnishings and redecorations took place.

Mr. John Silkin

The refurnishing and the other recent improvements to the room of the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity were carried out during the two weeks commencing 22nd May. The ventilation system in the waiting room was installed last summer. Information is not available about the previous furnishing of the room, but generally the furniture and furnishings had been in the room for at least ten years, and the furniture itself was made just before the last war.