HC Deb 11 July 1980 vol 988 cc339-41W
Mr. Harold Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in the cause of reducing public expenditure and pursuant to his policy of reducing the establishment of his Department, he will terminate the employment of his adviser on the Palace of Westminister, Sir Robert Cooke;

(2) if he will give details of the specific benefits gained by the Palace of Westminster during the last year from the services of Sir Robert Cooke;

(3) how many previous holders there have been, prior to the present incumbent, Sir Robert Cooke, of the office of adviser on the Palace of Westminster; what were their names; and what was the level of remuneration in each case;

(4) for how many royal palaces he employs a personal adviser; and if he will state their names and the remuneration, including allowances, in each case;

(5) whose advice he sought, or with whom he carried out consultations, before appointing Sir Robert Cooke to be his adviser on the Palace of Westminster;

(6) if, prior to the appointment of Sir Robert Cooke, the post of adviser on the Palace of Westminster was advertised or otherwise made open to other applicants;

(7) whether the salary of £3,000 per year paid to his personal adviser on the Palace of Westminster is subject to the increases in public service pay recently announced;

(8) if the post of personal adviser on the Palace of Westminster is a permanent post on the establishment of his Department.

Mr. Heseltine

Sir Robert Cooke has very special knowledge and experience of the architecture, furnishing and history of the Palace of Westminster. Since his appointment in December 1979 Sir Robert Cooke has given valuable assistance to the works of art Committees of both Houses and, through my Under-Secretary of State, has also given considerable help to the Department on restoration and conservation aspects of the accommodation programme for the Palace of Westminster. His services will continue. There were no previous holders of this appointment and no advisers are employed for other Royal palaces. The post of adviser on the Palace of Westminster, which is not a permanent appointment, was not advertised. Sir Robert was offered the appointment, after consultation with the Leaders of both Houses, because of his unique qualifications. His salary of £3,000 will be adjusted in line with increases in Civil Service pay recently announced.